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Tag: aspirant

  • My Marshal Plan for Imo, by aspirant

    My Marshal Plan for Imo, by aspirant

    Okey Ezeh is the CEO of Savvycorp Limited and Chairman of Okechukwu Theodore Ezeh Foundation (OTEF), a non-governmental organisation. In this interview with OLUKOREDE YISHAU, he says he has developed a Marshal Plan to improve the fortune of Imo State, which he hopes to govern on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Excerpts

    What is your assessment of the current state of affairs in Imo State?

    Imo State today is in economic dire-straits with no new meaningful private sector investments in the last three years; heavy debt overhang estimated to be in the region of N100 billion region, dwindling federal allocations owing to strangulating first-line charges on various loan repayment schedules; over 800,000 unemployed youths (by a recent National Employment Survey estimate);  rampant poverty; rising wave of crime and creeping insecurity; scandalous decline in educational quality with 11 faculties in the state university and the Polytechnic in Umuagwo unaccredited and the worst ever student performance in NECO and WAEC recorded in its history a few months ago.

    Worse still, there appears to be no coherent plan or programme designed towards ameliorating this state of anomie as the government of the day is busy executing white elephant projects such as street gates, roundabouts, squares, new government offices; quarters and inaugurating vigilance squads to the detriment of the productive sectors of the local economy which has been completely neglected.

    What are you going to do differently?

    I will immediately re-order priorities to squarely face the existential threat of poverty in the land. We will funnel resources away from non-regenerative, cosmetic schemes to agro-based industrialisation drive using the industrial cluster model that will be spread across the three zones of the state. We will run a transparent and accountable, value-for-money administration with zero-tolerance for corruption, ineptitude and cronism.

    This alone will free up huge resources that will be applied to harnessing our virtually limitless agricultural potential. I will invest in high-yield fertilisers and introduce organic, high-yield seedling varieties to not only shore up food security in the state but also to create the capacity required for the agro-industrial transformation of the state.

    I will bring back the Farm Settlements of the Michael Okpara era. I will revamp our near-comatose educational system with improved funding, better learning tools and training and re-training of teachers. I will attract grants for our tertiary institutions and enrol them in offshore support programmes, exchanges and linkages that will promote skills and knowledge transfer with institutions of international repute.

    Why should Imo people trust you?

    When your vision and ideas resonate with the direst needs and fondest desires of your people, when your track records illuminate your path like a brightly-lit stairway, when you have the creativity, character and conscience to pull consistently on the side of your people, you engender trust every step of the way-from Mbaitoli to Nwangele to Ihitte-Uboma to Ezinihitte and to the remotest clan in Imo. People hold out their hands to you and lock you in warm embrace.

    Why do you believe you have what it takes to govern a state like Imo with so many “big men”?

    Big men are not averse to progress. If anything, part of the process of belonging to that rarefied circle is the possession of a certain level of fastidiousness. That is, you don’t go near them with a plain vanilla offering or mediocrity. You must come with a premium package to gain their acceptance.

    Okey Ezeh is a thorough-bred professional and technocrat conversant with global best practices both in governance and private sector practice. He has the unique blend of skills, energy and drive to take Imo to the Promised Land.

    He is the only aspirant in the horizon that has fashioned out a critically-acclaimed developmental blueprint that will transform Imo from a backwater, allocation-dependent state to an agro-industrial powerhouse and third largest state economy (both by GDP and per capita income indices) within the next five years. That document is christened the I-Map (Imo Marshal Plan).

    What do you think are your chances of securing the APGA governorship ticket?

    You know our party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), arguably, has the best track record in internal democracy among all the parties in the country and that is the first guarantee we have that the most acceptable aspirant with the best prospects of leading the party to victory will emerge.

    In my own case, my aspiration is quickly crystallising into a mass movement not only within the rank and file of the party but also among the general Imo populace where we have a near-cult following among the youth and women groups, the key demographic strata that decide all elections.

    The simple reason is my age, personality, professional pedigree and  track-record which most Imolites agree all add up to the profile of the leader they look up to re-invent Imo in 2015.

    The Court of Appeal recently restored Victor Umeh as the National Chairman of APGA. What is the implication of that judgment? 

    It was salutary even if long-awaited. That judgment has provided the respite the party requires to forge ahead with planning for the forthcoming general elections. Members of APGA can now come together with confidence to fine-tune strategies not only for victory at the polls in several states where we are in the ascendancy but also for safeguarding such victories.

