Ganiyu Johnson pledges standard healthcare, empowerment of SMEs if reelected

Ganiyu Johnson pledges standard healthcare, empowerment of SMEs if reelected

• ‘Conduct of election improved significantly compared to 2019 polls’

 By Prince Benson

Representative of Oshodi/Isolo Constituency II in the Federal House of Representatives, Honourable Ganiyu Abiodun Johnson has pledged to facilitate the provision of standard, affordable healthcare and empowerment of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) if reelected for a second term in the lower chamber of the National Assembly.

 Described by his people as a well-groomed, humble, straightforward game changer, Johnson, who is well-loved by his people in his constituency made the commitment in an interview with the New Experience Newspaper during which he gave an overview of the presidential and National Assembly election held on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

 Reacting to this year’s general election in his constituency, Johnson said the poll was better conducted than that of 2019, adding that it was free, fair, credible and more peaceful when compared with the last one, which he said, was fraught with violence and irregularities that ended up in a re-run.

 His words: “Compared to the 2019 election that was marred by violence and chaos, this year’s exercise represented a marked improvement over the last election and we do not expect such to repeat itself, particularly in my constituency

 “The introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the 2023 election has made it calmer and nobody can snatch or cart away ballot boxes. As a public figure, I was expected to mobilise the people of my constituency to come out and vote, which I did and it yielded the desired result.”

 He added that if eventually re-elected he would ensure quality representation of the Oshodi/Isolo Constituency II, maintaining that he would initiate and facilitate the generation of more people-oriented bills and motions, as well as ensure active participation in oversight functions.

 On youth empowerment and other programmes, he said he would engage in more lobbying for infrastructure development in the constituency.

 Johnson, who gave an account on his stewardship and achievements as a member of the lower chamber of the National Assembly, said: “The first bill generated was on the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

 “FAAN should recognise the host communities of airports since they are usually affected by noise pollution, emissions and adequately compensate members of those communities.”

 He insisted that he should be a member representing his constituency on the board of FAAN, adding that FAAN’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) should be extended to communities under Oshodi/Isolo Constituency.

 “As a matter of urgency, there should be a quota for the constituency whenever FAAN is employing people.

 “The second bill I initiated is on medical research at Ejigbo being conceived as a big medical centre capable of taking care of men, women, youths and children of Ejigbo Community.

 “While the third bill I generated is on an innovation, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition centre in Isolo where we should be able to train our restless youths. And

By the time we train them on acquisition of diverse skills, the youths in turn would train others and make a good living off their skills in the community.”

 Speaking further on empowerment and provision of infrastructure he said the Oshodi/Isolo Constituency was under a government of inclusion, adding that the construction of Mushin road was as a result of his motion as the road was congested and remained a dead end until it was rehabilitated.

 He explained that he facilitated the rehabilitation of other roads in the constituency, noting that more solar lights will be installed to curb crimes, while boreholes will be built in his neighborhood around Ago Palace in Okota.

 Johnson maintained that some of the community roads would be upgraded, while a lot of empowerment for SMEs would be prioritised if he is re-elected for another four years

 Stressing that his desire for reelection is with a view to fully completing what he promised to do for his people, he said four years was not enough to fulfill all promises due to the structure of the National Assembly, which has 360 members.

 “In the House of Representatives, each member wants to generate a bill for his or her constituency and if you don’t take time and act fast in the House, you may not be able to generate a single bill for the four years

 “But I thank God that my own was not difficult and the people of Oshod/Isolo Constituency II will attest to my impact on the community in the past four years,” he said.