Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has said politics must always be about bettering the lives of the people, noting that his government plays a politics centred on serving the people and putting the state on the path of accelerated growth and prosperity.

Obaseki reassured that his government will not share or give treasury looters access to Edo people’s money but will continue to channel the state’s resources into developing the state and bettering the lives of the people.

The governor spoke at a homecoming reception in honour of the victorious Edo Queens Football Club, who were recently crowned the 2023/2024 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Super Six Champions in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, clinching a ticket to represent Nigeria on the continental stage of the CAF Women Champions League. The event was held at the Government House in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

The governor said when his administration came into office in 2016, there was no hope in the state as every youth was seeking the slightest opportunity to travel out of the country, noting that today his government has reversed the trend and brought back hope into the state as every youth now wants to stay back to contribute to the development of the state.

Obaseki stated, “I don’t bother when people talk about things they don’t know. We have no regrets; the money they refused to use for the Edo people is the money we have turned around and used for our people.

“In the last eight years, we have fought different battles and have overcome them all and will always come out victorious. No matter what they do, we will continue to use Edo money for Edo people. We have money in Edo State but when we steal the money, there will be no money to take care of Edo people. Governance is all about using the money to develop the state and its people.”

Obaseki thanked the people of Edo for their support and prayers while thanking God for giving his administration the ability and grace to turn the fortunes of Edo State around and restore hope.

Commending Edo Queens for the feat and reaffirming the government’s continuous support, Obaseki said his government has invested hugely in the sports sector to restore the state’s sports glory.

He said, “Before we came, sports was in disarray but we came and reorganized it, created a sports commission, and hired qualified people to run sports for us, and today, look at the result. With our reforms in sports in Edo State over the past eight years, we are sure to continue to produce champions in other areas of sports in the state. Edo State has the biggest team in cricket and the team is almost going continental. We have laid the foundation to succeed and we will certainly build on it,” Obaseki reassured.

Earlier, the Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, while commending the girls, stated, “This is the most glorious and joyous day for me as Edo Queens have made me proud. Twenty-nine years is a long time. We thank God and the government for this achievement.

“We thank the governor and his administration for the hope and commitment to renewing sports in Edo State. The boys were doing well while the girls were not, but I believe that the Betsy Obaseki Women’s Football Tournament (BOWFT) shaped the girls, and today, they have brought us this cup.”