    Do you think APGA has a chance in Imo, with the APC as the ruling party and almost all the “big men” in PDP?

    All students of modern political history in Nigeria know that APGA always wins in Imo because the cockerel is the symbol that is intrinsically enshrined in the hearts of every Imolite. Forget all the propaganda; APC is like the proverbial seed that falls on parched ground and is scorched almost immediately it germinates.

    The Imo ‘big men’ you talk about in PDP, more often than not have APGA sympathies and pedigree. They are like Little Bo Peep in the popular English nursery rhyme that lost her sheep and did not know where to find them but would eventually come home wagging their tales behind them.

    What is your assessment of the Jonathan administration?

    In all fairness, the Jonathan administration has done reasonably well, given the difficult circumstances under which it has had to navigate the ship of state. If not for anything else, the administration is frontally tackling the hydra-headed energy monster with a focused implementation of the power sector reforms which I believe will define his legacy.

    One is also elated at his administration’s 35 per cent Affirmative Action Plan for women in politics as well as the 30 per cent Youth Empowerment Charter all of which I think will help re-define Nigeria as a country where anyone can live up to his or her full potential without the glass ceilings of gender or age.

    Do you think he has a chance in 2015?

    Oh yes. I think those who are right now mounting a spirited challenge to his continuing in office do not portend a better future for Nigeria and Nigerians. Most are mouthing inanities about zoning and flexing muscles about how far away power has wandered away from them rather than sell a superior governance vision to Nigerians. That is the surest guarantee that Jonathan will ride to victory in 2015.

  • Rivers 2015: I am an aspirant – Dagogo-Jack

    Rivers 2015: I am an aspirant – Dagogo-Jack

    Recently, there was controversy over the sponsor of some posters announcing the candidacy of  Reynolds Beks Dagogo-Jack in the 2015 governorship race in Rivers State. While the Abonnema-born technocrat and the Chairman of Presidential Task Force on Power denied being behind the posters, he told Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, in this interview that he is an aspirant in the forthcoming race although his ambition is secondary to the project of ensuring President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election. Excerpts  

    Where are strong speculations and even poster evidence that you are in the gubernatorial race in Rivers State. Is this true?

    For the records I was just as surprised to see those unsolicited posters as anyone else. Indeed, I had to put out a disclaimer of sorts to forestall anyone capitalising on the act for political mischief. I also want to say that it is perfectly possible for some enthusiastic well wishers to do this as this is fast becoming part of our culture in politics. And to your question, yes, I am an aspirant waiting to progress to being a candidate for the guber race. Now, don’t forget that I still have a job to which I am fully committed. However, I can confirm to you that I am indeed an aspirant to the office of governor of Rivers State in the next election under the banner of the PDP. I was convinced to prepare for the race in order to enrich the field and provide both the political leadership and our party constituents in the state a wider range of qualified and capable options. You know the peculiarities of our state, being very strategic to the national economy. Our party cannot afford to make unforced tactical mistakes ahead of the main elections which we stand a very good chance of winning landslide. Rivers State remains a PDP state at all levels. Rivers people are waiting adamantly to massively vote PDP in all the elections, especially the presidential and the gubernatorial races. Believe me: all current pretensions to the contrary are mere grandstanding and shall fizzle out in due course.

    What are your core political interests?

    As they say, no permanent enemies in politics but only permanent interests. Even at that, you will agree with me that the interests are bound to be shifting based on the circumstances of the moment. For me, the principal and paramount political interest I have into the foreseeable future is not to do or be involved in any activity knowingly or unknowingly which can pose even the remotest threat to the re-election of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in the 2015 presidential election. Every other political consideration must be fully subjected to this paramount goal. Once all plans, choices and actions fully align with this goal, any secondary interest can queue behind this. I totally believe in this and I have no apologies on this.

     What motivated you to come out?

