By Ogochukwu Isioma
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has met with youths from the state’s 18 local government councils, reassuring that his government will continue to prioritise the youths, providing them with the right environment and infrastructure to enable them to live life to the fullest.
Obaseki, at an interactive session with the youths, held at the Government House, Benin City, on Tuesday, assured that his administration will sustain reforms and programmes to guarantee better opportunities for youths in the state
The session was organized by First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki. The forum had in attendance different youth groups as well as the leadership of the various students ’ unions including those of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, and Benson Idahosa University, among others.
The Secretary to the Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq. and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Osaigbovo Iyoha, were also in attendance.
Obaseki said, “We are doing a lot as an administration. Our focus and purpose is to create a future for Edo youths. About 65 to 67 percent of the people we govern in Edo State are under the age of 35 years. Majority of the people we are responsible for as a government are young people. Whatever we do as a government, we must have the interest and vision of young people at heart as our policies must focus on them.
“My number one priority is education. If I don’t do anything as a governor, I want to be remembered as that governor that repositioned education in Edo State. We have done a lot, including using technology to improve our lives in the State. By October this year, every local government area in Edo will be connected with fibre.”
The governor further noted, “The problems we have today are an accumulation of neglect by previous governments on issues related to young people. We are focusing on giving relevant education; not education of certificates but education that will give you employment and job to position you for the future. Any education that can’t give you employment should be reviewed.
“We face challenges as a nation and State but we must continue to struggle as the solution lies with the youths of this nation. The problems we have today are because, as a government, we decided to work with taxpayers’ money to develop the State rather than share the money to a few persons.”
