The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Edo government

  • BREAKING: Security beef in Edo Government House over likelihood of Shaibu’s resumption

    BREAKING: Security beef in Edo Government House over likelihood of Shaibu’s resumption

    Security has been beefed up at the Government House in the Government Reservation Area (GRA) of Benin over the likelihood the reinstated Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, will resume office on Monday. 

    Many security operatives, including policemen, Department of State Services (DSS) officials and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), among others are on standby, with many Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) to prevent the breakdown of law and order.

    They prevented vehicles into Government House from the first gate with staff, journalists, visitors, and others politely asked to trek, leaving their cars behind.

    Edo Deputy Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebomhiana Musa, said: “Our attention has been drawn to the effect that Edo State Deputy Governor,  His Excellency,  Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, is making plans to invade the Government House on Monday, September 30, 2024, in a bid to enforce two different court judgements, ordering his reinstatement. 

    “We want to put it clearly here that, unlike Governor Godwin Obaseki,  Philip Shaibu is a peace-loving man, who firmly believes in the rule of law and would not want to shed innocent blood, for whatever reason. 

    “As it is today, in eyes of the law and in the eyes of the good people of Edo State, indeed, Nigerians, Philip Shaibu is the de jure and de facto Deputy Governor of Edo State.  We need not fight or struggle for that which God has given us. 

    “Obaseki and his co-travellers should accept the fact that the good people of Edo State have spoken, and his godson, Asue Ighodalo, has been roundly rejected at the governorship election of September 21, 2024. Sadly, this reality is yet to dawn on them. 

    “Crusoe Osagie (Special Adviser to Edo Governor on Media Projects), the purveyor of the fake news, is well known as an alarmist and propagandist who thrives on rumours and beer parlour gossips, with little or no respect for the ethics of our cherished profession, Journalism. So, he has to be ignored.”

    Special Adviser to Obaseki on Media Projects Crusoe Osagie accused Shaibu of planning to invade Government House with thugs. 

    Obaseki’s media aide alleged that the planned invasion by Shaibu, was to enforce his reinstatement despite the fact that a stay of execution appeal had been filed, challenging Justice James Omotosho’s judgment. 

    He called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, and all well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on Shaibu to refrain from his “devious” plot, which he described as a clear recipe for chaos.

    But Shaibu’s camp denied the allegation, saying he is a man of peace. 

    Details shortly…

  • Edo production centre opens for business

    The building was derelict. It used to house the Edo State Printing Press. But for many years, the place was locked. Edo government had to look elsewhere for its printing job.

    Today the building located inside the Edo Magistrate Court’s complex on Sapele Road is wearing a new look. It was renovated not to be used as a printing press but to be the first production and processing centre for artisans, micro, small and medium enterprises as envisioned by Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    The Edo Production Centre would be a multipurpose, one-stop-shop for small businesses. share support infrastructure such as 24 hours electricity, security and low-cost financing to help boost economic growth in the state. The centre is being built in partnership with the Market Development for the Niger Delta (MADE) II programme, Benson Idahosa University (BIU) and the Des Moines Area Community College in Iowa, the United States of America.

    The 24-hour electricity supply will be provided from the Ossiomo power plant following the power purchase agreement with the Edo State government.

    Already, over 200 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have written letters of interest to establish their businesses at the Edo Production Centre. This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Physical Plan-ning and Urban  Development, Edorodion Oye Erimona, at a stakeholders meeting with MSME operators in the state.

    Erimona assured interested business owners that the centre would be a one-stop-shop for MSMEs to enjoy economies of scale and low cost of production.

    Those that have indicated interested in the centre, according to Erimona, are furniture makers, cobblers, welders, bakers, polythene makers and a number of other interested small business owners.

    According to him, “This centre will accommodate MSMEs while the Benin Industrial Park will host big industries. The electricity for the center will be drawn from the Ossiomo Power Purchase Arrangement. Pollution in the environment will be minimal as the businesses will be MSMEs.”

    Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the governor on Skills Development and Job Creation, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, said major renovation work has been done ate centre which necessitated the meeting with stakeholder to keep them abreast of the progress on the project so that they can key into it.

