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Tag: Edo state governor

  • Preparation in top gear as VP Osinbajo visits Edo

    …To kick-start Tech Hub, 1800 housing Estate, others

     

    Contractors handling the construction of the Benin Technology Hub and the preliminary work at the site of the 1800 housing-unit Emotan Estate are working round the clock to deliver the projects on schedule, preparatory to the visit of Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to Edo State.

    The Vice President’s June 14th visit will see him commission the first Benin Innovation Hub, that will host over 25 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies for training of both young and old Edo people and residents on various ICT-based skills.

    During an unscheduled visit to the remodeling work at the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE), in Benin City, which is being converted to the tech hub, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, said he was pleased with the pace of work at the site.

    “The facility will be commissioned by the Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, and over 25 companies will use this innovation hub for different forms of training and certification,” the governor said.

    Read Also:FG donates relief materials to IDPs in Edo

    He disclosed that his administration has received solicitation from major global technology companies that have indicated interest in the innovation hub.

    Prof. Osinbajo will also perform the groundbreaking ceremony to kick-off the construction of 1800 housing-unit Emotan Estate, a joint venture project of the Edo State government and MIXTA Africa, located in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area.

    The project according to Governor Obaseki, was conceived to boost the state’s housing stock and assured that on completion, the houses will be affordable.

    Also on the itinerary of the Vice President is a facility visit to the 450 Mega Watts Edo-Azura Power project in the state, a project that has received positive reviews by the World Bank and its development partners as well as international and local actors in the power sector.

    The Social Investment Programme (SIP) of the federal government will receive a boost during Prof. Osinbajo’s visit as the vice president would hold a town hall meeting with beneficiaries. He is also expected to host the South-South tech community, where five start-ups will be picked after they pitch their ideas to a team of investors.

    He will also meet with the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) community in the state, as part of federal government’s efforts at deepening the sector to boost economic growth.

  • Benin innovation hub to host over 25 ICT companies – Obaseki

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has disclosed that over 25 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies will be using the facility at the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE) as innovation hub on completion.

    Obaseki disclosed this during an inspection tour of the ongoing construction work at ICE facility in the state, ahead of the visit of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on June 14, 2018.

    He said he was pleased with the pace of work at the site, noting, “The facility will be commissioned by the Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, and over 25 companies will use this innovation hub for different forms of training and certification.”

    The governor said his administration has received solicitation from major global technology companies that have indicated interest in the innovation hub.

    “Those that will benefit from this facility are both the young and old residents in the state, as they will get industry-relevant skills and certification,” he added.

    Obaseki said his administration decided to create opportunities for Edo people and residents to acquire skills that are needed in the present day labour market.

    “The facility will help our people get remedial, short and long-term trainings and will enhance marketability.”

    He assured that the roads leading to the facility have also been captured for reconstruction as part of the refurbishment plan.

  • Obaseki seeks proactive engagement to check tobacco consumption

    …cautions on second-hand smoke exposure

     

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has called for synergy and partnerships among relevant stakeholders to check the consumption and reduce the health and other associated risks, especially cardiovascular diseases.

    The governor said this in commemoration of the World No Tobacco Day marked by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other organs to raise awareness and check the consumption of tobacco.

    The governor proposed that collaborations should be built among health workers, civil society organisations and relevant Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to raise awareness and sensitise the people on the dangers of tobacco consumption.

    Read Also:Obaseki’s devt architecture stimulates economic growth – Aganbi

    “Much as tobacco companies are in legitimate business and have adopted health messaging to call attention to the associated risks of use of their products. As a government, we want to ensure that the people are better served with information on the cardiovascular dangers associated with its usage. Efforts should be made to sensitise people on the dangers of second-hand smoking, which also exposes people to similar dangers faced by active smokers.”

    He said the state government is pursing health policies such as the state-wide health insurance scheme, increasing the number of primary healthcare centers and improving the investment climate to attract investors, including private healthcare firms.

    He said that this year’s theme for the day, ‘Tobacco and Heart Disease,’ provides a platform to interrogate the implications of tobacco use and cardiovascular conditions, noting that stakeholders are being mobilised to spread the word on the dangers of tobacco consumption and the imperative to reduce its use.

    According to the World Health Organisation, “World No Tobacco Day 2018 will focus on the impact tobacco has on the cardiovascular health of people worldwide. Tobacco use is an important risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.

