The Edo State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in September’s election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo has said that he sees the state competing as the best sub-national in the country and Africa in the next 10 years.
He said that, as a state hugely blessed with highly talented and creative individuals, such enormous resources, if well harnessed, can turn the state around completely for the good of all.
On Tuesday at a programme organised by Benson Idahosa University in collaboration with International Leadership Ideas Exchange, and held at the university’s Legacy Centre, Okha, Benin City, Ighodalo stressed the need for leaders to be compassionate.
He argued that, if leaders exhibit considerable compassion for the people and really love them, they would find it easier to serve them well by engaging in activities that would meet the yearnings and aspirations of the masses. He argued that unless leaders love the people, they could not serve them well.
The PDP candidate said: “I see Edo State that will be the best sub-national government in Nigeria and indeed Africa. I see a future that will inspire, empower and uplift all its citizens from lack, want and poverty to prosperity in Edo State. And that is why I want to challenge all of us to get involved so as to elect leaders that will serve with love and compassion. Except leaders genuinely love the people, there is no way they can serve them well.
“As for you guys, be determined to work hard and be able to differentiate between right and wrong. Let your word be your bond. Be accountable and respectful. Integrity is key. These are values that you need to get going because they will take you to very high places. Let people know you to be straight forward, a person who will not cut corners and cheat others just to make it”.
He emphasised that there is a lot that the state can do to get to a first world sub-national state. He challenged everyone to put on their thinking caps, stressing that Edo is no more a civil service state.
He said that Edo State has since moved beyond that tag and challenge people to go and see what is going on at Ikpoba Okha and other giant steps that have been taken by government.
Ighodalo promised to continue with whatever programme of government that is good and tweak anyone that is not being well implemented so that the people can get value from their government. He made reference to the privatisation of refineries by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo, which his successor, late President Umaru Yar’Adua revised and how Nigeria is now paying heavily for that decision.
He called on the students not to be passive when it comes governance and administration. “Get involved. You own this country. You have to determine the direction of the country by getting in there, and ensuring that you participate fully”, he admonished.
Ighodalo promised a Law student that he would get her to work in his law firm.
The event, tagged ‘Thinkers Nest’ under the theme ‘The Future of Edo State’, was organised by BIU in collaboration with International Leadership Ideas Exchange.
The discussion was designed to feature all the three front runners in the governorship election. Tuesday saw Ighodalo taking the first shot. The candidate of the Labour Party, Barrister Olumide Akpata will feature on Wednesday, while the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Monday Okpebholo will take his turn on Thursday.
