The wife of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Professor Mrs. Idia Ize-Iyamu has supported her husband Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu by campaigning through public engagements and sensitization programs in the state. 

In company of the state APC Women groups, her recent points of call were Oregbeni market, Ramat Park, Ikpoba hill, and other public places in the Edo state capital, Benin City to interact with market women, workers and other relevant stakeholders about the opportunities of her husband’s ‘Simple Agenda.’

After her introduction to a mammoth crowd in Oregbeni market by Deaconess Mrs. Maryam Jibrin, Director women mobilization APC Women Campaign Organisation, Prof. Mrs. Ize-Iyamu presented the benefits of the Simple Agenda and why the women and other voters should rally round Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu to better the lives of everyone in the state. 

Prof. Mrs. Ize-Iyamu decried the current poor state of the markets and the untold hardship experienced by the traders and their children. She assured them of their place in the Simple Agenda and how things are going to change if they vote-in APC candidate in the September 19 election. 

She said: ‘’I have been sent by my husband to assure you of our commitment to all market women. We can see all the suffering going on. In this market, there are no basic infrastructures like water, toilet, stalls, roads, and security.

"With Simple Agenda, all these infrastructures will be duly provided for everyone. It is part of what we call urban renewal, which is inside the Simple Agenda. These infrastructures are your rights and you do not need to pay to enjoy them. Our markets, villages, towns, and cities are going to be properly developed and maintained." 

Speaking further, she also told the traders that under the Simple Agenda, they are going to be able to access soft loans to expand their businesses.

READ ALSO:

Akinwunmi Adesina Re-Elected As AFDB President

According to her, small and medium scale enterprises are going to be among the major beneficiaries of the agenda which is very concerned about economic revival. 

One other way she said this is going to be possible is through skills acquisition. She said most market women and other entrepreneurs will be trained in whatever skill they choose, after which they will get start-up funds to implement their skills and make more money and feed their families. According to her, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has a strong war to fight against poverty in the state. 

As a woman herself, she promised to be a mother to all, and stand in for them whenever they need loans or whatever kind of support they require from the government when her husband wins.

She also promised an end to the current level of multiple taxations on small businesses which is making things difficult for many.

‘’Many traders cannot make a decent living or expand their trade because of so many taxes and levies on them. We shall put a stop to this. Our agenda is not to take from you, but to give to you,’’ she guaranteed.

On girl child education, she mentioned that Pastor Ize-Iyamu is not happy to see school-age children hawking in the markets and not being able to attend schools. She said it is the plan of Ize-Iyamu to build more schools and make quality education accessible to all, irrespective of background. According to her, Ize-Iyamu’s mission for education is to get all children back into schools. Things like child labor, she said, is going to be a thing of the past.

‘’Our children are the next generation. They are supposed to be in schools, not in the markets or on the streets. We are going to train them to become lawyers, doctors, engineers, and many other great professions. We shall bring back scholarships for our brightest children and subsidize the current cost of education so that no one is left behind’’ she said.

According to her, the Simple Agenda is very much centered on job creation. ‘’We are tired of seeing our sons and daughters sit at home without jobs to do. There is a very great plan in the agenda of Ize-Iyamu to create multiple jobs and make our people happy and prosperous again.’’ 

Prof. Mrs. Ize-Iyamu and her entourage proceeded to the residence of the head of Oregbeni community, Pa David Ehigie Osemwenkha, the ODIONWERE OF OREGBENI ward 2, Ikpoba Okha local government Area.

She conveyed the positive message of Pastor Ize-Iyamu to the Odionwere and all that were present. She assured them of the good intentions of her husband and the great benefits of the Simple Agenda for all sectors of the society. 

In his response, the Odionwere said that he was very familiar with Pastor Ize-Iyamu and believes in his ambition to change the state.

He gave his blessings to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and said that he will convey his message to the elders and other stakeholders in Oregbeni. 

He said the victory of Ize-Iyamu in the election will be possible as long as Ize-Iyamu remains committed to the development of Oregbeni. 

The Odionwere complained about the condition of Oregbeni which remains neglected in spite of the presence of public and private institutions in the community. 

He appealed to Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu to tell Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu that when he becomes governor of Edo State he should help provide employment for the youths of the area and improve the general well-being of the people. 

Prof. Mrs. Ize-Iyamu assured the Odionwere and his people of a positive response from the aspiring governor, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.