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Tag: Edo state governor

  • Obaseki seeks CSOs’ support, monitoring of Edo BEST programme

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has called on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to join forces with the state government in deepening the impact of the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) programme by monitoring its implementation in local government areas across the state.

    Obaseki made the call during the courtesy visit by board members of Enibokun-Edoror Foundation, at Government House, in Benin City, Edo State.

    He urged the Enibokun-Edoror Foundation to support the programme by monitoring its implementation in Edo Central Senatorial District, to ensure efficiency and accountability.

    Read Also:Fayose’s fall is a signal to Wike, says Edo APC

    He said, “As an organisation, we would like you to assist us in monitoring schools in local government areas where Enibokun-Edoror Foundation operates to ensure that teachers are always present in schools to teach our children.”

    Explaining that his administration is keen on curbing human trafficking and irregular migration by providing access to qualitative basic education for citizens, he noted, “One of the ways we are curtailing human trafficking is to improve education particularly at the basic level, so as to instill confidence in our youth. This is why we launched the Edo-BEST programme.”

    The governor commended the Foundation for its various skills acquisition programmes, adding, “the state government would work with you to broaden the scope of the Foundation. When we see people like you, who are concerned about the situation of young people and ready to empower them with hands-on skills, we have no choice but to work with and support you.

    “We will visit your skills acquisition centres to see what you have on ground and areas where we can support you,” he added.

    President of Enibokun-Edoror Foundation, Mrs. Rosemary Edoror, commended governor Obaseki-led administration for its transformational leadership as well as the development of the state, especially in the area of road infrastructure.

    Edoror said the Foundation has members drawn from the five local council areas in Edo Central and is involved in youth empowerment and provision of financial assistance to indigent students and women.

    She added, “In our five skills acquisition centres, we train youths on fashion design, bead making, cosmetology and electrical repairs. The Foundation seeks support from the state government to purchase more training equipment which we enable us sustain our skills acquisition programme.”

  • Mandela Day: Obaseki salutes commitment to global peace, good governance

    The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has hailed the Nobel Peace Prize winner and former South African President, Nelson Mandela, for his commitment to global peace and good governance, charging world leaders to emulate his dedication to better human society.

    Obaseki who gave the charge on the occasion of the commemoration of the Nelson Mandela International Day, marked on July 18, each year by the United Nations, said Mandela remains one of the greatest gifts from the African continent to humanity.

    “A special day for the Nobel Peace Prize winner, who fought with all he had for the liberation of black South Africans from the shackles of apartheid and the enthronement of a rainbow nation of many colours, is a call on world leaders to take actions that will enhance the wellbeing of majority of the people we swore to serve,” the governor said.

    Read Also:UN celebrates Nelson Mandela day

    Obaseki added: “Mandela demonstrated his unshakable faith in one diverse and united South Africa at great personal cost, and led from the front to challenge obnoxious, divisive and retrogressive laws and tendencies in order to foster a community where peace reigns supreme.”

    He urged leaders to use the Nelson Mandela International Day to reflect and draw up a checklist of workable solutions to pressing problems facing humanity, namely; health challenges, global security, food security, climate change, infrastructural deficit amongst others.

    According to the United Nations, “Nelson Mandela devoted his life to the service of humanity — as a human rights lawyer, a prisoner of conscience, an international peacemaker and the first democratically elected president of a free South Africa.”

    The UN explained that “in recognition of the former South African President’s contribution to the culture of peace and freedom, UN General Assembly declared July 18 Nelson Mandela International Day.

    “Resolution A/RES/64/13 recognises Mandela’s values and his dedication to the service of humanity in: conflict resolution; race relations; promotion and protection of human rights; reconciliation; gender equality and the rights of children and other vulnerable groups; the fight against poverty; the promotion of social justice.

    “The resolution acknowledges his contribution to the struggle for democracy internationally and the promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world.”

    The organisation urged everyone to mark Nelson Mandela International Day “by making a difference in their communities as everyone has the ability and the responsibility to change the world for the better.

    “Mandela Day is an occasion for all to take action and inspire change. Nelson Mandela International Day 2018 marks 100 years since the birth of Nelson Mandela (18 July 1918).

    The Nelson Mandela Foundation is dedicating this year’s Mandela Day to Action Against Poverty, honouring Nelson Mandela’s leadership and devotion to fighting poverty and promoting social justice for all.”

     

  • Obaseki deploys Quality Assurance personnel to public primary schools

    …Okays mentoring for teachers, daily review of teachers’ activities

     

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has approved the deployment of Quality Assurance personnel to public primary schools across the state.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic Education and Acting Chairman, Edo SUBEB, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, disclosed this on Tuesday in Benin City, the state capital.

