By Godspower Eguasa
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has promised that his administration’s focus on investments in technical know-how and energy for development will ensure that the State never goes back to its days of notoriety where it was infamous for thuggery.
Accompanied by his Special Adviser on Media Projects, Mr Crusoe Osagie and the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Mr Christopher Nehikhare, Mr Obaseki made the promise while receiving the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists Edo State Council, Comrade Festus Alenke, and other executive members of the council at the Government House in Benin City, on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.
Reaffirming his commitment to improving the lives and well-being of Edo residents, the Governor said his administration will focus on the delivery of development projects and initiatives that will reprogram and retool residents for future growth and productivity.
He commended members of the NUJ Council for their support and partnership with the State over the years in driving sustainable growth and development in the economy, adding that the State will continue to leverage on its endowments and strategic partnerships with private sector investors to ensure Edo citizens are equipped with the right skills and knowledge to be productive in their various endeavors.
Obaseki said: “Believe it or not, you have been one of our solid partners because you have been objective and in supporting our course.
“Just look at us, the way we dress, everything; we import. But with limited earnings of foreign exchange, and with the high rate of foreign exchange, what will happen? most of those things we import will now have to be made locally.
“And what are the two things you need to produce; the people who know what to do and the energy. So, we are positioning Edo to be that hub. Thank God we have access to independent energy sources like gas. And because of our location, the gas network also comes through here.” he said.
Mr Obaseki used the opportunity of the courtesy call to list out some of the gains made under his leadership including in the areas of security, infrastructure, and education.
“Learning from what we did with Azura, we were able to partner to now do what we are doing with Ossiomo, and by the way, we are also going to be partnering with Duport in Orhiomwon, Sahara, so, we have multiple sources.
“With EdoBest, it’s to retrain our children, set a new trajectory in education, because I said something many years ago, I said never again in our lifetime and generations to come will Edo be a place where you produce Agberos.
“We became so because our education system collapsed. But with what we are doing with EdoBEST today, I don’t see any of these children ending up in the motor parks.” Obaseki concluded.
Obaseki gave the pass mark to his government for the security and stability being enjoyed in Edo and urged the NUJ Council to play its role in creating awareness on the real security status in the State.
Obaseki said: “Think back to 2017 and what this city and this State was like, think back even immediately post Covid, the kind of challenges we had with kidnappings.
“So, we have been able to secure Edo better. But you see, security is also a state of mind, there is real security and there is a perception of security. We have been in our pace to provide security, you have to help us to improve the perception of security”.
The chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists Edo State Council, Comrade Festus Alenke commended the Governor on the major reforms in the State, especially in the media sector. He noted that the union was ready and would continue to support the state in bringing sustainable development to its residents.
Mr Obaseki was a
