Obaseki marks Armed Forces Remembrance Day, plans S’South governors conference

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has urged Nigerians to be committed to the promotion of peace and unity in the country in reflection of the sacrifices by the nation’s fallen heroes.

According to statement by Crusoe Osagie, the Special Assistant, Media Projects to the Edo State Government, the governor spoke at an event to commemorate 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Benin City.

He said: “Today, we are remembering those who have put their lives on the line to make sure there is peace and this country remains united. It is important we use today for reflection because it is about sacrifice. People have sacrificed and it is important that we reflect on what they have done by also putting ourselves up for sacrifice.

“The economic situation in the country is very difficult and is putting pressure on individuals and citizens and some of them are resorting to heinous crimes.”

We have to deal with that reality. It cannot only be about the benefits and what we get from Nigeria. We should begin to think more of what we offer to the country because, except the thinking evolves in that direction, we will continue to have the level of strife, crisis and insecurity which we have today.”

ON the hosting of South-South governors, it was gathered that Obaseki would host his counterparts in the region to a two-day conference on Human Capital Development (HCD).

In a statement, the Managing Director, Edo State Skills Development Agency, Violet Obiokoro, who is also the state focal person for HCD, said the two-day conference would hold from January 17 to 18 in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

She said: “Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, will play host to governors from the South-South for a two-day Human Capital Development (HCD) Regional Conference (Edo 2023).

“The event, which holds at the New Festival Hall, Government House, in Benin City is aimed at increasing human capital investments as a vehicle to poverty reduction and increased life expectancy. The conference will focus on three thematic areas (Health and Nutrition, Education and Labour Force participation).”

The Federal Government launched Nigerian Human Capital Development programme in 2018 in recognition of the role of human capital development in addressing poverty and other socio-economic issues to spur sustainable growth and improve life expectancy in the nation.