The Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu on Tuesday said he is an ambassador of the Nigeria journalists, NUJ any where he goes.
Shaibu stated this at the commissioning of the secretariat of the Correspondents Chapel of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He noted that, he is an aspirant for the Edo State 2024 governorship election and that he would continue to identify with the NUJ which saved his life under the military before the return to democracy in 1999.
According to him, “I am your ambassador anywhere I am. This not because of politics, but because of what you have done to save my life in the cause of doing your work.
“I wouldn’t have been deputy government today, if I am not alive, but there was a journalist that investigated and wrote a report, saved my life in the hands of the military.
“So, you can see why anytime you invite me, even if it is difficult, I must show up. Because, that is the only way I can appreciate you and show that what you are doing, you should keep it up and encourage you.
“I would have done more, but you know there is tension between the governor and I and for six months, no allocation to my office, so whatever I am doing is contributions from friends and my goodwill and I am still standing very strong, I will continue to be strong because for me, Edo should be one, Edo at every time should be paramount in our minds.
“I am determined to make it what it ought to be and I am determined to make sure that good governance is seen, felt and touched.
“I am also determined to make sure that in all things, Edo must be first and I am determined to strengthening institutions. I came into politics because I feel that we should have an egalitarian society, I came into politics to make institutions strong because that is the only way you can have that society of our dream. When institutions are strong, you deal with those guys that think they are powerful, moderate their excesses, and also promote and help the weak, in the society.
“Institution do not know the rich, strong, and the poor, it takes care of all strata of life. That is what I am standing for, that is my calling to joining politics.
“That is why I have sacrificed a lot of things to make sure the Institution call Edo works. I even sacrificed my personal entitlement to make sure this institution works and in the coming weeks, I will give a stewardship of what I have done as deputy governor from 2016 to date.
“I will catalogue it to things I am entitled that I had to forfeit for peace and tranquility and I will also catalogue some of the things that I have been asked to do as deputy governor and I have done them credibly well.
“My loyalty is not purchased but genuine, real to Edo people and to make institutions strong.” Shaibu added.