    Despite the known harms of tobacco to heart health and the availability of solutions to reduce related death and disease, knowledge among large sections of the public that tobacco is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease is low.”

  • Obaseki’s devt architecture stimulates economic growth – Aganbi

    The Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Akogate Ventures, Mr. Felix Aganbi, has said Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki’s development architecture has continued to stimulate  economic growth and boost the confidence of local investors in the state.

    Aganbi, who operates an integrated water factory in the state, disclosed this to journalists in Benin City, Edo State capital.

    Aganbi said, “The governor, who came into power with much expectation from the people in relation to his background and experience in the private sector, has not failed in delivering on his mandate.

    Read Also:Democracy Day: Obaseki lauds Edo people for unflinching support

    “He has remained professional in his engagements with the private sector. He has been able to prove that individuals from the private sector can come into governance and make a difference.”

    He commended the governor for bringing a new breath of life to governance, adding, “We have seen how he has brought professionalism into public administration. He has been able to show us that if we do the right thing, we will get the support of most people.

    “Obaseki has shaped how government should bring great value to the people. I have great respect for the Governor for what he is doing and what he has achieved.”

    Noting that infrastructural and industrial projects are becoming the hallmarks of the administration, he said, “We are seeing the roads that are being constructed, how new areas are springing up with the governor’s developmental strides. The effort on the Benin Industrial Park will, for instance, improve the human capital development indices in the state. All these have given the people a sense of belonging, and the conviction that power truly resides with the people.”

    He added, “Those of us who have investment in the state are benefitting from developmental strides recorded in the state. As more investors locate  their businesses in the state, the market for our product also expands.”

  • Democracy Day: Obaseki lauds Edo people for unflinching support

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has commended residents and indigenes of the state for the peaceful Democracy celebrations, thanking them for their unflinching support for his administration and policies.

    Obaseki, who noted that his government is strengthening relevant institutions for democratic consolidation, applauded the serene and reflective mood with which the day was marked.

    He enjoined the people of the state to continue to play their role in deepening democracy by actively participating in the electoral process, which has improved over the years.

    He said the state government will continue to work for the people, by designing and implementing people-centric policies, assuring space for equal access to justice and ensuring economic growth and development.

    According to him, “This day is one of extreme significance in our history as a nation as it marks the 19th year of return of power to the people under this republic. I therefore join Nigerians in the celebration.”

    “For nearly two decades, our democracy has continued to mature, leading to strengthened institutions, social justice and economic development. Also, as our democracy is being progressively deepened, our electioneering process is getting better,” he noted

    Noting that improved structures have deepened the dividends of democracy in Nigeria, he said, “In Edo, this advancement in our democracy has resulted in better infrastructure, improved education and health care delivery system, and a government that empathises with those dislocated by social crisis, many of whom unfortunately became victims of human trafficking and modern-day slavery but are now being reintegrated into society.

    “I use this opportunity to call on all Edo people, Nigerians and friends of our dear country to support our effort to enlarge the gains of our democratic journey.”

  • Obaseki rolls out investment windows for agribusiness investors 

    …commits to infrastructure to fast-track bankable projects

     

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has unveiled windows for investment in the agricultural sector in the state, noting that a competent team has been set up to address investors’ queries and ensure a conducive environment for agribusiness.

    Obaseki said the state will be focusing on investment in high value crops like oil palm, rubber, and cocoa; cassava, soybeans, fruits, and legumes.

    The governor, who disclosed this in a chat with journalists, said that there are three teams in the state working to make investment in the agribusiness sector hassle-free.

    Obaseki said the state has zeroed in on specific crops, where the state has comparative advantage, urging potential investors to request information on how their businesses can benefit from the master-plan being designed.

    He explained that aside from going through the Special Adviser on Agriculture and the State Ministry of Agriculture, the state has set up a Private Partnership Office and a Business Bureau to attend to challenges confronting private investors as well as other agribusiness-related inquiries.

    “In the area of agriculture, we have three teams working from different areas. First there is the special adviser on agriculture, Joe Okojie, who is a former commissioner for agriculture. Then there is the ministry of agriculture, with a commissioner and his team, and there is the Public Private Partnership office. We also have a business bureau so there are several points of entry where you can engage with us on the type of opportunities available,” he said.

    He added that the state is “being mapped out to determine what commodities do well in Edo State. Fortunately, we have enough information and data, soil analysis, rainfall pattern, agronomic reports to help would-be investors have enough information to make enlightened decisions on what to do.”

