on Friday, 24th of October, 2014, Chief Dr. Martin Agbaso (MFR), Declared his intention to vie for the exalted seat of Governor of Imo state and that same day, defected from APGA to PDP> As the Coordinator, PDP Eastern Zone said, he has been given a special waiver by PDP to vie for any position he wants, consideration the timing of his defecation, a waiver none was given, which means, a lot. He stands tall and is one of the few who understand Imo., the challenges in Imo and can right the wrong. You may have your own opinion around his intentions and ability to deliver all he promises. Below captures his speech on that day. We have heard many speeches, promises and manifestos, from many politicians and candidates, but NONE has been this apt. I have always maintained that it takes someone who has done his homework on issues and challenges, to come out with solutions to such. Not just making political and campaign promises like I will give free education, i can give u good roads etc, but HOW DO U INTEND TO ACHIEVE THAT AND FUND SUCH without impoverishing the already impoverished masses. We know some states that are working but the masses are suffering because of multiple and dubious levies and duties. Please have an open mind, read the speech below, and lets have your views. Its not about the Party and affiliation, lets xray if this man is in sync with Imo of today, understands Imo and his approach can make Imo the new celebrated state in Nigeria, where development, wealth creation, economic empowerment and value chain will be felt. Ochudo Martins Agbaso, you stand tall. Let the PDP primaries happen and let God fulfill what he started in you., Governance is NOT only building and beautifying the city or capitals, its involves wealth creation, value chain, health and security. Rule of Law, adherence to peoples needs and requirements and ensuring stability and sustainability programmes. Observe three examples given on how to empower the youths and grow a sustainable economy. enjoy the speech below MY COVENANT WITH GOD AND IMO PEOPLE Speech by Martin Agbaso (MFR), at his formal declaration of intent to contest the office of Governor of Imo State of Nigeria under the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), for the 2015 election. Protocols (as necessary) Prologue For so many years, I have had a burden that continuously engulfed my whole being. For so many years also, I have struggled within me and sometimes outwardly, to remove the burden. The burden of giving the best to our people, the burden of leadership and the burden of credible service to the people of Imo have encompassed me. This search for service to our people led me to join hands with other well-meaning leaders in Imo and beyond to found our great part – the PDP – in 1998. I recall with a great sense of nostalgia how the very first set of furniture for the first PDP office on Mbari Street, Owerri had to be taken from my office – AGAD Ltd. Today, as I stand before you, humbled, yet elated by your presence, I feel at home. I feel my burden getting lighter. I feel I am in the midst of the right kind of people; the people that would resolve these burdens. Today, as I offer myself as the arrowhead of the quest for credible, honest, committed, and knowledge leadership for our people, I count on you. I rely on you. I trust God. I stand for party supremacy and discipline. Now that I am back to the part that I helped found, I shall work with the State and national leadership of our great party for success at all elections. I shall work assiduously, at all times, to ensure the reelection of the President, and leader of our party, His Exellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan. What I bring to the table Ladies and gentlemen, let me ask some rhetoric questions, if you will. Have you ever wondered why our youth unemployment is one of the highest in the world? Do our present and aspiring leaders (by which I mean the current government and those offering themselves to lead Imo) realize that Imo has the resources to create so many more jobs that can change the economic landscape of the State? Do the present and aspiring leaders of Imo realize that without security, all job creation and development efforts will come to naught? Do our present and aspiring leaders realize that Imo can be secure? Are we satisfied with the present state of infrastructure in the state? Do our present and aspiring leaders realize that at 70 %, Imo housing deficit is one of the highest in the country? Yet, this deficit can be eliminated. Let me state unequivocally, ladies and gentlemen, that these problems are a natural consequence of leadership ineptitude. These challenges are therefore resolvable, given a credible, trustworthy and competent leadership. This is what I, Martin Agbaso, offer to our great party and Imo people. May I therefore ask you to indulge me to give just three tips of the iceberg? Take unemployment and job creation, for instance. We have already identified 120 Manufacturing Activities, and the markets for their products. These would be localized in the 305 Wards in Imo State. We will select 15 youths from each Ward to be trained in one Manufacturing Activity