The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Benin City

  • Obaseki offers space for local drug production

    …scent leaf, oil palm, senna to be used as raw materials

    As work intensifies on the development of the Benin Industrial Park, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his administration is willing to work with the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) and Pas Herbal to produce drugs from scent leaf and Senna at the park, which will house a pharmaceutical industry.

    The governor disclosed this when he received executive members of the NIPRD, who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, in Benin City, Edo State capital.

    While commending the research institute for identifying the state’s competitive advantage in the production of high-value crops, such as scent leaf, senna and oil palm, he noted that his administration would create the enabling environment for the production of drugs from the crops, which will add value to Nigeria’s economy.

    He said, “We have identified scent leaf and senna as projects of interest. We will like to enter a tripartite collaboration, so we can identify the areas that the plants will do well and the markets for the products.”

    Read Also: Obaseki charges contingent to restore Edo’s glory

    Obaseki noted that the state was collaborating with the Natural Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) to boost local production and processing of oil palm in the state, adding that a section at the Benin Industrial Park would house a pharmaceutical industry to strengthen collaboration with the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development.

    Earlier, Director-General of NIPRD, Dr. Obi Adigwe, said the Institute was seeking collaboration with the Edo State Government to add value to its pharmaceutical company, which is currently not leaving up to expectations.

    Noting that the Institute was seeking collaboration with the state government and relevant stakeholders to produce drugs from natural resources, Adigwe said the NIPRD focuses on drug products, processes and development of drug protocols that will enable the state governments to support local production of drugs from natural resources.

    “One of the areas of interest to the institute is harnessing natural resources that are specific to some states. Three products have been identified in Edo: scent leaf, senna and oil palm. Senna can be used to make drugs that treat constipation and  weight problem. These natural resources could be harnessed by the state government using local people and increasing the value chain of the products for local and international markets.”

  • Police kill suspected robber in Edo

    Men of the Edo State Police Command have shot a suspected armed robber dead during a shoot out.

    The slain robber and his fleeing gang members were robbing residents of Upper Mission when a police patrol team ran into them.

    They were said to have robbed a man of his Honda Pilot Jeep along Akpakpava  Street in Benin City before heading to other areas in the metropolis.

    Read Also: Police arrest 51 suspected IPOB members in Umuahia

    State Police Commissioner, Babatunde Kokumo, said efforts were on to arrest to arrest other members of the gang.

    Kokumo listed items recovered from the robbers to include one AK 47 rifle, one military camouflage, 26 assorted phones, N46,000, two cutlasses and one jack knife.

    He said the police would rid the state of criminal to ensure a crime free Yuletide celebration.

  • Obaseki increases roads earmarked for reconstruction from 109 to 140

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has increased the number of roads earmarked for reconstruction across the state from 109 to 140, intensifying efforts to fill the infrastructure gap in the state.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said Governor Obaseki gave the approval for reconstruction work to be carried out on more major roads and streets, at the weekly State Executive Council meeting held in Government House, in Benin City, on Wednesday, November 21, 2018.

    The reconstruction work is coming in the wake of an audit of roads across the state to ascertain the level of remedial work needed to bring the roads back to shape.

    Osagie said the approval brings the number of roads affected from 109 to over 140, noting that Governor Obaseki is concerned about alleviating the hardship experienced in plying bad roads.

    He noted, “We have put modalities in place to ensure contractors are mobilised to undertake this remedial work during the dry season, as promised. The work will be in line with the findings from the audit of roads earlier carried out.

    “The plan is to ensure that reconstruction work is carried out on all parts of the state and that the affected roads are in good state. The state government is clear about instructions to contractors on the quality of work to be carried out.”

    Read Also: Obaseki backs Oshiomhole against Amosun, Okorocha

    Reconstruction is ongoing at Boundary Road and Commercial Avenue, as well as Ogbelaka, Yoruba Street and Dumez Road, Ugbor-Amagba Road.

    Others are parts of Government Reservation Area (GRA) in Benin City, including Etete and Adesuwa Road, as well as 1st and 2nd Ugbor and other roads in the axis.

