BENIN CITY – Amidst pump and celebration Mr. Godwin Obaseki was yesterday sworn-in as Governor and Hon. Philip Shaibu as Deputy Governor both of Edo State.
Godwin Obaseki took his oath of office to become the governor of Edo State succeeding former Gov. Adams Oshiomhole.
Obaseki took his oath at about 12:30 p.m after his Deputy, Mr. Philip Shaibu took his oath earlier at about 12:00 noon, thereby succeeding Dr. Pius Odubu as the state’s new Deputy Governor administered by the Chief Judge of the Edo State, Hon. Justice Cronwell Idahosa.
Obaseki in his inaugural speech thanked God for the peaceful election in the state where the true will of the people prevailed. “I stand here before you today honored and elated by the opportunity to serve that you the people of Edo State gave me. I want to assure you that as we take over the reign of leadership today, we will build on the legacies of the Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole.
Governor of Edo State Godwin Obaseki delivering his acceptance speech during the inuguration ceremony at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, the Edo State Capital PHOTOS: RICHARD EWEKA
The Governor said his administration, “will buid a robust human, intellectual, Philosophical and even mental-physical infrastrutue for without them it will be practically impossible to attain significant progress in developing the state” as he assured and re-affirmed his commitment, “to create 200,000 jobs for the people through Agriculture and Agro-business value chain, entrepreneurship, investment in Industries and technical vocation skills”.
Speaking further, Gov. Godwin Obaseki said, “Agriculture is the focus and the major economic programme of his administration because of the strategic importance in many areas, from food sufficiency to rural development, economic development, job creation”, while assuring the people that his government, “will fill all vacancies in the Civil Service”.
Though, Governor Obaseki acknowledged, “The task ahead is that of governant alone”, he described the new political dawn as “Another refreshing dawn on all of us” hence he solicited the support of everybody irrespective of their divergent inclination including those who contested the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship primaries with him.
While thanking President Muhammadu Buhari for providing unwavering leadership, his predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, for his support and exemplary leadership, he assured the immediate past Governor that he would build on the infrastructural legacies left behind.
He also thanked the APC for providing the platform for him to be elected as Governor of Edo State, all other bodies and family members including his wife for their support, pointing out, that it would be to the actualization of his message, “let’s go further together”.
SUNDAY OBSERVER reports that the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium venue for the inauguration ceremony was filled to capacity as dignitaries from across the nation were present, government functionaries, state governors, their deputies, students, workers, ethnic groups, various interest groups, traditional rulers from across the three senatorial districts of the state as well as youths and market women who were all dressed in different gorgeous attires to depict the occasion.
Meanwhile, an array of dignitaries stormed Benin City to witness the searing-in of Mr. Godwin Obaseki as Governor and Hon. Philip Shaibu as Deputy Governor of Edo State flanked by their wives Mrs. Betsy Obaseki as well as Mrs. Maryam Shaibu and children.
They are the President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, senator Olubukola Saraki who represented President Muhammadu Buhari, representative of the Nigerian first lady and wife of kogi State Governor, Rashidat Yahaya Bello, Governors Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos State), Muhammadu Jubrila (Adamawa), Sani Bello (Niger State), Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi State), Gov. Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi State), Gov. Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun State), APC governorship candidate in Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, immediate passed Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu, former and serving national legislators as well as legal luminaries.
The roll call also includes captains of industrie, such as Alh. Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, Hakeem Bello-Osagie, Captain Hosa Okunbor and Wole Tinubu.
Not left out of the galaxy of personalities were traditional rulers including representatives of Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare 11, Oba of Benin, eligious leaders, APC chieftains and faithful, members of the Obaseki and shaiubu families, in-laws of Godwin Obaseki.
The ceremony featured inspection of a guard of honour mouthed by officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, Edo State Command, who also performed both slow and quick march past.
Students and pupils from both secondary and primary schools respectively, voluntary organization, women, youth and labour associations as well as social cultural organizations also had march past with Godwin Obaseki taking the salute.
The ceremony also had in attendance a former military head of state, Dr. Yakubu Gowon, and ministers include that of Ministry of information and orientation, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
