I’m satisfied with my achievements in eight years – Obaseki

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said he is leaving office satisfied, having undertaken bold reforms and projects that have transformed critical areas of the state.

He listed areas of development to include education, healthcare, economy, infrastructure, and job creation, among others that have improved the livelihoods of the people in the state.

The governor said this on Tuesday when he led his Enugu State counterpart, Dr Peter Mbah, and the former governor of Sokoto State and Senator for Sokoto South Federal Constituency, 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. Marvelous Godwins Omobayo; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Osaigbovo Iyoha, Commissioners and other members of the State’s Executive Council, traditional rulers, and education stakeholders, among others.

At the Commissioning of the Benin Technical College, Obaseki said his government has restored hope of the people of the State, rebuilt Edo’s 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.

“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 12th, 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.”

“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.”

READ ALSO:Obaseki ends tenure with thanksgiving, celebrates achievements

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 a foremost educationist and Commissioner for Education in the old Midwest State, Chief Tayo Akpata.

“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,” he said.

READ ALSO:Obaseki ends tenure with thanksgiving, celebrates achievements

Commending teachers in the State for supporting the reforms of the education sector, Obaseki said, “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.