Guber election: PDP candidate, Ighodalo unveils strategic plans for Edo

Edo State gubernatorial candidate on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party,l (PDP) Asue Ighodalo, alias AI, has unveiled his strategic vision and insights on driving sustainable development and progress in the state.

A fund-raising dinner, organised by Corporate Nigeria for AI, comprising investment bankers, investment financiers, infrastructure financiers, capital market dealers, legal practitioners and private sector leaders within and outside Edo, at the weekend in Lagos, presented Ighodalo the opportunity to unveil his plans for the state themed ‘Pathway to Prosperity for All’.

Ighodalo, one of corporate Nigeria’s finest and distinguished lawyers, says he’s stepping into the political foray to convert his great ideas into transformative action for the people of Edo.

As governor, Ighodalo’s capacity, global networks and proven track record will be at play as he unlocks the people’s rich potential and transforms latent talents into valuable assets.

He believes that despite the state’s rich heritage, it has faced numerous challenges throughout its history, with the advent of democracy contributing to several efforts to restore its glory.

Ighodalo disclosed his desire to consolidate on Governor Godwin Obaseki’s transformative policies in education, healthcare, agriculture and other key sectors of the economy.

For instance, Obaseki’s Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation programme, codenamed EdoBEST, which revamped the educational sector, particularly at the primary and secondary school levels, resulted in Edo consistently ranking second and third places when it comes to basic education in Nigeria.

The health sector under Obaseki is getting significant boost, with fully equipped Primary Healthcare Centres, reconstruction and accreditation of Edo School of Nursing, Science and Midwifery, telemedicine partnerships with the Diaspora, and the launch of Edo State Health Insurance Scheme.

The nearly eight years of the Obaseki administration in Edo recorded significant milestones in agriculture, economy, civil service and Edo Master Plan and contributions to the people’s welfare.

The Alagodaro Summit was created to enable stakeholders dialogue problems facing the state, and boost economic prosperity for the people.

Despite the great works of the Obaseki era, Ighodalo says the potential of Edo has not been fully tapped. He promised to solidify these initiatives and advance the state into immeasurable prosperity.

“Given the enormous social and macro-economic challenges we face in Nigeria today, we cannot afford to gamble with our collective future and the destiny of our children by electing leadership that is incapable of addressing key developmental challenges with competence and vision,” he said.

Ighodalo provided a detailed plan of action to achieve a prosperous future that honours the state’s rich heritage and actualises its full potential.

The Ighodalo prosperity agenda focuses on security, law and order as foundation for prosperity through police support, use of technology and value restoration; ensuring wellbeing for the people through job creation and provision of social amenities; economic growth through industrialization and harnessing natural resources.

He promised that his administration would also focus on good governance through transparency and accountability in public finances and protection of the environment.

For the guber hopeful, the achievement of full state and local government policing, provision of food banks, promotion of made-in-Edo products, boosting Internally Generated Revenue and ensuring clean and healthy environment, among others, will define his tenure as Edo governor.

He promised to support the elderly, women’s rights, youths and students, children, traditional rulers, civil servants, farmers, teachers and other stakeholders of the state.

Even before now, the gubernatorial candidate has always supported Edo communities through the provision of social amenities like power, road construction, award of scholarship to students, widows support, medical outreaches, and support for the less-privileged in the state.

He aims to build a more prosperous, just and sustainable Edo that empowers every individual with the opportunity to contribute positively to the common goals.