By Martha Agas
Dr John Suberu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant for the Okehi/Adavi Federal Constituency in Kogi, has said that he would push for the expansion of NYSC post-service grants and job matching programmes.
Suberu made the commitment at a dinner organised to unveil his manifesto on Saturday in Abuja.
He said he would prioritise youth development and empowerment if he emerged as the APC candidate and won the House of Representatives elections.
The aspirant said that he would create platforms for youth empowerment, including sponsoring a Youth Empowerment and Digital Skills Bill to support ICT, entrepreneurship and innovation.
He pledged to facilitate annual constituency skills acquisition programmes, establish youth business support fund to help start small enterprises for the youths and indigents in the area.
He said he would boost security in the area through exploring opportunities to ensure communities are safe, critical to fast track development in the constituency.
“ Engaging in people oriented policies that directly improves livelihoods, education and economic opportunities will be my top priority.
“ My vision is to transform Okehi/Adavi into a hub of safety, growth and inclusive development, while attracting projects that leverage the area’s comparative advantage,” he said.
The aspirant unveiled a four-pillar manifesto, focusing on youth empowerment and skills development; education, human capital and women’s development; healthcare and social welfare and legislation to drive sustainable development.
According to him, education endowment programmes and community based women empowerment will be priortised .
“ I intend to provide scholarship schemes for brilliant but indigent students, attract federal grants for upgrading schools with ICT labs, books and learning materials.
“ Champion a Women Economic Empowerment Act that increases access to loans, training and leadership opportunities.
“Support girl child education and campaign against early marriage and gender based violence, “ he said.
Suberu added that he would advocate for universal primary healthcare coverage for rural and urban residents and improve access to free maternal and child healthcare.
The aspirant also said he would establish a constituency welfare support desk for widows, the elderly and other vulnerable groups.
“ When elected, I will sponsor and support bills that will bring sustainable development, “ he said.
In his keynote address, Dr Ogaba Kings, a Deputy Director at the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), described the aspirant as a prodigy of accountability, who had identified the challenges in his constituency.
He noted that the aspirant was dedicated to tackling these challenges through robust contributions and support for bills that aligned with those goals.
“ These challenges require not just representation but effective collaboration and communication that help to build sustainable structures that endure, “ he said.
According to him, Suberu will focus on people centred development and grass root mobilisation, youth and women empowerment, education and human capital, infrastructure, economic growth, transparent and accountable governance.
Kings, however, said that the success of this vision relied on the collective effort and support of the people, stating that democracy thrives when citizens actively participate, support credible leadership and hold their representatives accountable.
Similarly, the former Secretary to the PCC, Hajiya Salamatu Mamman, acknowledged the preparedness of the aspirant to serve his people through the development of administrative skills, impactful global engagements and the establishment of his foundation to support the needy.
Mamman described the aspirant as result-oriented, with a proven track record of solving problems regardless of social dynamics, noting that he possesses the tenacity required for leadership.
NAN reports that the aspirant served as a Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi on Road Safety Matters and Senior Special Assistant to the Secretary of the PCC on Special Duties.
He also served as the North Central Regional Coordinator of the United Nations (UN) Decade of Action on Road Safety.
The Political Science graduate, with additional postgraduate degrees, also served as Chairman of the APC National Youth Network, National Coordinator of Diaspora Support for APC (North America) and Ward Leader of Ege/Iriuvochinomi in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi, among other positions.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
MAA/YGA
Edited by Gabriel Yough
