The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his government will continue to pursue reforms and programmes to guarantee the security of lives and property of citizens, ensure improved livelihoods and achieve economic prosperity for the state.

Obaseki gave the assurance while addressing residents of the state at the 2022 Edo Festival of Nine Lessons and Carol, at the State Secretariat, Benin City.

The governor, who hailed Edo people for the continued support and prayers, noted that his administration is pursuing holistic reforms across all sectors to place the state on the path of sustainable growth and development.

He said, “We have had to bring law and order in ensuring our people are secured. Nigeria as a country is facing security challenges and we are not exempted but we want to make sure that, as a state, we are always ahead in all we do.

“We would continue to tackle security challenges and make sure our people feel a sense of safety in the state. This would enable citizens to focus on their legitimate socio-economic activities.”

Obaseki continued: “I was in Edo North to speak with the Security Councils in the six local government areas to see the challenges they face and see how to improve on the weaknesses of our Northern borders, like what we are doing here. But it's unfortunate that some of our neighboring states are not doing enough and criminals are using that as an advantage to infiltrate the state.

“This Carol was held here to allow those that have not been here before to see the modest achievements we have made in this government facility since our late father, Gen. Osaigbovo Ogbemudia designed it.

“It's important for us to start to communicate with Edo people for them to see what we have done and what we are doing for the future. These buildings are the physical expression of the transformation we are doing in government to improve the lives of our people. The real transformation is the training; the capacity building we are giving to the people who are working for the government.

“We are recreating the public and civil service of our state because it's the engineer that runs the government and will take Edo State to where it is supposed to be.”

The governor further noted, “A lot of investors are expressing their interest to invest in the state because the state is safe. Edo has electricity and well-trained people and investors are coming to take advantage of our transformation.

“As a government, we would continue to prioritize security as without security, nothing progressive will take place in the state.”