Dr. Emmanuel Unuafe Campaign Organization

There is a remarkable feature of democracy that every politician eventually discovers: the people always have the final say. When elections draw near, forgotten communities suddenly become important, abandoned roads become emergency projects, neglected citizens become "critical stakeholders," and places once ignored become the political headquarters of those seeking another term in office.

Nothing illustrates this better than the recent persistent visits of the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Sheriff Oborevwori, to Ozoro. For much of the administration, many residents have questioned the level of government attention given to the community. Yet today, Ozoro appears to have transformed into the governor's preferred destination. The obvious question is: What changed?

Politics, perhaps, has supplied the answer.

Ozoro is the hometown of the ADC governorship candidate, Dr. Emmanuel Unuafe. Whether one supports him or not, it is difficult to ignore the coincidence that a community that previously struggled to attract sustained…

There is a fundamental difference between helping people survive and creating the conditions for them to prosper. Unfortunately, Nigeria has become so accustomed to confusing the two that we now celebrate temporary relief as if it were sustainable development.

I recently listened to comments suggesting that women should be supported with grants to engage in businesses such as akara or kulikuli production. Let me be clear: there is absolutely nothing wrong with honest enterprise. Every legitimate business deserves respect, whether it is selling akara or building aircraft. Dignity lies in honest work.

The real question, however, is this: Why are we limiting the dreams of millions of Nigerian women to survival-level businesses when government should be expanding their opportunities to become industrialists, manufacturers, technology entrepreneurs, exporters and employers of labour?

A government that truly believes in the potential of its people should not merely distribute fish. It should build fisheries,…