From Moshood Karim
Azemhe Azena, the gubernatorial candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has commended Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, for his advancements in the education sector, particularly through the EdoBEST program.
Speaking at the 2024 Edo Governorship Debate organised by Independent Television/Radio in Benin City on Friday, Azemhe vowed to build on the governor’s achievements if elected in the September 21, 2024 election.
Addressing the issue of increasing numbers of out-of-school children in Edo State, Azemhe attributed the problem to widespread poverty and parents’ inability to afford school fees. He pledged to introduce free education for the less privileged and ensure systematic training for teachers to better deliver on the curriculum.
“The hard economic situation of the country makes children stay out of school. My administration will reduce school fees so that more children can enroll,” he stated.
On higher education, Azemhe highlighted the ongoing challenges at Ambrose Ali University and vowed to work on reducing tuition fees. He warned that without intervention, children from less privileged homes would struggle to pursue courses like medicine and law.
Azemhe also stressed the importance of boosting revenue generation through accountability and honesty in government transactions. He promised to revive local industries, including Bendel Brewery, Agbede, and Bode Rice, to ensure that Edo State can produce its own goods.
He also called for fair taxation, stating that wealthier citizens and enterprises should pay more taxes than the poor.
When discussing health infrastructure, Azemhe called for improvements, while also voicing concerns over the outflow of skilled professionals due to the “Japa Syndrome” and its impact on the State’s healthcare system.
Similarly, Patience Ndidi, the gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), promised to introduce cost-effective health insurance to tackle the challenges faced by the sector.
The candidates collectively called for a level playing field in the upcoming election, stressing the need for the rule of law in the electoral process.
They also agreed on the importance of incorporating digitalization and entrepreneurship into the education curriculum to better prepare students for entrepreneurial careers, which would help address the high rate of youth unemployment.
Candidates from the Young People’s Party (YPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), African Action Congress (AAC), and People’s Redemption Party (PRP) were among those who participated in the debate, expressing similar concerns about health, education, and human capital development in the State.
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