    Like I said, my first motivation is to enrich the field, knowing that over the years I have received the level and quality of preparation required for a high public office, duty post such as the governorship of our state. On a more personal level, I am motivated to offer a credible alternative to the regime of conflict, suspicion and exclusion-based politics which have dominated our political landscape for over a decade now. It will surprise many to learn that the Rivers State GDP is larger than that of Gabon or Senegal. We have what it takes to perform as a country, yet we live like beggars in the midst of plenty because we allow ourselves to be misgoverned and misled. By far, my strongest motivation is my personal conviction that our President sincerely desires to leave enduring developmental achievements especially in the Niger Delta region in order to fully resolve the restiveness in the region and this can only be successfully delivered when the states are governed by adequately prepared, humble and well committed transformational leaders who would work to earn the trust and followership of the people. I strongly believe that if we get development right in the states of Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers we can create a momentum of economic opportunities which could cascade across the country with far reaching nationwide impact. In this sense therefore, I personally share the view that the decades of mismanagement of the economy of the oil bearing states has been not only a disservice to the people of the region but also to Nigeria as a whole. Don’t you wonder sometimes how, by some strange process we keep electing all sorts of desperately insecure people with largely unconcealed desire to use the office chiefly to acquire stupendous wealth just to overtake those who they consider previously ahead of them whilst doing everything they can to dismantle meritocracy and enthrone below-par mediocrity for their succession plan? I tell you, I am motivated to present myself as a committed agent of change who would see the state and our neighbours as a huge economic asset to be optimally exploited for the full benefit our people and Nigeria at large. The challenges shall be significant in view of decades of practicing wrong politics and to deliver this change shall require discipline, tenacity and exemplary leadership. It will require ability to set clear targets and secure the buy-in of critical stakeholders; it will require transparency and accountability in governance. It will require capacity to build consensus. It will require humility and a learning spirit.

    From information available to us, the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, is also an aspirant and he has the state and PDP structures fully secured to his interest. So, how do you think you can compete fairly at the primaries under such a situation?

    Yes, I have read and seen different groups filing out in newspapers and mini rallies either endorsing or calling on Mr. Wike for the ticket. Indeed there is even news of the state PDP chairman openly canvassing for him. Yet, I have yet to hear him say he is running so it will be improper to speculate too widely. Be that as it may, I can only adduce that going by the current brand of politics which have failed to serve the people for decades, I will not be surprised if indeed it is restless political jobbers, incurable dependants and hangers-on who are piling the pressure on him for what they can corner for themselves now and in the future. For me, I believe all prospective candidates for governorship should fully respect the fact that political interests are both interconnected and hierarchical. By this I mean we must first design a winning model for the President’s re-election and avoid placing our interests ahead of his own thereby putting his victory prospects under any undue and unnecessary stresses in the state. As members of the same political family, which has the sitting President, we must be ready to make any sacrifice required for his re-election. Unless subsequent events indicate differently, I want to give all interested candidates, including Mr. Wike when he declares publicly, the maximum benefit of doubt on this. Again, you know very well that the primaries are meant to be a family affair. I strongly believe that our party would conduct the primaries, produce a flag bearer and still remain united for the main election ahead.

    Do you think rotation of key political offices should take precedence over the capacity of a candidate?

    I do not think the two elements are mutually exclusive. We are 165 million people in Nigeria with around 5 million in the state. In the state, we have well known ethnic nationalities, which unfortunately denote our political groupings for now. I make bold to state that each of the groups are richly blessed with prepared and experienced leadership materials who most often get crowded out by the more desperate power mongers in our midst. To suggest that we should at this vulnerable stage of our political evolution pretend we do not know that once a particular group gets elected into power, it can manipulate the dynamics to perpetrate its kind in office on the basis of a jaundiced “capacity and qualification” argument is to my mind self serving and deceitful. No group has the monopoly of capacity and experience. The compelling arguments in favour of rotating executive offices amongst the constituent groupings is well known; chief of which is equity, fairness and trust, which are the irreducible requirements for sustainable peace and development. Now, if a group can’t trust others to govern over them, tell me what gives them the right to govern over others? It’s as fundamental as that. A time shall come when we shall transcend such proclivities and collapse the ethnic boundaries into better integrated social classes which shall then predicate our political process. Until then let honesty and integrity prevail please.

    In this context, how do you explain the unprecedented and unimaginable victory of Fayose against the incumbent, even in his own electoral ward?

    The Fayose victory shall remain a political case study for some time in the annals of contemporary history, yet I see the twin elements of capacity and equity at play here. Without doubt the incumbent governor took far more for granted than he should. Not taking anything away from Fayose, he seemed to have resonated well with mood of the people. On one hand he enjoyed an overflow of emotional redress from the injustice of his forced displacement by the Obasanjo government. In politics as in real life, it’s very unhelpful to compare oranges with apples.