    Edo Central, work has reached appreciable stage in Mousco-Ukpenu Road, Ekpoma; Irrua – Uromi Road; Secretarial Road, Igueben; Union Bank Road, Igueben and Uwenlebo Road, Ekpoma, among several others, including those in Edo North Senatorial District.

  • Edo to host Buhari, as President commissions Edo-Azura Plant

    …To attend COAS conference

    Edo State Government  will on Tuesday, November 27, host President Muhammadu Buhari, who will commission the Edo-Azura Power Plant and grace the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Annual Conference, which is billed to hold in Benin City, the state capital.

    In a statement, Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said that preparations are in top gear to give the president a grand reception.

    According to him, “We are delighted that the President will be in the state for the Chief of Army Staff Conference, the commissioning of the Edo-Azura Power Plant and other engagements in Benin City, the Edo State capital. Preparations are in top gear to give the president a befitting welcome.”

    The governor’s aide added that  “Much as we are certain that the impressive governance model by Governor Godwin Obaseki is one of the reasons we are having August visitors from the Federal Government, we are also delighted that the President is coming down by himself this time.”

    Read Also: Edo SDGs assures of quality education

    Osagie explained that some of the activities lined up for the visit include a visit to the Palace of Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II; commissioning of the Edo-Azura Power Plant, and will attend the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Annual Conference.

    He said that the state government is pleased to have the president commission the Edo-Azura Power Plant, which is a shinning example of the state’s attractiveness to investors and a boost to the ease of doing business.

    “The Edo-Azura Power Plant is a success story in the state’s drive to keep investors and has become a model for other states in the country. We are very much delighted that the President will be here to commission the facility.

    “This will be the second time, we are having a visit from the Presidency in less than six months and it shows we are doing something right. So, we are indeed happy to have the President,” he added.

  • Police vow to uncover bankers involved in currency sales 

    Edo State Police is currently on the trail of some bankers who engaged in the sale of Nigeria currency.

    It said some suspects arrested have made statements on how they got the naira notes.

    Edo Police Commissioner, Babatunde Kokumo, stated this when he paraded eight persons including two females arrested in different parts of Benin City for engaging in illicit sales of Nigerian legal tender (naira notes).

    The sum of N12.5m stashed in different warehouses was recovered from them.

    Kokumo said the clampdown was the command’s enforcement drive to implementing the Presidential order prohibiting the illicit sales of naira notes as enshrined in section 20 and 21 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Acts.

    Kokumo said the operation was carried out in collaboration with Department of State Security Services and the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    He said the clampdown on illegal currency dealers would be continuous until the offenders are completely wiped out.

    The Edo Police boss warned those intending to engage in the illicit sales of naira notes for the purpose of selling to people at occasions to desist from the act.

    Names of the arrested suspects were given as Frankyn Izukwu, Obi Alex, Osazuwa Osagede, Deborah Igbinosa and Elvis Iyomana.

    The suspects said they were only employed to sell the naira notes.

    They said the new naira notes are gotten from Lagos and Abuja while old notes are sourced from local banks.

  • Alaghodaro: Waje, Mayorkun to inspire Edo youths at concert

    As part of activities lined up for the 2018 Alaghodaro Summit, to mark Governor Godwin Obaseki’s second year anniversary, Edo State will on Friday, play host to A-list artistes led by popular songstress, Waje and Hip-Hop rave, Mayorkun, in Benin city.

    A statement by Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said that the state government has finalized plans for the concert, which will fete Edo youths at the King’s Square in Benin City.

    He noted that the concert is part of activities lined up for the 2018 Alaghodaro Summit, which showcases Governor Obaseki’s investment in Edo people, specifically in health care, education and job creation.

    He added that the event will start from 6pm, after the two major events in the day, namely; EdoJobs Job Fair/Summit, holding at the Edo Innovation Hub and Women’s Summit, which holds at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) Sports Complex, Ugbowo, Benin City.

