Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and Afrobeats sensation Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, on Wednesday, led the groundbreaking ceremony for the Edo Arena, a new state-of-the-art conference hall and event center named ‘The Dome’. The facility will be located on the grounds of the former Garrick Memorial School on Ekehuan Road in Benin City, Edo State.
Rema, who arrived in his hometown of Benin City on Tuesday, is set to perform at a much-anticipated homecoming concert on Friday, August 30, 2024. He expressed gratitude to the people of Edo State for their unwavering love and support and commended Governor Obaseki for his transformative projects over the past eight years.
Speaking at the event, Rema said, “I am happy to be here. I thank Edo people for their prayers and support. I am proud of the state, especially the growth recorded so far. I am proud of the togetherness, passion, and zeal to make it greater.” He also emphasized his commitment to initiatives that empower young people, saying, “I am proud of the youths and ready to take part in anything that will give a drive to the youths, strengthen and motivate them. This is a blessing and I will see to it that this project is finished well.”
Governor Obaseki explained the motivation behind the project, citing a need for a larger event venue in the state. “When we came into government in 2016, we didn’t have a venue for events but rather we were hiring canopies for events and renting places for large events. It became clear that we needed to have a venue where we could host large events,” he said.
He highlighted Edo State’s strategic location and the influx of traffic through it as key advantages. “Edo enjoys tremendous traffic as most Nigerians move through Edo State, and we noticed that it’s a huge economic advantage for us. We have the capacity to host national events and attract all Nigerians here,” he added.
Obaseki further detailed the vision behind the project, noting that The Dome will serve as an entertainment hub capable of hosting a variety of events, from concerts to national conferences. He also emphasized the potential economic benefits, including increased tourism and youth employment. “The number of large people that will come will enjoy the culture and what the people of the state can offer. Hotels will spring up in different locations in the state, creating room for the employment of more youths,” he said.
The governor expressed optimism that the project would attract more investors and further solidify Edo State’s position as a cultural and tourism destination in Nigeria. He also praised the involvement of Rema, stating, “When you have people like Rema associated with a project like this, it becomes a global project.”
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, and the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Diaspora Affairs, Uyi Oduwa Malaka, among other top government officials. The Dome is expected to boost Edo State’s status as a center for culture, sports, and tourism.
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