By Eric Elezuo

As the campaigns wind down in the race to Osadebe House, the final destination of the Edo State governorship election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the electorate to come out and enmasse and vote, and ensure to guard their votes to avoid manipulation.

Leading the charge in Oredo, Benin City, venue of the PDP mega and final rally, former Vice President of Nigeria, who is the Waziri Adamawa, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, told the people of Edo State not to be intimidated, threatened or be scared of voting, but, rather vote, and defend their votes on Saturday to ensure that their candidate in the Governorship election in Edo State, Mr. Asue Ighodalo, emerges victorious.

He recalled that the opposition threatened the State four years ago, but it didn’t work because Edo people can’t be intimidated, and ‘Edo no bi Lagos’. He appealed to the residents of Edo State to do the same this time around and ensure the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, becomes the governor of Edo State.

Also addressing the mammoth crowd, chairman of Edo National Campaign Council and governor of Adamawa State Ahmadu Fintiri, commended Governor Godwin Obaseki for his many developmental strides.

He Said, “Obaseki has led a landmark in Edo State in terms of development, performance and human capacity development. Edo people need to bring a competent person like Obaseki or a man better than Obaseki.

“You can’t vote for somebody else than Obaseki, we will support Asue Ighodalo because he is the most credible in this election come September 21st governorship election.

“We all will be here next Saturday, we can’t be intimidated, threatened by anybody or party. We will vote, protect and defend our vote and ensure Asue Ighodalo wins the election”.

Chairman of the Governors forum and Bauchi State Governor Balar Adulkadiri Mohammed said the PDP governors are more united than ever. He noted that PDP are all backing the Asue Ighodalo to emerge governor of Edo State.

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke said dancing is sure in Edo State to come 21st of September 2024 as light and darkness can’t agree. We have the best candidate in this Edo election as Obaseki has done well for the Edo people and Asue Ighodalo will do more.

In his welcome address the chairman of Edo State chapter of PDP, Anthony Aziegbem, thanked guests present urging Edo people to come out enmass to vote PDP candidates.

He said, “it’s only Edo people that can determine who will be their governor come September 21st governorship election in Edo State No matter the intimidation, harassment, threat the people will stand their ground to vote their choice come September 21st in Edo State”.

The BOT Chairman Adolphus Nwabara said he has warned Prof. Mahmood Yakubu not to be intimidated but create a level playing field for all candidates in the election.

The party used the medium to call on the INEC Chairman to use the Edo election to correct the wrongs of last year.

“Don’t be intimidated, do the right thing and retire as a clean man,” the party advised Yakubu Mahmood.

Handing over the party’s flag to the Governorship candidate Asue Ighodalo, the PDP National Chairman Umar Damagum called on the INEC chairman to refrain from calling results at night as the midnight announcement will be resisted by Edo people.

“I call on all Edo people to be watchful and defend their votes as the Edo election is a test for democracy in Nigeria”.

The PDP governorship candidate Asue Ighodalo and his running mate received the party flag from the National Chairman of PDP and Ighodalo thanked all present in the rally assuring them that he would take Edo to higher ground.

He said he will lead a successful State where citizens will be prosperous. “I will govern sincerely, transparency and do what will make Edo great again. PDP is a party of courage and we dare to fight and win our elections come September 21st 2024.

“We promise to take Edo to the next level and make the State amongst the first world States.”

The Edo governorship election is billed to hold on Saturday, September 21, 2024 with the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo squaring up against 16 other candidates from various political parties, two of which are formidable. They are Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).

By Eric Elezuo

Osun State Government governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has said that his government is poised to transform the economic fortunes of the state.

The governor made the vow while speaking on one of the fora of the 4-day Industrial Investment Summit 2024, hosted by the state, with a solid pledge to transform the state’s economy while identifying opportunities and strengths of various sectors that will attract investors, and add more value to the state.

In his speech as the Osun Investment Summit got underway, at the opening ceremony of the Osun Investment Summit held at the Olagunsoye Oyinlola Auditorium hall, UNIOSUN, Osogbo, the governor said his administration would further provide a platform for discussions and agreements on actionable strategies for accelerating the pace of industrialisation and economic growth in the State with the investors.

According to him, “Our vision is also to make Osun State one of the top ten revenue-generating states in Nigeria, ensure relative peace and security and grow the economy.

“Osun State is Open Beyond Borders and Across Space for Industrial Investment to Investors, Manufacturing Industries, World Leaders in Business, Private and Corporate Investors, Tourists and people in the Diaspora. We are open to investments from Osun indigenes, Osun in the diaspora and indeed everyone from across the globe. Osun is home to everyone irrespective of tribe, race, language, colour or background.

“We want to accelerate the pace of industrialisation because we are on a mission and that is why we have embarked on several initiatives across different sectors of the Osun economy which include the revitalization of  the Free Trade Zone which is planned to provide over 1,000,000 direct and indirect jobs for the people, Establishment of Farm Produce Aggregation Centres with Cold and Dry Storage Facilities and Processing Units, Encouragement of Youths to key into Skills Upgrade and Entrepreneurship Development Training Programmes and Revival of Moribund Industries among others.

“Let  us use this summit to shape the State’s development agenda and forge long-lasting bilateral and multilateral alliances for mutual prosperity. This will ensure that in the final analysis, when the story of Osun’s emergence as an economic giant is written, history will reserve for us a commendable mention and a glorious front seat.”

In his speech, the commissioner for Commerce and Industry Revd. Bunmi Jenyo stated that the Industrial Investment Summit 2024 is a platform for opportunities and strategic matching for stakeholders in Osun industrial ecosystem to facilitate partnerships and investments.

According to him, “We want Osun to be a hub of commercial, industrial and economic activities in the South Western Nigeria and beyond. We are hopeful this summit will open up the industrial and business landscape of Osun and many investments will spring up in the State with multiplier effects.

“Osun State is Open Beyond Borders for Investments from Osun indigenes, Nigerians, and all persons in the Diaspora. The State, through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is ready to support investments by providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

He however affirmed that, “the state planned the industrial investment summit to bring together investors, business and corporate giants, industry experts, academia, government officials and entrepreneurs to explore industrial and business investment opportunities across Osun.”

Additional info: The Tribune

The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has felicitated with a foremost industrialist, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, on the auspicious occasion of his 90th birthday, celebrating his life of contributions, and adding values to the society, according to a statement by the Governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.

Governor Adeleke who acknowledged Chief Igbinedion’s endearing interest in the growth of Nigeria through investments in critical sectors, noted that the celebrant’s remarkable faith in the country in the face of challenges are contributory to the noticeable economic gain we see today.

While applauding the founder of the prestigious Igbinedion University for his vision and zeal for excellence, Governor Adeleke said Chief Igbinedion’s birthday offers a unique moment to celebrate a man that inspires greatness.

“I join family, friends and well-wishers to celebrate an outstanding Nigerian, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, as he clocks the age of 90 years. From a humble beginning as a teacher, the Esama of Benin Kingdom worked his way to the top, having a series of successful businesses to his name,” the Governor was quoted as saying.

Governor Adeleke who cherished the inspiration that the life of Chief Igbinedion offers, particularly to young people who have their eyes at the top, commended him for his positive approach to life and the sustained interest in uplifting the downtrodden.

The Governor prays to Almighty God to bless him with more celebrations and continue to uphold him in order to sustain the work of helping families through his businesses and other endeavours.