    Obaseki explained that the state is “currently finalising the master plan on agriculture with specific reference to oil palm. We have an institution from Indonesia that is working with us on this. Once it is completed, we would have identified the areas where we want to allocate land for oil palm. We would have finalised communication with the communities in those areas.

    On the focus on high value crops, the governor said, “Edo pineapples are the sweetest in this country. If you haven’t tasted it yet, try Edo Rose Pineapple and you won’t eat any other.”

     

  • LG Polls, APC Congresses demonstrate resolve for participatory democracy- Obaseki

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the successful conduct of the 2018 local government elections, the local and state governments’ congresses of the All Progressives Congress (APC)  in the state, demonstrates his administration’s resolve to deepen democratic culture that allows for popular participation.

    The governor said this when he received the report of the March 2018 local government election from the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC), led by its Chairman, Prof. Stanley Orobator, at the Government House, in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    He said the feat was achieved because of the structures put in place to allow for inclusive and participatory democracy, noting that the state chapter of the APC has entrenched a culture of democracy.

    He noted that this was demonstrated during the conduct of the local government election, and the party congresses held in units, wards, local government areas, and at the state level.

    Obaseki noted that aspirants, who passed through the screening at the ward and local government levels had the popular support of their constituencies, adding that this goes to show that the state has successfully entrenched a culture of participatory democracy.

    He explained, “The Party congresses were conducted relying on the endorsements of party members. This accounts for the reason why Edo State is one of the few states where there was no record of violence or any serious appeal against the process. We all agreed that those who were vying for political positions be subjected to scrutiny by their people at the ward level.”

    Obaseki commended members of EDSIEC for successfully conducting the 2018 local government polls, which have been adjudged by observers as one of the most credible in the history of the state.

    “We were able to successfully conduct the election due to your dedication, commitment and level of professionalism put into organising the process,” he noted.

    Earlier, Chairman of EDSIEC, Prof. Stanley Orobato, expressed appreciation to the governor for not interfering in the activities of the commission, which resulted in the success of the election.

    Prof. Orobator hinted the governor that the commission has continued to receive accolades, including an award from Ghana on the successes recorded in the conduct of the 2018 local government polls.

  • Obaseki to sign human trafficking Bill into Law

    …As donor conference holds in Abuja Wednesday

     

    Following the timely passage of the bill for the prohibition of trafficking in persons into law by the Edo State House of Assembly, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, is set to sign the document and set the stage for a legal onslaught on perpetrators of the illicit trade in the state.

    The signing ceremony will take place in Abuja, Wednesday, on the sidelines of the international donor conference organised by Edo State Government in partnership with the United Nations and other international development partners.

    The law, which is a product of series of consultations by the Obaseki administration, following observed gaps in the existing legal frameworks on human trafficking, also provides for the establishment of the Edo State Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons.

    The document with federal government laws, adapted to deal with the state’s peculiar challenges, is made up of 80 sections. It will send offenders to a period of not less than five years imprisonment, amongst other provisions.

    Read Also: Who ends human trafficking in Edo: Benin monarch, govt. or the church?

    Explaining the sudden drop in the numbers of victims of human trafficking, Obaseki said: “We have been very honest about this fight from the onset. We admitted that we have a problem that is claiming a frightening proportion of our youth population and as responsible leaders and parents, we cannot fold our arms and watch it continue.”

    He added: “Our engagements with the international community, the traditional institution, the clergy, parents and guardians, trade and professional groups and the law makers, are paying off.

    According to the governor, Edo State has taken up the fight head on, with several of the state’s youth population lured into slavery in Libya, while thousands died either in the Sahara Desert or in the Mediterranean as they attempt to cross the sea to Europe.

    “Less than six months of our honest and strategic engagement of critical stakeholders like the traditional institution, the clergy, market men and women, students and youth, the figures of victims of human trafficking have ebbed and the incidence is losing popularity daily.”

    He further said that while the Task Force on Human Trafficking is combing the state for members of the ring perpetuating the illicit trade to arrest and prosecute them, the traditional institution headed by the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has since placed a weighty curse on anyone that engages in the inhuman activity.

    According to the governor, the clergy community is leading the battle from the pulpit, sensitising members of their respective congregations about the dangers associated with human trafficking.

