The former governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, on Thursday called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make infrastructural developments a priority, stressing that such remained to only panacea for private businesses to thrive and for economic growth of the country.
Igbinedion, who is the scion of the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion’s dynasty, added that if the government should pay particular attention to the provision of good roads, portable water and electricity supply, private businesses, which he described as the fundamentals of the nation’s economic growth would be in good stead to contribute its quotas to national development.
This was just as the former governor maintained that Nigerians were ingenuous, adding that all they needed “is a conducive environment to display their creativity and generate employment and ventures that would make them survive.”
Igbinedion spoke at the 10th year anniversary and awards presentation to the staff of Kada Cinema and Entertainment Centre, which is generating hundreds of employment opportunities in Benin City.
At the colourful ceremony, where Igbinedion, as the Chairman of the enterprise, instituted the Chairman’s Best staff of the Year Award, in addition to the awards for five and 10 years of service, saw different personnel of the company going home with items such as deep freezer, smart television sets, washing machines and air conditioner sets.
“I am glad that the present administration under the president Bola Tinubu is taking full recognition of the hardship of Nigerians and by also stating that he is going to focus on infrastructure; infrastructure meaning roads and electricity and water.
“Once we have these, I believe Nigerians can stand on their own. If the federal government, states and local governments can provide the basic infrastructure to Nigerians, especially constant uninterrupted power supply and good roads network, where people can transport goods and services across the nation seamlessly, it will go a long way in improving our economy.
“People can start creating their own employment capabilities, not only for themselves but also employing others, I think that is what the federal government needs to encourage by making sure that the environment is conducive for business.”
On how the centre, which was established in 2013 has fared, the former governor said “It has been encouraging in the sense that the services have been consistent and improved upon year by year and the patronage has been very encouraging. That is why I decided to honour the staff who have been very dedicated and give the best of service to our customers. It has been a very good journey and I am glad that we have been able to add some hospitality outlets.”
It was fun as Igbinedion, while picking the Chairman’s Best Staff of the Year, directed the management of the centre to make the selection open, with the latter adopting an “Option A4” method that threw up Mr. Paul Ojo, a driver, as the winner with a cash prize of N200,000.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, commended the management of the centre and his co-staff, whose cooperation he said, was responsible for his getting the award, and promised to continue to give his best to the company.
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