Asue Ighodalo: Aiming To Enhance The Appeal Of Rural Communities.

Asue Ighodalo, a renowned Nigerian lawyer with a remarkable corporate track record, has emerged as the candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party in the upcoming Edo State governorship election scheduled for September 21. During an interview at the Unuedo Town Hall, Ighodalo addressed various topics including the establishment of a state police force and the need to incentivize teachers to work in rural communities. Wale Igbintade reports. Here are the key points:

When asked about his stance on the creation of a state police force or a regional security outfit similar to Amotekun, Ighodalo expressed his support for decentralizing security measures. He noted that Edo State already has a state security network, commonly referred to as a vigilante group, which has been instrumental in reducing kidnapping and local crimes. Ighodalo stressed the importance of collaboration with the police and other security agencies to enhance their training, equip them, and provide the necessary funding for better security enforcement in the state.

While acknowledging the potential benefits of state police, Ighodalo emphasized the need for constitutional provisions to prevent abuse of power and ensure that the state police force remains accountable. He highlighted the positive impact of the Edo State situation room in improving security and suggested expanding such investments to other parts of the state.

Shifting the conversation to education, Ighodalo recognized the significant progress made in Edo State’s primary school education in recent years. He commended the implementation of the EdoBEST program, which includes teacher training, provision of tablets, and curriculum enhancements. However, he acknowledged that there is still much room for improvement, particularly in terms of physical infrastructure. Ighodalo emphasized the importance of finding additional funding for education and healthcare infrastructure.

An important challenge in the education sector, according to Ighodalo, is the reluctance of teachers to work in rural communities due to underdevelopment. To address this issue, he proposed creating incentives such as tax rebates and mortgage arrangements. Ighodalo stressed the need to make rural areas more attractive for teachers and to focus on vocational training to cater to the demands of potential employers.

Highlighting the significance of healthcare, Ighodalo emphasized the need for accessible and affordable healthcare for all. He recognized the problem of healthcare professionals leaving Nigeria after graduation and emphasized the importance of retaining them. Ighodalo proposed exploring options such as reintroducing the placement of doctors in rural areas during their youth service, as has been done in the past.