Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu on Saturday in Benin City took their oaths of offices as governor and deputy governor of Edo State, respectively.
While Shaibu took his oath first after his citation was read, Obaseki, who replaces Adam Oshiomhole, followed suit and was formally announced as governor at 12:27pm.
Men of the Nigeria Police Force mounted the Guard of Honour while a combine team of Nigeria Army, State Security Service, National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies were on ground to both pay their respect to the governor and curtail any security challenges at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, venue of the inauguration.
Obaseki until his emergence as Governor-Elect in the September 2016 governorship election in the state, was the Chairman of the Edo state Economic and Strategy Team while Philip Shaibu was Hon Member representing Etsako Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives.
The new Governor was born in Benin City, Nigeria to the famous and illustrious Obaseki family and attended St. Matthews Anglican Primary School Benin City from where he proceeded to Eghosa Anglican Grammer School, Benin City for his secondary school eductaion. He attended the University of Ibadan where he obtained a BA in Classics.
He also attended the Columbia University and Pace University in New York and has an MBA in Finance and International Business. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers, Nigeria and an alumnus of the Lagos Business School Chief Executive Program.
Obaseki who began his career over 30 years has established track records in Investment Banking, Asset Management, Securities Trading and the Public Sector both internationally and in Nigeria was nominated a Global Leader for Tomorrow (GLT) by the World Economic Forum in 2001.
He served on the Presidential Committee on the Reform of the Nigerian Pension System. He also served on the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission Committee on the Re-activation of the Nigerian Bond Market and the review of the Investment and Securities Act.
The new governor also served as a member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange Council between 2006 and 2009. He served on the board of some companies such as Dorman Long Engineering Limited, Pillar Oil Limited, Seric Impianti International Limited.
He was the founding secretary of a New York based US Africa Chamber of Commerce in 1992, which promoted US organizations doing business in Africa. He was a Director in Junior Achievement of Nigeria - the local affiliate of the worldwide Not for Profit organization which trains students to appreciate market economy values.
He also participates actively and serves as Trustee, in the Dr. Jackson Owen Obaseki Foundation, a family owned NGO which is involved in providing free educational and health services to the less privileged.
***No going back on our campaign promises
In his inaugural message to the people of the state, Obaseki declared that his government would not relent in fulfilling the promises made during the electioneering campaign.
He said the ship that his government would sail in the next four years will be that of development and economic prosperity though in recently uncertainty has greeted hope for a better tomorrow.
Obaseki stressed that his responsibility and that of his deputy is to build on the legacies of his predecessor, Comrade Oshiomhole adding that his promises during his electioneering campaign can’t be subjected to re-verification or re-assessment as it is a no-going back for his government.
He said his government would fill all vacancies and optimise the Civil Service, make agriculture not only subsistence but as a business, Support the growth of over 20, 000 SMEs and create over 50, 000 in the next four years.
The governor noted that he was indeed very honoured as a successor to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole whom he eulogized saying he has “provided an indefatigable leadership in a way people considered impossible”.
He stressed that his government will help local business particularly SME by crating enabling environment for them to thrive, make it easier for the people to produce goods and services, provide credit enhancement, improve on the educational infrastructure by building more schools to ensure education is available to all Edo children and enhance the City roads to ensure easy movement and lastly complete all ongoing project.
He further stressed that the education and development of the girl-child will be taken seriously by his government just as he stated that some of the intervention skills that the government will launch will be under the women.
On health sector, he said, “We want to make Edo a Centre of Excellence in Health care in Nigeria. My Government will focus on preventing medicine"
He said the “support of the traditional institution and security agencies are pivotal to our success” adding that for the oppositions, their ideas will be welcome for the betterment of the Edo people as his government seeks to cater for the welfare of the people of the state.
He further urged that the “task ahead is not that of governance alone. We are all in this together. It is another refreshing dawn for all of us, and it is an enormous task for all of us."
There was however tight security at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, Benin, venue of the inauguration of the new governor which was filled to capacity as well-wishers, associates, friends and family members thronged the stadium to witness the ceremony.
Among the dignitaries, who were at the event, which also marks the end of Adams Oshiomhole’s two terms as governor of the state, was the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.
Some others were Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Gov. Mohammed Abdulahi Abubakar of Bauchi State; Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State; Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun; and the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Ondo, Rotimi Akeredoolu.
Also at the event, were former military Head of State, Dr Yakubu Gowon, and a host of ministers such as that of the Ministry of Information and Orientation, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
Meanwhile former Gov Adams Oshiomhole of Edo had on Friday passed on his hand over notes to Governor Godwin Obaseki at exactly 8:44pm on Friday.
Oshiomhole said that the governor-elect is familiar with the information contained in the documents as he had been part of his administration as head of his economic team.
” I hand over the comprehensive hand over note and formerly bring to a close my tenure”, Oshiomhole said.
Oshiomhole hoped that the governor-elect would do well for the people.
He thanked Govs Simeon Lalung of Plateau and Mohamed Abubakar of Bauchi for witnessing the presentation of the hand over notes.
Oshiomhole thereafter formerly announced the dissolution of the State Executive Council which according to him will never reconvene.
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