In the video above, Dr Asue Ighodalo has revealed the three things he immediately wants to start his government with by God’s grace, come November. They are, one: Security. Two: Intervention funds to the indigent and vulnerable citizens of Edo State and, three: to set up his Zonal Economic Development Agency (ZEDA). These threesome policy focus already give us the trajectory of Asue Ighodalo’s government, which draw heavily on his Manifesto of course. The importance of Securing of lives and property by government is understood as the primacy of its legitimacy. So also is the second point and third point of his focus, welfare! Asue Ighodalo’s dedication to making life liveable and enjoyable for Edo people is highly valued and obviously appreciated by even the hoi polio; judging by the warmth and excitement that the masses show at seeing him. He has become a metaphor of their hope in a better and prosperous Edo. Therefore, it is advised that Dr Ighodalo must be assisted to succeed in Government by all those who mean well for Edo people. That hope contributes to underscore the importance of starting with our Security.
The value of Security is that, as an end in itself, it is the most delightful condition of existence any community can find itself in. People are already very happy just to know that they are secured and safe to move around unmolested, unhurt, unharmed! But even more so, Security births development in highly prolific ways. Businesses find secure locations to establish and spread, knowing that their products and services are secured. They can even operate 24 hours day and night services. This means more production, more employment of hands to work the business, and also sustaining other ancillary businesses. Just a quick simple example, if a sawmill works 24 hours round the clock, there will be _mama put_ to cook afternoon food and another one for night shift. There will be other provisions vendors around too; all of them forming a small colony of productions and employments. Extrapolate that small colony to other businesses around and imagine the thriving economy we are looking at. It means travellers passing through Benin City, Auchi, Ekpoma, Uromi or any where in a safe Edo, can hang out in our towns, instead of continuing their journey. They would have 24 hours open hotels to sleep in, after eating hot rice and _kpomo_ from open restruants or any _joint_ they prefer! Etc
It will even become possible to run night Schools for adults and examination classes for youths!
Can you see a pathway to prosperity in all these? Trust you can. Let’s move on to point number two.
Asue Ighodalo promises immediate quick relief, through immediate intervene funds to the poorest of the poor and vulnerable citizens of Edo State. Have you found yourself returning home on a hot day, from an interview session that didn’t quite go well: hungry, thirsty and famished, with no hope of a meal in sight? But someone had anticipated all that, and has left a lavish lunch and chilled drinks for you? Even some ungrateful people would remember to say thank you at such moments. That is analogous to the immense sense of relief and gratitude the poor and vulnerable will show on reception of that intervention fund from Ighodalo. It is one of the wonders of the nature of man, but one which is a most common reality that those in comfort zones quite well forget that the vulnerable and poor are still a part of humanity and have the same rights to the basic things of life like any other soul. It’s a sad and regrettable reality. So, we can congratulate Asue Ighodalo for still retaining essential empathy! What the poets call the ‘milk of human kindness’! It will communicate hope to them and give them a reason to go on!
Zonal Economic Development Agency (ZEDA) is the third Jump. And what a jump that would be! It’s sheer novelty is already thrilling! ZEDA will jump start the State’s economic agenda simultaneously and competitively. There will be a healty,hasty action to quickly discover Zonal potential for development. Itself has potentials to deliver a highly industrialized and productive State within a very short period! ZEDA will dig into every nooks and crannies in the Zones and, quite apart from mineral resources, throw up a plethora of latent talents in the Zones. ZEDA is Equity! It will create even development, decongest the Edo Metropolitan areas, open up towns and villages in the Zones, and create a large mix of productive activities accross the State.
So, may the good Lord help Dr Asuerimen Ighodalo to achieve all that he is setting out to achieve and more. Amen!
