The outgoing Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has taken a moment to reflect on the significant progress made under his leadership, particularly in terms of the state’s economy.

In his final statewide address, Obaseki proudly pointed out that during his eight-year tenure, the state’s economy grew from a modest N10 billion to an impressive N25 billion plus.

Obaseki delivered the address on the eve of his departure from office on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, as he prepared to hand over the reins of leadership to Senator Monday Okpebholo of APC.

Reflecting on his achievements, the governor outlined the remarkable strides made in key sectors such as agriculture, oil and gas, and manufacturing, all of which he credited for the state’s economic transformation.

One of the key highlights of his administration, according to Obaseki, was the agricultural revolution that took place in Edo State.

Through the Edo State Oil Palm Program, the government allocated over 120,000 hectares of land for the development of oil palm estates.

So far, about 40,000 hectares have been cultivated, positioning the state to become a leading player in Nigeria’s palm oil industry.

Additionally, the governor mentioned the state’s commitment to developing cassava as a critical feedstock for the two ethanol plants in Edo, further strengthening the state’s agricultural base.

Obaseki also emphasized the strides made in the energy sector, particularly in oil and gas.

His administration successfully attracted investments, including two modular refineries: the Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company, which operates a 6,000-barrel per day refinery, and the DuPont Energy Park, with a 5,000-barrel per-day modular refinery.

These investments have not only bolstered the state’s oil and gas sector but also contributed to the broader petrochemical industry, creating new job opportunities and expanding the state’s economic footprint.

Beyond hydrocarbons, Obaseki pointed out Edo’s growing manufacturing sector, which has attracted billions of dollars in investments.

These investments span industries such as ceramics, tiles, glass, iron and steel, cement, and wood, positioning the state as an emerging hub for manufacturing in Nigeria.

The governor emphasized that these developments were the direct result of his administration’s efforts to create an environment conducive to business, making Edo State an attractive destination for both local and international investors.

In addition to the economic achievements, Obaseki also took pride in the infrastructure improvements his administration had overseen across the state.

He noted that over 850 kilometres of roads had been constructed, benefiting all local government areas.

The governor also pointed to the progress made in the energy sector, with the state now generating nearly 1,000MW of electricity daily.

Edo State’s new electricity law, he said, had paved the way for the development of an electricity market, attracting further investments in digital infrastructure.

One of the standout achievements mentioned by Obaseki was the state’s advancements in digital connectivity.

Edo State now has a network of nearly 2,500 kilometres of fibre optic cables, the largest in Nigeria.

This development, he noted, was crucial in laying the foundation for the future of technology and digital innovation in the state.

As his term came to a close, Obaseki reflected on the journey he had undertaken with the people of Edo.

He expressed pride in leaving behind a roadmap for the future—a plan that would guide the state’s continued development long after his departure.

The outgoing governor shared that, while he hadn’t inherited such a plan when he first assumed office, he was now confident that Edo was in a much stronger position for sustained growth.

Obaseki credited the collective effort of the people of Edo and other stakeholders for their role in achieving these milestones.

He hopes that the state will continue to build on the foundation laid during his tenure and that future leaders will carry forward the vision of turning Edo State into a beacon of hope and prosperity for all Nigerians.

Omoyele Sowore, the former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), recently explained why he won’t form a political alliance with the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Sowore, who has been a prominent activist and a critical voice in Nigerian politics for years, shared his views on the Honest Bunch Podcast, expressing strong reservations about Obi’s political image and track record.

Sowore argued that Obi, despite his popularity, is fundamentally no different from the traditional political elite he has opposed throughout his career.

He described Obi as being skilled at “packaging” himself to appeal to the public but stated that this superficial appeal doesn’t change his assessment of Obi as part of Nigeria’s established political class.

“I was already running for President before Peter Obi became prominent,” Sowore emphasized.

Sowore went further, explaining that he has always rejected alliances with politicians he considers to be part of the country’s longstanding issues of corruption and inefficiency.

This, he said, is the same reason he would not consider aligning with Atiku Abubakar, the former vice president and presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), noting that Obi had served as Atiku’s running mate in the 2019 presidential election.

“In 2019, while I was running for president, Obi was on the ballot as vice presidential candidate for Atiku.

I’ve never believed in aligning with those who represent what I stand against,” he remarked.

He made this statement, pointing out his belief that holding any significant political office without a visible positive impact is a red flag in his view.

He expressed his frustration with the idea of the “lesser evil” in Nigerian politics, emphasizing that, for him, someone is either a good leader or not—there’s no middle ground.

In his concluding remarks, Sowore urged Nigerians to look beyond the surface and demand transparency, performance, and accountability from their leaders.

Ahead of the Ondo State governorship election set for November 16, former military leader and Chairman of the National Peace Committee (NPC), General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), has called on political candidates to reject vote-buying and ensure a fair electoral process.

At the Peace Accord signing ceremony in Akure on Friday, Abdulsalami emphasized the importance of upholding free and fair election principles, urging candidates to respect the outcome if deemed credible.

Abdulsalami asked candidates from all 17 political parties to avoid violence, intimidation, and vote-trading, stressing citizens’ right to elect their leaders freely. He encouraged peaceful dispute resolution, stating, “I urge all politicians to commit to the peace accord’s spirit and demonstrate sportsmanship and good leadership.”

He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force for their preparations toward a peaceful election.

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman, highlighted the importance of the peace accord and urged religious and community leaders to support the initiative.

Deputy Inspector General Sylvester Alabi, representing Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, announced that security personnel will be stationed across Ondo’s 3,933 polling units to ensure a safe voting process.