By Kingsley Ohens
Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Dr Asue Ighodalo, on Wednesday reiterated his vision and plan to make the state a first world sub-national sovereign and that his administration if elected would need the support of the sons and daughters of Edo State to realize the vision.
He stated this at the second leg of the Town Hall Meeting with the Edo Diaspora in the United States which was held in Houston, Texas.
Ighodalo, who alongside his wife, Mrs Ifeyinwa Ighodalo, running mate , Osarodion Ogie Esq, and entourage, were warmly received with fanfare in Houston, while addressing the fully packed hall of over 350, said “We (Myself and Osarodion Ogie) need your help to realise our commitment to creating a first-world economy for Edo State.”
Throwing light on his manifesto, ‘The Pathway to Prosperity for All’, Ighodalo stated that “Security is our topmost priority because it is the key to attract investors for Economic Prosperity.” He said where security is not guaranteed, investors confidence would be eroded and, therefore, securing the lives and property of everyone in the state is a top priority as his administration would improve on what is already on the ground in the state.
He vowed to create an enabling environment that would allow them to come back home at least twice a year as such trips have the potential to heavily reflate the economy of the state significantly.
“We will create a conducive environment suitable and attractive for you to come back home and invest.
“We will create the enabling environment for our creative and talented youths to achieve their digital & creative skills, ” he assured.
Ighodalo, whose speech was intermittently punctuated by applauses of approval, said “We will run a government that is trustworthy, accountable, and transparent enough to earn the confidence of foreign investors to come and invest in Edo.”
Speaking about infrastructure and how to raise funds to execute infrastructure projects, Ighodalo assures that he would use his contacts and experience of many years to do that.
“I will use my experience from sourcing finance for corporates, and with the help of my partner, Osarodion Ogie, we will look for external sources of income to run Edo State,” he assured.
In his speech, Ogie assured the audience that the two of them have what it takes to provide good governance in the state. He also said the coming administration, if they are elected will build on what the present administration has done.
“We have got the much-needed experience in governance to govern our people.
We will consolidate on the numerous gains made by Gov Obaseki’s administration in agriculture, power, and economy to take Edo to the next level of economic prosperity.”
The engagement was rounded off with a lively session of questions and answers which both Ighodalo and Ogie satisfactorily handled. The Diaspora train heads for New York as its next destination on Friday.
