Ighodalo Pledges to Position Edo to Tap from $17trn Global Idle Capital

Governorship aspirant in the 2024 off-season election in Edo and former Chairman of Sterling Bank Plc, Dr.  Asue Ighodalo, has promised to position the state to tap from the $17 trillion global idle capital to finance projects if elected as the state’s new governor.

Ighodalo who spoke during his official declaration at the Edo PDP Secretariat in Benin City, the Edo State capital, said he was aspiring to become governor to deliver real solutions that could unleash the promise of a new future for Edo people, having advised the state government in the past in various capacities on how to resolve some of these problems.

“I will position Edo to tap from the over $17 trillion global idle capital. I know where the funds are and I know we can get some of it into the state when I become governor,” he said.

The PDP frontline aspirant also condoled with the government and people of Oyo State over the Tuesday night explosion in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, and called for a minute silence in honour of the deceased, while praying that God grants their families the fortitude to bear the loss.
He noted that he is running for governor to deliver real solutions that can unleash the promise of a new future for Edo people, having in the past advised in various capacities on how to resolve some of the problems.

Ighodalo, who until recently was also the chairman of Nigerian Breweries, said: “My policies as governor — if you will give me your mandate – will be focused on unlocking this promise, for all of us, in key areas.

“My ultimate objective is to lead a government that eliminates deprivation in all its forms, and makes Edo the best place to live and work in Nigeria.
“Our economic policies will uplift the poor, support the hard-working men and women of this state, and encourage entrepreneurship and innovation.”

While reassuring that the education sector would receive top priority, Ighodalo noted that he believes that education is the gateway to opportunities.
“So, we will continue to invest in education as a priority from primary schools to secondary and tertiary institutions — throughout the State.
“We will ensure that our educational system becomes a beacon of hope, and a ladder to opportunity. We will make Edo State’s educational system our key to ending generational poverty, for good, in our great State,” he said.

Ighodalo, who is the former chairman of the Alaghodaro Economic Summit, noted that with his 16 years of involvement in the governance of the state at the advisory level, he had identified areas of focus to achieve success with governance.
He stated: “These are the reasons I am here today, with the greatest humility, to formally declare my intention to run for the office of the governor of Edo state on the platform of our great party, PDP.

“Let us shun the narratives that seek to divide us, and come together, as one, to build the bridges that will lead us to prosperity. Let us strive to be the best, because only the best is good enough for us all.
“I believe in the promise of an Edo where every person, regardless of their start in life, can write their own story of success -if we take the right steps, together” the governorship aspirant added.