Edo Communications Office - ECO

Obaseki Commissions Benin City Mall, ShopRite, Says Administration Has a Good Story to Tell
..Edo people will miss you, Tambuwal says

Violet Osatohanmwen Obamwonyi

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has asserted that his administration has a good story to tell, emphasizing that the achievements so far attained reflect a collective effort that should be celebrated as part of a successful tenure.

The Governor thanked the people for the opportunity to serve, acknowledging that despite the challenges faced by his administration due to the hostile political landscape, alongside many distractions, his administration still maintained focus on its objectives, resulting in the numerous accomplishments being celebrated.

He made this known during the Commissioning of the Benin City Mall and the ShopRite box, on Tuesday November 5, 2024.

The Governor underscored the importance of Edo State as a cultural hub in Nigeria, deserving of a high-quality retail center that aligns with his vision of positioning the state as a premier tourism destination.

He noted that the new Mall, strategically situated within the Benin City cultural district, is expected to create jobs, drive economic growth, and highlight Edo’s rich cultural heritage.

Reflecting on the journey so far, the Governor expressed gratitude to all those who supported the projects undertaken by his administration, stating that none of the accomplishments would have been possible without their contributions.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to serve. Edo is know for economic development and growth. All we just need is the commitment and dedication of leadership.

"The political environment in which we operated was not the most conducive; there were a lot of distractions, but because of the people I have to work with, we kept our eyes on the ball. This is not the first time the idea of building a mall has been raised but this is the first time it has worked.

"Thank God we were not distracted by the noise. It has not been easy but we thank God that at the end of the day, we have a good story to tell.

"I hope those coming after me note that Edo has a culture of business, and that there are opportunities to open more of these malls across the State. This should not be the last. This should serve as an inspiration for more investors to come in and take advantage of opportunities in Edo."

Also speaking during the commissioning, the former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, commended Governor Obaseki for the landmark project, remarking that the people-friendly Governor will be greatly missed by the people of Edo State when he leaves office.

According to him, "I want to congratulate Governor Obaseki and his team. Your contribution to the development of this country can never be wished away. Everyone can attest to your capacity, intellectual prowess and integrity.

"I am particularly impressed that there is an innovation attached to this mall, which you can hardly find anywhere else. This is the first time you find in a mall an e-library. The only mall in the country that has a library where parents can bring their children to have a library experience while they shop.

"This is highly commendable. You have done well for the people of Edo State. The people of Edo State would definitely miss you in no distant time.

"Now that you have completed serving 8 years as Governor of Edo State, rest assured, Nigeria is waiting for you. From what you have done in education, healthcare, human capacity development, agriculture, infrastructure, you have definitely left behind indelible marks in the history of the State and Edo people will not forget you for time immemorial."

Highlight of the event was the official commissioning of the Mall and the ShopRite box, followed by a tour of various outlets within the complex.

Obaseki Commissions World-Class Education Hub, Benin Technical College

…names Education Hub after Tayo Akpata

…commissions newly reconstructed 12km Benin Technical College Road

By Godspower Eguasa

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has commissioned the Edo State Education Hub, to synergize all education-related agencies in the State, and the Benin Technical College, remodelled to develop skills and innovative learning among young ones in the State.

The Governor also commissioned the 12km Benin Technical College Road to improve road network and boost business activities within the Ugbowo axis of the State.

Speaking at the commissioning which held on Tuesday November 5, 2024, Obaseki noted that the achievement attained in the education sector was spurred by his passion and commitment to bring hope to young citizens and residents of the State, positioning them on the path to sustainable growth and development.

While commissioning the Benin Technical College, Obaseki noted: "This project, as you have heard, is something that I had to do, because when I contested to become Governor of Edo State in 2016, we were facing an existential threat in Edo. Our children did not want to go to school. At some point, they said school was scam. People invaded our communities, offering them all sorts of tales and taking them out of this country.

"The rate of human trafficking and irregular migration was scary for me. Over 30,000 young Edo boys and girls were in Libya trying to cross. You can imagine how many died on their way there.

“When I resumed office on November 12th in 2016; it was a Saturday, I believe. On Monday morning, I woke up and I went to Edo State Civil Service Secretariat, Palm House to be specific, to see the condition of the civil service; it was depressing. The next day, I headed for this school to come and see things for myself. Because if I was going to create 200,000 jobs and more, then, where are the institutions that will train these people so that they can get these jobs? This was one of them.

“I made a commitment that day, that restoring the school and renovating it will be my first priority. So this afternoon, I am so glad that a week to my exit in office, I can come here and see a rebuilt Technical College.”

Speaking at the commissioning of the Education Hub at Iyaro, Benin City, Obaseki further highlighted the gains of his administration in the education sector.

According to the Governor, “Today we are here to commission the Edo State Education Hub. This facility is like a summary of what we have done in education in Edo. We came and met education in disarray but today we are leaving an organized education sector."

Obaseki who named the Education Hub after renowned educationist and former Commissioner for Education in the old Midwest Region, Chief Tayo Akpata, stated that the Hub would now house 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, the Board for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Primary Health Care Facility, and other education arms and directorates, assuring residents of his continuous contribution to the growth of the State's education sector even after his administration.

“I am leaving as Governor of Edo State but I am not leaving you in Edo State. Fortunately, because of the work we have done over the years, I have been appointed as one of Africa's Education Champions. So in that capacity, I will continue to work with you to foster and enhance education in Edo State," Obaseki said.

The Benin Technical College was officially commissioned by the Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Peter Ndubuisi Mba, while the Education Hub was commissioned by the former Governor of Sokoto State, Sen. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

The Governor also commissioned the Benin Technical College Road which was reconstructed to ease traffic and boost business activities around the Ugbowo axis of the State.

Press Statement

November 2, 2024

Edo Accountant General, four others invited by EFCC over already repaid loan facility, officers detained to cripple govt, governance

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in a letter dated October 28, 2024, invited four officials from the Edo State Treasury Office, including the Accountant General, Julius Anelu, to its Benin Office.

The letter of invitation, addressed to the Secretary to the State Government and titled “Loans and Agricultural Interventions Granted to Edo State Government from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) from 2018 to date,” pertains to an agricultural facility that has since been repaid by the State Government.

The government officers, including the State Accountant on Thursday, honoured the invitation as requested at the Benin Office of the EFCC to provide necessary answers as required by the EFCC.

However, upon realizing that one of the invited officials was no longer a signatory to the government account, the EFCC released the officer and requested for the current signatory, whose name was not initially on the invitation letter. The said officer is now also being detained by the agency at Abuja , in addition to the others who were originally invited and honoured the invitation.

The EFCC seems intent on crippling governance in Edo State and acting out a script that portends grave danger to democracy. The reason for the invitation of these civil servants is clear, contrary to the invitation letter is to keep them in EFCC custody till November 12, on the day of the termination of the tenure of this government.

In fact, from Monday, government would have been grounded and will no longer be able to meet up with basic responsibilities and obligations.

This devious action is most condemnable and reprehensible and we urge the EFCC to act responsibly in the interest of democracy, justice, peace and the wellbeing of Edo people and immediately release these government officials, and not throw Edo State into chaos.

Edo State Government led by Governor Godwin Obaseki runs a transparent and accountable Government. This Government runs until November 12th, 2024. Unconstituitional actions should not be done to hinder its operations.

Signed

Chris Osa Nehikhare
HC Communication&Orientation