Amu Declares Candidacy, Pledges ‘Back to the Basics’ for Edo State Governance

…Outlines Vision for Education, Security, and More

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

In a gathering of enthusiastic supporters, Victoria Omoa Amu, an aspirant for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship nomination in Edo State 2024, presented her vision for a renewed and reinvigorated state.

The event, held on Sunday in Abuja, was attended by a diverse group of stakeholders and party members, marking the official launch of her gubernatorial campaign.

Acknowledging the challenges facing Edo State, Amu described her approach as “Back to the Basics,” emphasizing the need for practical, sustainable solutions rather than extravagant projects.

She passionately spoke about the decline in various aspects of life, including security, education, healthcare, and human capacity development.

Amu stated, “We have no need for grandiose projects that cost too much to start, too much to complete, and even much more to maintain. Such projects are unsustainable.” Instead, she proposed redirecting public funds toward crucial areas like education, security, infrastructure, and health.

Education was a focal point of her agenda. She addressed the disinterest of the government in education, leading to a shortage of quality teachers and low student motivation. She promised to prioritize education, retrain teachers, and ensure proper remuneration for them. She likened the education system to a process plant and emphasized the need for quality inputs.

On the issue of security, Victoria Omoa Amu recognized the complex nature of insecurity in Edo State and pledged to tackle its root causes. Her strategy included engaging the youth in productive activities, supporting and incentivizing the police, and addressing constitutional obstacles that hinder effective security management.

Regarding infrastructure, Amu vowed to base development on real need assessments rather than prestige projects. She stressed the importance of maintaining roads, drains, and other infrastructure components.

In the realm of health and hygiene, her government would focus on primary healthcare, immunization, and health insurance legislation for all citizens. She emphasized the need for affordable health insurance, hygiene, and effective waste management.

One notable proposal was the reintroduction of mid-level primary caregivers, trained locally to handle simple health cases, thereby relieving the burden on hospitals.

Youth development and empowerment, agriculture, and support for sports, art, culture, and tourism were also key components of her comprehensive agenda.

Amu’s collaborative and consensus-building style resonated with the crowd, as she promised to listen to various stakeholders and party members to ensure that her government’s benefits would be enjoyed by all citizens.

With her “Back to the Basics” approach and a clear vision for Edo State’s future, Victoria Omoa Amu has officially thrown her hat into the ring for the APC governorship nomination, aiming to rekindle the state’s glory days and address its pressing issues with practical, sustainable solutions.