    She said there would be live-in desks for relevant government agencies to engage, support and provide services to small businesses at the centre, noting that the agencies to be hosted are the Bank of Industry (BoI), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Edo Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), among others.

    According to her, “A month ago, the governor came to inspect this facility, which will be used as a multi-purpose production centre. We have commenced renovation of the facility. We have done the electrical work and we are working to make this place habitable. The idea is to make sure that by the time the project is completed, it will be used by everyone in the target group.

    “The Edo Production Centre is a space where small manufacturing and production businesses can take advantage of constant power supply, advanced training facilities and a space to do their business.

    “We realised that typical skills acquisition programmes need to be revamped to create lasting impact and provide viable paths to prosperity for youths. So, skills acquisition in Edo is currently delivered alongside entrepreneurship and business management, start-up acceleration, digital marketing and branding programmes.

    “Artisan groups to benefit from the project include welders, furniture makers, tailors, aluminium fabricators, shoe manufacturers, wood processors and so on,” she added.

    A member of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Comrade Valentine Asuen, said the incentives which the Edo Production Centre offers will enable businesses run at minimal cost adding that what discourages small business operators in most cases is the cost of rent and power.

    “We are confident that when the centre starts taking in people in the next few weeks, things will turn for the better for entrepreneurs in the state. The centre will run on power that is independent of the national grid. The stable power will spur expansion of businesses.

    “At the last meeting we held with the representatives of the state government, we were assured that the centre will host different businesses such as furniture makers, cobblers, welders, bakers, polythene makers and a number of other interested small business owners. In a matter of weeks, it will become easier for customers to have access to different products to be manufactured at the centre.”

    Governor Obaseki on his part said several production and processing centres would be set up across the state. He said the second processing centre which is located inside the Government Science and Technical College, formerly Benin Technical College (BTC), would be launch in September.

    Obaseki explained that arrangements have been completed to get uninterrupted power supply to the facility while the Magistrate Court within the premises would be relocated.

    “The power contractor has assured that within the next fortnight, they will provide electricity for the Production Centre.  We should be relocating the court houses to the various local government councils,” he said.

    “I am looking for other facilities in Irrua and Auchi to create more processing centres. The centre will have facilities that artisans and small and medium scale enterprises will utilise to grow their businesses.

    “We are reviewing the companies and we are making arrangement on how people from the state can be trained to provide the needed skills for the companies that will operate at the park.

    “We are encouraging people to invest in the state so that your skills will be in high demand.”

    Obaseki further assured that efforts are being made to “expand opportunities for micro-credit of single-digit interest rate for women to encourage entrepreneurship and boost disposable income while improving the quality of lives of the beneficiaries.”

  • Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium renovation almost ready – Site Engineer

    Renovation of the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, Benin has reached 75 per cent completion and the job will be delivered January 2019, according to the site Engineer of the project, Femi James.

    James, who works with Peculiar Ultimate Consult, the company handling the renovation, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Thursday.

    He said the replacing the artificial grass with a natural grass as well the roofing and replacement of the seats, which he described as the major work, would commence within the next few days.

    The site engineer said planting of the natural grass would start before weekend would be expected to finish before the end of next week.

    James said the containers housing the new seats had been received, adding that the stadium was awaiting the commencement of work on them, soonest.

    Rad Also: Edo begins upgrade of Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium

     

    “Right now, we are approaching the finishing gradually, we have started replacing the artificial grass with the natural grass, and we should be through by next week with the grass.

    “On the seats, we will start work on that section within the next two weeks. The seats are here with us. As for the roofing, we should be done with that by January also.

    “In all, we have attained 75 per cent completion and should be completing the entire process by ending of January next year,” he said.

    On what to expect upon completion, James said, “We are expecting a FIFA standard from the pitch, grass and roofing. We are other just roofing; we are also covering the sides.”

    James further disclosed that the company was on the verge of signing a contract with the Edo Government on the renovation of the indoor sports hall, swimming pools and other facilities at the stadium.

    He said the idea was to standardise facilities in the entire complex.

  • Edo to train 150 victims of human trafficking, returnees

    The Edo Government has approved the training of 150 victims of human trafficking and returnees from Libya on agriculture and other vocations in efforts to reintegrate them into the society.

