By Mercy Akuba
Ahead of Edo 2024 Guber race, a leading Aspirant in Labour Party, Dr. Azemhe Azena has called on the leadership of his party to resist any attempt by some deep pocket individuals to import an unknown persons and impose such individual to fly the Party ticket.
Appealing for support, Dr Azemha Azena stressed that a level playing ground is needed for all Aspirants in the forthcoming party election as he charges the leadership of Labour Party to shun ethnic politics and focus more on capacity and personality of Aspirants to win election.
He stated this in “The Azemhe Azena Project” Mega Rally summit organized by Two House Charity Foundation held at Baptist ground in Benin City where the Two House Charity Foundation bestowed on him an Achiever’s Award for his profound contribution on the advancement of Humanity.
According to Dr. Azemhe, Edo People must not repeat the same mistake of settling for those whose investment and families do not reside in Edo State as such Aspirants do not know and feel the pains of the People.
“I and my family reside in the three Senatorial District and I own my investment here with over 250 persons on my payroll. I know all the bad roads in Benin City, I feel the pains of the vulnerable because I have dealing with them on a regular basis, so, if you all give me the opportunity to emerge , I will definitely address the issues that affect the lives of the ordinary people.
“The best Aspirant to deliver on his manifesto is the one that comes from the people, not those who will be imported and impose on the People” he said.
The event also featured a discussion section where stakeholders representing the various sectors identified some of the major challenges that have limited good governance..
Speaking, the zone 5 Police Public Relation Officer , Tijani Momoh dwell on challenges in the security sector. He noted that to have a functional and effective Policing, adequate Man Power must be provided with communication gadgets , along with operational vehicles and speed boats for easy movement both in upland and interland.
He further stressed that Community Policing must also be encouraged as community dwellers knows themselves and can easily identify a criminal in their midst while he called for review of the law. “The law needs to be reviewed as they are legal constraints that are not in tendem with the present day criminal demands, a situation where a criminal is given six months jail term for a grievous crime is worrisome”.
Also Speaking on Education, Mr. Nazereth Chukwuemeka, decried the decay in Educational System and attributed the blame on low investment in the sector by political leaders.
According to him, the system can not give what it does not have and for any emerging leader to make a difference, huge investment must be allocated to the Education sector to enable it produce the maximum expected result.
“Investment in the Educational Budgetary Allocation is still very low , reason why you can still see more than 130 pupils stock in one small classroom ant the government is doing nothing about it, some school buildings are dilapidated due to lack of maintenance”. He noted.
On the Creative and Entertainment industry ,an artist, Mr. Andy Bello. noted that the sector remains the most undermined despite its lucrative potentials generate revenue for the Government and provide employment for Artists.
He called on Dr Azemhe if emerge as Governor of the State to ensure he invest in creative and entertainment Industry as that would boost the economy of Edo State.
“failure of government to recognize the potentials in creative and Entertainment Industry has kept the Country where it is . To start with, if the government can secure intelligent properties of Artists just the way it is in the Western World , then you see Artists making money and in that way, the government can generate a lot of tax from them which could be used to repair our roads and provide Education and Health facilities for the People of the State”.
Also speaking with newsmen, the Labor Party LGA Chairman for Ikpoba Oha , Comrade Scott Jeff .O commended the organizers of The Azemhe Project Summit Rally for giving stakeholders the opportunity to express the challenges in their various sectors.
According to Comrade Scoth who said he was at the event on the capacity of a friend and inlaw described the event as the first of its kind in the political history of Edo State for an Aspirant to bring stakeholders together to discuss what the issues are in the State.
He however wish Dr. Azemhe Azena success in his political Journey and added that ‘A Better Edo State is possible’ if the people will do the right thing.