Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State on Sunday spoke about his biggest fear after leaving office.
The governor, who will end his second term in 2024, said his major challenge is what will happen to his reforms in the next three years.
He spoke in Benin, capital of Edo, during the thanksgiving service organised for Chief Gabriel Igbinedion on his 87th birthday.
Obaseki said, “We have been strengthening and re-enacting quality education in the state across basic, secondary and tertiary education and re-investing in them in the last five years.
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“In the area of media, we are rebuilding the Observer brand, and the Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS) Radio and Television brand.
“We are strengthening them as institutions and equipping them with world-class technology.
“But my biggest challenge is what will happen when I leave office. People are saying, how are we sure that the reforms and changes we have made and implementing will continue when I leave office?”
He said the only guarantee is to strengthen the institutions by rebuilding the public and civil service before bringing in political actors into the scene as they will leave in three years.
He said, “But the structures and institutions that we are building will certainly remain and continue to sustain our developmental strides.”
He said the state government has recruited 300 civil and public servants, saying the administration will employ 2,000 in the next three years to strengthen the service and provide services to the people.
He said the state commissioners will not be able to do anything if the civil service is not functioning properly.
Obaseki described Chief Igbinedion as a generational gift to the state, Nigeria, Africa and the World at large.
He said, “We thank God for the life of our father, Chief Igbinedion, as he celebrates his 87th birthday.
“He is a generational gift; he has seen and done it all. We thank God for his life of giving, hard work and generosity.”
Earlier in his homily, Archbishop of Metropolitan See of Benin, Most Rev. Augustine Obiora Akubueze, said, “Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Igbinedion has lived his life for others, ensuring that he spreads happiness.”
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