    The training will be conducted by the Initiatives For Youth Awareness On Migration, Development and Reintegration (IYAMIDR), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), in conjunction with the state government.

    The President of the Initiative, Mr Solomon Okoduwa, announced the training plan to newsmen in Benin on Wednesday.

    Okoduwa said the training, which was proposed by the IYAMIDIR to Gov. Godwin Obaseki, would begin on Monday, Aug. 7.

    He said the state Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development would be the state government agency to collaborate with the NGO to organise the training.

    He said the programme would help to build the capacity of the victims in the agro foods chain and create a template for the reintegration of the returnees.

    It will also provide exemplary standard for intending migrants in addition to enhancing the nation’s food security.

    Okoduwa said the victims would be empowered by the state government to establish their own business after the training.

    “Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has approved the training and empowerment programme for Edo youths and victims of human trafficking under the Edo Agricultural Development Programme,’’ he said.

    According to him, 150 victims of human trafficking and returnees are the first batch of people to benefit from the human capacity programme.

    He said that the initiative was aimed at improving the skills of the victims and reintegrate them to become self-reliant, responsive and responsible citizens.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at a workshop, recently held on human trafficking, Obaseki had promised to provide enabling environment for youths to harness their potential.

    He said that if myouths were thoroughly trained, there would be an end to illegal migration and human trafficking in Edo.

  • Govt. solicits cooperation of stakeholders to improve sanitary condition in Benin

    Edo Government says it will partner with stakeholders to improve sanitary condition at major streets and markets in Benin Metropolis.

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki, represented by the Secretary to the state government, Mr Osarodion Ogie, stated this on Friday during an interactive session with landlords, traders, property owners and community leaders around Ring road and environ.

    Obaseki said that his administration had conceived the ‘Edo Clean Up Project’’ and required the people of the state to cooperate with government in the execution of the project.

    According to him, the interactive meeting is to share our ideas with you on what can be done to improve the sanitary condition around the Benin Metropolis, namely Ring road area, Lagos Street, Ibiewe Street, Ebo Street, Ekpenede area.

    ‘’This administration has come up with the ‘Edo Cleanup Project’; we don’t want to do anything without carrying the people along.

    “We have discussed with the market women in the area and we have decided to interact with you as landlords, traders, property owners and community leaders on the state of our environment and how to improve the sanitary condition of the area,’’ he said.

    Obaseki said that the state government would not relent in its efforts to clean up the affected areas in the state.

    He stated that the state government was making plans to create additional markets to absorb the traders that would be displaced from the affected areas.

    He added that government would not hesitate to recover its land located around the Benin metropolis for purposes of motor parks and markets.

    A trader, Mr Michael Ezeani, commended the state government for carrying them along in the implementation of the ‘Edo Cleanup Project’.

    Ezeani, the President of Akugbe Multi-traders Association, said that the traders were ready to partner the state government to make the affected area clean.

    He said the traders have acquired a large parcel of land for a proposed market with a free C of O given by the previous administration and called for support of the government to develop the market.

     

  • Edo Govt registers 50,000 farmers for CBN loan

    Edo Govt registers 50,000 farmers for CBN loan

    The Edo Government has screened and registered no fewer than 50,000 farmers for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) loan in the 2016 cropping season.

    Mr Abubakar Sule, Edo North Zonal Manager, Edo Agricultural Development Programme (EADP), made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Auchi on Friday.

    Sule said that of the 50,000 farmers, 25,000 were from Edo South, 10,000, Edo Central, while 15,000 were from Edo North.

    He said the CBN loan was being facilitated by the state government, adding that the individual farmers needed to belong to a cooperative society to be a beneficiary.

    He said that farmers, who grow Maize, Rice, Cassava, Oil Palm and livestock farmers such as poultry, piggery and fishery would benefit from the facility.

    Sule said that the gesture was the state government’s way of assisting farmers to boost the cultivation of food production in the state.

    He said the state government had trained its extension service workers on how to guide the farmers to reduce risk and enhance farm yields.

    He said that EADP would ensure that farmers had access to variety of seeds and other high yielding inputs to enhance production.

