From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare 11, yesterday, expressed desire to partner the Edo State Government in establishing cluster industries in the seven local government areas of Edo South to accelerate development and create employment opportunities for the youths.
He stated this while playing host to the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki who paid him his first official visit in his palace.
The Benin monarch, who congratulated Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, for their electoral victory, urged the governor to ensure that he fulfil his campaign promises to the people.
“The palace will partner the state government on the establishment of cluster industries otherwise known as mini-industrial parks in the seven local governments of Edo South. Mr. Governor may wish to set up a working committee in conjunction with the palace to actualise this idea,” the Oba said.
Apparently reinstating his resolve to transform land administration in his kingdom, Oba Ewuare II also appealed to the state government to assist in the eradication of Community Development Associations, saying the activities of the associations were impeding development in the communities.
Governor Obaseki had said he was in the palace to seek royal blessings as he takes over as the governor of the state.
“I came to seek your royal blessings before we kick off work. We want to seek your support in the three key areas we want to work on. First is the issue of land administration. You know how important land is to us. We are currently working on series of measures which we will unveil shortly on how to deal with the issue of land and development control in the state, particularly in your kingdom… We want to deal with the issue of land properly so that we can attract private investment to the state.
“Another area is the issue of cleanliness in our environment.
“Our goal is to make Edo State and Benin City in particular, the cleanest in Nigeria within the next four weeks. Government alone cannot do it, there is no doubt that we will need the support of the Enigies, Odionweres and others to achieve this.
“The third is the issue of security. We believe that one of the challenges that we have in solving security problems is that we tended to abdicate responsibility of our own internal security totally in the hands of the Federal Government. We in Edo State want to have our own internal security platform which will be linked into the security arrangement of the Federal Governmen,” he said.
“We want to emphasize community policing and see how we can integrate the current vigilante system we have, and ensure that our people are safe and the state safe for investors. As you can see, all our programmes that we intend to implement require that we have an active and ongoing relationship with the palace and the traditional institution of Edo state. So as chairman of the council, we are here to solicit for your support so we have a successful tenure”, he said.
Recalling his electoral campaign promise Obaseki said “during our campaign, we promised that we are going to create a minimum of 200,000 jobs in four years. It is achievable and within the next few weeks we will unveil the plans because youth unemployment and youth restiveness is a major issue we need to tackle. We are setting up a web porter to collect information on the number of our young people that are unemployed so that we can begin to engage them”.
Governor Obaseki was accompanied on the visit by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, chairman of APC in the state, Anslem Ojezua among others.
A social political group, the Owan Integrity Group (OIG), has joined the growing numbers of groups and individuals sending congratulating messages to His Excellency Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, who were sworn in Benin on Saturday.
A release signed by the leader of the group, Hon Johnson Abolagba, says the coming of Obaseki and Shaibu is a fine example of continuity in governance and wish the duo a successful tenure.
“We at Owan Integrity Group wish to congratulate and felicitate with His Excellencies, Godwin and his deputy, Philip Shaibu for taking over the mantle of leadership in the state. We have no doubt that the pair will build on the developmental strides of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who has changed the face of the state.”
Hon Abolagba, a onetime House of Rep Member, and Deputy Governor aspirant, also urged the new administration to assemble competent hands to help them to succeed.
“We know the expectations are high and we believe the new government will meet the high expectation of the people by assembling competent individuals to run the affairs of the state.”
In the same vein, the OIG has also welcomed the appointment of Osarodion Ogie as the new Secretary to the State Government. “His appointment is well deserved. I know Barr Ogie very well, he is very through and articulate. He will bring his vast experience to play in the governance of the state.”
The OIG also use “this opportunity to greet the former governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, for his service to the people of Edo State. We say thank you our Great Comrade for your stewardship, Edo State people will ever remain grateful to you.”
The Owan Integrity Group was formed by likeminded individuals to speak on behalf of the great people of Owan East and West Local Government Areas of the State.