    She explained that the decision is in line with the state government’s strategy to strengthen the inspectorate arm of the primary education sub-sector for better monitoring of the impact of the ongoing reform in the sector.

    Read Also:INEC seeks support of Obaseki in voters’ mobilization

    “The deployment follows the revamp of the Inspectorate Division. Qualified and outstanding teachers already in the public school system are being recruited and trained for this role and deployed on a ratio of one quality assurance staff to 10 schools,” the governor’s aide said.

    On the specific roles of the Quality Assurance personnel, Dr. Osa Oviawe said, “They are to visit schools every day and send their reports to SUBEB on a daily basis using their digital devices. The Quality Assurance personnel will monitor teachers on their teaching as well as take inventory of teaching aid and equipment in the schools, including what works and what is broken.”

    The Edo SUBEB Acting chairman, further said that “As part of Governor Obaseki’s Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) initiative, a new role has been created in the sector, called Learning and Development Officers. These people will be trained to become Edo-BEST trainers and mentors of teachers.”

    According to her, “Once the Quality Assurance team visits a school and identify areas of improvement, the Learning and Development Officer will visit the school and provide ongoing training and support to teachers.

    “A third group of staff is the Social Mobilisation Officers. They are to work with the community, the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) and the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) to ensure that there is good synergy between the school and community.

    “All these staff will be assigned 10 schools each that they will to visit on a daily basis and provide support. The Social Mobilisation Officers will be responsible for sensitisation on Child sexual abuse, enforcement of the Child Rights Law and related issues.”

     

  • Edo MDAs meet, brainstorm on priorities

    Consequent upon the inauguration of ward development committees in Uhunmwode Local Government Area by the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, relevant government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are meeting with the committees to brainstorm and agree on development projects for the council.

    The committees, set up few weeks ago by the governor, is a non-partisan platform that aggregates interest of the various wards in the local government and prioritises sustainable projects and initiative for rapid development in collaboration with government agencies. A brainchild of Governor Obaseki, the committees’ work is being spearheaded by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Chief Osaro Idah.

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    Each ward development committee includes two women, two youth, a traditional ruler, one retired or serving teacher and nurse, one member of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), a member of an opposition party and a religious leader.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic Education and Acting Chairman, Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, said that a team comprising officials and representatives of key MDAs, including Ministry of Infrastructure, SUBEB, Edojobs, Post-Primary Education Board, among others, would continue engagement with the ward committees and a meeting has already been scheduled to reach a consensus on priority projects.

    According to her, “After Governor Obaseki inaugurated the committees, we have been in touch and are working to align the development imperatives to meet pressing demands. So, we will be meeting with the committees in Uhunmwode on Tuesday and Wednesday and that of Orhionmwon by Thursday and Friday.

    Chief Osaro Idah said, “It is important to emphasis that the committees are non-political in nature. We are going to be holding extensive discussions with them, surveying the environment and developing a shopping list and costing for projects.”

    Noting that the delegation will be working within existing development plans for the communities, he noted, “We intend to align the development needs of the wards with the MDAs’ strategic plans and also prioritise them according to the most pressing of needs. The initiatives are going to be rolled out in August.”

    Chief Idah added that the state government was committed to grassroots development, which inspired the setting up of the committees. Noting that the strategy will about coordinated and people-driven development in the grassroots, he urged members of the different wards to work with the committees and the state government in actualizing the different projects to be initiated.

  • Edo Poly, Usen Opens Central Lab for industrial research

    In line with on-going tertiary education reforms by Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the Edo State Institute of Technology and Management (ESTIM), Usen, also known as Edo State Polytechnic, has opened a Central Laboratory for industrial research and capacity building.

    Speaking with journalists in Benin City, the Rector of Edo State Polytechnic, Professor Abiodun Falodun, said, “We opened the laboratory as part of ongoing effort to reposition the Institute to improve academia-industry collaboration, boost entrepreneurship and skill acquisition, and prepare our students for work in the industries.”

    Read Also:85 killed in Edo auto accidents – FRSC

    According to Falodun, “with the opening of the Central Laboratory, we are positioning this institution to become a one-stop-shop for industrial and biomedical analysis, among others. The academic staff of the institution will get the chance to improve their skills in line with global trends in the use of industrial equipment.”

    He added that the Central Laboratory will offer services to indigenous industries, tertiary institutions including Universities and Polytechnics and strengthen the relationship between the academia and industries.

    “The facilities at the Central Laboratory include: Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (ASS), Infrared Spectrophotometer, UV-Visible Spectrophotometer, Flame Photometer, freeze dryers, Gas Chromatography (GC), FTIR, pH meters, Colorimeter, Polarimeter, Rotary evaporatorsete,” he said.

    Prof Falodun explained that the laboratory provides a range of services, which includes testing of products such as plant tissues (herbals/extracts), soil samples, water, and industrial raw materials and foods.

