‘As Senator I Will Pay My Salary to a Trust’
Anamero Dekeri, a well-established businessman and philanthropist spoke to Nume Ekeghe on his desire to change the fortune of his people which has inspired his political ambition
How would you assess Gov. Godwin Obaseki’s performance? Obaseki is a friend. I simply did what a true friend ought to have done. When you see a true friend embarking on a worthy cause, you are duty-bound to key into the venture and support in the best way you can. That was how I became part of the campaign project.
On his performance so far, I think I will say he has done well. I see Obaseki as Edo State’s hidden treasure and I am happy that he is running the affairs of the state diligently. We have witnessed a tremendous revolution in almost all strata. You would have noticed his diligent approach to the industrialisation of the state as he strives to attract investments into the state. We will continue to see more of what has been done already because he is one person that gives the wellbeing of the people a priority in everything he does.
The man is a technocrat whose economic ideology is driven by long-term vision. When Obaseki talks about Edo, he does so with passion. I am close to him enough to know his worldview; he is not a greedy person. The interest of our people and the future generation is paramount in his thinking and developmental agenda. He is committed to building on the foundation laid by his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole, to prepare the state for enduring economic growth and development.
Has he gotten the priorities right? You would recall that when he came into power, the first major project he embarked upon was the resuscitation of the Benin Technical College. What is that meant to achieve? He wants our children to be equipped with vocational and technical skills required to drive the industrialisation agenda of the government. The governor wants the next generation of leaders to be immersed in the task of building on the foundation that has been laid.
One of the first places the governor visited was Okpella. He was there to assess the moribund fertilizer plant, which is key to the agricultural development of the state. Today, the fertilizer plant is undergoing reconstruction. He also visited the fertilizer company in Auchi, took inventory of progress of work at the company. Few months after, the company was unveiled by Vice President Yemi Osibanjo who commended his industrialisation drive and commitment to continuing the industrialisation programmes of Oshiomhole. The fertilizer company in Auchi alone has created 500 direct jobs; more employment opportunities will be created through the economic activities the company will generate. The second phase of Edo Cement plant in Okpella was also commissioned by the Vice President. Also, last December, Rongsheng Glass Nigeria Limited in Benin was unveiled. This is one of the fruits of the administration’s efforts to attract investments to the state. There is also the N200 billion Benin Industrial Park and many other investments.
The governor is determined to industrialise the state by creating the enabling environment that encourages investments. Ultimately, the initiatives of the Oshiomhole and Obaseki administration is transforming the state from a roadside ticketing and Okada riding economy to an industrialised economy – an economy where youths are positively engaged and one that supports commerce. To achieve this, Obaseki has realised the need to take some painful decisions. He has to because leadership is all about sacrifice. Obaseki is very systematic. He doesn’t believe in rushing to get things done because he wants to impress people. He believes in leaving enduring legacy.
He is determined to move Edo State from an agrarian state to an industrial centre. We must also give this to Oshiomhole. The foundation is the most important part of a structure; this is what the Comrade Governor did for the people. We have seen the essence of a good foundation in building an enduring city in Lagos State. Obaseki acknowledged this when he declared that he would build on the existing foundation when he assumed office.
Sometime last year, he organised an economic summit in the state, where he brought key players in the economy, including Osinbajo, to articulate a roadmap for the future of the state. One of the objectives of the summit is supporting the long-term development of the state. Once an administration gets its vision right, things work out well for successive administrations. Why has Lagos become a model today? Asiwaju Bola Tinubu got it right. Without playing politics with the state, he brought in Babatunde Fashola. We all witnessed what happened during Fashola’s era. Today, Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode is doing very well, building on the foundation his predecessors laid. The Lagos model has also begun in Edo State. Obaseki’s coming is like discovering Edo’s hidden treasure.
Does the governor give room to technocrats to make input in form of advice? The last economic summit organised by Obaseki was the first of its kind in the history of Edo State. That forum was an opportunity for investors and businessmen to come together to chat a road map for the economy of the state.