When it comes to developing the human capital base of the people of Edo State, the Godwin Obaseki and Shaibu’s administration can be rightly termed as the most focused, committed, and purposeful driven government in the list of states that makes up the Federal republic of Nigeria. This can be observed in the plethora of people oriented programmes and projects the administration is using to develop the three senatorial districts in the state. It has always been the firm belief of the Governor that development goes beyond physical infrastructures. While physical infrastructures are important, mental and intellectual infrastructures should also be developed simultaneously to enable societal members properly maintain the physical structures put in place by government at all levels.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation (OECD 2020) defines human capital development as the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, competencies and other attributes that will prove useful in producing goods, services or ideas in market situations. Human capital is therefore the aggregates abilities, talents or skills of individuals in a society. Drawing from his experience in the private sector, Governor Obaseki recognised that individuals can be made to become better and give their best when their talents, skills and other resources are simultaneously developed, and so far so good he has remained resolute in doing so, matching infrastructural development with human capital development.
His reforms in the educational sector are visible for all to see. He has revamped the educational sector via the introduction of a climate of creativity. He instituted the Edo best teaching technique via the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation programme (EDOBEST). Through these reforms, about 11.356 primary school teachers were trained on utilising digital tools to teach students, a total of 1,140,000 learning aids were distributed to pupils and over 243 schools had been rehabilitated and more are currently under way. This has led to an increase in primary school enrolment, and pupils now learn more due to the adoption of modern technological aids in teaching and learning. The governor was recognised as the best performing governor in the country in 2019 by the Nigerian union of Teachers (NUT) as part of the event lined up to celebrate the World Teacher’s Day.
The establishment of the Edo innovation hub, a facility dedicated to groom talent in the information and communication technology world. This programme will change the technological base in Edo and other Niger Delta States, transforming the Youths into agents of positive change via technological training. Plans are underway for setting up of similar ICT hubs in Edo North and Central senatorial zones. The Governor has fulfilled his promise to civil workers by promoting the specialization and division of labour in the state civil service through staff training and development, as well as the provision of conducive working environment for workers.
This is evident in the fact that in 2019 the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Benin branch, honoured him with a merit award for his strides in human capital development. He has also keyed into the National Social Investment Programme (SIP) of the Federal Government. This is because the SIP programme tallies with his administration social welfare enhancement thematic pillars.
A world Bank Report of 2020 stated that “investing in people through nutrition, health care, quality education, jobs, and skills helps develop human capital, and thus is key to ending extreme poverty and creating more inclusive societies.’’ The World Bank inferred that without human capital development, countries cannot sustain growth in their economies; they would lack a highly skilled work force, and will not compete favourably in the world stage.
Obaseki believes in proper and adequate planning. Such actions will definitely bring about value for finances drafted for all round development of the state. Such adequate planning has led to the setting up of the Edo production centre. This is another milestone achievement of Godwin Obaseki and Philip Shaibu administration.
The centre is equipped with 24 hours electricity, security, water supply and good internet connections. It plays host to various small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in the state and provide avenue to apply for loans at stable rates.
In sports development, the Governor has resolved to help the Youths achieve their potentials by initiating reforms aimed at transforming the state in terms of sport development. This includes the reconstruction of the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium and the rebranding of Edo Queens and the historic Bendel insurance club.
To promote industrialization of the state a 55mw CCETC power plant is being built in Ologbo, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. The Edo refinery project initiated via a memorandum of understanding between the State and private sector is at the final stage of completion. Edo state agriprenuer programme is structured and aimed at boosting MSMEs investments in agriculture and to motivate young people gain interests in agricultural related activities. Over 10,600 hectares of crops, ranging from cassava, rice, maize, oil palms and so on are being cultivated and about 20,000 jobs had been created, with the government providing inputs and technical support to farmers to ensure bumper harvest and an all year production cycle.
Securing the lives and property of residents and indigenes of Edo State remain paramount to the Godwin/Shaibu administration. The Governor in December 2018 created an over 2 billion naira security trust fund tagged “Wabaizighan’’ to enhance security in the state. This has led to the purchase of vehicles and security gadgets to checkmate the rise in crime in the state.
The state government is also aware of the poor health indices in the country and has been working tirelessly to promote affordable and efficient health care model for Edolites. This is evident in the rehabilitation of 20 Primary healthcare centres cut across the 18 Local government area of the State. Instituting reforms in the state health sector through the Edo health improvement programme (HIP) and initiating the first ever public health insurance programme for the state to bring down the cost of health care.
The Governor has also approved series of training for workers in the state Ministry of health and has been effectively managing and addressing the issue of Covid-19 through pragmatic and well thought out processes. Creating conducive avenues for job creation has always been part of Godwin Obaseki campaign manifesto, and so far he has created over 157,000 jobs (Business Day Report 2020). The jobs came about through Edo production centre, Edo food and agriculture cluster, job placements and tracking, National social investment programme, indirect jobs etc.
All these under listed projects and programmes of the Godwin Obaseki and Philip Shaibu administration in Edo State, have been statistically proven to be worthwhile as various State and national governments are adapting and taking a cue from the successes of the administration, and recently the National Bureau of Statistics listed Edo as one of the state with the lowest unemployment rate in the country (National Bureau of Statistics 2020). This endorsement of the productive template or actions of the governor, by a non partisan agency has proven that he was well equipped to mount the saddle as governor of the state and deserves more support to fulfil other vibrant policies and plans for Edo State.
This piece was written by: Arthur Kriste Mbonu,Research Documentation and Communication Officer SOTHAWACA. To read his previous article, click here