    We have heard a lot of people say that you are a well respected technocrat and that you are really not a politician; can you take on Amaechi’s (APC) candidate as well as the Education Minister? Can you?

    Again, I want to really avoid being presented as the minister’s bitter rival for whatever reasons, because I am not. He is my younger brother. I have a lot of respect and admiration for him. He is a very strong politician and we both have a duty to work together and retain Rivers State as the PDP state it has always been. I repeat, it’s not so much about us as it is about our boss’s political calculations which guarantee a win-win for both of us who are the President’s aides. Talking of being a technocrat, I fail to see that as a liability in any way. Politics is a people and contact game which can be likened to football in its simplest form. An all defenders and no strikers line up can’t make a good team and vice versa. The potency of my candidacy is not anchored entirely on my skills, muscles and orientation, but its rather a coming together of several socio-political like minds and interests who share a common set of core values and have agreed to rally support behind a single point of leadership. The world is full of such examples where respected technocrats are invited to lead a change vanguard with the full support of the other forces to undertake phenomenal transformation of their nations especially in these times which need deep technocratic experience to navigate successfully in the global village. I am proud to associate myself with such great minds, including our President and his Vice who have discharged themselves very creditably in the political arena yet both came into public service from the technocrat side of our larger society.

    What are your strengths as a candidate?

    I am a very credible alternative which can be used to change the destructive direction of our politics to make significant improvements in all socio-economic indices, including health, education, industry, employment, agribusiness, quality of life, etc. Of course, I have other strengths but it’s a bit too early in the game to let them out of the bag.

    But what do you think are your weaknesses as a candidate, if I may ask?

    I’m not quite sure what you want to know but maybe my not being as desperate as I have seen other candidates conduct themselves? Now, if I know of any more weaknesses you can bet I will keep them to myself and try to overcome them before they hurt me and my project.

    What specific values will you bring to the process as the governor of Rivers State?

    Strong and clear vision; discipline and robust work ethics; transparency and accountability; I shall do everything in my power to restore peace and security to the state and set the state on the path of irreversible growth into being the destination of first choice by investors and tourists during my tenure .

     If you become the PDP flag-bearer, how would you rate your chances against any APC candidate in Rivers State?

     At this point in time, I have not the foggiest idea who the APC candidate would be? I told you Rivers State has no business with APC. I will always show respect to my opponent but I sincerely doubt it if the APC in Rivers State can boast of the kind of candidate line up from the PDP.

    What do you make of the recent court judgement secured by the state chapter of the PDP to ensure that only the current State Executive Council can conduct all political activities including primaries for the next four years?

    I think it’s immature and uncalled for.  Taking a careful look at the actions and the mind boggling judgement that followed, what one sees are: One, inordinate ambition and greed necessitating such a pre-emptive action designed to predicate the results before the exam. It will not work. Two, total lack of confidence in and unmerited disrespect of the national leadership of the party; Three, an attempt to sow the seeds of party crises which can make us vulnerable in the general election; I strongly believe that a full investigation is proper and appropriate disciplinary action should be meted out to all parties involved in the procurement of this obviously kangaroo judgement.

    So, when will you declare formally?

    For now I remain fully loyal and committed to the official duty I am assigned to. For now I remain an aspirant conducting needed consultations, conferences, engagements, organising, etc. I believe declaration is essentially a formal public event announcing my candidacy and entry into the race and must be done the right way. As soon as my team and I are ready, I promise you guys will be the first to know.

  • Aspirant condemns Nyako’s impeachment

    governorship aspirant on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Mr. Nath Ikeocha has berated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its alleged involvement in the impeachment of Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako.

    Speaking to reporters in Aba, Ikeocha, a lawyer, criticized what he called the “heavy financial inducement” by the PDP hierarchy to lure and railroad members of the state assembly into taking an “unpatriotic decision and grossly abusing the democratic culture”.

    He equally blamed members of the Adamawa State legislature for allowing themselves to be cheaply used for such undemocratic act.

    Ikeocha said: “I am shocked over the impeachment of Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa by the state lawmakers especially when it becomes obvious that such was orchestrated by the PDP. It is unfortunate that democracy which we fought restore is brazenly threatened by a few desperate power mongers for selfish reasons. Besides the fact Nyako’s impeachment represents a clear case of impunity and dictatorship, it also undermines our democratic advancement which no doubt makes mockery of Nigeria in the comity of nations”.

