…As Obaseki Extols Artiste At Lunch, Says There Is A Rema In Every Edo Youth.
On the state’s path to becoming a hub for entertainment, creativity, economic growth and world-class tourist center, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and Edo-born Afrobeat singer and rapper, Divine Ikubor, known professionally as Rema, have laid the foundation for the construction of a 6,000 capacity Edo Arena, which would be known as ‘Rema Dome,’ located at the former Garrick Memorial School Ground, Ekehuan Road, in Benin City.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Obaseki emphasized that the convergence center would strategically position Edo to host large-scale events, which in turn, would attract influx of visitors and substantial investments into the state.
The Governor revealed that despite Edo’s competitive advantage as a confluence state, with a location that draws significant traffic from across Nigeria, there was no venue capable of hosting large events at the start of his administration in 2016.
He noted that the lack of infrastructure had discouraged people from organizing music concerts, conventions, conferences and the likes in the state, hence, the need by his administration to embark on several strategic initiatives, including the renovation of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, which nearly became a shell of itself, but now of international standard.
The initiatives also include the establishment of the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub and Soundstage, a beacon for artistic expression and innovation, with a 3,000 capacity hall and other smaller halls; the Benin City Mall, a hub of entertainment and commerce; the 170-key Radisson Hotel, benchmarked with global standards, and the development of the Cultural District at the city center, which encloses the Benin Royal Palace, the National Museum, the Ogiamien House, Igun Street, and the architectural masterpiece, Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA) Edo, amongst other strategic historical monuments and socio-economic centres.
According to the Governor, “When we came into government in 2016, we did not have venues to host events. We had to hire canopies and Marquee for large events, especially when we invite people from outside the state. So, it became clear that we needed to have venues where we would host large events.
“Edo has a very unique economic advantage, as the heartbeat of Nigeria. Edo is one of the states that enjoy tremendous traffic, as most Nigerians go through Edo State. Thus, we have the opportunity to host national events and attract Nigerians and the world here. So, we embarked on certain strategic moves.
“We remodeled the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium to become a world-class sporting event center, and today we can boast of the best sporting infrastructures in Nigeria, in Benin city.
“To host cultural and entertainment events we created a soundstage that can host 2,000 to 3,000 people, and we have been using that in the last few years. But that has also been limiting, as we can still not host events larger than 3,000 people. So we saw the urgent need to create a large venue that can host huge events, be it concerts, conferences, symposiums, conventions; and that has been the driving force acquiring this piece of property about 5 years ago from the Garrick family.”
Obaseki while emphasizing the non-reliance on crude oil and other natural resources by many developed nations today, stated that the focus has shifted to tourism, noting that upon completion, the 6,000 capacity auditorium which would be known as Rema Dome, will be equipped to meet the needs of visitors anticipated by the state, given the economic development in the past seven and a half years, under his leadership. He further highlighted that the project will create more job opportunities.
“The premises which is about 12 hectares of land, is going to be an entertainment park that would host several events. We have estimated that in a few years’ time, we should be hosting up to a million visitors in Edo State, to whom we will be selling our culture and heritage. When they come, they would have the opportunity to enjoy the culture and cuisine and all that we have to offer as a people. There would be more jobs for our people in the hospitality industry.
“This is what many countries live off, not crude oil, but tourism; and they do not have a fraction of the tourist attraction that we have in Edo State. What they have that we do not have here is the infrastructure needed to support tourism and that is what we have started to build in Edo. This would be one of the largest centers that would attract huge events and crowds into the state.”
Regarding the funding of the project, he noted: “This is a very important project for us and like most of our projects we have undertaken as a government, it is open for other investors to come in. It would be made available to citizens who want to invest. We have done the same thing with Raddison Hotel and the Benin Shopping Mall.
“The purpose and role of government is to be an enabler; to make things happen, not to manage or own things; that is what this asset would also be about. We are using this opportunity to create the awareness that this facility exists, and using the opportunity to have our global superstar, Rema, to be part of this event. When you have people like Rema associated with a project like this, it becomes a global project.”
In a goodwill message, the Bayelsa State Governor, His Excellency, Douye Diri, represented by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Chief Collins Cocodia, commended Governor Obaseki for his visionary leadership and the significant strides made in the state.