area. This translates to 4,575 young people gainfully empowered with complete entrepreneurial skills. This would be replicated in the 120 manufacturing areas, beginning with 60, which totally translate to 274, 500 empowered young entrepreneurs. Subsequently, we will provide a seed fund, which would naturally be matched by such organizations as the Bank of Industry (BOI) and several international institutions. As we have worked it out, the products of this program will be so successful that the investment will be recovered within four years. In the process, these young people shall become entrepreneurs and ipso facto, employers of labour. Let me give you the numbers. At N1.5m monthly turnover (and N18m annually), the over 18,300 business units will generate over N395bn annual turnover. This initiative would drive its viability from Imo’s unique geographic location, which places the State at the center of a 55m people market of Eastern Nigeria. Consider the issue of inadequate infrastructure and unacceptable housing deficit. Our research shows that Imo is burdened by a housing deficit in excess of 50%. Yet, shelter is one of the three critical human needs; the others being food and clothing. We have the details of how 108,000 housing units would be provided for Imo people within three years. Relatedly, potable water, a natural adjunct to housing and food, is practically nonexistent in the State. The age-old water schemes in Owerri, Okigwe and Orlu – which made Imo the cleanest State in the country, have been neglected. And expectedly they have collapsed. So what shall we do? Today I commit to you that given the mandate, I shall within two years, provide and reticulate potable water in all parts of the State. Undoubtedly, these would reduce the current unacceptable high health burden associated with water borne diseases. In addition, maternal and child health would be improved, thereby imbuing our mothers with additional strength to contribute to family well-being and Imo economy. And what shall we do about security? We shall provide a security envelop to cover Imo State 24/7. This will be by high tech communication systems with police support vehicles at every 2.8 kilometer road interval. The idea is to have a 10 minute (max) response time, should there be any attack or treat anywhere in Imo. We have worked out how toll-free lines would be provided, such that the issue of lack of air-time would not arise. And how shall we pay for these? This program would not cost more than N10b over a four-year period. Yet, Imo Governor’s security vote is N4.5bn per annum, which the Governor is currently and personally spending, despite the posturing. I shall have no need for such extravagance in the name of security vote. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, this is just a sketch of a comprehensive program we have already worked out. At the fullness of time, we shall deploy them appropriately. Imo people, it would be remiss of me to end this presentation without drawing attention to my relationship with His Excellency Owelle Rochas Okorocha, the current Governor of our dear state. Some have asked: what does Martin Agbaso want, after all he was instrumental to Owelle Rochas becoming governor? They are quite right. I saw him then as a philanthropist. I now know better. The public statements of Chief Umeh, the leader of APGA, have since confirmed that there was no selfish interest in my projecting Owelle Rochas as Governor. Clearly, events of the last three and a half years have shown that we read him wrongly. For instance, under this administration, the rule of law has come to its knees. Disobedience of court order is now the order of the day. From the establishment of an unconstitutional 4th Tier of Government, through the dissolution of elected local government executives to the recognition of traditional rulers despite subsisting court cases are starring us in the face. Or how do we explain the expenditure of state funds on white elephant projects that add no value to the economy of Imo state. Again, how does any right thinking person explain the erection of gates that protect nothing? Worse still, these gates have now been abandoned and a big eyesore all over the Imo. The so called mantra of free education is hollow: records show that Imo children now occupy the unenviable second to the last position in academic performance in the South-east. Most of the roads constructed did not survive one rainy season. Imo has never had it so bad. So many judgment debts running into billions is hanging on the neck of the State. Meanwhile governance has become a media and publicity stunt with billions spent daily. Epilogue Today I covenant with Imo people and my God to unflinchingly defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I shall be true to you. I shall serve you with honesty and humility. I shall work for your interest and protect it at all times. I urge you to partner with me to seek the truth, to develop our people and our place. In the process we shall get Imo right. Long live PDP Long live Imo State Long live Nigeria Martin Agbaso, MFR Owerri, Friday October 24, 2014.
Posted on: Tue, 28 Oct 2014 14:16:31 +0000