Aliu Promises Youth Empowerment, Scholarships, Better Infrastructure In Edo Constituency

Hon. Mathias Aliu, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Etsako Central Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly race, has promised to prioritise youth empowerment, educational support, economic development and improved access to basic amenities if elected.

Aliu, who described his political philosophy as people-centred and rooted in socialism, said his decision to join the NDC was informed by his belief that government should serve the people rather than allow political officeholders to exercise power for personal interests.

Speaking during an interview, the politician stressed that the people should remain at the centre of governance, adding that elected representatives must be accountable to their constituents and committed to improving their living conditions.

According to him, leadership should be measured by its ability to create opportunities, reduce poverty and build a society where citizens can access education, healthcare and other essential services.

He identified youth restiveness, economic hardship and educational challenges among the major issues requiring urgent attention in his constituency.

On youth development, Aliu expressed concern over the growing number of young people who have completed their education but remain unemployed, as well as those who have dropped out of school and lack opportunities to earn a living.

He said he would introduce vocational training and skills acquisition programmes to equip young people with practical skills, alongside mentorship, business support and access to equipment to enable them to establish sustainable livelihoods.

The NDC candidate explained that beneficiaries would receive support according to their needs, including assistance with business start-ups, equipment and opportunities to acquire additional practical experience.

He maintained that empowering young people to become economically independent would help address idleness, reduce social unrest and encourage productive participation in community development.

On economic empowerment, Aliu pledged to support petty traders, market women and small-scale entrepreneurs who struggle to raise sufficient capital to sustain or expand their businesses.

He said his proposed intervention would combine financial assistance with business training to help beneficiaries improve their management practices, grow their enterprises and increase their earnings.

Aliu also highlighted agriculture as an important component of the local economy, promising to explore ways of encouraging farmers to adopt modern farming techniques that could improve productivity and increase their harvests.

He said strengthening small businesses and agricultural activities would create additional economic opportunities, improve household incomes and help lift vulnerable residents out of poverty.

On education, the candidate promised scholarship support for children from financially disadvantaged families attending government schools.

He said the proposed intervention would cover essential educational expenses, including school fees and the cost of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), commonly referred to as WAEC.

Aliu expressed concern that some children were being forced to discontinue their education because their parents or guardians could not afford the required expenses.

He argued that financial hardship should not permanently deprive children of educational opportunities, promising to make educational assistance a priority if elected.

Addressing infrastructure and community development, the NDC candidate said he would adopt a consultative approach by engaging residents to identify their most pressing needs before pursuing projects on their behalf.

He explained that, as a legislator, his responsibility would include representing community interests, advocating for projects during budgetary processes and lobbying the executive arm of government for the necessary funding and implementation.

According to him, such an approach would help ensure that public projects reflect the actual needs of communities rather than the personal preferences of politicians.

He listed roads, electricity, potable water, school renovation and healthcare facilities among the essential services requiring attention in underserved communities.

Aliu acknowledged that the execution of major infrastructure projects often depends on funding and cooperation between the legislative and executive arms of government. Nevertheless, he pledged to use legislative advocacy and engagement with relevant authorities to attract development to his constituency.

On healthcare, he said he wanted to see communities gain better access to essential medical services, while also promising to advocate for reliable water supply and other basic amenities needed to improve public health and living standards.

The candidate further criticised corruption and poor economic management, describing them as significant obstacles to Nigeria's development.

He expressed support for the NDC's national vision, particularly its stated emphasis on tackling corruption, improving economic management and ensuring that public resources are used for the benefit of citizens.

Aliu said he believed that transparent governance and responsible management of public funds could help create employment opportunities, improve access to healthcare and education, and reduce poverty.

He added that his own approach to representation would be guided by accountability, accessibility and a commitment to placing public interest above personal gain.

Promising an open-government approach, Aliu said he would maintain regular communication with constituents through town hall meetings and other engagement platforms.

He noted that complaints about elected representatives becoming inaccessible after winning elections had weakened public confidence in politics.

The NDC candidate pledged not to abandon his constituents after securing their mandate, promising to establish channels through which residents could communicate their concerns, make suggestions and hold him accountable.

He said his long-term political future depended on the trust of the people, arguing that a representative who betrayed that trust could find it difficult to secure their support in subsequent elections.

“I cannot succeed without the people, and the people also need to cooperate with their legislator. We have to work hand in hand,” he said.

Aliu maintained that meaningful representation requires continuous engagement between elected officials and the people they represent, adding that the success of his proposed programmes would depend on collaboration with communities and relevant government institutions.

He reaffirmed his commitment to people-oriented leadership, saying his ambition was to give residents hope, expand opportunities for young people, support vulnerable households and promote development that would improve the quality of life across the constituency.