By Ogochukwu Isioma
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has charged the four newly sworn-in Commissioners to serve Edo people, noting that public office is not a venture to make money but to serve the people.
Obaseki gave the charge when he swore in the four new commissioners at the New Festival Hall in Government House, Benin City, the Edo State capital.
The governor said when he made the appointment weeks ago he was criticised for appointing his critics but that he insisted that they had to come on board and bring their wealth of experience to ensure that his administration finishes well.
“They come with a lot of experience and also with political strength. When I made the appointment a few weeks ago, I got criticisms from various quarters that some of them are very strong critics of this administration and I said that is the reason why they should join us.
“There are clearly some things they see from the outside that we are not doing inside and now that they are joining the team, they will help the team inside to see better on what to do to finish well.
“We have listened to their qualification and experience as their CVs were read to us and I have no doubt in my mind that all of them who are joining us here today have all that it takes to finish well with us.”
The governor continued: “You have taken your oath of office and I hope you will keep copies and always reflect on the oath taken. You have taken an oath to serve our people. You are coming into public service to serve the public and you are not likely to make money. Public office is not a business where people come and make money but an office where people come and serve and give of themselves.
“When people ask you, when you have been there, what have you gained or done for yourself? Let them know that you are not there to do for yourself but to do for them. You are in office to provide services for the people so that life will become better for the people.
“As an administration, we have accomplished quite a lot and now that you have joined, you will see what we have done. We have not spoken so much on what we have achieved but given your strength, I know you will now help others who don’t understand to appreciate what we have accomplished, what we have done, and why we have done the things we have done.
“This government has been a foundation-laying administration to help us rebuild Edo so that Edo can be great again. Our people have been our number one priority as without them development cannot happen. That is why we focused on areas like education, strengthening the public and civil service to be able to provide services for Edo people.”
He added, “Today, you have taken an oath to serve and the world is looking at you. You are here to serve Edo people, not Godwin Obaseki. If it was about service to Godwin Obaseki, I don’t think I would have nominated you because some of you have not been too kind to me in terms of what you have written, but it’s about the State and Edo people.”
Noting that his government will in the remaining 14-months focus on sustainability, the governor said: “We still have a lot to do even though we have only about 14 months left.
The priority for us is to make sure that we build sustainability into what we are doing because the question on the lips of most Edo people is, Governor Obaseki, when you complete what you are doing, are we sure the next administration will be able to sustain what you have started?”
He stated, “Our role in the next 14 months is to put in place a structure and communicate very effectively with our people what we have done as this will help the people checkmate them. This is why the 30-year development plan for Edo is a priority as Commissioners would be involved in engaging the people in a town hall meeting, letting the people know about the plan of government and the foundation put in place in the last seven years. What we have started will not end with the administration.
“The cabinet we have now has the sole responsibility to work with me to ensure that what we have achieved in the last seven years is sustained beyond the tenure of this administration. I believe that the four new Commissioners have what it takes to contribute in making Edo great again.”
Responding on behalf of other Commissioners, Osilama Okuofo, commended the governor for finding them fit for the position, noting, “We are proud to be part of the team and are ready to contribute our quota no matter how small to ensure that the team finishes well and Edo becomes great again.”