    He also subscribed entirely to the position of the national leadership of the APC to challenge the impeachment in court, arguing that the exercise would definitely not stand owing to what he described as ‘obvious breach of constitutional provisions’.

    While condemning corruption by public office holders including state governors, the governorship hopeful insisted that Nyako was removed on political grounds by the PDP to reclaim the state from the back door.

    Ikeocha, however, commended the newly elected national executive of the party expressing optimism that APC under Chief John Oyegun would lead the party to victory in 2015 elections.

    On the crisis rocking the party in Abia State, Ikeocha appealed to various factions to jettison rancour and bitterness and close ranks in order to build a formidable platform that will end the PDP government in the state.

    “It is unfortunate that our party members are still disagreeing on quite a number of issues. It is also a known fact that the national leadership of our party has acknowledged that no congress took place in Abia State.

    “While we expect our leaders to address the problem as quickly as possible, it is expressly binding on us to come together and build a formidable platform bearing in mind the huge task of defeating the ruling PDP. We should not also allow our personal interest to override that of our great party considering the fact that our ultimate goal is to take over governance for the greater benefit of our members and the good people of Abia state,” he said.

  • Grassroots connection‘ll work for me, says aspirant

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in the November 16 election in Anambra State, Walter Ubaka Okeke, has declared that his grassroots connection places him in a vantage position to clinch the party’s ticket.

    Answering questions on his chances in a race filled with big names, a member of Okeke’s campaign organisation, Mrs. Ngozi Nwanmuo, said while others were struggling to get the mandatory endorsement before the closure of the return of nomination forms on Monday, Okeke got his with relative ease.

    She attributed it to the grassroots connection of the aspirant whom she described as “the darling of the people”.

    “Let nobody make any mistake, thinking that the election in Anambra State is meant for only the big names. You have to be here to see how the so- called big names are labouring to convince people to endorse their forms. But by the grace of God, we got ours with much ease.

    “You may ask why and how? The truth of the matter is that Okeke is a grassroots man who is loved by all, he is their darling. All the party chairmen in the 21 local government areas and stakeholders were among those who endorsed him.”

    She added: “Okeke had established a bond of friendship over the years in the state through his multi-faceted humanitarian programmes.

    “He embarked on a consultative tour of the 326 electoral wards in the state prior to his formal declaration. You can see that this has counted in his favour today.”

  • Aspirant advised on security

    Arenowned pharmacist, Mr. Ugochukwu Okwuosa has enjoined a governorship aspirant in Anambra State, Ugochukwu Okeke-Enyioha, to address the issue of insecurity in order to reduce violent crimes and other heinous vices in the state.

    Okwuosa, who is also the Managing Director of KP Pharmaceuticals Limited, gave the advice when Mr. Okeke-Enyioha and members of his Enyioha Campaign Organisation paid him a visit in Ogidi, in Idemmili Local Government Area of the state.

    Okwuosa told Okeke-Enyioha: “It is a good thing that you have taken up the challenge to contest for the governorship position in the state. If and when you become the governor of Anambra State, please endeavour to look critically into the issues of security of lives and property and the nagging problem of kidnapping for ransom and armed robbery. I must say it is gladdening that youths have shown interest in solving the myriad problems facing our state.”

    Earlier, Okeke-Enyioha said he decided to contest after realising that in the Igbo traditional setting, it is the youth who are usually sent on errands, stressing that since it is popularly said that youths are the leaders of tomorrow, “today is that tomorrow we have been waiting for.”

    Assuring his hosts that “change has come to Anambra State,” Okeke said he had already started meeting with experts on the best strategies to stamp out kidnapping, even as he regretted that community policing has not been exhaustively experimented upon by the authorities.

    He further said that his wide consultation has continued to take him to every Anambra citizen irrespective of political divide, pointing out that the task of developing the state requires collective action, which he said, does not respect such narrow sentiments of religion, gender and party affiliation.

    In an interview with newsmen, Okwuosa noted that though Governor Peter Obi could be adjudged to have performed creditably well in office as governor, security of lives and property remains a nagging issue in the state. He pointed out that while former governor Chris Ngige evolved his own methodology of battling crimes, Obi decided that he must depend on government agencies to ensure security.

    Okwuosa, whose elder brother was once a victim of kidnapping, explained that Governor Obi’s style of direct release of funds to communities and organisations has made it impossible for his administration to record any abandoned project, the governor’s promise that he would leave behind about N27 billion, is evidence that he was a good governor.

