The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Edo state governor

  • Obasanjo, Obaseki, Ajimobi, others extol legacy of Pa Abebe

     Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, his Oyo State counterpart, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Friday extolled the legacy of late Dr. Christopher  Abebe.

     

    The dignitaries joined the family, friends and well-wishers at the Funeral Mass of late Dr. Abebe held at the Stella Maris Catholic Church, Iruekpen in Esan West Local government Area of Edo State, on Friday.

     

    Bishop of Uromi Diocese, Donatus Ogun, during the homely, extolled the quality and exemplary life of late Dr. Christopher Abebe, calling on the congregation and Nigerians in general to emulate Pa Abebe, as he lived for God.

    Read Also:Buhari commiserates with family of Christopher Abebe

    Ogun described late Dr. Abebe as a true soldier of Christ, whose life has positively influenced the society.

     

    First son of the deceased, Mr John Abebe, thanked Governor Godwin Obaseki for his support, especially in the area of logistics, which accounted for the success of the burial.

     

    John Abebe also thanked the former president of Nigeria and an in-law to the family, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for standing with the family at their time of grief.

     

    Dr. Abebe who died at the age of 99 was at various times the first Nigerian Chairman/ Managing Director of the United African Company Nigeria Limited, and the first Nigerian Chairman of Nigerian Breweries. He also served at various times as the pro-chancellor of the University of Benin, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the University of Calabar.

     

    Other dignitaries at the event included former governor of Edo State, Prof. Osarheimen Osunbor,  Senator Daisy Danjuma, and Odion Ugbesia, among others.

  • Edo BEST Initiative makes learning attractive – Obaseki

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo BEST) programme, makes reading and the entire learning experience attractive and fun for children in public primary and secondary schools in Edo State.

    In his address at the 2018 Readership Promotion Campaign, themed: Sustaining Lifelong Reading for Positive Change, organised by the National Library of Nigeria in Benin City, Obaseki explained, “As part of the plans to over-haul the basic education sub-sector in the state through the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (BEST) programme, the state government has concluded arrangement to provide mini-library in each classroom in public school across the state. This will assist pupils in public schools to cultivate sustainable reading culture.”

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

    He added that in the plans for the reconstruction of public schools across the state, there are provision to equip the schools with rich libraries where students can read and conduct research.

    The governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Emmanuel Agbale, noted, “The pupils will be taught how to manage books in the mini-library so that on a rotational basis, every pupil in a class will have the opportunity to serve as the class librarian.”

    Obaseki explained, “There are plans to equip public schools with solar panels that will provide adequate lighting to power tablets to be distributed to students in public schools, with pre-loaded novels and story books.”

    “Survey carried out to generate data on the number of schools will assist the state in developing strategies that would guarantee the protection of assets deployed to schools for improved teaching and learning outcomes,” he added.

    Obaseki urged youths to make effort to cultivate good reading habit, noting that the time spent daily by youths reading and sending messages on social media platforms was a wrong presumption of effort at developing their reading habit.

    He noted that youths would benefit from cultivating a healthy reading habit, adding that such would set them on the path of becoming global citizens and competing favourably with their peers anywhere in the world.

    A guest lecturer, Dr. (Mrs.) Elizabeth I. Ifidon, of the Department of Library and Information Science, Ambrose Alli University,  Ekpoma, explained that the campaign on sustainable reading for positive change can only be successful if it is supported by all stakeholders including parents and educational institutions.

  • FG lauds Obaseki for foresight in conducting school census

    Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Board (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, has commended Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, for the ongoing education reforms as well as the governor’s foresight in conducting a school census in the state to strengthen the education sector.

    Dr. Bobboyi made the submission in Benin City, during the monitoring of ongoing National Personnel Audit (NPA) of primary and secondary schools in the state being conducted by UBEC.

    Recall that the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) had conducted a similar exercise in public schools few months ago, comprising public primary and secondary schools from Kindergarten to Senior Secondary School (SS) 3. The current exercise by UBEC covers public and private schools across the country.

    Read Also:Obaseki, Indonesian, Malaysian envoys, brainstorm on poverty eradication

    In his remarks, Bobboyi said, “It is highly commendable that the state governor understands the essence of the exercise, having conducted a similar exercise to generate data from schools to aid planning. The exercise by UBEC will help map out primary and secondary schools across the state.”

