By GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

BENIN – GOVERNORSHIP candidate of People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State for the July 14, gubernatorial election, Maj-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd), has promised that if elected, women and youths would be given priority in his administration’s soft loans and jobs creation schemes.

Speaking at Urhonigbe, Orhionmwon Local Government Area, during a campaign rally, where he received some defectors from Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, into PDP, Airhiavbere said: “Women play an instrumental role towards raising children.

“Therefore, it is clear they shouldn’t be left out. We will also ensure that acquisition centres are built in every local government area to enable youths acquire artisan skills in their areas of interest to break the deadlock of unemployment in the state and upon completion, would be given them soft loans to start their own business.”

Airhiavbere and his entourage, including the state party chairman, Chief Dan Orbih also marched through major streets of Urhonigbe and later visited the Okaevbo of Urhonigbe, Abusomwan Omoregie, where the candidate received royal blessings.

He added, “It is only when the women are empowered that they are able to make provision for their children and wards. As the saying goes, “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” If these youths are positively engaged, they will not be involved in stealing, kidnapping and other immoral activities. The PDP government  form July 14, 2012, will not fold its arms and see youths roaming the streets.”

He called on the people to take full advantage of his agenda and vote for him in the July 14 gubernatorial poll, for them to gain these promises.