     

  • Aspirant advised on security

    A renowned pharmacist, Mr. Ugochukwu Okwuosa has enjoined a governorship aspirant in Anambra State, Ugochukwu Okeke-Enyioha, to address the issue of insecurity in order to reduce violent crimes and other heinous vices in the state.

    Okwuosa, who is also the Managing Director of KP Pharmaceuticals Limited, gave the advice when Mr. Okeke-Enyioha and members of his Enyioha Campaign Organisation paid him a visit in Ogidi, in Idemmili Local Government Area of the state.

    Okwuosa told Okeke-Enyioha: “It is a good thing that you have taken up the challenge to contest for the governorship position in the state. If and when you become the governor of Anambra State, please endeavour to look critically into the issues of security of lives and property and the nagging problem of kidnapping for ransom and armed robbery. I must say it is gladdening that youths have shown interest in solving the myriad problems facing our state.”

    Earlier, Okeke-Enyioha said he decided to contest after realising that in the Igbo traditional setting, it is the youth who are usually sent on errands, stressing that since it is popularly said that youths are the leaders of tomorrow, “today is that tomorrow we have been waiting for.”

    Assuring his hosts that “change has come to Anambra State,” Okeke said he had already started meeting with experts on the best strategies to stamp out kidnapping, even as he regretted that community policing has not been exhaustively experimented upon by the authorities.

    He further said that his wide consultation has continued to take him to every Anambra citizen irrespective of political divide, pointing out that the task of developing the state requires collective action, which he said, does not respect such narrow sentiments of religion, gender and party affiliation.

    In an interview with newsmen, Okwuosa noted that though Governor Peter Obi could be adjudged to have performed creditably well in office as governor, security of lives and property remains a nagging issue in the state. He pointed out that while former governor Chris Ngige evolved his own methodology of battling crimes, Obi decided that he must depend on government agencies to ensure security.

    Okwuosa, whose elder brother was once a victim of kidnapping, explained that Governor Obi’s style of direct release of funds to communities and organisations has made it impossible for his administration to record any abandoned project, the governor’s promise that he would leave behind about N27 billion, is evidence that he was a good governor.

  • Why I want to govern Ekiti, by aspirant

    Former Ekiti State Deputy Governor Adebisi Omoyeni, has kicked off his aspiration to contest the governorship of the state in the 2014 election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He unveils his mission to Assistant Editor DADA ALADELOKUN.

    “My mission for our dear state, Ekiti, is to take it to a level it has not attained since, its creation 17 years ago.” With this statement, former Deputy Governor Adebisi Omoyeni disclosed why he yielded to pressures “by lovers of genuine development of Ekiti”to run for governorship in the coming election.

    He added: “I also have a vision of putting Ekiti State on the world map of industrialised states and make it self-sufficient and economically viable.

    “I realised that our people had been suffering from acquired poverty in the midst of plenty. God has endowed us with stupendous natural resources which if harnessed, can empower us to kill poverty in the state. Infrastructure and basic amenities like pipe-borne water, good roads, and electricity among others, are painfully in short supply. This shouldn’t be allowed to go on.”

    He linked the situation to unemployment among the youths, saying: “Any right-thinking person will be touched by the level of unemployment among Ekiti youths today. I am personally touched. I have therefore developed a programme of action that would aggressively create jobs for all our youths and unemployed graduates. I will create 4,000 job opportunities annually during my tenure. I did it in Wema Bank and will do it in Ekiti State.”

    Linking job creation to industrialisation, Omoyeni said: “Government has no business in business. Government would only provide enabling environment for them to strive. We will encourage entrepreneurs, both local and international, to come to Ekiti and establish industries under Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. My experience in the private sector and connections will be brought to bear in this regard. Industrialisation will be an avenue to create jobs. Our youths will be adequately trained to work in these industries.”

    Maintaining that unemployment breeds insecurity, the banker-turned politician said: “Peace and security are essential for development. Our government shall take every measure necessary to ensure that residents of Ekiti, carry out their legitimate businesses in a secure atmosphere. Apart from tackling poverty through reduction in hunger, we shall support all security agencies in the discharge of their responsibilities.”

    The aspirant said his administration would appraise the mineral resources available in the state and ensure they are exploited for the benefit of its people.

    On education, he said that bursary and scholarships would be given to students in tertiary institutions.

