BENIN CITY- Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has revealed government’s stand at building credible institutions instead of individuals.
He said in his office when he received the alumni of the University of Benin who were in the Government House on a courtsey call. The body was led by the president, Dr Benson Aisagbowan.
Shaibu said he beliefs in the mantra of building credible institutions which strengthened society and not a system that builds only great men
The Deputy Governor who was later decorated with the insignia muffler of the home branch of the alumni, pledging to support the building of an alumni secretariat for use of the association, adding that it was good to give back to citadels of learning haven been beneficiaries of the system.
Touching on points that drove him into the path of activism, Shaibu noted that life was worth living when lived in the service of humanity, fighting oppression and strengthening institutions, so as to leave lasting legacies.
Despite owning up that Edo State was presently passing through trying times politically, he nonetheless, praised Edo State former Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for changing the face of education through his political might in the state.
The ability of Oshiomhole to return power to the people in 2007 he stated, led to the political muscle and ability of the state to pay salaries, carry out infrastructural developments which led to the emergence of red roofed schools
Being part of a government in continuity, the Deputy Governor revealed that the administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki keyed into their predecessors policy thrust on education, leading to the provision of electronic tablets for teachers to facilitate and synchronize knowledge transfer to primary pupils under the Edo Best scheme.
He pledged the total commitment to their electioneering promises to ensure legacies remain, with the promise to keep to it, till desired results are achieved.
Chairman, University of Benin Alumni Association, who led the group on the sensitization/familiarization visit said it was to bring the alumni closer to stakeholders through the mandate of the school’s Vice Chancellor. He praised the Deputy Governor for the warm reception accorded them.
He said he was delighted at the state’s government focus on education, especially with the attention on the Benin Technical College and the Edo Innovative Hub.
Taking it home, he also appreciated government’s intervention at providing a pedestrian bridge at the school’s main gate, and the facelift to the sports complex.
The alumni president applauded the philanthropist thrust of the Deputy Governor and his sport’s enthusiasm, which he said, made him carve a niche for himself. He said it has made him the only serving Deputy Governor in the country to have been able to operate from a football pitch as a player, in promotion of the state’s football club, Bendel Insurance FC.
On his part, Prof. Eddy Erhagbe stated that based on his interactions, the Deputy Governor, was living up to expectation as to make the University of Benin proud as an alumnus.
He appreciated Edo State government’s reaffirmation at lifting and making Edo State proud through it’s consolidation on the legacies of former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, adding that he believes Godwin Obaseki will raise Edo State to a greater level.
