By Lucky Isibor
The Vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has said that Edo State in the last decade, has become an example of good governance in the country.
Osinbajo gave the commendation at a State Dinner held in his honour at the Edo State Government House in Benin City, as part of his 2-day visit to the state.
While expressing satisfaction with the efforts of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led adminstration in replicating the developmental strides recorded in the pace setting administration of the late Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, the Vice President assured of the federal government’s readiness to support Edo State in her effort to bring development to the people.
He said the various projects which informed his visit to the state, would boost the Edo economy, especially the federal government’s South-South Innovation Hub.
In his remark, Obaseki expressed his appreciation to the Vice President for his continued support for the state, noting that the several initiatives of the Office of the Vice President have provided jobs for Edo youths.
“The N-Power and N-Build programmes have remained major sources of encouragement for the state in her journey to greatness,” the governor said.
The Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Phillip Shaibu, solicited for more support from the federal government to enable the state government benefit more from the initiatives of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
Obaseki at the dinner, announced full scholarship to Miss Obakpolor Esosa, a Senior Secondary School 1 student of Idia College, in Benin City, due to the depth of her presentation on the Menace of Human Trafficking.
Mean while, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has attributed the impressive delivery of the Azura-Edo 450mw Independent Power Project (IPP) as a testimony of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration’s posture in creating an enabling environment for private businesses to thrive.
The Vice President, who said this during a visit on Friday to the Azura-Edo IPP, near Benin City, said the project demonstrates the capacity of Nigerian engineers as well as Nigerian enterprise.
He said the plant has greatly increased the capacity of Nigeria to generate power, noting, “with the 450mw from this plant and the quality of this particular plant, I think we are on to a very good thing. I think with the capacity to increase generation from here, I think this is very positive.”
“All that we need to do is to create the environment for businesses to thrive. As you know, this is a privately-owned plant and a private initiative but with the active support of the government. This is one of the reasons why I am here. To give all the support that we can and ensure that the environment is right for those who want to invest in the power sector is what we will do and what we will continue to do,” he assured.
He described as fantastic his experience in the state for the two days, noting, “I have been to the groundbreaking of the housing units at Emotan Gardens. I have also gone to see the innovation hub, which we describe as the South-South Hub, a collaboration between the Federal Government and the State Government. I saw all of the young, creative Nigerians involved in technology and innovation, doing wonderful things. I was here to commission that; and to see our N-Power and Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP). I am glad that I came and I will be back.”
Earlier on Friday, Prof. Osinbajo paid a visit to the Benin Monarch, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akplokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, in his palace.