    According to him, “Phytochemical screening at the lab covers quantification of secondary metabolites and antioxidants; toxicological Assays. We also offer training services, undergraduate/ post-graduate training; and pharmacological screening.”

    He said industries that require the services at the laboratory include oil palm companies such as Okomo Oil, Presco; food and beverage companies such as Guinness Nigeria; Government agencies in-charge of water analysis, pharmaceutical companies, water factories and chemical industries.

    He said the idea of the laboratory is to have all testing at the Polytechnic at a centralized site, which helps to harmonise research, increase multi-disciplinary collaboration and ensure sustainability.

  • INEC seeks support of Obaseki in voters’ mobilization

    …Collection of 514,638 PVCs

     

    The Edo State Independent National Electoral Commissioner (INEC) Commissioner, Mr. Emmanuel Alex Hart, on Thursday sought the support of the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki in mobilising Edo people and residents to participate in the programmes of the electoral body in the state.

    The new INEC Commissioner in the state made the request during a courtesy visit to the governor, in Government House, Benin City.

    “I am here to solicit your collaboration as an influential stakeholder to mobilise the entire citizenry of the state to participate and be more active in all the activities of the Commission, including Continuous Voters’ Registration (CVR), collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) among others,” Mr. Hart said.

    According to Hart, “the Commission in Edo State is still having in its custody a total 445, 301 PVCs from the 2011 to 2016 registration stock.

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    “Out of the 78, 398 new PVCs supplied to the state for 2017, only 9, 061 have been distributed, with 69, 337 PVCs yet to be collected, bringing the total number of registrants for the second quarter as at July 3, 2018 to 53, 271.

    “The total transfer request for the second quarter as at July 3, 2018 is 5, 239, and the total transfer applications in 2017 till date is 18, 517. The total registration for 2017 till date is 184, 717, while the total number of uncollected PVCs (old and new) as at July 3, 2018 is 514, 638.

    In his remark, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, assured the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of his administration’s readiness to support the electoral body in reducing the number of uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) in the state.

    “We will assist you to do your work. I urge you to let us know and understand the scope of the challenges to enable us deal with the problem,” the governor said, adding that support would be extended to INEC in its voters’ education programme as well as the sensitisation on the collection of PVCs in the state.

    “We will set up a response team that will work with your Information and Communication Technology (ICT) staff to carry out analysis of the areas with high incidence either at the ward or community level, so as to know where we can step-up action to locate those who are still residing in the locality for them to collect their PVCs,” Obaseki assured.

     

  • Rainy Season: Obaseki cautions on indiscriminate waste disposal

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has cautioned residents of the state against indiscriminate waste disposal, calling on stakeholders to join in government’s efforts to rid the state of waste, especially during the rainy season.

    In a statement, Obaseki said it was pertinent to draw attention to the role of private citizens and civil society organisations as well as other interest groups in ensuring a clean, serene environment for human habitation and doing business.

    Read Also:Flooding: Obaseki provides relief materials for victims in eight LGAs

    According to him, “With the coming of the rainy season, it is important to stress the role of the people in ensuring a clean environment and that they properly dispose of waste so as not to clog waterways, streets and other parts of major cities and towns in the state.”

    He noted that several government agencies have been leading the campaign against indiscriminate waste disposal, and it behooves on residents in the state to play their role.

    “The Waste Management Board and officials of the Project Clean Up Edo have been on the campaign trail, calling on Edo people to properly dispose of their waste as provision has been made for onward disposal through appropriate channels,” he said.

    He continued, “With increased rainfall, it is important for market leaders, opinion leaders and other influencers to impress on their people to comply with the arrangements put in place by the state government, to minimise incident of flooding and other such man-made problems.”

    Noting that changes in the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability and the Waste Management Board are intended to put a lease of life in waste management in the state, he said that the state government will not relent until the state is rid of debris and other forms of waste, and would not hesitate to punish erring residents who flout extant laws and policies on waste disposal.

     

  • Obaseki condemns Plateau Killings, commiserates with victims

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has condemned killings in Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas in Plateau State and commiserated with victims of attacks, urging for urgent action to end the spate of killings in different parts of the country.

    In a statement, the governor, who said that it was regrettable that such wanton attack could be meted on fellow countrymen, stressed the imperative for peaceful coexistence and tolerance in curbing conflict among different groups.

    The governor commiserated with the families of the deceased, noting, “It is with a heavy heart that I received the news of the death of about 86 persons in a conflict that erupted in Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas of Plateau State.

    Read Also:Plateau killings: PDP knocks Presidency for kicking against call for mourning

    I reiterate without equivocation that these deaths are not only needless, they must be put to a stop and those behind them should be made to face the full wrath of the law.”