    According to him, “The ongoing National Personnel Audit is being organised to collect data for planning. The exercise is being carried out in public and private schools. It also covers faith-based schools and is being conducted nation-wide. Through the exercise, UBEC will develop a geographical information system (GIS) for locations of the schools. This will be done in collaboration with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASDRA). The data generated will be useful for strategic planning in the basic education sub-sector.”

    Acting Chairman, Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and  Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic Education, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, said, “The state will continue to strengthen existing collaboration with UBEC as the state governor remains committed in his strategic vision to improve access to quality basic education in the state.”

    She commended the team of enumerators, noting, “The state government will be as responsive as possible in areas where there are challenges in the ongoing exercise.”

    Dr. Oviawe urged private school proprietors to collaborate with the enumerators who are going round to collect the data for the NPA, adding that the exercise is not intended to increase tax of private schools’ proprietors.

    Proprietor, Inomwan Foundation School, in Benin City,  Gen. (Rtd.) Godwin Abbe, commended the state governor for the initiative to reposition the basic education sector, noting, “Governor Godwin Obaseki’s ongoing reforms in the basic education sector have set a fantastic pace in repositioning the sector.”

  • Edo begins recruitment of surveyors, architects, firemen, others

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki’s far-reaching revamp of the civil service and drive to reposition the state for optimal service delivery has thrown up vacancies in the building, maintenance, emergency services and agricultural sectors in the state.

    This is coming on the heels of the state government’s renewed commitment to inject new life in the civil service in pursuance of impactful infrastructural and social development projects in the state.

    The vacancies, according to a release by the Chairman, Edo State Civil Service Commission, Princess (Mrs.) Ekiuwa Inneh, are for engineers, surveyors, firemen, architects, veterinarians, forest officers, town planners, among others.

    The recruitment is an affirmation of a number of policy pronouncements made by the governor in recent times, particularly the setting up of ambulance service to facilitate the work of first responders in emergencies; setting up structure for management of the state’s forest assets; establishment of livestock farms and reviving the state’s real estate and agricultural sectors.

    It was gathered that the state government was keen on ensuring that professionals man the key offices that would be interfacing with the private sector, which is increasingly expanding since the governor’s unrelenting expression of commitment to industrialising the state.

    Nothing less than 42 vacancies in various disciplines are open and applicants are to apply through the state civil service commission.

    Recall that in his Workers’ Day speech, Governor Obaseki said that the state hasn’t sacked any worker since his administration took the reins; rather provision has been made to employ more.

    “This government is proud that it has not sacked any worker even those that were moribund in their functions. Rather, we have done so much to reabsorb, retrain and reassign these workers.

    “About 186 staff of the moribund Edo Line and Edo Courier have been redeployed to the Ministry of Infrastructure while we are working out ways of liquidating its debt of about N1.5bn. In a few weeks, the Civil Service Commission will advertise to recruit more civil servants to fill critical vacancies in the system,” he said at the Workers’ Day event.

  • Okpekpe Road Race drives sports devt, tourism in Edo – Obaseki

    …as event witnesses unprecedented participation

     

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state government’s sustained support for Okpekpe Road Race is integral to its commitment to drive sports development and boost tourism receipts in the state.

    The governor, who was among the VIP runners in Okpekpe, was joined by his wife, Mrs. Betsy, former Governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Minister of Youths and Sports, Bar. Solomon Dalung. The Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, competed as an elite runner.

    The event recorded unprecedented participation despite the heavy downpour, as Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes won the star prices.

    The governor said, “The state’s interest in sustaining the road race is part of the commitment to drive sports development and boost tourism.”

    He noted that government would continue to provide the needed support to ensure that the organisers maintain the set standards and continue to improve the race, adding, “We will continue to maintain infrastructure, security and other structures to ensure the success of the event in the future. This will also assist the organisers to improve the status of the event.”

    Obaseki stressed, “The state will continue to build on infrastructure to improve the life of the people in rural areas. We will leverage on the opportunity in hosting the race to promote the local culture of the people. The state’s tourism sector will benefit from this event, which will also open rural areas to tourists from across the globe.”

