The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September governorship election in Edo State, Dr Asue Ighodalo, has said he sees the state competing as the best sub-national state in the country and Africa in the next 10 Years.

He said as a state, hugely blessed with highly talented and creative individuals, such enormous talent if well harnessed, can turn the state around completely for the good of all.

Ighodalo stated this on Tuesday at a programme, THINKERS NEST, with the theme ‘The Future of Edo State’ which was organized by the Benson Idahosa University (BIU) in collaboration with International Leadership Ideas Exchange (ILIEX) and held at the BIU Legacy Campus, Okha, Benin-Sapele Road, Benin City.

The discussion ostensibly designed to feature all the three front runners in the election, was to make the candidates talk to the staff and students of the institution on the chosen theme of the day. Tuesday saw Ighodalo taking the first shot. The candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Olumide Akpata will feature on Wednesday while the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen Monday Okpebholo, will take his turn on Thursday.

During the question and answer session from students of the institution which was moderated by the President of BUI, Rt Rev Dr F.E.B. Idahosa, who also doubled as the Chief Host, Ighodalo stressed the need for leaders to be compassionate, saying that if leaders exhibit considerable compassion for the people and really love the people, they will find it easier to serve them well by engaging in things that will meet the yearnings and aspirations of the masses. He argued that unless leaders love the people, they can’t serve them well.

“I see Edo State that will be the best sub-national government in Nigeria and indeed Africa. I see a future that will inspire, empower and uplift all its citizens from lack, want and poverty to prosperity in Edo State. And that is why I want to challenge all of us to get involved so as to elect leaders that will serve with love and compassion. Except leaders genuinely love the people, there is no way they can serve them well.

“As for you guys, be determined to work hard and be able to differentiate between right and wrong. Let your word be your bond. Be accountable and respectful. Integrity is key. These are values that you need to get going because they will take you to very high places. Let people know you to be straight forward, a person who will not cut corners and cheat others just to make it.”

Ighodalo emphasized that there is a lot that the state can do to get to a first world sub-national state. He challenged everyone to put on their thinking caps, stressing that Edo is no more a civil service state. He said Edo has since moved beyond that tag and challenge people to go and see what is going on at Ikpoba Okha and other giant steps that have been taken by government.

Ighodalo promised to continue with whatever programme of government that is good and tweak anyone that is not being well implemented so that the people can get value from their government. He made reference to the privatization of refineries by former President Olusegun Obasanjo which his successor, late President Umaru Yar’Adua revised and how today Nigeria is paying heavily for that decision.

He called on the students not to be passive when it comes governance and administration. “Get involved. You own this country. You have to determine the direction of the country by getting in there, and ensuring that you participate fully”, he admonished.

Before he left the stage, he promised a Law student that he would get her to work in his Law firm.