We’ll make youths leaders of today, not future

BENIN CITY—AHEAD of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, the Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council has released the manifesto of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie.

Tagged: “Pathway to Prosperity For All,” the manifesto contained the PDP candidate’s plans for security, women and youth development, education, agriculture and food security, rural and community development as well as strategies to uplift the standard of living in Edo State.

Other issues highlighted in the document include: care for the elderly, respect for traditional and religious institutions; industrialisation, care for children and the vulnerable in the society, harnessing the importance of the diaspora for better working relationships that would foster development in all parts of the state.

It stated that with the “creation of platforms for active participation in the state development, recognising the valuable skills, perspectives and investments, it said Ighodalo is poised to engender an environment of collaboration and mutual respect that would take the state to higher heights.m

Laying emphasis on youths, the document said: “You are the leaders of today, not the future. We will actively support and invest in your potential. We commit to enhancing educational opportunities, paying bursary to qualifying students, expanding job training programmes, and fostering an environment where your innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit can thrive.

“We will champion your rights, respect your voices, and ensure your equal participation in all aspects of society. We commit to creating policies that’ll safeguard your health, advance your education, and promote your economic well-being.”

The document further promised “to provide the supportive role by creating an environment with access to healthcare, social services (including free public transportation), especially for the elderly and other community programmes tailored to their needs.”

Ighodalo and Ogie who are now known as Ai/O2 further declared their willingness to cultivate an environment that would support growth and sustainability, develop policies that would enhance economic stability, provide incentives, and streamline regulatory processes to make Edo State the easiest state to do business in.

PDP chieftain mobilises Edo diaspora for Ighodalo.

Meanwhile, a chieftain of the PDP and lead spokesman of the Team, Asue Media Organisation, Darlington Okpebholo-Ray, has tasked Edo sons and daughters living abroad to return home and cast their votes for Ighodalo in the governorship election.

He also appealed to those who may not be able to come to mobilise their family members at home to ensure Ighodalo’s victory.

Okpebholo-Ray in a statement in Benin said he made the appeal when he met with members of the Edo Diaspora Movement for Asue/Ogie, in London where he emphasized that Ighodalo’s emergence is divine to take the state to another level of industrialisation and economic prosperity as well as stemming the tide of insecurity in the state.

Okpebholo-Ray added that the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, has done a lot in the past seven and half years in the state and that what is needed is continuation of developmental projects which he believes that Ighodalo will easily and successfully build on.