By EMEKA NWAGWUNA
It is at the level of leadership vision that clear cut policy directives which take into cognizance the developmental needs of a people are developed. Successful governments the world over recognise this all important factor in state craft, little wonder those who show up in positions of political leadership over there are usually known to develop and religiously hold strong to specific thoughts on how well to run a state.
In Nigeria, this is hardly the case as most people who surface in elective offices are usually stooges of political god fathers. The sad note is that the stooge and his or her god father are never on the same page for so long because both have different visions. This situation is likely to play out in Edo if the wrong person is elected as governor.
Appreciating the social engineering essence of political vision, Osaro Onaiwu, the APGA candidate in the September 28 Edo governorship election has meticulously developed what he termed the seven pillars of solution. These seven pillars of solution represent Onaiwu’s vision for Edo people. Onaiwu’s vision is not one to be likened to the unrealistic and false promises of nowadays politicians but one which he accepts as a social contract.
The Seven Pillars of Solution
Security
Youth and Women Empowerment
Trade and Commerce
Education and Healthcare
Agriculture
Tourism and Hospitality
Infrastructure
Security
Chief among the seven pillars is security. Onaiwu’s understanding of security is fascinating. Apart from being a primary concern of government, security in his view is an item that should feature and be reinforced in every aspect of governmental transactions. The protection of lives and property will ultimately guarantee productivity and the expansion of economic activities. Not oblivious of the centralized police structure, Onaiwu intends to develop a coordinating mechanism for all policing agencies like Nigeria Police, Department of State Security and even Nigeria Security and civil Defence Corp {NSDC}. This medley will see to the deployment of police patrol vans in every major junctions and small communities across the state.
Just like what Willie Obiano is doing in Anambra, community vigilantes will be recruited and trained to shore up the ever inadequate police manpower.
Youth and Women Empowerment
As an accomplished businessman, Onaiwu’s passion for human capital development is not a surprise. No wonder a focus on youth and women empowerment forms part of his seven pillar solution mix. In this regard, soft loans will be provided to youth and women after having undergone a guided entrepreneurship programme. As one who understands all the impediments to enterprise development, Onaiwu hopes that this programme will guarantee the acquisition of vocational and management skills for participants.
Trade and Commerce
Another item in Onaiwu’s seven pillars of solution is trade and commerce. In this wise, he observes that even though Edo state’s IGR hovers around a little above 1billion Naira, the state has the potentials to grow its IGR to up to 10billion monthly. But as someone who knows that the gestation period of businesses in a growing economy takes years, Onaiwu proposes to grow Edo IGR to 3billion within 18months of being in government.
To be sure the people are not further burdened with taxes; the increment will be realized by the expansion of economic activities rather than by tax increase. To this extent, moribund state owned industries will be revived under a regime of Public Private Partnership (PPP). Agreements will be signed with countries with comparative advantages in new technologies and manufacturing with a view to getting more of our people trained. This will boost the establishment of new businesses, create jobs and encourage entrepreneurship which will then be taxed to realize the vision for increased IGR.
Similarly, Onaiwu seeks the creation of industrial zones which no doubt will help segment each industry to their area of production.
Education and Healthcare
Another feature of the seven pillars of solution is the twin elements of education and healthcare. As a beneficiary of public school and health system, Onaiwu is passionate about revolutionizing these all important sectors for optimum performance.
For the health sector, a free antenatal care from conception to child birth is to be offered in all government health facilities.
And for the education sector, an immediate 50% reduction on tuition fee for under graduates whose parents pay tax and reside in the state will be announced on the day Onaiwu is sworn in as governor. Onaiwu’s government will build two public schools in each local government area. And each of the schools is to be with a library, a sickbay, a standard sport yard and a computer room among others. Teachers will also be incentivized to accept postings to rural areas.
Agriculture
Another element in the seven pillars of solution is agriculture. Although Edo state boasts of vast arable lands, food production in the state does not reflect this reality. Edo has not been able to put to optimum use its God given resources. Onaiwu’s government intends to alter this anomaly by providing farmers with modified seedlings and the introduction of tax breaks to attract young people.
Extension personnel in ministry of Agriculture will be appraised and promoted based on the number of farmers they are able to monitor and assist in having bumper harvest.
Government under Onaiwu will also undertake to encourage investors to advance inputs in the value chain of selected agricultural produce like rice and other cash crops. This will lead to the establishment of rice mills and juice factories thereby reducing unemployment and creating wealth.
Tourism and Hospitality
An exciting aspect of Onaiwu’s seven pillars of solution is tourism and hospitality Even though Edo state has beautiful scenery and a rich religious and cultural history, no platform exists at the moment to showcase these potentials for wealth creation.
Osaro Onaiwu’s government will bring glamour and panache into this segment of our religious and cultural heritage. Craft exhibition, fashion shows, local government football league and the creation of film village are some of the many programs Onaiwu’s government will undertake in this sector.
As an investor in the hospitality industry and an event planner per excellence, Edo people have a lot to gain in the wealth of experience which Onaiwu will bring to bear in this sector.
Infrastructure
Last, but by no means the least relevant in Onaiwu’s seven pillars of solution is infrastructure. This is one of the major concerns for any government and a necessity needed for growth in the economy. Onaiwu understands that before any of the other six pillars can be achieved we must first have good accessible roads, power supply and other etcetera upon which the development of other sectors can thrive. Therefore, Onaiwu’s government will work very closely with BEDC in an effort to resolving power supply issues. Priority attention will be giving to the tarring of roads and the creating of new ones to Small Townships and villages. Featuring so strongly is the intention to create a flyover in ring road to ease traffic flow.
Having represented Bendel State in two sport festivals from 1977 to 1979 and even winning medals in sprints, Earl Osaro Onaiwu’s vision for overhauling sports infrastructure is subsumed in this sector.
Earl Osaro Onaiwu’s seven pillars of solution is indeed a development agenda meant to bring the best problem solving techniques to the good people of Edo State.
Emeka Nwagwuna Writes From Lagos, Nigeria
emekanwagwuna@yahoo.com
