Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the government is sustaining investment in education and technology, equipping young people in the State with the skills and knowledge to be globally competitive and contribute their quota to the development of the State and nation.
Obaseki said this while addressing youths from the 18 local government areas of Edo State during an interactive session to mark the 2023 Democracy Day and the inauguration of the new leadership of the National Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Edo State Chapter, held in Benin City.
The governor said the government is transforming Edo into Nigeria’s first smart state with the provision of fibre optic connectivity in all communities, noting that free Wi-Fi service has been provided in various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and other public places in the State and will be expanded to all LGAs in the State.
The government had at the weekend introduced the 24-hour free Wi-Fi service in MDAs and other public places to ensure unlimited Internet access to workers in the wake of the three-day weekly work schedule for civil and public servants as part of efforts to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.
Emphasizing the role of education in societal growth and development, Obaseki said, “What we are leaving behind is a system that will increase your literacy and numeracy rate to enable you to compete with your peers anywhere in the world.”
He continued: “Technology is another important aspect of development as without education and technology you can’t compete anywhere in the world. As a State, two things we shall leave behind. First, quality education will make Edo dominate as we will properly educate every Edo child. Secondly, saturate Edo with internet connectivity.
“Once you step out of this hall you have free internet connectivity. Also, at Ring Road, Civil Service Commission, School of Nursing, Pensions Bureau, and JOOPSA, among others. We will open up more spots across the State where young people can go for free connectivity.
“We are connecting every local government in Edo State. By October this year, every local government headquarters will be connected with fibres. By the time we are leaving office next year, every school and primary healthcare center will be connected with fibres.”
The governor added, “We believe that by building this infrastructure, we would be getting Edo ready for the industrial revolution as we are equipping our young people to move out of their shells today to begin to do things for themselves.”
Obaseki promised the NYCN subvention urging them that the transparency and accountability of the fund will give room for subsequent subvention. “I will be giving NYCN, Edo State Chapter subvention as subsequent subvention will be given only if you show us how the previous one was used. You will account for the fund and must be transparent with the fund to get subsequent one from us.”
Noting that Nigeria’s democracy is still a work in progress, the governor noted, “June 12, 1993, redefined our course in history as a country as it ensured that Nigerians took democracy seriously. We can’t take democracy for granted and expect democracy to be perfect. Every people, nation practicing democracy knows that democracy is a work in progress.
“For us in Edo, June 12 is important because at about this time five years ago, somebody who did not go to school disqualified me undemocratically from contesting my reelection as governor from a political party. June 12 has double significance and is important to me as a person.”
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to youth development and charging the new leadership of the Edo NYCN on quality representation, Obaseki said, ‘When the issue of their election was brought to my knowledge, I could see democrats calling for a peaceful election which was done and it was peaceful. I can see democracy in action with the youth council.”
He further noted, “Leadership must be related to service. This process got truncated by military rule as we need to go back to this process and begin to make the reconnection which will allow us to contribute to the development of society.
“We should emphasize participation as parents should ensure their children and wards join clubs and groups that will help build the character of young people. The largest population group in this country is under the age of 35 years and we should ensure they feel they are a part of the society and owe it some responsibility.”
Obaseki added, “Leadership, service, and participation are key in transforming the nation and the youths must embrace it to contribute their quota to the development of the society, State, and the nation at large.”
Earlier in his welcome, the new chairman of the Edo NYCN, Comrade Moses Agwinede Joseph, thanked the governor for creating the enabling environment for youths in the State to thrive and contribute their quota to the growth and development of the State.
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