Oshiomhole begins second term.

Seeks probe into aide’s murder

EDO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole on Monday began his second term of four years with a promise to improve on the successes his administration achieved in the first tenure.

Such improvement would be in the areas of infrastructure, schools, health and others.

The governor urged President Goodluck Jonathan to instruct the Inspector General of Police to thoroughly investigate the  assassination of his Principal Private Secretary, Olaitan Oyerinde, “and stop framing innocent people up.”

At a colourful ceremony attended by Governors Peter Obi of Anambra State, Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, Oshiomhole relived the memory of his late wife, Clara, who he said was by his side four years ago when he first took his oath of office.

She died two years ago of cancer.  Her role was played yesterday by two of their children, Dr. Jane Adukwu and Dr. Eugene Oshiomhole. “Today even though she is not physically present, I feel her presence right here as I speak. Not only for the gift of the wonderful children that she gave birth and nurtured for me, but also for her wise counsel and unflinching support through thick and thin. May her gentle soul continues to rest in peace,”
she said.

Other dignitaries included the National Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Bisi Akande, former governors of Lagos, Bola Tinubu; Ekiti, Niyi Adebayo; Ogun, Segun Osoba and Edo John Oyegun. Other included Maj.-Gen. Godwin Abbe (rtd) and Senator Daisy Danjuma, both of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and former Foreign Affairs Minister, Tom Ikimi.

The governor said his late wife encouraged her to be closer to God, adding that all he had been able to achieve in the last four years was through the grace of God. He also paid tributes to three journalists, Olatunji Jacob, George Okosun and Fidelis Ohani, who died in a road accident involving his convoy during his campaigns, and some ad hoc electoral workers and police officials that died on the day of the election.

He said the state which was seen as a “hopeless case” because “it was the story of a state that was under the grip of few godfathers and associate godfathers” had in the last four years experienced tremendous changes that were making Benin City, the state capital a modern city.