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| Sen. Babafemi Ojudu. |
Ahead
of his March 9, 2018 formal declaration as a contender for the ticket of the
All Progressives Congress (APC) as its candidate in the governorship election
coming up in Ekiti on July 14th 2018, the Special Adviser to the President on
Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu has released his MANIFESTO to the
public. Titled “My Agenda for Life More Meaningful for Ekiti People”, the
gubernatorial hopeful envisions ‘a prosperous state where life is more
meaningful for the people.
The
Manifesto which covers a wide range of economic and social development issues
addresses itself to overcoming the manifestations of poor governance in Ekiti
State over the years–battered economy, shattered dreams; infrastructural decay;
non-existent social services; erosion of positive values; executive rascality,
a situation which has led to a complete arrest of the development of Ekiti
State and her people. According to the Presidential aide, these challenges are
traceable to a myriad of causative and consequential factors bordering on lack
of capacity for public governance; endemic poverty; neglect; and the culture of
entitlement, etc.
Ojudu
believes that change can only happen in the compact and homogeneous state if
knowledge is fused with enterprise to bring about development and
prosperity. With a strategy thrust which rests on four (4) Pillars,
seeking to: Foster Economic Growth; Invest In the People; Nurture Enterprise
and Innovation; and Ensure Wellbeing (F-I-N-E), Ojudu plans to put Ekiti back
on the path to greatness to make the lives of the people more abundant and
restore the dignity of Ekiti people. The translation of these interrelated
Pillars into action is expected to bring about an elimination of unemployment
and unemployability; a reduction of poverty; an improvement in the living
standards of the people; and personal motivation for a productive economy.
Specifically,
the gubernatorial aspirant noted that government will embark on initiatives
that trigger a revolution in the agricultural sector; focus on tourism and
infrastructural development; optimize education & knowledge production,
restore teachers to their pride of place as nurturers of society; place
emphasis on technical education and knowledge-based learning; and develop
strategic and innovative models with a focus on energy and infrastructure. In
addition, there are programmes to support micro small and medium enterprises in
core areas of competitive advantage; promote start ups and make Ekiti the hub
of production, knowledge and creativity; develop one agro-allied park powered
by renewable energy and housing various processing industries for key cash
crops in each of the 3 senatorial districts; and facilitate the connection of
investors (national & foreign) to local businesses.
Furthermore,
government will provide free healthcare to senior citizens and other vulnerable
groups; launch a state-wide Basic Micro-Insurance Health Scheme; battle drug
abuse; provide equipment and necessary infrastructure for PHCs – water, power,
access roads, standard emergency (ambulances and fire trucks) response
capacity; eliminate gender-based violence; empower women and young people;
absorb the energy and talents of young people through sports; provide decent
homes for citizens and improve the construction industry, among others.
With
the promise of an open, transparent, honest and unpretentious government, Ojudu
and his team of committed, passionate, experienced, energetic and exposed Ekiti
sons and daughters will dedicate themselves to SERVICE and LOYALTY to the
PEOPLE.
It
is expected that with the cooperation of all stakeholders, the implementation
of the F-I-N-E Agenda will move the economy from a public-centric one to a
private-centric economy that is market driven; creates jobs; and fosters
self-reliance and dignity. Furthermore, it will contribute in no small measure
to Nigeria’s achievement of the seventeen (17) global Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda, aimed at ending poverty; protecting the
planet; and ensuring that people enjoy peace and prosperity.
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