Former Minister of State for Education, Chief Kenneth Gbagi declared that country was in its best shape under the leadership of the Goodluck Jonathan-led administration.
The Delta State born politician who is interested in the governorship seat of the state has opined that he is in the best capacity to take on from where ever the incumbent governor, Ifeanyi Okowa stops.
Also highlighting some of his achievement as a former minister said over 13 universities, seven Colleges of Education and various model and Almajiri were established under his administration as minister of state for education, adding that Nigerians were given the privileged of a high access to education at all levels under the supervision of his boss, former president Goodluck Jonathan.
While speaking during a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Delta State Council at the Union’s temporary secretariat in Asaba, Gbagi said his dream of becoming the next governor of the state would never be dented by political detractors or propaganda.
Gbagi while speaking revealed he would be termed as the one minister who has not been invited for talks with any anti-graft agency after his time in office.
In his words:
I am the 42nd Minister under President Goodluck Jonathan, and till date, I remain the only ex-minister that has not been invited to discuss theft because there was no need for it.
When it comes to public funds, I don’t steal, as a Journalist go and Google me, I have rejected three ministerial appointments. So it is not about money. Thank God for the arrival of Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta State was the most backward State in the country.
This is because when you know the revenue that is coming in as a state and the level of development, you will discover we were nowhere. “The current Governor is doing very well, he has proven to be a good administrator, and I wish him to finish very strong.
Gbagi in his resolve promised to open the state to his vision of industrialization of the state adding that he would consolidate on the foundation of his prospective predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa.
However, as an industrialist, the greatest investor in Delta State, I will build on what he has done. Someone wants to know how I will build 100 industries in my first 100 days.
In his words:
Gbagi also berated the habit of some over-zealous journalists who seek to dent the name of leaders unjustly for some personal gains and to wrongly redirect the perspective of Nigerians for the wrong reasons.
Journalist today is ready to do anything, publish anything against anyone just because of little financial rewards. Journalist today does not speak truth to power. When you see someone that is a thief, you call him a thief. Journalists are ready to do anything just for peanuts.
Chairman of the Delta State Council of the NUJ, Comrade Mike Ikeogwu in his response said members of the council were solely focused on professionalism, fairness and equity in their duties, adding that the council would be major participants in the forthcoming 2023 elections.