    According to him, “We are intent on engaging the youths, who are major drivers of economic growth. In the course of the last two years, we have rolled out a number of programmes to get them busy, with the most impactful being EdoJobs and the Edo Innovation Hub.”

    He said that one of the lead acts, Waje, was raised in Benin City, and aside featuring as an act for the concert, will also inspire youths in the state, adding, “We realize that youths need role models, people who have gone through the same stress as they did, walked the same streets and all that, but have come out triumphant in life. That is the message that Waje will be bringing to Edo youths at the concert.”

    He said other local acts will also be featured at the concert, adding that the state government prioritises the arts industry and is already devising means to mainstream the sector into its programmes, an effort that will be set off with the Edo TV Village, among other initiatives.

  • Blackout in Benin as BEDC picketing enters day two

    There is total black out in Benin City and environs as the picketing of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) enters day two.
    It was gathered the police have invited the leadership of NUEE for questioning over alleged unauthorized protest.
    The black out was as a result of the switching off and shutting down of many sub-injection stations of the BEDC by the protesters.
    Deputy President of NUEE in charge of the Southern zone, Comrade Christian Omoneh, said the protest was as a result of the BEDC management to sign condition of service for its employees.
    Comrade Omoneh accused the BEDC of disregarding collective agreement, refusal to pay arrears of salary for 32 months and non-payment of 2017 performance efficiency bonus.
    The entrance gate of the BEDC has been under lock and key since Wednesday morning when the picketing began.
    Commenting on the black out, spokesman for the BEDC, Mr. Tayo Adekunle, said some parts of Benin City were experiencing black out due to a faulty 60 mva transformer belonging to the Transmission Company of Nigeria.
    He said there was another cable explosion at the 150mva transformer at Ihovbor power plant.
    Tayo stated that BEDC field workers reported that NUEE members switched off some sub-stations supplying electricity to consumers.

    Read Also: Flood: Benin residents call on Govt. to construct drains

    He explained that the areas of contentions were request by the union for BEDC to give loans to their members and pay Exit token above affordable level to staff that are wxitwd from employment.
     The BEDC spokesman said the position of BEDC Management was in line with what obtains in unionized private sector organizations and in tune with BEDC financial reality in a power sector that is just evolving.
     
    Tayo said the BEDC declared  a trade dispute and wrote to the Federal Ministry of Labour requesting for their arbitration intervention after NUEE rejected the BEDC offer.
    According to him, “We are however surprised at the action of NUEE to embark on the picketing, without regard for the rule of law and legal process or recourse to BEDC Management, security agencies and the labour ministry.
    “Management wishes to note the assault on some of our staff involved in the crusade against illegal activities on BEDC network during today’s picketing, an act which shows deliberate attempt to sabotage of our policy to eradicate illegality and improve power supply to customers.
    “It should be noted that some injection substations are shut down due to this illegal picketing and assault taken against staff who are manning these locations in order to prevent customers from receiving power.”

  • Obaseki pledges support for One Million Trees project in Edo

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured of his administration’s commitment to sustain the One Million Trees for Peace Afforestation project on-going in the state.

    Obaseki made the commitment when he received members of the Board of Association Bernadette Strebel World Peace (ABSWP) based in Switzerland and Spain, who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Benin City on Wednesday.

    The governor lamented that the forest cover of the state has dropped to less than six per cent, noting that replenishment through continuous tree planting is paramount.

    “We are committed to the protection of the forest covers in the state in order to tackle climate change and preserve our beautiful state for future generations. We are ready to support the replenishment of our trees which are our heritage,” he added.

    He assured that with the setting up of the Edo Forestry Commission, the state would be able to plant one million trees in two years.

    Earlier, the president of the association, Mrs Bermadette Strebel, said the association in 2008, promised to support the Edo State Government’s Reforestation programme by raising one million trees to be planted in the state.

    Read Also: Obaseki’s aide resigns, joins PDP

    Strebel added that about 270,000  trees have been planted in the state since the inception of the project.

    She noted that the world forests were depleting at an alarming rate and commended the governor Obaseki-led administration for giving support to forest regeneration.

