By DADA AYOKHAI
The immediate ex-commissioner of Business, Trade, and Cooperatives in Edo State, Hon. Afie Braimoh, has hailed the election of Hon. Blessing Agbebaku as the 8th Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly .
Elated at the prospect of having a fellow Owan kinsman presiding over the affairs of the Assembly, Hon. Braimoh said she was over the moon with joy as soon as the news of his emergence broke.
Hon. Braimoh is among the legion of well-wishers in the Edo North district who have hailed the emergence of Rt. Hon. Agbebaku as Speaker.
In her goodwill message to the Speaker, as contained in the press statement signed by her and made available to the press, Hon. Braimoh described the election of an Owan person as the presiding officer of the 8th Assembly as a “big political leap” and an” “open expression of good faith” .
In particular, she urged the Speaker and the legislative arm to pursue a people-friendly agenda, stressing that as the best way, they can easily earn the trust of the people.
In the same vein, Hon. Braimoh expressed joy at the election of a woman, Hon. Mariam Edekor, as the Deputy Speaker, saying women can now heave a sigh of relief as they have a powerful voice to speak as well as fight for them .
Hon. Braimoh further lauded the election of Hon. Edekor , a former commissioner for social development and gender issues,as the deputy Speaker saying her election is a good omen and also shows the preparedness of the women folk to take their rightful place in the scheme of things
Also, she congratulated Hon. Donald Okogbe, the member representing the Akoko Edo Constituency 2 in the state assembly on his inauguration.
Recalling their days in the state cabinet as commissioners, Hon. Braimoh described Hon. Okogbe as a “friend, brother, and colleague”, stating she was not surprised at his transformation into a full-fledged legislator and urged him to ensure that he was able to maximally deploy the experiences garnered as a former member of the executive arm in bettering the lot of his constituents as well as promoting a cordial and harmonious relationship between both two arms of government
She admonished members of the 8th Assembly to jettison any form of parochial interest adding also they must set agendas and workable templates in the overall interest of good governance