    “As a trained teacher myself, teachers will be highly motivated; all their entitlements, including the Teachers’ Peculiar Allowance (TPA), will be paid. No teacher will be humiliated. Rather, our administration will train and re-train them to acquire modern methods of teaching to enhance their output. Infrastructure will be provided in our schools, while our tertiary institutions will be adequately funded to attain world class status. As a former lecturer myself, I will ensure that lecturers and members of the academic community are well motivated. We shall institute a tax regime with a human face for our lecturers and other categories of government staff,” he stated.

    “Our government,” he assured, “will mechanise agriculture for improved output by providing necessary equipment and enabling environment. Food-processing industries will be encouraged to process farm produce into value added products for export and local consumption.”

    Saying that only a healthy population can be productive, Omoyeni promised to pay attention to health-care at all levels, with adequate attention to health institutions.

    Describing civil service as an integral part of any government, he said his administration would accord civil servants their pride of place in the scheme of things, with adequate care for their rights and benefits with the ambit of available resources. “Local Government Areas shall be guaranteed their independence, and their workers shall be accorded full benefits as obtained in the state civil service. There will be no discrimination in the conditions of service at the state and council levels,” he promised, adding that “those that have been unjustly eased out of service shall have their cases reviewed and justice done.”

    To Omoyeni, the party is supreme. He said: “I have demonstrated this with my total support for the current State Executive. I will create every opportunity for the party to grow stronger and maintain discipline.

    “Building a new Ekiti State cannot be done by one man alone. The labour, civil servant, teachers, artisans, students, academics, farmers and professionals have roles to play. My government will motivate everybody, including Ekiti sons and daughters in the Diaspora, to partake in a new dawn for prosperity, peace and progress in Ekiti State.”

     

     

  • My plan for Ekiti, by aspirant

    Ekiti State  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant Dr. Peter Obafemi spoke with  SEGUN AJIBOYE on why he wants to govern the state.

    What gives you the impression that there is vacancy in the Ekiti State Government House?

    That is what they say everywhere, that there is no vacancy. It is not only in Ekiti State. Anyway, there was no vacancy when Governor Kayode Fayemi tried it in 2007 and won. That is the same way we are going to try under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). We are going to display what we have and tell Ekiti people who we are.

    Politics is capital intensive. How do you intend to raise funds for your campaign?

    Not only that I can raise fund myself, I have friends and I have business associates who believe in my dream and are ready to go all out for me. So, raising funds will not be an issue for us.

    There are other strong contenders in your party. What gives you the impression that you will get the ticket?

    We are going to go through the primaries and whoever wins the primary will get the ticket of the party. We are all equal in the party, nobody is bigger than any other aspirant.

    Who is your godfather?

    I don’t have any human godfather. The Almighty God in heaven is my godfather. That it is why we call Him God the father. I have good friends and associates but I don’t have a man that will tell me what to do and what not to do. But I can assure you that I have the Almighty God, like I said earlier.

    What is the main thrust of your campaign?

    Our major thrust is to tell Ekiti people that our administration will take the creation of jobs very seriously. Ekiti people need jobs and we will give jobs to the people of the state. Beside, Ekiti State has for so long worn the tag of being a civil service state. Our primary pre-occupation will be to industrialise the state in a way that it will make immediate positive impact on the lives of the people. And we are not just talking about industrialization in the local sense, we want to industrialize the state to world standard. So what I want to do in the state is to create industries, manufacturing plants, bring in investors that will establish world class manufacturing plants in the state and partnership in agriculture. Ekiti and Ondo states are known as the education centres in Nigeria and I want us to tap into that again. We want to bring back that old glory of Ekiti in terms of education where our students will be able to cope in any educational system in the world.

    Talking about experience, you are the first Nigerian to open up the Lagos/Atlanta route. But the business failed. What is the guarantee that you will be able to manage Ekiti State successfully?

    I appreciate this question, but it is a very disturbing one. I have been to the North, Northeast, Northcentral, and people there always ask me why did that business fail? They always appreciate me for doing what government of the day couldn’t do. Yes, I was the man that opened that, a direct flight from Atlanta to Lagos. I opened that same route for Delta Airline, now they are enjoying it, I discovered that proposals were written by over 3,000 people to my partners in the US that they wanted to take over the route from us. What really got into them is corporate greed, they wanted to take me out of that market and do it on their own, which they later achieved. But that has nothing to do with Ekiti State. I have learnt a few important lessons and of course, the experience will come handy in the future.