Edo 2024: Ighodalo meets with Edo State social media youths

...Assures of his unflinching support towards youths development when elected

By Iyamu Precious

The John Odigie Oyegun center was agog and filled to the brim with youths from across the State Sunday, 14th March, as Dr. Asue Ighodalo, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) Candidate for the Edo Governorship election met with Edo social media youths on an interactive session. 

Mr Pharez Okpere, one of the organiser's and co-convainer of the event, in his opening remarks thanked the youths for the massive turnout while welcoming everyone to the event noting that youth is the driving force and change agent of every society. 

He took minds back into history recalling two major events that has happened in Nigeria which shook the fabrics of the nation all driven by youths. He mentioned the ENDSARS protest where youths organised themselves to fight for a common cause, and the OBEDIENT MOVEMENT at the last presidential election where majority of the youths in Nigeria were rooting for Mr Peter Obi as at the time. 

He added that Dr. Asue Ighodalo of the PDP as of today is also enjoying same vibes from the youths of Edo State, assuring him that he will contest and win the election onlike Peter Obi. 

The PDP Chairman Edo State Dr.Tony Aziegbemi, and former Commissioner for Agric and Food Security Hon. Joe Okojie, who spoke at the event, said with this massive turnout of youths here, if everyone goes to work then victory is sure for the PDP. They encouraged the youths to vote for the PDP in other to complement the works of Governor Godwin Obaseki, noting that its going to be detrimental if another party wins. They further urged the youths to work in unison and speak with one voice to ensure they achieved the desired result of Dr. Asue Ighodalo becoming the next governor of Edo State. 

Commissioner for Digital Science and Technology, Hon. Ogbeide Ifaluyi-Isibor, who was also a guest at the event while addressing the youths encouraged them not to engage in any frivolous arguments of comparing Dr. Asue Ighodalo with other candidates in the race noting that Dr. Asue Ighodalo is way ahead of every other candidate in terms of his intellectual capacity to govern and the feat he has achieved over the years. He added that it is an embarrassment to compare him with other candidates. 

The Hon.Commissioner who also applauded the Governor for giving the youths the platform to thrive said he was a strong critics of this government before he was called upon to serve by the Governor which he was sceptical about. And the Governor replied "saying in your criticism, I found sense in them". He charged the youths to be selfless, dedicated and committed in whatever they do without being money too money conscious.

He appreciated the party for the choice of Dr. Asue Ighodalo as its flag bearer as a result of his competence, capability and his intellectual prowess to drive the economy of Edo State to the the next level. He said, "when you listen to a man talks, you will know the book he has being reading. I always listens to Dr. Asue Ighodalo whenever he talks to tap from his wealth of knowledge. Edo people are lucky to have a man of his calibre to be vying for the position of Governor, I encourage you all to take it and run with it he," he concluded.

Responding, Dr. Asue Ighodalo said, "I want to sincerely thank everyone of you who took out time to grace this occasion.Today is sunday, everyone else could have been busy but you chose to be here. I appreciate you for your time and also the organisers of this event. 

I'm thrilled with the level of creativity I saw here today. I'm marvelled with the level of talents here, those driving the world's economy are not as intelligent as you are. What then is now holding us back? With the talents and creativity I have seen here today we will be able to drive the Edo economy to a global perspective. 

"When I assume office, God's willing, we will work with the youths, empower them to become financially independent and create the enabling environment for them to thrive". 

The PDP governorship hopefull rounded off by saying he looks forward to holding meetings of this nature in a quarterly basis where he can interact and interface with the youths, entertain criticism and be corrected where it seems he's not getting it right. 

The meeting ended with participants feeling excited visibly.