The Edo Central senatorial Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and former minister of Works, Dr. Mike Onolememen, CON, has sent a congratulatory to the good people of Edo state on the 31st anniversary of the creation of the state.
In a congratulatory message he signed and made available to Truthlive.net, Onolememen expressed confidence that Edo State will continue to be great, “as we look into the future.”
Edo state was created on August 27th, 1991 during the Military Administration of Ibrahim Babangida when it was carved out alongside the present-day Delta state from the old Bendel state.
According to the statement, the Adolor of Uromi congratulated the Edo people and thanked them for their strength, fortitude, unity, and peaceful coexistence since the state was created 31 years ago.
While felicitating with the people of the state, the former minister said, “Our beloved Edo State has seen leaps in spite of the hurdles it is faced with. I want to therefore use this medium to appreciate the collective resilience of the people and the peaceful co-existence that has been existing among us since the Edo nation became a reality in 599 AD, up to the creation of Edo State and 31 years after the State was created.
The former Minister of State for Defence added, “In the last 31 years, since the state was created precisely on 27th of August, 1991, we have continued to build on the gains of successive administrations, and I am convinced that better days are ahead for us as we work collectively towards building a stronger Edo State of our dreams and for future generations.
“I wish this year’s anniversary will provide us with the rare opportunity to reflect kindly on the vision of the state’s founding fathers, which was hinged on growth, prosperity, development, and peaceful co-existence where every single citizen can pursue their happiness as law-abiding individuals.
“As a people with diversity and plurality, though purposeful in unity, we must use this opportunity to share experiences of the past 30 years and chart a course for the future.
“I am personally optimistic about the future of our dear state. We must intentionally replace skepticism with faith, despair with conviction, and doubt must be replaced with hope.”
According to him, “I am proud to say that the Edo State citizens have come to live as one indestructible big happy family, and the State has continued to forge ahead, not without challenges though, in all spheres.
“It is on this note I must appreciate those who have made sacrifices that ensured the smooth and successful take-off and sustenance of the state. The civil servants – serving, retired, or late. My appreciation also goes to elected politicians and political appointees who in some capacity had served the state.
“I must seize this auspicious opportunity to appreciate past governors of the state since its creation: Chief John Odigie Oyegun, Chief Lucky Igbenedion, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, and then our present Governor, Godwin Obaseki; Your ideas, policies, programs, commitments, sacrifices, and contributions have in no small measure helped to lift Edo State to where it is today. I am confident that Edo State will continue to be great as we look into the future.”
Long Live Edo State! Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”