Ex-President Jonathan Inaugurates Edo’s Secretariat Complex

Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Nigeria’s former President, has inaugurated the state-of-the-art Edo State Secretariat Complex located on Sapele Road in the bustling heart of Benin City. During the ceremony, Dr. Jonathan praised Governor Godwin Obaseki’s unwavering dedication to the state’s advancement and prosperity.

The event also marked the groundbreaking of the expansive Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Auditorium, a 1500-seat venue set to rise within the Secretariat Complex, symbolizing a new era of infrastructural and cultural growth.

The inauguration was graced by a host of dignitaries, including Governor Obaseki and Edo State’s First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; Deputy Governor Engr. Marvellous Godwins Omobayo alongside his spouse; Edo State’s Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa; the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate for the 2024 elections, Dr. Asue Ighodalo with his wife; Deputy Governorship candidate and Secretary to the Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq.; and the Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa.

Joining them were notable figures such as Mike Ogiadhome, former Deputy Governor and Chief of Staff to Dr. Jonathan; Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly; Dr. Osaigbovo Iyoha, Chief of Staff to the Governor; Anthony Aziegbemi, Edo State PDP Chairman; as well as serving Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, and religious leaders, among others.

Dr. Jonathan, in his address, lauded the Secretariat Complex as one of Nigeria’s premier government buildings, acknowledging Governor Obaseki’s vision in fulfilling the late Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia’s legacy—the former Bendel State governor who initiated the construction. He urged fellow governors to follow in Obaseki’s footsteps by investing in public services and integrating top-tier graduates into the civil service through direct recruitment.

Dr. Jonathan stated, “I want to join the civil servants to thank you for your visionary leadership, improving their welfare, and paying them the N70,000 minimum wage. That is a wage that will actually take them home. If you have a vision, you will certainly find a way to overcome all the challenges before you. Edo State workers are happy for your transformative leadership, which has changed their lives for the better.”

Governor Obaseki, reflecting on the Secretariat Complex’s impact, expressed that its commissioning signifies a transformative shift in Benin City’s landscape, embodying the future of urban development with a focus on productivity, efficiency, and excellence.

Obaseki shared, “It is not just an edifice, but represents how we want to run our affairs now and in the future by prioritizing what matters most, which are productivity, efficiency, and excellence. The structures are a reflection of the investment we have made over the last seven and a half years to rebuild our institutions. This has been a painstaking process that includes a total overhaul of how the public and civil service in Edo State operate. We have now built a workforce that will now drive change and advancement in pursuit of the core values of our democracy and good governance.”

He further elaborated on his commitment to revitalizing the Secretariat, stating, “After securing my mandate to govern the people of Edo State in November 2016, this complex, particularly Palm House, was the first place I visited. I started work and built this place, which was in bad shape as the civil servants were working in an uncomfortable environment. I made a pledge to them, myself, and God that I would rebuild the infrastructure of this secretariat. Today, we are here to see for ourselves what we have done.”

Governor Obaseki emphasized that the Secretariat Complex is a testament to the belief that determined efforts can surmount any challenge, regardless of external skepticism. He proudly noted that the complex, equipped with round-the-clock power and high-speed internet, is among Nigeria’s most advanced government buildings, designed to ensure the smooth functioning of state bureaucracy.

Obaseki highlighted that the principles embodied by the Secretariat Complex extend to other developmental projects across the state, including specialized hubs for health, the built environment, agriculture, and education, marking a holistic approach to Edo State’s future growth.