Edo at 33: Obaseki Pushes for Continued Progress, Envisions State as Nigeria’s Future Electricity Powerhouse

As Edo State celebrates 33 years of its creation, the governor, Godwin Obaseki, who is witnessing his last commemoration of the state’s anniversary in office, has thumbed up for his administration for laying the bases for the growth and development of the state with the infrastructure that had been built. The governor also enjoined the succeeding administration to ensure continuity of progress made. Edo State was created August 27, 1991, by former military president, and retired General, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.

At an interdenominational church service on Sunday to mark the 33rd anniversary of the state held at the Tennis Court of the Samuel Ogbemudia Sports Complex in Benin, the governor used the occasion to give account of his stewardship, and how his administration had greatly impacted the development of the state in his almost eight years in office.

Noting that a lot of new developments were being unveiled, Governor Obaseki said: “Last week, we got the authority to set up our electricity market. This is what we have been working on for the last eight years. With the gas reserve we have, we are likely to become the electricity powerhouse in Nigeria. We will attract a lot of industries to the state”.

According to him, “We have amazing prospects ahead with the foundation we have laid. We have never been this united. When we came into office eight years ago, we were the joke of all in terms of the menace of human trafficking. All fingers pointed to Edo State as people who wanted to leave Nigeria by all and every means.

“However, today, people are coming back, driving up property values. This is because there is something to do here. When we talk of the prospects, we are just beginning. We have laid the bases for growth and development in Edo State with the infrastructure we have built…

“In terms of fiber optic investment, no state has invested as Edo State in digital infrastructure. With electricity and connectivity, our access to the world is limitless. We have been able to take charge of security, and we have been able to ensure citizens’ participation. When you have security and safety, people will surely come to invest in the state.

“We have done a lot of work in building human capacity. EdoBEST is real and has been acclaimed globally. These children who have been properly educated will do well globally. We have so much hope for Edo people and the state”.

Stating that tenure ends November 12, Governor Obaseki noted that “we had things set out to do for Edo. We have projects, and a lot of things we need to finish. I must work harder to complete all that”.

Bishop Oriname Oyonnude Kure, who led the prayers for the governor and his cabinet, commended the governor for all he had done in almost eight years in office.