His Excellency Godwin Nogheghase

OBASEKIExecutive Governor of , From the Editor-in-Chief

EDITORIAL TEAM

PUBLISHER/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF y first encounter with HE. Godwin Obase- KUNLE ADEREMI ki, was when I hosted a webinar, titled, Edo MANAGING EDITOR State, Striving & Surviving beyond Covid-19 pandemic, in May 2020. Despite joining the JUSTIN MWHALE webinar a bit late because he had to attend toM other state engagements, he profusely apologized for his late- STAFF WRITERS ness and quickly settled into his role as Key Speaker. You could SANDRA MOHAMMED easily know this is an intelligent, very honest, pro- active and MQ KHUMALO forward -thinking leader, who wants the very best for his peo- TATENDA CORNELIUS ple. BONGIWE TUTU Over the next couple of months, I closely followed his activities as I had grown to admire his honesty, hardwork and loyalty to RESEARCH his people, again, perhaps I took more interest, as I feel I have a KEMI ALONGE stake in Edo State ( my late Mum was born to a Benin man, Late SPECIAL PROJECTS Pa Osawe). PRISCA KYEI-SAKYI HE, Governor Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, has taken a pri- vate sector mindset into a public office and has been working DESIGN & PRODUCTION assiduously hard to change for the better, the lot of Edo State. NASIR OLUMIDE From Indstrialisation, which is the bedrock of any developmen- PHOTOGRAPHY tal progress, to healthcare, construction, electricity, social con- REYNOLDS QUARSHIE tracts, agticulture, SMEs, he has with his team given Edo State and her people, a sense of purpose and the can-do attitude, of anything and everything is possible, if you strategically focus into achieving it.

The last four years of his administration, has been all about laying solid foundations for a progressive Edo State, whilst the Correspondence Address next four years, aptly titled M.E.G.A Manifesto, will be to con- solidate on the achievements of the last four years and ensure a UK: InvestAfrica Magazine, The Square, Unit 14. 112- very bright future for Edo State. 114 Broad Street, Birmingham. B15 1AS

Edo State is lucky to have a solid technocrat with people- ori- +44 7411194645 ented vision, to serve them in the last four years and for the next [email protected] four years.

Here is to happy cheers to our Governor, Godwin Obaseki and www.investafricamedia.co.uk the people of Edo State, for making the right decision to return him for another four years to serve them. Kelvin Uwaibi Head, ESIPO From Office of Head, ESIPO.

ndustrialising Edo is in the heart of Governor transformation, innovation, and growth in key priority Godwin Obaseki led administration and will be and productive sectors based on the State’s comparative a priority as the Governor and his deputy will be advantage, competitive advantage, technological inno- sworn in come 12th November 2020 for another vation, industrial linkages, and regional development four years. Experience from successful econo- considerations. miesI has shown, a well-articulated industrialization plan is a prerequisite to fast-track industrial develop- We can only achieve the aforementioned lofty goals ment in any location. Hence Edo State has its ongoing with the collaboration of partners and stakeholders, 30 years development plan that captures well thought hence the Godwin Obaseki led administration will out policies and strategies to leapfrog the state’s econ- continue to engage and listen to partners both in the omy. private and public space. We also realize that creating an enabling business environment will attract both The COVID-19 pandemic has affected economies in no domestic and foreign investors to the state. Hence we small way which has made governments begin to think are strengthening our Service Level Agreement(SLA) differently in proferring alternatives to mitigate the through the ongoing civil service reforms. economic effect of the pandemic. Edo State is open for business. Edo State has taken bold st