…reiterates commitment to implementing his RAIISE agenda
The gubernatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the forthcoming September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Engr. Osarenren Derek Izedonmwen, made a significant impact during the recent UNUEDO Renaissance event held last weekend in Lagos.
The event, designed as an interactive session between candidates of various political parties and Edolites, provided a platform for Izedonmwen to present his vision and policies for the state’s future.
During the session, Izedonmwen highlighted his commitment to addressing the critical issues facing Edo State. His speech emphasized the need for good governance, economic diversification, and a focus on youth empowerment through education and job creation. He also spoke about his plans to revitalize the agricultural sector, which he believes is key to the state’s economic development.
“I am Derek, son of teachers, proud citizen of Edo State, passionate about development of my state, the dark horse in this race. You will begin to hear of me more often,” Izedonmwen said.
“I was born of teachers. I grew up in Iyaro, Benin City, and then I went to a primary school, Fabiyi Akpata, and then University of Benin to study Petroleum Engineering. So I was born, raised, and trained in Edo State. I am a full son of the soil.
“I have had the opportunity to travel far and wide. So after my studies I went to Lagos work for some years, went abroad for some post grad, got a job in the UK like most people in my time did. I worked there for about 15 years, rose up the ranks to become a director seconded to Nigeria to support the management team, then rose up to the Managing Director a year after. I led that business for four years.
“But I was always disturbed anytime I went to Edo State, Benin City. Like many of us here I’m worried. I grew up in the Ambrose Alli days, I grew up also in the Ogbemudia days. I’m not happy with what I see. I know we can be much better than what we are today. We can be ten times better,” he said.
Speaking on his RAIISE agenda, which focuses on Rural Revitalisation, Agriculture, Industrialisation, Infrastructure, Security and Excellence, the ADC candidate reiterated his pledge to make the state economy export-driven by boosting production across the 18 local government areas.
“Why am I talking about agriculture? Because it is the primary way to grow the wealth of a place. Rural revitalization is my number one because if you want to build an economy, you have to grow the pie. When the pie is big enough, you can have more for everybody to share,” Izedonmwen said.
“In one of the analyses we’ve done, instead of clearing 70 hectares and giving six companies to farm palm oil and this money is flying out of Edo State, the wealth is not locked down in Edo State, my goal is clear: to take Edo State starting from the rural areas to stop people from leaving rural areas and coming to the cities. I have a plan to double our GDP in eight years, and to make Edo State a major income economy in 20 years and to industrialize the state. We have looked at the numbers, we can do it.
“Take a look at Ologbo with the riverine areas. We have a plan there as well for the aquaculture business. I have been to Thailand to talk to people and we have an investment document ready, to go there and look at all the water where you can grow very expensive prawns and very exotic fish in that area to multiply the earnings of Ologbo people,” he said.
