I cannot readily recollect when and if it ever happened but this last yuletide season is one to be remembered by members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Edo State. This season, despite the economic climate pervading the landscape, all journalists in Edo State had a rare opportunity to party on the eve of the new year 2016. The event, which took place at the NUJ Press Centre, was organised by the new state executive committee of the Union with sponsorship from the Chairman of Edo State Economic Team, Mr. Godwin Obaseki. A popular Benin based musical band was on hand to entertain guests which comprised journalists and their spouses as well as friends of the media. Mr. Godwin Obaseki attended as special guest accompanied by a retinue of friends, colleagues and political associates.
One significant take-away from the event is that the Union approached several well placed individuals in the state for sponsorship of the yuletide get-together. According to the state chairman of the Union, Roland Osakue, all aspirants to the office of governor in the 2016 gubernatorial election in the state where approached but only Mr. Godwin Obaseki responded positively. It would be inappropriate to hazard a guess as to why all others approached by the Union responded negatively but it is safe to say that Mr. Godwin Obaseki’s gesture signifies a willingness to partner with the Fourth Estate of the Realm in its quest to perform better its roles as custodian of the conscience of the people, agenda setter and defender of the rights of our citizens. The Biblical many are called but… you would say. The Union rightly extended its hands of fellowship to all but only one saw the need to grab the opportunity.
There is no doubt that such partnership could be mutually beneficial. It would afford the Union the leveraging platform to engage in the training and retraining of its members to achieve uptimum performance. It could also be helpful in improving on the infrastructural development of the Union secretariate as well as other programmes desirable for improving the wellbeing of members. On the other hand, a good rapport with the media is of immeasurable benefit to the business and/or political interests of those outside the profession, particularly individuals with political aspirations.
To what extent did Godwin Obaseki utilise this rare opportunity to leaverage his political ambition to occupy Osadebe Avenue come November 12, 2016? He shied away from speaking on his political ambition, maintaining that the occasion was not one for politicking but for merry making by the media practitioners to mark the end of one year and the beginning of another. According to him, politics would take the centre stage at a future date. This clearly showed Mr. Godwin Obaseki knows and recognises an appropriate and opportune time for human events. There is no gain saying the fact, however, that he impressed all present with his simplicity both in dressing and conduct. He mingled freely with all present, dancing admirably to the scintillating tunes played by the musician. He also displayed a good understanding of political engineering necessary for achieving success in governance. When asked if it was true that he had the backing of a wealthy businessman who would take over the state if he won the governorship, Godwin Obaseki, an economist, lectured his listeners on how capital and capitalism where essential to economic development, how he had, and continues to consult for private wealthy individuals in the establishment and running of successful businesses. He noted that it would be desirable and most expedient to get such business moguls to invest in Edo state to create employment opportunities for the youth. Mr. Godwin Obaseki also gave the Edo NUJ something to hope for when he promised that discussions would be entered into with all relevant stakeholders on how best to reposition the state run newspaper, The Nigerian OBSERVER, which is in dire need of revitalisation.
But, perhaps the most direct reference to Mr. Godwin Obaseki’s ambition was made by Barrister Henry Idahagbon when he noted that the Comrade Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has brought so much infrastructural development to the state which required sustainability which could only be provided by an individual who has shared in the vision of the Comrade Governor. Having been involved in the formulation, articulation and implementation of the state’s economic policies and programmes in the past seven years, Godwin Obaseki, who heads the State Economic Team, is amply equipped with all necessary knowledge and skills not only to sustain the tempo of development already achieved in the state but to improve on it.
Edo state NUJ chairman, Roland Osakue, who welcomed guests, expressed the Union’s appreciation to Mr. Godwin Obaseki for sponsoring the event and voiced the hope that the partnership between the Union and Mr. Godwin Obaseki would continue to be mutually beneficial. He thanked members for their support, particularly for attending the party in large numbers.
Dignitaries at the event included the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Henry Idahagbon, who was chairman of the ocassion; Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Oil and Gas, Hon. Saturday Uwelekhue Idehen; the Director General of Godwin Obaseki Campaign Organisation, Mr. John Osakue, Comrade Ayuba Sedenu, Ms Imomosi Umolu as well as past chairmen of the state council, media excutives and elders of the Union led by Elder Joe Obadigie.
NASAMU JACOBSON, FORMER CHAIRMAN OF EDO NUJ, LIVES IN BENIN CITY.
