In a recent statement made in Abuja, outgoing Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki addressed speculation about a potential investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), stating he is ready to cooperate if needed.
Obaseki, who was speaking on the sidelines of an event to showcase his administration’s achievements in the education sector, said he is not afraid of the EFCC and would even “hand in myself over if they call me.”
Confident in Eight-Year Stewardship
The governor maintained that he has “nothing to hide” regarding his eight-year tenure, reeling out what he described as the “rare achievements” his administration has made, particularly in transforming Edo’s education system.
“If these people come in and continue their political witch hunt and do whatever they think they can do to hurt me, is their problem. So I am not afraid. I’m not worried,” Obaseki stated.
Criticism from Political Opponents
Acknowledging the “sufferings Nigerians are facing,” the governor criticized his political opponents in Edo, describing them as “people who are not only full of bitterness but also full of vendetta and wickedness.”
Obaseki accused his opponents of “generating a lot of unnecessary and silly petitions” against him, which he believes are attempts to embarrass him through the EFCC.
Reforming Edo’s Education Sector
A key focus of Obaseki’s remarks was the significant progress made in Edo’s education sector under his administration. He highlighted the implementation of the EdoBEST program which has enrolled over 400,000 children in modernized schools with data-driven management systems.
The governor also emphasized the establishment of reformed technical colleges, aligning their curricula with the needs of industries such as catering, construction and automotive repair. These initiatives, he said, are aimed at preparing students for practical, job-focused careers.
“What we have done is to train people, to prepare them for life, to be useful to themselves, not just to have certificates,” Obaseki explained. “We have changed the meaning of education – it’s about what you do with the education you have received.”
As Obaseki’s tenure comes to an end, the sustainability of these education reforms and their impact on Edo’s economic development will be crucial considerations for the incoming administration and the state’s stakeholders.
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