By Ikhili Monday EBALU,  Benin City

 The new governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki has invited the opposition party to join him in building the Edo of our dream, assuring that he would integrate their good ideas into the development programme of his administration. Speaking Sunday, Gov Obaseki assured that he was not  oblivious of the high expectations by the people of the state from his government.

 The governor speaking during his  Thanksgiving service at St. Peters Anglican church in Benin City, the state capital, paid  tribute to his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole for providing the template of good governance in the state.he added that  he will do only things a that are right and correct before God.

 He called for  for prayers from  the clergy and the laity and promised to activate the early morning prayers in Government House, Benin. According to him, "Oshiomhole did all the grand work to take Edo state to the next level.

 "I knew there is quiet a lot is expected from me,  I will  do all  I can  to make sure  I fulfil all my  promises. But  let everyone  know that  there  is no more free  lunch, all must work to eat."

 In an exultation, the Bishop of Anglican church, Benin diocese, Rev. Peter Imasuen, tasked the state governor, Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu to be magnanimous in victory without losing sight of their promises to the electorate.The Cleric also reminded the governor of his plans to create 200, 000 jobs particularly human and capital development to compliment the infrastructure development of his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole.

 Bishop Imasuen also reminded him to be weary of sycophants, stressing that he should operate an open door policy and be fair to all irrespective of their political inclination.

 High point of the service was the presentation of copies of Bibles by former Supreme court judge, Justice Samson Uwaifo on behalf on the church.

 Meanwhile,   governor Godwin Obaseki has   Promised to Focus on Agriculture and Job Creation.

 Governor and his deputy Philip Shuabu  Saturday took  oath of office as they were sworn-in as the new Governor and Deputy Governor of Edo state with a promise to focus on agriculture and job creation.

 In his address after being sworn –in by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Cromwell Idahosa, Obaseki said he would build on the success recorded by the former governor Adams Oshiomhole in the last eight years.

 “I am succeeding Governor Oshiomhole who had provided an inspiring and fearless leadership that has transformed the state in a way most people considered impossible. I want to assure you today that as we take over from you we have resolve to build on your legacy,” .

 He said “I have pledged to create 200,000 jobs in the next four years and we would achieve this by leveraging on our comparative advantage and key factor in production and commerce

 “Agriculture is the major focus of our social economic programme because of its strategic importance in many areas, from food sufficiency to economic development, job creation and revenue generation. So we would not make agriculture as subsistence but as a business,” he said.

 “My administration would focus on agric business value chain, entrepreneurship, investment in industry, technical and vocation scheme. We would also fill vacancies in civil service and optimize the job creation in infrastructure development,”

 Obaseki added “as a result of making agriculture a business, the people would generate wealth by keying into the value chain development of oil palm, cassava cocoa, grain rubber and vegetable. We would create 150,000 jobs within the next four years under farm ownership and management model built around a grower scheme.

 He promised to support over 20,000 micro small and medium scale through the establishment of a one stop- shop center to provide support and incentives as well as making it easier for the people to produce goods and services.
“We would continue to consolidate on the gains of the last eight years through infrastructure revolution and urban renewal initiative which the former governor started, expand education infrastructure by building more schools to ensure that education is available to all Edo people. 

 While promising to complete all on-going projects in the state, he promised to take the development of the girl child a priority and ensure significant improvement in maternal mortality and child care.

 It would be recalled that on Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressive Congress scored a total of 319,483 to beat Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 253 172 votes during the September 28, governorship election.