    For the returnees from Libya and elsewhere, most of whom were evacuated by the federal government and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the European Union, the Edo State government has in place a rehabilitation programme that includes a monthly stipend of N20,000 for each returnee, an empowerment package that has a training component, after which they are given starter packs.

  • Biological Diversity Day: Obaseki implores environment activists to deepen awareness

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has implored environment activists, community leaders and local councils to deepen the crusade to preserve the pristine features in Nigeria’s forest belt, noting that more stakeholders are needed in the crusade for the protection of the country’s unique flora and fauna.

    The governor made the call on the occasion of the commemoration of the World Biological Diversity Day marked every May 22, by the United Nations and its various organs.

    According to him, “On this day, it is important to stress the need to conserve nature and preserve the defining features of our pristine flora and fauna, not just for the sake of humans but to sustain diverse ecosystem and other organisms that benefit from our peculiar biological makeup.

    He maintained that it was time to recognise the roles of local communities and local governments in driving government policies on the protection and preservation of our natural world.

    Read Also: Microbiology marks Week

    “Most times the disruptions recorded in biological communities result from the poor knowledge of the long term value of the balance in our ecosystem.

    “The current danger posed by human activities can be mitigated if more stakeholders are identified and carried along in the campaign to save the diverse, interconnection and harmonious relationship among the various animals, plants, the physical environment and other elements of the ecosystem.”

    He described the theme for the 2018 celebration, Celebrating 25 years of Action on Biodiversity, as germane, adding that the partnership with ProForest will enable the state government properly manage and conserve the defining features of its biodiversity.

    He said the state government was working with the Federal Government to preserve the Okomu Forest Reserve, noting that the Okomu National Park is a national asset that must be promoted to boost tourism receipts for the state and the country at large.

    “The commemoration also demands that we synergise to protect wildlife and other elements of the ecosystem that benefit from conserving the environment,” he added.

    According to the United Nations, “2018 marks the 25th anniversary of the entry into force of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Since entering into force, the Convention has been implemented through the vision and leadership displayed by countries, non-governmental and inter-governmental organisations, indigenous peoples and local communities, the scientific community and individuals alike.”

    “The results are considerable: the development of scientific guidance for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity for biomes around the world, the entry into force of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilisation and the creation and implementation of national biodiversity strategies and action plans.”

     

  • Benin River Port: Obaseki tours Edo waterways

    …Assures investors of security, communal support

    As plans for the commencement of the Benin River Port Project reaches advanced stages after preliminary work by the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured investors that the state government will not relent in strengthening security on the waterways and ensuring communal support for projects in riverine areas.

    Obaseki disclosed this after a three and half hour tour of riverine communities including  Gelegele, Kolokolo, Ajoke, Ajamogha, Koko, Abiala 1, Abiala 11, and Ologbo, in the state, at the weekend.

    He said that the tour was in furtherance of the survey of the waterways around the state, which kicked off some weeks back and is aimed at strengthening security to protect lives and properties on the waterways.

    Obaseki said that more investors are interested in the project and would want to know how the Benin River Port project will connect the Benin Industrial Park, noting that the two areas are connected by water, even as enough provision is being made for road network.

    He said discussions with investors and partners about the Benin River Port has reached a critical stage where critical issues are raised and addressed, noting, “Some of the issues have to do with the actual location of the Port vis-a-vis the extent of road network to connect the Port with other facilities like the Industrial Park.”

    Read Also:Obaseki calls for tolerance, inclusive mindset to drive sustainable growth

    He said, “We will not underestimate security on the waterways. Security is of prime importance to us as an administration, as we work to attract investors to the state. We will not relent in working very hard to create a conducive environment for investors to do business.”

    Obaseki added, “We have decided to establish a Marine police post in Gelegele. The construction for the post will commence soon as the design is ready. We will also have another Police post at Osiomo River. That is why we are at Ologbo to look for a suitable location for the post.”

    According to the governor, the state will leverage the huge economic potentials in water transportation, adding that the waterways offer the state a unique economic opportunity for transporting goods and people from one place to the other.

    The spokesman for the Ologbo Ikaye Itsekiri Community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Chief Johnson Atseleghe, commended the governor for the visit, noting that it was the first time any governor would visit the area through the waterway.

    Lauding the governor for the construction of Ajokin, Ologbo, Ikara Roads linking Abiala, he noted that the people of the community are desirous of development.

    Atseleghe pledged that the people are willing to cooperate with the government to ensure security and peace in the community as they anticipate more developmental projects.