Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has said he is leaving office as governor very fulfilled and satisfied, having undertaken bold reforms and projects that have transformed critical areas of the state, including education, healthcare, economy, infrastructure and job creation.
Obaseki said his reforms had also improved the livelihoods of the people and placed the state on the path of growth and economic prosperity.
The governor gave himself a pat on his back when he led his Enugu State counterpart, Dr. Peter Mbah, and senator for Sokoto South and former governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, and other dignitaries to commission various projects in the state.
At the commissioning of the Benin Technical College, Obaseki said his government had restored hope to the people of the state, rebuilt the Edo economy, and empowered and equipped young people in the state for the future.
According to him, “This project is something I had to do because when I contested as governor of Edo State in 2016, we were facing existential threats. Our children didn’t want to go to school but rather preferred to travel for greener pastures.
“The rate of irregular migration and human trafficking was very scary 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 grace we have surpassed that.
“These jobs were not created by the government or the civil service, 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 in life.
“When I resumed office on November 12, 2016, I visited the secretariat and the next day, I was at the Benin Technical College. If I am to create 200,000 jobs, I need the institution to do this. But what I saw when I came here, I almost wept and I made a commitment that restoring this school and renovating it will be my priority.”
Obaseki added, “I am glad this afternoon that a week to my exit in 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 I did my best to revamp and rehabilitate it.”
Obaseki, at the commissioning of the education hub, said the facility was a testament to his government’s revamp of the education sector.
The governor also named the hub after foremost educationist and Commissioner for Education in the old Midwest State, Chief Tayo Akpata.
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. When we came, we met our educational system in disarray but today we are leaving a very organised education system. This hub represents that because this hub is everything education.”
Obaseki said with the facility “a hall of fame” had been created for teachers.
He stated, “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.”
He commended teachers in the state for supporting the reforms in the education sector.
Mbah described Obaseki as a transformer, saying he has not only transformed Edo’s education sector but also enhanced the learning abilities of Edo people.
The Enugu State governor stated, “I am deeply honoured to be invited to commission this landmark project, as it is a testament to the commitment of Governor Obaseki to transform 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 it’s our hope that the young ones and people of Edo State would reap from the bountiful harvest of your selfless work for Edo people.
“It’s our 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.”
Tambuwal, while celebrating the governor’s achievements in the last eight years, described Obaseki as an achiever and pacesetter.
He said, “I am impressed with what I have just witnessed this afternoon through the philosophy of Governor Godwin Obaseki, and in no distant 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 about governance and the people of Edo State and Nigeria.”
Some of the projects commissioned included the Benin Technical College and some internal roads within the college spanning over 12 kilometres, 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, 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 included the state deputy governor, Mr. Marvellous Omobayo; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Osaigbovo Iyoha; commissioners and other members of the State Executive Council; traditional rulers; and education stakeholders.