Viral sleeping photos: 'I'm not a machine', says Governor Obaseki

The Edo State Government has addressed viral sleeping photos of Governor Obaseki at the United Nation’s General Assembly, says it is due to the hard work.

In a press statement, the Special Adviser to Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusie Osagie said the Governor was unable to control the nature call due to fatigue.

He highlighted that Obaseki had engaged in some tedious official duties in his state of call before embarking on the trip with the president of the federal republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari.

“The disparagers have populated the internet with photographs of the governor when he momentarily succumbed to fatigue after a long flight, preceded by a chaotic itinerary in Edo State before heading to New York for the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, in the United States of America.

“Despite Governor Obaseki’s rare work culture, unmatched by his peers, we have never portrayed him as a machine. He can experience fatigue and exhaustion, an indisputable fact of life, to which all humans are susceptible.” He said.

The media aide to the governor went ahead to list the activities of the governor before embarking on the journey to New York as part of the president’s entourage.

Osagie said: “Those who are familiar with the daily work schedule of Governor Godwin Obaseki have attested to his rare and unique work ethics, devoid of fanfare and trivialities.

“A cursory look at the governor’s itinerary between September 21 – 23rd, before he entered the UN meetings in New York, shows the following: Friday September 21, 2018, 9:30am, Swearing-in of members of the Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC) Board; 10:30am, Swearing-in of new members of the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB); 12noon, Meeting with Amaju Pinnick, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President; 12-5pm, attended to mails and correspondence; 5-7pm, on the road from Benin City to Irrua in Edo Central.

“Between 7-9pm, he held a meeting with Edo Central Community and Political leaders in Irrua; from 9-10pm, he was on the road from Irrua to Fugar, headquarters of Etsako Central Local Government Area. From 10 pm to 12 am the next day, he held a meeting with community and political leaders in Fugar.

“On that same Saturday between 12-3am, Obaseki met with overseers of the Health Improvement Programme (HIP) along with his Chief of Staff, Chief Taiwo Akerele; the Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie; Executive Assistant, Ethan Uzamere; in Fugar, Etasko Central LGA.

“The team rested between 4-7am on Saturday and proceeded to Warake to inspect the Primary Healthcare Centre there, which is near completion.

“Between 9-10am, the governor was on the road from Warake to Okpella where he commissioned the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN)’s Power Transformer in Okpella.

“From 11 am, he headed to St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Emaudo in Ekpoma, for the memorial Church Service of the late Professor Ambrose Alli, former governor of old Bendel State. He was at the late Prof. Ambrose Alli’s House for a visit from 4 pm and was on the road from Ekpoma to Benin City between 4:30 and 6 pm.

“He left Benin City for New York around 6 pm and was scheduled to arrive New York between 11-12noon, Sunday (New York time) for the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly.”

Osagie further blamed the virality on members of the public who are against the administration of the incumbent governor, tagging it as “mischievous campaign” which should not be taken seriously.

“The idle hands and mischievous minds behind the smear campaign against governor Obaseki are clearly not people to be taken seriously.” He said.