Alaghodaro: God, People, Cornerstone of Our Programmes, Says Obaseki Sunday Okobi

Alaghodaro: God, People, Cornerstone of Our Programmes, Says Obaseki Sunday Okobi

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has stated that he is running a government that ensures maximum benefit for a larger number of Edo people and residents than distribute the funds to a few cronies, noting that his commitment to developing the state will not wane.

The governor said this during the Alaghodaro Thanksgiving Service held at the Church of God Mission International (CGMi), Faith Arena in Benin-city, adding that his emergence as a governor was God’s wish.

His statement came on the heel of various endorsements by senior clergies in the state of the various reforms initiated by the obaseki-led administration in critical sectors such as education, health care, employment creation among others.

 The endorsements came from the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Edo State chapter, Bishop Oriname Oyonnude Kure; President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev. Felix Omobude, and the Archbishop of Church of God Mission International, Mrs. Margaret Idahosa.

 According to the governor, “I am here today because He (God) made a way. God made it possible for me to be the governor of this state, and He has guided my every step along the way and in everything we have done since assumption of office.”

At the thanksgiving programme which was part of activities marking the second-year anniversary of his administration, Obaseki said: “At the start of my administration, I made a promise before God to set aside one Sunday every year to offer thanksgiving to God for what he has achieved for us in the state.”

Going down memory lane, the governor recalled that he resolved a long time ago to put people of the state ahead in his policy formulation and governance.

“We wanted to take governance to the people. We wanted to leave a legacy to the Edo people where they will see governance as not exclusive to a few people,” he said.

Restating his commitment to a government that prioritises the people above any other interest, he said: “As a government, we want to take government to our people; we don’t want to keep government in Government House anymore. The government truly belongs to the people, whether churches, schools or social gatherings. We want to integrate the people more into what happens in government.

“So, when you talk about government, some people think it is just a few people who are on the protocol list. Thanks to Archbishop Idahosa for recognising that everyone here is part of our cabinet.

 “We decided before now that we have come to change Edo State. We came up with the mantra ‘let the people lead’, and when I was campaigning across the state, I assured them that we would continue to put the people first. Whatever we do as a government, it must influence and impact the majority of our people.

He expressed appreciation to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for being a pillar of support in terms of prayers and admonition as well as drawing his administration’s attention to things that needed urgent attention.

The governor said the choice of Church of God Mission as the venue for the thanksgiving was informed by the contributions made by the founder of the church, late Archbishop Benson Idahosa, to the Pentecostal movement in the country.

Obaseki took the first bible reading from Psalms 31vs 21; the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, took the second Bible reading from Psalm 104: vs 1, while Mrs. Betsy Obaseki took the third reading.

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