Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has said he is very satisfied with leaving office. He has undertaken bold reforms and projects that have transformed critical areas of the State, including education, healthcare, the economy, infrastructure, and job creation. These reforms have improved people’s livelihoods and placed the State on the path of growth and economic prosperity.
The governor said this on Tuesday when he led his Enugu State counterpart, Dr Peter Mbah, the former governor of Sokoto State and Senator for Sokoto South Federal Constituency, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, and other dignitaries to commission various projects in the State.
Some of the projects commissioned include the Benin Technical College and some internal roads within the college spanning over 12km, as well as the Edo State Education Hub, which houses the Ministry of Education, Directorate of Educational Quality and Accountability, Directorate of Higher Education, the State Examination Board, the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (Edo SUBEB), Library Board and Board of Technical and Vocational Education and Training, among others.
Others at the event are the State Deputy Governor, Engr. Marvellous Godwins Omobayo; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Osaigbovo Iyoha; commissioners and other members of the State’s Executive Council; traditional rulers; and education stakeholders.
At the Benin Technical College Commissioning, Obaseki said his government has restored the people’s hope, rebuilt Edo’s economy, and empowered and equipped young people for the future.
He said, “This project is something I had to do because when I contested as governor of Edo State in 2016, we faced existential threats. Our children did not want to go to school but preferred to travel for greener pastures.
The rate of irregular migration and human trafficking was terrifying for me. At the time, over 30,000 young Edo boys and girls were in Libya trying to cross into Europe; we had the data. You can imagine how many died on their way there.”
He continued: “While campaigning, I promised to restore hope and did what politicians don’t normally do, promising to create over 200,000 jobs, and by the grace we have surpassed that.
“The government or the civil service did not create these jobs as we focused on developing skills and training our young boys and girls in institutions like the Benin Technical School that just wanted hope and opportunity.
“When I resumed office on November 12th, 2016, I visited the Secretariat and was at the Benin Technical College the next day. If I am to create 200,000 jobs, I need the institution to do this. But I saw when I came here, I almost wept and committed to restoring and renovating this school as my priority.”
Obaseki added, “I am glad this afternoon that a week before my exit from office, I can see a rebuilt technical college giving hope to thousands of young boys and girls. This is a greater joy and gift from God as I am leaving office very satisfied. I came, saw the State of the college, and did my best to revamp and rehabilitate it.”
Obaseki, at the commissioning of the education hub, said the facility is a testament to his government’s revamp of the education sector.
The governor also named the hub after Chief Tayo Akpata, the foremost educationist and Commissioner for Education in the old Mid-West State.
He said, “Today, we are here to commission the Edo State Education Hub, and this facility is like a summary of what we have done in Edo State. We found our educational system in disarray when we came, but today, we are leaving a very organised education system. This hub represents that because this hub is everything about education.
“In this facility, we have created a hall of fame for our teachers. The whole reform in Edo’s education sector was anchored on the teacher. The EdoBEST programme succeeded because we focused on teachers who eventually teach the children. Teachers should be at the core of any education reform.”
Obaseki praised teachers in the State for supporting education sector reforms and added, “As I leave, I want to thank all the teachers and educationists who laid the foundation of education in Edo State.”
Describing the governor as a transformer, the Enugu State governor said Governor Obaseki has not only transformed Edo’s education sector but enhanced the learning abilities of Edo people.
He noted, “I am deeply honoured to be invited to commission this landmark project, which is a testament to Governor Obaseki’s commitment to transforming the education sector.
“The governor has had an outstanding term in office with various remarkable transformational projects which not only transformed the education sector but enhanced the learning abilities of the Edo people.
“In the last eight years, the governor has been planting, and we hope that the young people of Edo State will reap from the bountiful harvest of your selfless work for Edo people.
“We hope that when the history of this State and Nigeria is rendered, posterity will not only be kind to you but will also preserve a noble seat for you for the great work you have done in Edo State.”
On his part, Senator Tambuwal, while celebrating the governor’s achievements in the last eight years, described Governor Obaseki as an achiever and pacesetter.
He stated, “I am impressed with what I have just witnessed this afternoon through the philosophy of Governor Godwin Obaseki, and in no distance future Edo people will be missing you.
“I must commend you for the initiative of the education hub. It’s yet another first and has not been seen anywhere in Nigeria. I urge the people coming after you to continue with the good work as it’s not about politics but governance and the people of Edo State and Nigeria.”
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