    Minister of Youths and Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung, urged sports enthusiasts and stakeholders to support government’s drive to promote sports development, noting, “Through the support of stakeholders, the country can be repositioned for long distance races. This can only be achieved through the support of private investors as government cannot achieve such feat alone.”

    Dalung said the outcome of the 6th edition of Okpekpe Road Race was tremendous, noting, “More sponsorship is needed to take the race to the next level. If we continue in this direction, future editions and more events will translate to more job opportunities for youths.”

    The former governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, expressed delight at the successful hosting of the 2018 edition of the race, noting, “The race has brought development to the people of Okpekpe town. The event has also improved the economic well-being of the people.”

    Commending the organisers of the event, Oshiomhole said, “The improvement recorded in hosting the event would assist the state government open the rural area for more development.”

    Representative of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), Norrie Williamson, described the organisation of the race, which is the only Silver Label Road Race in sub-Saharan Africa, as fantastic for the community. “The great atmosphere, organisation and excellent terrain all add to the fantastic hosting of the event,” he noted.

    Williamson further said that despite the weather, the enthusiasm displayed by participants goes to show that the event is a huge success.

    The traditional ruler of Okpekpe community, His Royal Highness, Apa Peter Osigbemeh, expressed appreciation to the state government and organisers for putting the community on the global map, noting “The race has brought unparalleled development to the people of the community.”

    For the male elite category, Kibet Alex of Kenyan came first with a time of 29.46. Another Kenyan, Simon Cheprot with 30.29, came second while the third position went to another Kenyan, Ronoh Timothy, at 30.39.

    In the female category, Ethiopian Yami Dera, won the star price with a time of 33.01. Kenyan Tuei Sandra came second running 33.33 while another Kenyan, Kipyokei Diara, ran a time of 34.24 to clinch the third position.

    In the local male category, Emmanuel Gyang took the first position, while Gideon Goyet took the second position and Ismail Sodie came third. In the female category, Debora Pam won the star price, Rose Aknstro came second and Hudung Giang came third.

  • Edo agog as participants arrive Benin for Okpekpe Road Race

    …Obaseki restates commitment to successful outing

     

    With a few hours to the commencement of the 2018 edition of Okpekpe Road Race scheduled for Saturday, May 12, enthusiasm is at a fever pitch in Edo State, host of the first 10-kilometer International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) silver label road race in Nigeria.

    Social and economic activities have witnessed positive spike from the Benin Airport, through the ancient city and to the communities hosting the event,  as  participants, including Elite and local athletes, sports journalists, sponsors, supporters of the event and dealers in souvenirs arrive the state for the event.

    Investigation showed that hotels in Benin City are fully booked and late comers are resorting to smaller lodging facilities in the city while operators of outdoor bars, taxis, guest houses and relaxation spots are counting their gains.

    The Okpekpe international 10km road race, currently in its sixth year, is the only road race recognised by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) in Nigeria.

    The number of endorsements by corporate organisations has raised the profile of the event, the latest being the Nigerian Breweries Plc.

    The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, on Friday restated his administration’s commitment to a successful race and assured participants of adequate security.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the governor’s assurance is coming after he had earlier encouraged Edo indigenes and other Nigerians to register and compete in the 10km Road Race because of the inherent benefit of building an army of home-grown long-distance runners to represent the country in similar competitions within the country and overseas.

    Obaseki noted that much as the state is happy to play host to athletes from East African countries and other parts of the world, the competition also presents an opportunity for Edo indigenes to prove their mettle and strive to clinch the top prize.

    “As Nigerians, we are known to never give in easily in contests. So, this competition presents another opportunity for us to put up a challenge and compete to win the top prizes,” the governor said.

    According to him, “Edo State is blessed with planes and conditions that can groom people for long-distance races. Highlands such as Somorika Hills can groom athletes to favourably compete in this competition. It even presents a good training ground for many others who would like to participate.

    He added, “The Okpekpe road race is one of our emerging sports and tourism assets and we need to tap from this unique opportunity to build grassroots sports and project ourselves as a welcoming and sports-loving people.”

    Describing the backing of Nigerian Breweries as a big boost, spokesman for the race, Dare Esan was quoted as saying that the company is “coming in as a Friend of the Race. It is a massive boost for the image of the race to have a pioneer brewing company support an event in which history will be made on May 12, 2018.”

