…performs groundbreaking for School of Aquaculture, Marine Technology, Agenebode, pays tribute to late Chief Dokpesi
By Violet Osatohanmwen Obamwonyi
Ahead of the September 21 governorship election, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has called on the people of Etsako East and Central Local Government areas to vote for the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Asue Ighodalo and his running mate, Barr. Osarodion Ogie, emphasizing that their victory would ensure the continuity of good governance in the state.
The Governor made this known on Wednesday September 4, 2024, at the PDP campaign rally in Etsako East and Central Local Government areas of the state.
Obaseki who expressed confidence in Ighodalo’s capabilities and competence, noted that unlike others, Ighodalo is not a push and start candidate, further remarking that in light of the socio-economic hardship brought about by the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government, it would be a grave error to elect a candidate that is grossly incompetent and incapable of governing the state.
The Governor highlighted Ighodalo’s qualifications as a respected lawyer, seasoned business executive and Chairman of several boards, noting that his dedication to empowering young people motivated his decision to run for office, affirming Ighodalo as the ideal candidate to succeed him.
He further cautioned the electorate of the opponents’ plans to undermine initiatives like EdoBEST, because they fail to recognize the importance of education, adding that they lack the expertise to implement the Edo Regional and Benin City Master Plans which were recently launched in the state.
According to Obaseki: “The country is facing difficult times and we do not want those challenges to affect us here in Edo. We need capable leaders who can manage our resources wisely and prevent further decline. Asue Ighodalo is not a push and start candidate.
“The good governance we have been enjoying in Edo for the last seven years is only the beginning. We need competent leadership for sustained development, not inexperienced candidates. We cannot afford to return to the past, which is why we must vote for Asue and Ogie for continuity.”
The Governor, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the School of Aquaculture and Marine Technology in Agenebode, an affiliate of the Edo State College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, assured the community that the project would be completed within 12 months, expressing confidence in the PDP’s candidate to ensure completion of the school, if elected.
He stated that rather than proliferating tertiary institutions, his administration had to shut down non-accredited schools for some time, in order to restart them on a stronger foundation by passing a law establishing a single Edo State College of Agriculture and Natural Resources with three specialized schools, each focusing on delivering practical knowledge, aimed at creating job opportunities and enabling graduates to establish their own businesses. He stated that the schools would ensure training of students to be productive members of the society, rather than simply awarding certificates.
While highlighting the progress made in revitalizing agricultural learning centres in the state, Obaseki noted that the completion of the School of Agricultural Technology and Engineering at Iguoriakhi, which is already running courses designed to support oil palm programs in the state, bears testament to his commitment, emphasizing that every student attending the institution has been guaranteed a job before graduation.
He further stated that no other university of agriculture in Nigeria can match the quality of education and facilities now available at the Iguoriakhi campus, while assuring the people of Agenebode that the same standard would be applied to the new school, noting the institution’s added advantage as a result of its proximity to the River Niger, which would be leveraged to develop expertise in aquaculture, fisheries, and marine agriculture.
Obaseki said: “When we came into office in 2016, even though we had tertiary institutions that have been established by previous administrations in the past, almost all of them had lost accreditation. The state of the colleges of agriculture were particularly pathetic; apart from having lost accreditation, which meant that the students were just being deceived into believing that they were in school, whereas the school had no accreditation and no possibility of offering them jobs when they finished, we as a government pledged and committed that we were going to do things differently.
“Today, it already has its accreditation, the process of recruiting staff has already commenced, and we have funds in the budget to complete the school. This school is going to have the best infrastructures; I believe that the school building will be completed and equipped within the next twelve months. The confidence comes from the fact that we have already done it somewhere, so, we are just moving this development here.”
He added: “This school is going to also partner with fishing and aquaculture companies, because what we do as a state is to help set the school but the people who are in that business would partner with the state and the school to ensure that the learning that takes place in these schools are very practical. We are training for jobs not for certificates. It is going to have a lot of laboratories and farms.
“I want to thank the Royal Majesty and members of the community for being patient with us as government. Good things do not come easily, and as a government, we do not deceive our people; what we cannot do, we do not say it, and what we say we will do, we also ensure that we do it well. We have no reason to be poor in Edo, we are sitting on massive resources. With this school, we should be able to attract a lot of investments here.”
The Governor also visited the mausoleum of the late founder of Daar Communications, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, in Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government area. Obaseki remarked that his visit was to pay respects to the late media icon, whom he described as a pathfinder that championed the cause of the less privileged.
“This is my first time coming to Agenebode since he passed on. I felt the right thing to do was to come here and honor him and thank him immensely for his contributions. I am here to pay him the respect he duly deserved. 4 years ago, when I came here, he took me round and led the campaign. He contributed immensely, making AIT available as a platform for us to go round the state and tell our story.
“I have come to thank him. He was a successful man, a pathfinder for his generation, a humanist who took interest in the people. He fought for the less privileged and believed in the core human values of justice, fairness, hard work and progress”, Obaseki remarked.
Speaking at the campaign rally, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, the governorship candidate of the PDP, expressed gratitude to Governor Obaseki for his support, while assuring the people of the completion of all ongoing projects, and initiating new ones, if elected. He urged the electorates to shun violence and vote en masse for the PDP, come September 21, 2024.
Ighodalo noted: “When presented with a choice between darkness and light, it is prudent to choose light. Do not follow those who lack a clear vision for the state’s development. A candidate who has neglected formal education and has not sought further self-improvement will not prioritize education. Leaders who cannot articulate their vision and resort to abuse cannot effectively lead the people.
“For the prosperity of the state, on September 21st, let us take an umbrella to shield ourselves from rising food prices and poverty. With the strong foundation laid by Governor Obaseki, we will advance towards collective prosperity. Therefore, we must come out en masse to vote on that day at our polling units.
“Desist from violence and vote peacefully. Do not be intimidated by threats; they are meant to instill fear. There is no reason to fear those who do not have our best interests at heart. God desires our prosperity and He is on our side.”
