The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said afrobeat sensation, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, was one of the backstage artists at his inauguration in 2016, expressing delight that the Edo-born music icon will be performing in the State barely two months to the end of his administration as a global superstar.

Rema had arrived in his hometown of Benin, Edo State, on Tuesday, ahead of his highly anticipated homecoming concert scheduled for today, Friday, August 30, 2024.

Addressing journalists, during a banquet to celebrate the State’s 33-year anniversary and the milestones recorded by his administration in the last eight years, Obaseki noted that there is greatness in every Edo man and woman as they have the ability to conquer the world.

According to him, “I am standing here this evening very glad and to express my gratitude to all our guests and citizens of the State for finding time out to join us to celebrate the 33rd year anniversary of the creation of Edo State.

“This celebration is important to us because after 8 years of being governor, we are taking stock as we wind down this administration. Looking forward to what we are going to leave behind and how to sustain what we have achieved these last 8 years, we have every reason to thank God for the successes we have achieved so far.”

He continued: “Rema told me that at my inauguration in 2016, he was one of the backstage artistes at that event and 8 years after, he is now a global superstar.

“When I became governor in 2016, the image of the Edo girl and woman was at its lowest but today as I leave office, the Edo women are the West Africa champions and before I leave will become African champions.

“Nothing can stop us from celebrating our successes. It tells us that there is greatness in us, greatness in Edo. In the last 8 years, what we have tried to do is to nurture and bring out that greatness in Edo. As we leave, we want to tell you that that greatness should not be diminished.

“To celebrate our greatness and 33 years birthday, we launched the Benin City and Edo Regional Development Master Plan that will see us evolve over the next 30 years. If you look back in the last 33 years, you will also want to look forward to the next 30 years; looking back one generation and forward another generation.

“We have done it before in history. We have built systems, built an empire, and civilizations throughout our history. It is the same people that did those great things centuries ago that still exist in the land.”

Obaseki said, “We are now beginning to see the resurgence of that greatness in the new generation. You have seen it in Rema, Edo Queens, in the children that we have been training in our EdoBEST programme. The future and the next 30 years will be amazing for Edo State. They are bound to be great years because that process has begun.

“I will not be here next year to celebrate with you as governor, but by the grace of God, we would have in office somebody who I know has a lot more capacity and energy than I do. We are going to handover the baton of this administration to a team player so he can continue with the race of governance and by the grace of God make Edo great again.

He added, “I want to thank our global icon, a young Edo man we are so proud of, who has made such a difference in the world of music. We are looking forward to your first home performance on Friday.

“I want to acknowledge our very special guests on this occasion, Rema and Edo Queens Football Club who are currently West Africa champions.”