    “The establishment of the Advisory Committee on Forestry and the proposed Edo Forestry Commission are welcome development. You are working in line with the saying that the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago and the second-best time is now” the President said.

    She also expressed appreciation for the cooperation of the Africa Initiative for World Peace  in Europe and the Edo State Government in the implementation of the One Million Trees for Peace Afforestation project.

  • Obaseki okays construction of recreational centres for elderly persons

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said modalities have been put in place to set up recreational centers to cater for elderly persons in the state, so as to provide for their peculiar needs.

    Obaseki disclosed this at the 5th Conference of Elderly Persons’ Association of Nigeria in Benin City, Edo State.

    The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Magdalene Ohenhen, noted that the decision to set-up recreational centres for the elderly was in line with a country-wide resolution to provide recreational facilities for elderly persons.

    “In a communique issued at the end of the 18th August Meeting of the National Council on Women Affairs and Social Development, it was considered that states should establish recreational centres for the aged. We consider this proposal important and have since set the machinery in motion towards actualising it,” he noted.

    Obaseki commended members of the association for ensuring a unified body through which public attention could be drawn to the welfare of elderly persons in the society.

    Read Also: Poverty Eradication: Obaseki faults old strategies

    He said that assessing the general standard of living in any society is partly hinged on how the society caters for the highly vulnerable persons which include children, women and the elderly, adding, “My administration will continue to prioritise social welfare for the needy and vulnerable persons.”

    The governor explained that in the ongoing refurbishment of primary health care centres across the state, adequate provision has been made to reduce the burden elderly persons in the state go through to access public healthcare centres.

    National President of the association, Rev. Adebesi Oluwoye, noted that the theme of the conference, ‘The Economic Challenges and the Blessings of Old Age’ was apt as the country was faced with numerous economic challenges.

    He said that it was regrettable that despite being blessed with abundant human and natural resources, Nigeria was still ranked as one of the poorest countries in the world.

  • Pension arrears: Edo screens Batch 46 pensioners for payment

    …sets Oct. 17, 18 for physical verification at Imaguero Hall

     

    The Edo State Government is set to commence the screening and payment of pension arrears to pensioners in batch 46, in the state.

    The exercise according to the Permanent Secretary/ Chairman, Edo State Pension Bureau, I. D. S. Juwobor, is in continuation of the on-going payment of pension arrears for state government pensioners.

    In a statement issued on Wednesday in Benin City, the Pension Bureau said the screening exercise will take place on Wednesday October 17 and Thursday 18, at Imaguero Hall, in Benin City.

    “All pensioners in batch 46 are hereby invited to present themselves for physical and documentary verification at the Imaguero Hall, Benin City on Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th October, 2018 at 9.00am each day,” the statement urged.

    “This announcement also serves as a notice to pensioners in batches 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45 who failed to participate in the previous verification exercises to take advantage of the scheduled forthcoming screening exercise alongside pensioners in batch46,” Juwobor said.

    Read Also: Edo not owing workers’ salaries – BudgIT

    He added: “State Government Pensioners in batch 46 and the spill over batches of 37-45 are advised to check the list of pensioners scheduled for the screening on the notice board in the office of the Head of Service on Monday 15 andTuesday 16, October 2018.

    “In furtherance of this, affected pensioners are advised to come to the venue of the verification exercise with the following documents on the scheduled dates of 17th and 18th October, 2018:Pension Authority; Retirement Letter; Letter of First Appointment; Pension Identity Card; Biometric Slip; and Bank details including bank name and Account Number.”

    The permanent secretary advised that “Pensioners who were screened in batch 45 but did not receive payments through their bank, should report at the Pensions Bureau, Office of the Head of Service, with printouts of their Pension Account Bank Statements covering September and October, 2018 for the ascertainment of their claims.”

    “Upon the conclusion of the verification exercise, the outstanding pension arrears of those screened will be credited into the pension account of each pensioner after necessary documentation by relevant agencies involved in the payment process,” he assured.