WeBy Joy Odor | Abuja | November 7, 2025
Senator Joseph Ikpea of Edo Central Senatorial District has thrown his full weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, unveiling an ambitious plan to tackle unemployment, combat gully erosion, and push for new seaport development to drive economic growth across Nigeria.
Speaking with journalists in an interview at the National Assembly on Thursday, Ikpea described Tinubu’s reform drive as “visionary and missionary,” urging Nigerians to rally around the President to consolidate early gains in economic stabilization and infrastructure renewal.
“Anybody blaming Mr. President is making a mistake,” Ikpea declared. “He inherited a difficult economy but has shown determination to rebuild. Things are already changing, we can see the light.”
Unveiling a three-tiered economic plan, the senator said he is drafting legislation to establish agro-processing zones in Edo Central that will create jobs “from farm to factory,” reduce post-harvest losses, and stimulate local productivity.
Ikpea also announced a partnership initiative with technology innovation hubs to set up digital skills training centers for young people across his district.
“We must prepare our youth for the global digital economy. By empowering them with coding, data analytics, and digital marketing skills, we open doors to remote work and entrepreneurship,” he said.
Ikpea called for the development of additional seaports to decongest Lagos and spread industrial activity to other regions.
“New seaports will create thousands of jobs and reduce crime linked to unemployment,” he explained. “If we strengthen our economy and digitalize business ideas, insecurity will naturally decline.”
On local priorities, Ikpea identified gully erosion as an urgent environmental and economic threat across Edo Central.
“Entire farmlands and homes are being swallowed by erosion. My first task is to attract federal intervention and ensure lasting engineering solutions,” he noted.
The senator commended the Edo State Governor for ongoing infrastructure work, pledging collaboration rather than competition.
“The governor is performing. My role is to complement his efforts so that federal projects reach every corner of Edo Central,” Ikpea said.
Addressing recent political defections, Ikpea said the trend reflects confidence in Tinubu’s leadership.
“Nobody is forced to join any party. If people are defecting, it’s because they believe in the President’s reforms. The constitution even allows anyone to contest under a zero party,” he added.
Ikpea closed with a call for national cohesion, urging Nigerians to rise above ethnic and partisan divisions.
“We must remove ethnicity and greed from our politics. Once we see ourselves as one Nigeria, this country will move forward,” he said.
Bottom Line:
Senator Ikpea’s roadmap mirrors Tinubu’s reform momentum, combining federal alignment with constituency-driven action to create jobs, stabilize communities, and build a more inclusive economy.
