By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
The Edo State governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has said that he will continue to work for the interest of the people of the state until his last day in office.
He also said that as the government advances on its digital economy plans, leveraging technology in processing government’s transactions and activities has become so necessary.
Obaseki said this at the graduation ceremony for the State-level Inclusive Digital Transformation Training Programme workers in the civil and public service, held at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
Obaseki noted, “Since I became governor of Edo State, we have been very strategic in all our reforms and transformation, particularly in the use of technology as the basis for that transformation.
“I am glad we made that strategic choice earlier in 2016 because we didn’t know at that time that there would be COVID-19 outbreak as the world and the role of technology assume a new dimension.
“With Artificial Intelligence (AI) today, we don’t know where the world is talking to us as our existence is totally redefined and it will be totally impossible to live on this earth in a few years time without digital skills and culture.”
He added, “We are lucky in the State to use technology as the basis for our transformation and that early adoption has led us where we are today. The purpose of government is to regulate society and deliver goods and services to the society. The best way to provide services to the people is through the use of technology.”
Obaseki continued: “In this programme, we have trained about 2,700 persons and we will do more, collaborating with our partners.
“Digitalisation and technology have come to stay as we will not go back; it’s impossible. The e-gov system will not be eliminated as we can’t run Edo without digital technology. We will be working with our partners to see how to pull everybody into the system, both old and young.
“You are the pioneers as technology has come to stay in Edo. We have used technology to achieve a lot in education, healthcare, security and other sectors of Edo State’s economy; this is the way to go. I urge you all to rededicate and recommit yourselves to the system to help grow and develop Edo State.
“The new Edo will be driven by you, using technology and this training you have received is the first step. One of the considerations for promotion is that you have taken one aspect of technology to enable you to move to the next level. You will be the next vanguard to the next levels. We will retain you in the service by improving your conditions of service and ensure no state pays wages that are higher than that of Edo State.”
He added, “I will continue to work until my last day as a governor to ensure everything we started in the last eight is sustained.”
A beneficiary of the training, Mr. Asemota Edwin from the Hospital Management Agency, thanked the governor for the training which he said has better equipped them with digital skills to help contribute to the development of the State.
