Obaseki on Monday received National Defense College (NDC) Course 31 participants who are in the State to understudy the policies behind the State’s resilience amid socioeconomic challenges in the country.
The Governor who was ably represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., restated the current administration’s commitment to the socio-economic development of the State.
According to him, the administration has been able to sustain its growth momentum by investing huge resources in creating jobs for Edo youths through a series of empowerment programs.
“There is no ethnic crisis in Edo, we came into power and the State was like a lawless State that was divided among warlords,” he said, adding that Edo State has remained a peaceful state for Nigerians of all ethnic groups.
“However, we knew exactly what had to be done to bring law and order back. Edo’s reputation for human trafficking damaged the country’s image.
“To address the issues, the State government invested in the power sector, launched the Public Works Volunteer (PUWOV) program, strengthened basic education through the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST) program, and trained youths in highly sought-after Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-oriented skills through the Edo State Skills Development Agency.
Leader of the study tour team and Director of Academic Research and Analytical Support of the Nigeria Defense College, Abuja, Commodore Aniefiok Uko, attributed the influx of people into Edo State to the success story of the current administration, and noted that the theme of the tour is: ‘Building Socio Economic Resilience in the Contemporary Security Environment – Edo State in Perspective’.
“The participants will be in the State for the next three to four days to interrogate the efforts of the government that are making Edo State so successful; study; and of course, make worthwhile and viable recommendations which will assist the State, and which could assist other States in the nation in building resilience and socioeconomic development amidst the security challenges we are having,” Commodore Uko added.
He went on to say, “The college’s mission is to prepare senior officers of the Nigerian armed forces and their civilian counterparts for higher level policy, command, and staff roles by providing them with the expertise and knowledge necessary to perform extra-rudimental duties in addition to single or joint service.”
