By Omoruyi Patricia Osayomore
The wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, has admonished the newly appointed Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Assistants (SAs) on Gender Issues in the State to maintain a high standard of diligence in the discharge of their duties on behalf of the State Government.
Mrs. Betsy Obaseki gave the charge during a meeting with the new appointees at the Festival Hall in Government House, Benin City.
She said the counsel became necessary as the usual pattern of politics of monetary and financial inducement was fast giving way due to the disregard for human dignity and sanctity of life by some cruel politicians.
The First Lady told the appointees that the era of political ignorance was over among the Nigerian populace as the slogans of many have shown that they decided to fight and even pay the ultimate price for a course they believe.
In her words, “Politics is an arena where patriotic minds decide to make change for the betterment of the society through hard-work, selflessness and voluntary services with perseverance. Nigerians need a re-awakening for positive change in the society as those in government remain the key determinant of national development and societal functionality.”
Reiterating the responsibilities of the appointees, she stressed that the offices require them to be firm in defending the dignity of the State starting from their localities as well as a wakeup call for them to continue in their good works on behalf of the State Government and in the interest of all residents.
Clarifying why some non-indigenes of the State were appointed, Mrs. Obaseki said that it was an attestation that the State Governor is not partial in rewarding qualified and deserving residents who have paid their dues in the course of serving the State and their immediate locality.
Lending her voice, the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Maryann Philip Shaibu, expressed appreciation to Governor Godwin Obaseki for granting approval for the appointments and appealed to the appointees to always speak well of the government they work for, adding that they should never oppress their fellows.
Other dignitaries that attended the event were the Commissioner for Local Governments, Mr. Emmanuel Osaigbovo, the Commissioner for Gender issues, Mrs. Maria Edeko, the Special Adviser, Political, South, Lady Uwa Osunbor, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Ms. Isoken Omo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youths and Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs. Ifueko Alufokhai, the appointees amongst other guests.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of appointment letters to the appointees, who expressed their gratitude to the First Lady and the State Governor for finding them worthy to serve and pledged their unalloyed support to the State Government.