    He said the government and people of Edo State join in mourning the loss of lives on the Plateau, assuring that they are not alone in their moment of grief.

    “The recent killings would weigh on the conscience of any Nigerian, who values human life and stands for peace and progress of our country. I stand with the people of the affected families and local government areas in this sad moment of our history as a people,” he stressed.

    Calling for urgent action to stem the spate of violence, he said, “The killings, once again, put a question on the internal security architecture of the country. Urgent steps must be taken to protect Nigerians, which is one of the primary duties of government. It is not out of place to, at this juncture, call for a review of the security architecture to respond to the peculiar needs of the Nigerian people.”

  • Obaseki banks on Technology, synergy with private sector

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state government will drive agribusiness investments in the state with the deployment of new technologies and strong participation of private investors.

    Obaseki said this in a chat with journalists after a meeting with the Director General (DG) of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr. Nteranya Sanginga, on the sidelines of the International Workshop Water-Energy-Food Systems in Sub-Sahara, held at the IITA campus in Ibadan, Oyo State.

    He said, “The most important of the challenges is trying to reenact and reestablish the culture of agriculture, to take out the drudgery of the past and bring in science and technology. We want to look at agriculture as a business with its value chain. People don’t grow crops for its own sake, it is because it has several uses aside food, such as agro-processing and as industrial goods.

    Read Also:How Obaseki leverages World Bank partnership to transform Edo

    “As a governor, I am here to see how I can explore opportunities with the institute, which we are very proud of. In the last 50 years, they have been helping us to understand the crops we grow in the tropics. We are also here to see how we can go into partnerships and work on specific projects.

    Noting that the state is paving the way for private investors to contribute in deepening investment in agribusiness, he said, “In Edo State, for instance, we have shut down all the colleges of agriculture and are restarting them with new curriculum. We are getting the private sector to get involved, even in those schools, to train the required manpower.”

    According to him, “For us as politicians and as a government, I campaigned and promised that I was going to enhance the well-being of my people and that I was going to create jobs. That is from a political perspective, I made a promise and I have to deliver. There are a number of things I need to do to deliver the result.  The first thing is to identify the issues, challenges and problems. But more importantly, you have to get and mobilise resources to make that happen.

    He restated that Edo State is one of the foremost agricultural states in Nigeria, as it has some of the biggest investments in oil palm and rubber plantations in the country, assuring that he was intent on returning the state to its glorious days as an agribusiness hub.

    He said, “Don’t forget that before oil became a fad, we were firstly an agrarian country. Edo State was the largest producer of oil palm and therefore we had the oil palm research institute. We were also a major producer of rubber. When I mean producer, I mean global producer of things like rubber, so we had a rubber research institute 60 years ago in Benin. So, we have had a culture of agriculture and agribusiness.”

     

  • NDSP Water Project: Obaseki extend project to Orhionmwon, Uhunmwode councils

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has released N700 million counterpart fund for the Niger Delta Support Programme (NSDP) water project, to be extended to Orhionmwon and Uhunmwode Local Government Areas of the state.

    Obaseki disclosed this during the inauguration of the Ward Development Committees (WDCs) in Abudu, the administrative headquarters of Orhionmwon Local Government Area.

    He said the WDCs would work with the state government to identify communities, where the water project would be sited based on need and after the establishment of water associations in the communities.

    Read Also:Obaseki converts Ethiope Publishing House to Pension Office

    He noted that the state government has reached an agreement with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for the construction of the Benin-Abraka Road.

    “I have reached an agreement with NDDC. In the next few weeks, the contractor will be mobilised to site for the construction work to commence,” he said.

    He added that the state government will introduce the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo -BEST) programme and the Federal Government school feeding programme to all schools in the council.

    On the school feeding programme, he said members of the WDC would drive the process, noting, “The members of these committees will make the decision on what school to be constructed and would sign agreement with the state government before any school is constructed in the area.”

    On provision of electricity in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Obaseki said arrangement has been made to include communities in the council in the Federal Government solar power programme.

    “Since the Federal Government has a programme on the use of solar power for providing power in rural communities, our plan is to see how to include rural communities to benefit from the programme,” he explained.

    “We have so many programmes like the conditional cash transfer for the poor and micro finance loan to assist traders. These are some of the programmes through which the state would assist you,” he said.

    Secretary to State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., said the committees inaugurated would be the eyes of government in their various wards and furnish government with information relating to primary schools, teachers, primary healthcare centres, roads, markets, agriculture, school feeding programme and the N-Power programmes.

    Ogie urged the committees to hold weekly meetings at the ward level and a monthly meeting at the local council level, while report should be submitted to the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Political Matters.

    Earlier, Chairman of Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Hon. Sylvester Okoro, pledged to support the vision of the governor for the council.