  • Erosion: Residents want Edo govt. to fix Auchi-Igarra road

    A cross section of residents of Auchi in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo, on Wednesday appealed to the state government to fix the Auchi-Igarra road being threatened by gully erosion.

    The residents made the appeal in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    NAN checks in the area indicated that the road is being washed away by the erosion, hindering vehicular movement.

    Mr Ahmed Iyeikemeh, a resident of the area, said the problem had been a source of concern to the people of the community.

    Iyeikemeh said that if urgent steps were not taken to address the problem, the community would be cut off from other local governments.
    “The heavy rains have continued to wreak havoc on portions of the road which had already developed into a gully.

    “If urgent steps are not taken to control the erosion, the road will become history,” he said.

    A transporter, Mr Sunday Ajayi, said that the development had posed a serious danger to residents, especially motorists.

    “The erosion has almost divided the road into two and this menace is posing a danger to residents and motorists,’’ he said.

    Ajayi noted that the effect of the erosion had caused a lot of accidents which had led to loss of lives.

    According to him, the present situation of the road is beyond the local government’s control, adding that only the state government could fix it.

    Another resident, Mr Collins Aituameh, said several appeals have been made to relevant authorities on the menace posed by the erosion.

    “We have made reports to relevant agencies and it is our hope that the authorities will do the needful and put an end to the ravaging erosion.

    “We are appealing to the state government to assist us in finding a permanent solution to this life-threatening menace,” he said.

  • Edo withdraws letter on Oba of Benin

    Edo State Government has withdrawn a letter earlier issued on the Oba of Benin, saying it was issued in error.

    In a retraction signed by the Secretary to State Government, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, dated May 25, 2016, the government stated: “In deference to the revered age-long tradition and respect for the sensibilities of the people of the great Benin Kingdom, the Government of Edo State hereby withdraws a letter issued on 24th May 2016 entitled: “Appointment of His Royal Highness Edaiken N’Uselu, Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa as the Oba of Benin.”

    “The said letter was issued in error as the rites of passage of His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba of Benin are still on.

    “The Government will, in due course, issue a fresh letter on the installation of the Edaiken N’Uselu, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa as the Oba of Benin, in line with the age-long succession tradition of the Benin Kingdom and in line with Section 19 (1) of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law, 1979 (as amended) and by virtue of all other laws enabling it in that behalf, after all necessary traditional rites are concluded.”

  • Edo: Buhari seeks Senate approval for World Bank loan

    Edo: Buhari seeks Senate approval for World Bank loan

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday asked the Senate to approve a $75 million (about N14.7 billion) Word Bank facility for Edo State.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, read Buhari’s letter requesting the upper chamber to approve the loan for Edo State.

    Buhari said the loan is for developmental programme in Edo State.

    The Presidential letter is titled: “Request for approval to obtain 75million USD credit facilities from the World Bank for Edo State.”

    The President said, “I am writing to seek the consideration from the National Assembly an approval for the request from Edo State government to obtain a 75million dollar credit facility from the World Bank.

    “You may wish to know that the World Bank had approved a development policy program for the total sum of 225million dollars to Edo State government in 2012 to be implemented in three tranches of 75millon per annum.

    “The first tranche was approved by the National Assembly in the 2012/2014 Federal Government external rolling borrowing plan.

    “The Development Progamme Operation (DPO) has since been successfully implemented by the state in 2014.

    “Following this success, the bank’s board of executive directors approved the second tranche.

    “On April 29 2015, the DPO too was captured in the Federal Government external borrowing plan of 2014/2017 which is pending with the National Assembly.

    “It is for the above reason that I seek your favour to facilitate the consideration and approval of the development policy operation 2 loan of $75 million to enable the state to consolidate on the phase of the first tranche of the operation DPO 1.

    “Your Excellency, it’s instructive to mention that Edo State has informed me that the key programme objectives of the DPO are already beginning to show in terms of increased inflow of private investment to the state.

    “Increased private sector employment opportunities and increased internally generated revenues, an accelerated approval of this request will help to sustain this phase.”

    Buhari requested for speedy consideration of the request by the Senate.