Iseme Unveils SHARES Agenda For Afemai Development Ahead Of 2027 Senate Election
Mrs. Iseme Maria Oisamoje, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial candidate for Edo North, has outlined a development vision focused on security, healthcare, agriculture, road maintenance, education and social responsibility as part of efforts to address the development needs of the Afemai Nation.
The agenda, known as the SHARES Manifesto, seeks to promote inclusive development, improve access to essential services and ensure that communities across Edo North benefit from effective representation and opportunities for economic growth.
In presenting her vision, Iseme highlighted the enormous natural and human resources of the Afemai Nation, comprising the six local government areas of Akoko-Edo, Etsako Central, Etsako East, Etsako West, Owan East and Owan West.
She noted that the region possesses significant potential for economic development through agriculture, solid minerals, fisheries, irrigation and other productive ventures, supported by its rich cultural heritage and entrepreneurial population.
However, the development potential of these resources remains a central concern in discussions about the region's future, particularly the need to translate its natural endowments into improved living conditions, employment opportunities and sustainable economic growth.
The SHARES Manifesto is designed to address these concerns through six priority areas. Security remains a fundamental component of the agenda, with an emphasis on the importance of protecting lives and property, safeguarding rural communities and creating an environment in which businesses and agricultural activities can thrive.
On healthcare, the vision underscores the need to improve access to quality and affordable medical services, particularly for rural dwellers and vulnerable groups who often face difficulties accessing essential healthcare.
Agriculture also occupies a prominent position in the proposed development framework. Given the region's fertile lands and agricultural potential, increased attention to farming, irrigation, fisheries, agro-processing and market access could create jobs, strengthen food security and improve the incomes of farmers and other participants in the agricultural value chain.
Road maintenance is another priority, reflecting the importance of functional road networks in connecting communities, facilitating the movement of agricultural produce, supporting commerce and improving access to schools, healthcare facilities and other essential services.
Under education, the agenda places emphasis on human capital development as a pathway to greater opportunities for young people and future generations. Improved educational access and support for skills development are central to preparing the region's population for emerging economic opportunities.
The social responsibility component of the manifesto further highlights the importance of responsive representation, community welfare and policies that take the needs of ordinary citizens into account.
Beyond the six thematic areas, the broader vision presented by Iseme centres on accountable representation, equitable access to development opportunities and the need to ensure that the benefits of governance extend beyond a limited section of society.
For the Afemai Nation, the challenge is not merely the availability of natural resources but the ability to build the infrastructure, institutions and economic opportunities required to convert those resources into lasting prosperity.
Achieving this would require sustained collaboration among federal and state authorities, local governments, traditional institutions, community leaders, the private sector and residents themselves.
As the 2027 senatorial election approaches, the SHARES Manifesto provides a framework for examining how proposed policies could address the priorities of communities across Edo North.
The extent to which the agenda can deliver meaningful change would ultimately depend on the development of clear policy proposals, effective legislative advocacy, appropriate resource allocation and transparent accountability mechanisms.
For Iseme, the central message of the vision is that the future of the Afemai Nation should be shaped by the collective interests of its people, with development efforts directed towards improving livelihoods, expanding opportunities and strengthening the foundations of shared prosperity.
The vision calls for a future in which the region's natural resources, cultural heritage and human potential become instruments of inclusive growth, ensuring that development remains a shared aspiration across Akoko-Edo, Owan and Etsako.
Iseme Maria Oisamoje is the NDC senatorial candidate for Edo North in the 2027 elections. Her SHARES Manifesto identifies security, healthcare, agriculture, roads maintenance, education and social responsibility as its six principal development priorities.