Governor Diri extolled Obaseki’s commitment towards transforming the state into a hub for tourism and economic development, highlighting the establishment of the Rema Dome as a legacy project that will continue to benefit the people, long after Obaseki’s tenure.
Diri said: “Edo with its rich culture is home to me. From what you are doing here today, all I can say is that the battle of tomorrow is already conquered. On behalf of the Government and people of Bayelsa state, we say you are finishing well. You have done so well for your people and I pray your successor would do the same. Rema you are doing well to keep your generation afloat. God bless the Governor of Edo State.”
In her welcome address, the Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Uyi Oduwa Malaka, stated that the center will not only provide a world-class platform for local and international artists to showcase their talents but also create jobs, stimulate local businesses and contribute to the economic development of the state.
“The Dome is a place where music, art and culture would come alive. Where artists can showcase their talents and our youths can find inspiration and opportunities. We are laying the foundation of a new era of growth, development and prosperity in Edo State, creating a legacy that would outlast us, make our children proud to call Edo State their own. Let us continue to work together to make Edo a place where dreams come true, where creativity knows no bounds and where the spirit of excellence shines bright”, she noted.
Other goodwill messages were received from BMC Construction Ltd., Edo State Chairman, Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Comrade Willy Eghe Nova, amongst others.
During a State Lunch, organized as part of activities to receive the Edo-born artiste, Rema, ahead of his concert in Benin City, Governor Godwin Obaseki congratulated the renowned artiste for his unparalleled feat in the international music and art arena, especially for being an icon of excellence, symbol of hope and motivation for young Edo citizens and residents.
Obaseki said: “I am sure, listening to Rema, for me, what I hear and see is a bundle of intelligence and smartness. And that is what hits me about him the first time we met in this house; that he is talent-personified. And the way his mind works, the ideas that he exudes, my God, they are classic.
“Having him home to do this homecoming has given us an opportunity to interact with him even more, and the interaction with him just reveals more about who he is and how his mind works. And the reason why we as a government have welcomed him and joined in promoting him is because he is a symbol of what we aspire to be”.
Obaseki reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing world-class infrastructures and enabling environment for youths in the state to discover their talents, thrive, and be productive in any endeavour they find themselves.
In his remarks, Divine Ikubor, Rema, commended the developmental strides of Governor Godwin Obaseki in grooming young talents in the state and transforming Edo into a modern city with laudable infrastructural developments.
He expressed his passion and willingness to support young Edo citizens and residents who aspire to become great in any endeavour they have prioritized, even beyond arts and music.
He said: “I want to say a big thank you to everyone here; the Edo State Government. I want to say thank you to Governor Godwin Obaseki and his team for this warm welcome, for putting everything in place. Wow, I would say a few months back, when I came, after like six years, I saw a lot of advancement, a lot of changes, and it just keeps me quite optimistic to see what Benin is going to be like in the future.
“I am very proud of the Governor’s team; a lot of enthusiastic, passionate, smart people, and I am actually quite surprised, because I have been in a lot of settings and even a lot of governmental settings where I like to hear them speak, I like to hear them talk about the future, especially for the young people.
“From what I see, I am quite confident and I want to play a part; I want to be a part of it; even the ones outside music impacting the youths. I would say, there is this fire that is in every person who comes from Benin. There is this fire burning in us. And for me, what I feel is, we just need that one opportunity to prove ourselves, just that one opportunity, and for us to see good governance.
He added: “When I had the opportunity to be Rema, the Rema you know, I never used to sing, I just used to rap, but when I saw the opportunity I got to switch. I have to sing because I know where I’m coming from and I know the youths that need to be inspired. I have to represent. I didn’t just see it as my opportunity, I saw it as an opportunity for a lot of youths ahead of time.”
He further congratulated and expressed delight on the successes recorded by other well-known artistes who hail from Edo, noting that he was proud of them.
“I am proud to see my brothers winning; for example, Shallipopi, and others. It just took one person to show that it is possible. So, in every aspect or sector of entertainment, governance, or being a doctor, lawyer, whatever, it just takes one person that is very passionate about not just themselves, but passionate about carrying everyone along, carrying the culture along”, he said.
