Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, on Saturday, in Benin took an oath of office, succeeding former Governor Adams Oshiomhole.
Obaseki took the oath at 12:30 p.m. administered by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Cronwel Idahosa.
Similarly, Obaseki’s deputy, Mr Philip Shaibu, took an oath of office about noon, thereby succeeding Dr Pius Odubu as the deputy governor.
Oshiomhole had presented the handing over note to Obaseki on Friday night.
The former governor expressed hope that Obaseki would continue with the development strides his administration achieved in the past eight years.
Obaseki, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, on September 28, won the governorship election by defeating his closest rival and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
In his speech after his inauguration, Obaseki pledged to provide good leadership that would ensure improved infrastructure development, industrial growth and job creation in the state.
He said his administration would be committed to improved welfare of the citizens.
The governor promised to complete all ongoing projects in the state and called for the support of the people to enable his administration to succeed.
He said that he would utilise the agricultural potential of the state to improve on the living standard of the people, and promised to build on the legacies of his predecessor.
“I am humbled and proud of succeeding a governor, who in the last eight years provided dedicated, fearless, inspired leadership that has transformed our state in ways people considered impossible.
“Taking the reign of office from my leader and mentor, Adams Oshiomhole is an honour that I will always treasure. I will always respect and hold dear to my heart, his love, confidence, counselling and inspiration.
“I want to thank you Comrade Governor, in the presence of all and before the whole world, for being the leader that you have been for the people of Edo.
“I want to assure you that as we take over today from where you stopped, we have resolved to build on your legacy.
“We need to strengthen and expand the infrastructure that has been established so that we can have a foundation on which to build a new Edo of our passionate dream.
“We will need to build and sustain a robust human intellectual, philosophical and even metaphysical infrastructure, because without them, it is virtually impossible to attain significant progress,’’ he said.
Obaseki reaffirmed that his mission was to achieve prosperity for Edo people by progressing the work of previous administrations.
According to him, “as we begin our journey to build a new Edo, I want to repeat and affirm that promise. I have pledged to create 200,000 jobs in the next four years.
“We will achieve this by leveraging on our comparative advantages and our key factor endowments in production and commerce.
“Our key factors will focus on commerce and agro business value chains like the entrepreneurship, investment in industries, technical and vocational skills.
“We will also fill all vacancies in the civil service and optimize job creation potential in infrastructural development.
“Agriculture is a major focus in our socio-economic programme because of its strategic importance in many areas, from food sufficiency to rural development, economic development, job creation and critical revenue generation.
“For us, we will make agriculture a business. Many Edo people will generate wealth by keying into our value chain development of oil palm, cassava, grains, rubber, fruits and vegetables,’’ he said.
The governor thanked God “for seeing us through a very peaceful election where the will of the people prevailed’’.
The main bowl of the stadium and the outer precincts were filled to capacity during the ceremony.
Among the dignitaries at the occasion were the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State, Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State and Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State.
Also present were business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and the APC governorship candidate in Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN).
The ceremony also had in attendance a former military head of state, Dr Yakubu Gowon, and ministers including that of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
The inauguration ceremony was also graced by traditional rulers from across the three senatorial districts of the state as well as youths and market women who were all dressed in various attires.
Security personnel drawn from the Police, Army, Department of State Security and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were positioned in the area to forestall any unforeseen security breach.