     

     

  • Obaseki promises to complete NYSC Orientation Camp

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has promised to complete the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) permanent orientation camp at Okada within the stipulated time.

    Obaseki said he has deployed all machineries to the construction site to ensure that the next batch of corps members hold their orientation at the permanent site.

    Obaseki admonished corps members to embrace the Federal Government’s programme tagged “Change begin with me” in order to restore the nation’s dignity, pride and values.

    Represented by his deputy, Hon Philip Shaibu, Governor Obaseki spoke at the closing ceremony of the 2018 Batch ‘A’ corps members held at the NYSC Camp, Okada in Ovia North East Local Government Area of the state.

    Obaskei urged the corps members to eschew Internet fraud, armed robbery, thuggery, kidnapping, drug addiction, cultism, violence and prostitution.

    He identified corruption as one of the challenges facing the country adding that the only way out is for the corps members to take advantage and key into the “Change begin with me” initiative of the Federal  Government.

    According to him, “I charge you as future leaders to embrace the federal government programme ‘Change begins with me’ initiative which is aimed at restoring our national values and upholding all that is right.

    “The good people of Edo State are very friendly, receptive and accommodating. They are enlightened, sociable and above all hospitable.”

    The NYSC state coordinator, Mr. Abdullahi Baba Yusuf, disclosed that a total of  2,137 corps members have been equipped through orientation exercise for the challenges ahead of the service year.

    He said all through the orientation exercise, they have exhibited a very high level of discipline and decorum which culminated in the hitch free and very successful period they have stayed in the camp.

    Abdullahi said over 75 percent of the corps members have been posted to various educational institutions in the state to impart knowledge in our young ones in compliance with the posting policy of NYSC while the rest consisting of doctors and lawyers were posted to Primary Health Facilities and the Ministry of Justice respectively for their Primary Assignment.

  • Edo’s devt: Obaseki appeals to donor agencies for support   

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has called on donor agencies for continued support of its development initiatives, assuring that the government is committed to ensuring high impact of donors’ assistance for all stakeholders.

    The governor said this at the First Quarterly Review of Donor Agencies’ projects in the state held at the Banquet Hall, Government House in Benin city, the Edo State capital.

    Obaseki, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., said that in the light of Nigeria’s transition from low to middle income status, the country risked losing access to certain funding for development.

    He said this calls for more creative approaches to addressing developmental challenges, especially in healthcare and education, noting that the state government is adopting the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme to ensure that accessible and affordable healthcare does not elude her people.

    According to him, “Edo State is not sleeping on its oars in the face of such dire situation. Hence, we are adopting a special Edo State Health Insurance Scheme.

    “As donor support is shrinking, we must put on our thinking caps to begin to look at other sources of funds to assist us with our developmental projects. It is on this note that we request our donor partners to keep granting Edo State the understanding it truly deserves because of our unalloyed commitment of ensuring that every of your effort crystalizes into high-yielding gains for all stakeholders.”

    He said the meeting was also to acquaint local government executives with the different donor funded projects in their domain so that they do not only have inventory of the projects, but also to ensure monitoring and maintenance.

    In her remarks, Commissioner for Budget, Hon. Maryam Abubakar, said the state government organised the meeting to review performance and ascertain intervention and impact of donor agencies’ projects.

    She added that the state government places emphasis on the deepening of development by donor agencies, especially in line with her developmental plan, captured in thematic areas in the State’s Strategic Plan 2010-2020.

     

     

     

  • Edo strengthens ties with Police, Navy on Security

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the state is working with the Nigeria Police Force as well as the Nigeria Navy to ensure robust security architecture in Gelegele community as work progresses on the Benin River Port in the community.

    The governor stated this during a tour of the Gelegele waterway in Ovia North East Local Government Area of the state on Sunday.

    The governor was accompanied by the Commander, Joint Taskforce Operation, Delta Force, Rear Admiral Suleiman Opochi, and the Edo Commissioner of Police, Mr Johnson Kokumo, on the boat ride which extended to the state’s boundary with Delta State and lasted for about two hours.

