By DADA AYOKHAI
In more ways than one, former Edo State Commissioner of Business, Trade, and Cooperatives, Hon. Afishetu Braimoh, remains the people’s darling even as the state governor, Mr. Goodwin Obaseki, has dissolved his cabinet
Hon. Afie Braimoh, as she is fondly called was among the commissioners recently affected by the recent dissolution of the cabinet.
Gov Obaseki penultimate week caught everyone by surprise when the news of the dissolution of the cabinet hit the airwaves effectively relieving them of their portfolios without official reason(s) for the action.
Notwithstanding the dissolution of the cabinet, Hon. Braimoh’s reputation as a tested and reliable administrator has not waned.
Her role in propping up the MSME policy, ensuring it also gained traction and acceptability has continued to earn accolades for the workaholic commissioner who gave her utmost best in the service of the people within 14 months in office.
Virtually everyone among the various group of business stakeholders who gathered in the conference room of the Ministry eulogized Hon. Braimoh on her yeoman’s role in expanding the frontiers of the local MSMEs.
They had congregated to honour the commissioner for making public service look so real and touchable with her plainness and motherly disposition.
But as the proceedings went on, it became clearer that it was not going to be an ordinary event. As the speakers eulogized her, the event quickly wore the toga of a valedictory session, bringing tears to the eyes of many.
Most of the speakers, one after the other, extolled her tenacity and doggedness, adding she will never be forgotten as one who fought hard to ensure that locally produced goods enjoyed the same visibility if not more than their imported counterparts on the shelves of both the big and small supermarts across the state and even beyond.
According to Mr. Odoh Eugene(PSM), speaking in his capacity as the Director of Immaculate Honey (Nig) Resources Ltd., and Secretary of the Edo States Bee Keepers Forum, the tenure of Hon. Braimoh as a commissioner, though short-lived, has a lot of positive sides, stressing she would be most remembered for encouraging the local MSME owners to think and act global in their business dealings
Hon. Braimoh was later presented with a specially designed plaque of honour by the stakeholders as the best supporting commissioner in supporting MSME’s and young entrepreneurs and henceforth be addressed as people’s commissioner.
Touched by the deluge of accolades showered on her, Hon. Braimoh who looked radiant in the casual attire she wore, used the occasion to thank the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, for providing her with the platform to showcase her talents to the people.
She equally expressed her profound gratitude to the countless groups and individuals she has met and interacted with in the course of her job as a commissioner for their support and also thanked them for appreciating her little quota
Hon Braimoh promised that although she was no longer commissioner, but will still be committed to the growth of the Made in Edo products beyond Nigeria.
As she was presented other gifts, they announced that she will henceforth be called Commissioner of the People
