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Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki; Esama of Benin kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion; national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus; Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu; and former Edo governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, joined other personalities to rejoice with the first executive governor of Edo, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on his 80th birthday.
But immediate past governor of Edo and national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, was absent, even as opposition party members flooded the event.
Obaseki seized the opportunity to affirm ongoing that peace talks between him and his predecessor.
According to him, efforts are being made to resolve issues created by third parties in the state.
Noting that there was no fundamental issue between him and Oshiomhole, the governor stressed the need to recognise and honour heroes like Odigie-Oyegun.
He said this yesterday in his address during a Mass at St. Paul Catholic Church, Benin City, to mark the birthday of Odigie-Oyegun, who was also APC national chairman.
“We have met – my predecessor in office and I – and, fortunately, we do not have any fundamental issue. So, I believe that whatever third parties are trying to propagate, we can talk over it. I assure you that very soon things will return to normalcy in Edo State,” Obaseki said.
He announced the state government’s decision to name the soon-to-be-completed Civil Service Training Centre after Odigie-Oyegun, for his contributions to the development of Edo and the country at large.
Said he, “For your contributions to our dear state, I have decided to name the public service academy, which is under construction, after you. We know your passion for public service; we know and acknowledge the contributions you made to public service in Nigeria. Therefore, we have decided to name this edifice, which will be completed in the next 60 days, by the grace of God, after you. President Muhammadu Buhari will come and commission the academy, with you standing beside him. It will be known as the John Odigie-Oyegun Institute for Public Administration.”
The edifice is on three floors with large training rooms that will host as muc as 220 people. Two halls can hold 118 people each. There are seven training halls that can host 58 people each. There is a library, a sick bay, a cafeteria and 12 offices. At any point in time, it can hold and train a minimum of 900 people. It will be the largest facility for training of public servants in Nigeria.