By Elempe Dele
The Edo State gubernatorial election for September 21st, 2024 is crescending and the political heat is visceral. So much attention is on the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo, compared to the other two major candidates.
The reasons for this keen interest on Ighodalo are not far-fetched. First, Ighodalo has cut a niche with impressive track record in the corporate world, and people are keenly interested in him on this basis. They want to know if he will be able to transfer this wealth of knowledge and experience from that world to the management of Edo State resources for development and growth. He has not minced words in his campaigns on prosperity for all.
If one takes a close look at where Ighodalo is coming from in terms of background, one will notice his strong academic and professional influence. Nothwithstanding, he was able to develop himself outside this family reliance.
Without going through the rigours of his elementary education, Ighodalo graduated from the University of Ibadan with a degree in Economics, and proceeded to the London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE, where he obtained a Master of Laws(LL.M)
After gaining some experience both in the United Kingdom and Nigeria in the legal field working as a lawyer, he delved into the corporate world specifically. He became established as a distinguished lawyer by specialising in corperate and commercial law. Along with his partners, Banwo and Ighodalo was formed, which has become of the most sort after commercial law firms in Nigeria. The firm has provided legal services to several companies including multinationals, financial institutions and agencies of governments.
Being successful in the business of law has made Ighodalo to venture into other sectors such as finance, energy, real estate and hospitality that have notably contributed to the growth and development of the nation.
Before coming to contest the Edo State gubernatorial election, he served as chairman and director of several organisations and companies such as Sterling Bank, Dangote Flour Mills Plc, the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, among others. Apart from the professional world, his footprint dots community development and philanthropy. He is involved in charity campaigns; from education, healthcare to youth empowerment. This month alone, he donated millions to the University of Benin and to a student of the Ambrose Ali University who needs a kidney transplant. There are several of such interventions that are kept from the public glare.
Ighodalo’s journey has inspired a lot of Nigerians, specifically Edo State young citizens, who look up to him as a role model. From his messages to the youth in several of his talks, he has been able to combine determination, zeal, hardwork and desire to be able to get to where he is today.
Ighodalo, through his manifesto, and with clear vision, has vowed to tackle major issues the state is faced with. He promised, when elected, to bring economic development to the state, address its infrastructural decay, revamp the public educational system, make Edo State safe from all forms of criminalities…
Although this is the first time Ighodalo is venturing into the mainstream politics, his track record in corporate governance proves to be seen as a undeniable asset in addressing Edo State obvious challenges.
The campaigns are in progress across the 18 Local Government Areas, LGAs, voters, as well as political analysts with and outside the state have fixations on Ighodalo with high expectations to turn around the fortunes of the state when he wins come September.
