Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the upcoming governorship election in Edo State, on Saturday night delivered a compelling speech at the 3rd Annual Convention of the Esan Peoples Congress (EPC) in Austin, Texas, USA. Speaking via Zoom, Ighodalo captivated the audience with his address on ‘The Value of Participation of Nigerians in Diaspora in Nigerian Political Affairs.’
Ighodalo began by praising the participants for their love for Nigeria and expressed his regret for not being able to attend in person. He appreciated the opportunity technology provided to connect with the audience. Describing the topic as crucial and timely, he emphasized the significant role the Nigerian diaspora plays globally and their potential impact on Nigeria’s political landscape.
“Nigerian diaspora remains one of the most vibrant in the world and represents a vast reservoir of skill, experience, and capital. Across the globe, brilliant hardworking Nigerians are making significant contributions to sectors as varied as medicine, information technology, academia, and finance,” Ighodalo stated.
He stressed the importance of diaspora involvement in shaping Nigeria’s policies and political discourse, advocating for their engagement in policy advocacy, capacity building, and development.
Ighodalo highlighted the need for training, mentorship programs, and platforms that facilitate the exchange of ideas. He noted that the diaspora’s global exposure could introduce best practices and successful models adapted to local contexts.
He outlined his vision for Edo State, detailing a roadmap titled ‘Pathway to Prosperity for All in Edo,’ aimed at transforming the state into a first-world economy through strategic initiatives in security, economy, technology, education, infrastructure, healthcare, and governance.
“Together, these initiatives form a cohesive strategy aimed at transforming Edo State into a model of prosperity and good governance, driven by innovation, education, infrastructure, healthcare, and transparency. This holistic approach promises to enhance the economic and social fabric of our state and ensure that the benefits of development are shared equitably among all Edo citizens,” Ighodalo declared.
In closing, Ighodalo invited the diaspora community to join him in realizing his vision for Edo State, emphasizing the essential role their involvement plays in the state’s transformation. The session concluded with a robust question and answer segment, where Ighodalo addressed various concerns, earning applause from the participants.
