As politicians warm-up for next year’s governorship election in Ondo state, Gbenga Edema, the member representing the state on the governing board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has described himself as the best to succeed incumbent Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.
Daily Trust reports that no less than 15 aspirants have indicated interest in the 2024 governorship election.
Edema, who said he already developed a “master plan” to boost the economy of the state, added that his motivation to take over from Akeredolu was to provide solutions that would improve the living standard of the people.
He said investing in education and infrastructure would be the main thrust of his campaign to the people as both are catalysts for the growth and development of any serious society.
Edema, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and formerly the Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) in the state, spoke with journalists in Akure, the state capital.
“I know that I have informed him (Akeredolu) of my desire to run, and he has not opposed it. I consider myself the best man who will carry on Akeredolu’s legacy to the next level because we have shared all these legacies together,” he said.
He stated that education should be an important aspect of life, especially for any visionary leader who aims at investing in the sector.
While noting that the country’s education curriculum needed to be redesigned to meet the current demands, Edema stressed the need to focus more on vocational and technical skills acquisition for young admission seekers.
“When I was at the Assembly, I got some people trained at Don Bosco for skill acquisition. Likewise, when I was at OSOPADEC, I encouraged many to go to school and train in technical skills.
“We will tinker with our curriculum to align with our current needs and demands and to the advantage of our state. So, our children should be trained in entrepreneurship right from an early age so they know how to make and use money.
“When you talk about visionary leadership, it is not rocket science. In our own clime here, for those of us that are not too old, we have heard of Obafemi Awolowo. In 1955, he said that the only way the West can improve is through free and compulsory education.
“In 1966, the West became the most advanced region in terms of intellectualism in Nigeria. So the only way to develop other people is only through education, especially through vocation and skill education,” Mr Edema added.
The former member of the state House of Assembly explained that he has mapped out a strategy, using his experience as an actor in the NDDC, to attract private investors into the state while creating an enabling environment to boost the economy of the state.
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