Hanny Henry
Maurice Vunobolki, Adamawa governorship aspirant in Adamawa State has unveiled an ambitious development agenda centred on people, prosperity and peace, promising to prioritise economic growth, security, quality education and institutional reforms if elected.
The aspirant, who spoke during an interactive session with journalist in Yola, said his proposed administration would focus on improving the welfare of residents, creating economic opportunities and building a peaceful environment needed for sustainable development.
He said the three pillars, people, prosperity and peace, would guide his policies and programmes, stressing that meaningful development could only be achieved when government policies address the basic needs of citizens.
According to him, his administration would, within its first 100 days, lay the foundation for policies aimed at expanding economic activities and supporting productive businesses to improve household incomes.
He said creating opportunities and empowering citizens economically would help reduce poverty and promote social stability across the state.
“Government must put the people first by creating an environment where they can work, do business and improve their lives,” he said.
On security, the aspirant said peace remained the foundation of development, noting that no society could prosper in an atmosphere of insecurity.
Vunobolki expressed concern over growing attacks in parts of Northern Nigeria and pledged to address the root causes of insecurity, including poverty and unemployment.
He said providing young people with jobs and economic opportunities would help reduce crime and other social problems.
The aspirant also outlined plans to expand access to electricity, particularly in rural communities, through renewable energy.
He said his administration would explore the deployment of more than 10,000 solar-powered systems to support small businesses, farming clusters and rural communities while reducing dependence on fuel-powered generators.
In agriculture, he promised to improve farmers’ access to water through solar-powered irrigation systems, a move he said would boost year-round farming and help communities cope with the growing effects of climate change.
On solid mineral development, the aspirant cautioned against making unrealistic campaign promises, saying mining required proper planning, infrastructure, environmental protection and consideration for affected communities.
He urged political candidates to present practical and implementable policies rather than promises designed only to win elections.
Speaking on governance and public finance, he stressed the need for fiscal discipline, transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.
He said many states continued to struggle with development despite receiving federal allocations because of poor prioritisation and inefficient use of funds.
The aspirant also promised to strengthen internally generated revenue through innovative and accountable systems, drawing on his background in taxation and financial management.
In education, he pledged to improve the quality of public schools and restore confidence in the system so that parents would not feel compelled to depend on private schools for quality education.
He also promised to establish a commission to cater for the needs and welfare of persons with disabilities.
For young people, the aspirant said his administration would invest in sports development, including the construction of mini-stadiums across local government areas to promote youth participation and discover talents.
He urged Adamawa residents to look beyond political affiliations and consider competence, capacity and credible policies when choosing their leaders.
The aspirant also challenged fellow governorship candidates to participate in open and issue-based debates, saying such engagements would give voters the opportunity to compare ideas and make informed decisions.