    Speaking to journalists after the tour, the governor said the state was planning to undertake some security initiatives in collaboration with the Navy and Police in Gelegele community hence the trip to have first-hand knowledge of the waterway.

    He said the state was privileged to have a Marine Police Command, which would be sited in Gelegele community, noting, “The visit to this place is also to see how much work was done by China Harbour, the company handling the project and the facilities available at the Marine Police Base.”

    The governor added that a road network different from the Ekenwan route would be constructed during the execution of the Benin River Port project, to link other parts of the state and country to the area.

    “A road network to link other parts of the state to this environ is contained in the feasibility study of the Benin River Port project but we have decided to upgrade the Ekenwan Road starting from the Oba Market axis,” he said.

    Edo Commissioner of Police, Mr Johnson Kokumo, said the Marine Base in Gelegele community is to effectively combat crimes on the waterway.

    “I was able to get the approval of the Inspector General of Police to have a base here to ensure there is adequate security in this environ,” he said.

    Kokumo added that the Police has established a synergy with the local vigilantes in Gelegele community to beef up security in the area.

    Real Admiral Suleiman Opochi, Commander, Joint Taskforce Operation, Delta Force, said protection of facilities and installation on the Niger Delta waterways was part of the taskforce’s mandates.

    He said the tour with the governor of the Benin River Port project was to assess the terrain, which is part of the taskforce’s surveillance duties.

    “What we have come here for is within the confines of our mandate to protect oil and gas installations on waterways from sea robbery and crude oil theft. We have relayed the challenges in this environ to the Edo State Government and we believe it is on top of the issue,” he added.

    Chairman, Gelegele Community, Mr. Dennis Milton, described the governor’s visit to the facilities in the Benin River Port as laudable, noting that there are assurances that the project would be actualised.

    He said the people of the community are ready to guarantee security in the area and support the state government in the execution of the project.

  • Edo to co-invest in devt of Weppa Farm

    …Partners Leventis Foundation on Agric Institute

     

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state government will in the coming weeks sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Leventis Foundation to fast-track the development of the 13,500 hectares Weppa  Farm, Agenebode, in Etsako East Local Government Area of the state.

    Governor Obaseki disclosed this at the foundation- laying/groundbreaking ceremony of the Leventis Foundation’s Agricultural Management Training Institute, Weppawanno, to be sited at the farm, in Agenebode.

    The governor said he was delighted that private interests, such as the Leventis Foundation are aligning with his vision to reposition the state as a thriving industrial hub and setting up institutions to deepen the penetration of his policies.

    According to him, “I know that you have only developed 50 per cent of this farm. I want to implore and inform you that the Edo State Government is willing to collaborate with you for the rapid development of this facility. To this end, in the next two weeks we will like to sign an MoU with the Leventis Foundation to co-invest in the farm.”

    He said the state will work with the foundation to train and provide support for Agripreneurs in the state to guarantee a market for their produce as well as technical support for agricultural development. We want to ensure that our people do not only get trained but have access to the required support to set up, operate and create wealth from their farms.”

    “The establishment of the Agricultural Management Training Institute could not have come at a better time. As a state government we have decided to take action and recreate our tertiary institutions to ensure they do what they were set up to do.  In particular, we have shut down our colleges of agriculture in Iguoriakhi, Agenebode and Irrua. This is so that we can restructure and reposition them. The idea is to train dependable, dynamic and competent middle level manpower in the agricultural industry.

    We want to thank the management of the facility for the assistance they have rendered to us as we strive to reposition our schools of agriculture. In the meantime, we have decided to spread the students in our schools to various agricultural enterprises in Edo State such as Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, Presco Plc, Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria and the Leventis Farm.”

    Chairman, Leventis Foundation, Alhaji Ahmed Mantey, said that the state government has been a worthy ally in the development of Weppa Farm, noting that this spurred the management to contribute to the economic development of the state.

    According to him, “Our aim with the Leventis Foundation Agricultural Management Institute is to fast-track the development of young agricultural specialists to become the commercial farm managers of tomorrow.

    “The course will be run on a one-year residency basis and will comprise both practical and academic elements. Weppa Farm is a mixed farm with arable, tree crops, livestock and processing activities and by siting the institute on the farm, students will have the opportunity to gain full exposure to modern mixed commercial farming.”