* Obaseki 
By  Ikhili Monday EBALU, Benin city 

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Edo state Chapter has charged the state’s Governor-Elect Mr Godwin Obaseki to be resolute, dogged in achieving set out goals and accessible to the complaints of the people of the state.

State chairman of the council, Alhaji Yusuf Bako made the charge in a congratulatory visit to Obaseki in his office, in Benin City, the Edo state capital.

Accompanied by Hajia Aminatu Moti of the Federation of Muslim Women's Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Alhaji Bako described Obaseki’s victory at the September 28 governorship election as the will of God, noted that “we are happy with the build-up that led to your victory.

He declared that, “Come rain, sun shine we Muslims are solidly behind you, we are glad you are a peaceful man and we Muslims are also peaceful.

“Be resolute, be dogged and accessible and the sky will be your limit. Be watchful of hypocrite”. He charged.

He said Muslims across the state will continue to do what is right in the state and further prayed that, “God will guide you, protect you and bless you so that at the end of your tenure you will have the course to give him thanks. The entire Muslims in Edo state congratulate you and we hope that this will be a new era for the development of Edo state”.

On his part, the governor-elect, Mr Godwin Obaseki who thanked the Islamic council for their support before and during the election said, “I am very overwhelmed. I am overwhelmed for several reasons because you are the first set of people who have come to congratulate me.

According to him, “For me it is significant because you men of God prayed for me and today there is something to celebrate.  I want to assure you that the type of administration that i want to run in Edo state is one that will be all inclusive. So that people will feel part of the state irrespective of religion and tribe because we are one Edo state and there is strength in our unity.

“I want to thank you and assure you that I will be there for you”. He stated.


Meanwhile, the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Edo state has congratulated the Governor-Election of the state, Mr Godwin Obaseki urging that the Social contract made to the Edo people must remain sacrosanct to his administration.

This was stated when the Union led by its Chairman, Sir Roland Osakue paid a congratulatory visit to the Governor-Elect in Benin City yesterday.

Osakue thanked Obaseki for his contributions to the union and sued for more cooperation between the government and the NUJ which according to him are partners in progress and development.

According to the NUJ chairman, “The leadership of the NUJ heartily congratulate you and your deputy for your resounding victory in the September 28 governorship election. As you settle down in your new assignment of moving the state forward, we encourage you and your new team to ensure that the social contract that you promised the Edo people during your electioneering campaign remain sacrosanct.

“We also want to appreciate your support to our great union since you indicated and vied for this position”.

“This is Edo state, we are all stakeholders in this project, and we don’t want any violence or anything that will disrupt the government from carryout developmental strides to the people of Edo state”. He stated.

On his part, the Edo state Governor-elect Mr Godwin Obaseki, who thanked the NUJ for the confidence reposed in him said, “If I can claim a partner in this race from the beginning when things were unsettled, it is the NUJ. So when you see me relating with NUJ today is from what I will term as appreciation.

“For accepting me, trusting me I am grateful to you, I have never been this fortunate. I am happy God has been gracious and I have not let you down. This victory is yours and I want to reassure you that the person who came to you then, who started with you, who emerged with you and who came back to drink with is your friend and I will continue to be your friend because you were there for me.

The Governor-elect affirmed that, “What I want to assure you is that the person you supported is still the same person, I will not change. I have no doubt in my mind that there will be relics of resistance, I just pray that you are objective and continue to look at things as objectively as you have done