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Tag: Edo State

  • Edo Production Centre takes delivery of three 500KV transformers

    Entrepreneurs in Edo State are finalising moves to commence operations at the Edo Production Centre, as three 500KV transformers have been installed at the facility in furtherance of the state government’s plans to provide 24-hour electricity at the centre located at the Sapele Road axis of Benin City.

    The Edo Production Centre is an initiative of the State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, to provide a multipurpose production facility with conducive environment for manufacturers to work in clusters. Some of the major attractions include constant power supply and other business support services so as to boost capacity to produce at scale, create more jobs and deepen industrialisation.

    The facility is expected to play host to 200 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) engaged in welding and fabrication, recycling and waste management, polythene production, printing and publishing, clothing, bakeries and confectionaries, and packaging, among others.

    Read Also: Police rescue Edo girl sold for N850,000

    Head, Energising Edo, Mr. Paul Okungbowa, said entrepreneurs are gearing to move in, even as the facility has taken delivery of three 500 KV transformers.

    According to him, “The 500KV transformers will be connected to the 33KV line in the area. The plan is to have at the onset 1.2MW of power, which we intend to expand to 4MW in the near future. We want to ensure that there will be ample electricity to power the machines and equipment of the artisans and businesses that will co-locate at the hub. Essentially, there will be no downtime, if the occupiers wish.”

    He said the state government’s intention is to ensure that there are thriving industries in the state, which is why it is facilitating the growth of MSMEs that will create more jobs and engage youths. He added that two more centres are to be built in Edo North and Edo Central, to stimulate inclusive growth across the state.

    The Edo Production Centre is fitted with factory space, security and office space and would provide live-in desks for relevant government agencies to engage, support and provide services to small businesses. The agencies to be hosted at the facility 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.

  • Obaseki appreciates Edo Central leaders for victory in State Assembly polls

    Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has expressed appreciation to leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo Central Senatorial District of the state, noting that they worked assiduously for the success of the party in the area during the State House of Assembly elections.

    The governor said this when he met with the leaders at the residence of the Chairman of APC in Edo State, Barr. Anselm Ojezua, in Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area.

    The governor said the victory recorded in the area which made it possible for the APC to clinch the 24 seats in the House of Assembly is worthy of commendation and shows that the leaders have done well in communicating the achievements of his administration and the party to the people at the grassroots.

    He restated his commitment to the welfare of Edo people, noting that no section of the state would be left out in the determined march to spread development across the state.

    The governor also urged party leaders in the area to shun the antics of a few greedy individuals who are trying to cause disaffection in the party, stressing that the APC is united for the development of the state and not to fritter the state’s resources for selfish gains.

    He admonished them to remain steadfast in the support for the government and the numerous policies rolled out to provide better living conditions for residents, adding that with continued, unwavering support more developmental projects will continue across the state.

    Read Also: Obaseki’s gains, losses in education

    Chairman of  Edo State Chapter of the APC, Anselm Ojezua, said the consultative meeting is an on-going effort to ensure that the party members are updated with developments in the state. 

    He said the leadership of APC in Edo Central Senatorial District are happy with the developmental strides of the governor in the state, noting “The conclusion of the meeting is that he should continue with his good works in developing the state. He should not be distracted by the noise in the state. The governor should focus on his job at the appropriate time the leadership of the party will take a position.”

  • 800 teachers set to retire in Edo

    Over 800 teachers are set to retire from the employment of the Edo State government next month.
    Their retirement followed decision of Governor Godwin Obaseki to adhere strictly to the rules which stated that workers are to retire from service having attained 60 years or spent 35 years in service.
    During the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, workers were allowed to remain in service even if they have served for 35 years but has not reached 60 years.
    It was gathered that the 800 teachers were among those trained under the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) programme.

    Read Also: Edo politics: Why political gluttons want Obaseki’s removal

     
    Government sources said the retirement of the 800 teachers was a concern to the Obaseki’s administration owing to the huge resources spent to train the teachers since last year.
    Read Also:
    The source said plans were on to recruit new teachers but the new recruits had to be trained on pedagogy.
     
    Meanwhile, the Federal Government has sent a team to understudy the Edo BEST programme with a view to implement it across the country.
    In February, the Rwanda Government sent Deputy Director-General, Rwanda Education Board, Tusiime Angelique, to visit Edo because of its plans to model its basic education system after the Edo BEST.

    It was learnt that plans by the Edo State Government to extend the Edo BEST to secondary schools would be successful if the Federal government accepted to use the model across the country.

  • AAU: Obaseki lifts embargo on employment

    The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has tasked the Governing Council of the Ambrose Alli University (AAU) to initiate reforms that will reposition the institution into a world-class centre of excellence in learning and research.

    The governor has also lifted the embargo on employment at the institution but maintained that the school must not employ people it cannot pay or who are unqualified.

    Obaseki disclosed this when members of the Governing Council of AAU, paid a courtesy visit to the Government House, in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    He urged the governing council to ensure discipline is maintained among staff and students in the school, noting, “People have to be prosecuted if found wanting. People who steal must be prosecuted and funds returned.”

    Obaseki urged the council to be innovative in generating funds to run the institution, noting that this could be done through Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and donations from alumni, tasking the council to source for private investors to augment the school’s funding.

    He noted that the state government could not increase the institution’s budget due to financial constraints, noting: “I want to work with you to streamline your system, processes and extract the value that exists in the university.”

    Read Also: Obaseki: I won’t share govt money

    On employment, he said, “Sort out what you have to do before you employ. Check the quality of people you want to employ also.”

    He assured members of the council of continued support from the state government, urging the board not to relent in its efforts to change the narrative of the institution.

    Chairman of the Governing Council, Chief Lawson Omokhodion, said the council has resolved to promote productivity in the institution in line with recommendations of the due diligence exercise earlier carried out.

    He thanked the governor for regular monthly subvention for payment of salaries and pension, noting that the council is working to make the institution one of the best five universities in the country within the next five years.

    Omokhodion listed projects to be embarked upon by the council to include staff audit, forensic audit, deployment a new pension scheme and annual convocation ceremony.

    He decried encroachment of the institution’s land by herdsmen while appealing for construction of perimeter fencing around the school.

  • Our goal is to serve Edo people, not to amass wealth, says Obaseki

    The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has said members of his cabinet are not in public office to amass wealth or gain fame but to serve Edo people and deliver dividends of democracy.

    Obaseki disclosed this while speaking at an intercessory prayer session held in the Government House Chapel, in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    The governor noted that he is focused on developing the state and that ploys by a handful of distractors will not distract the government from delivering dividends of democracy to Edo people.

    Read Also: Thugs attack Edo councillor, beats him to pulp

    According to the governor, “members of my cabinet are united and work together for the common good of the people. We are one. Most of us have worked together for 10 years. Our focus is to move Edo State forward and fulfil God’s desire for his people. We are not in office to amass wealth or fame but to serve the people of the state.

    “We are determined to take Edo State to greater heights and nobody will deter us from achieving our goals for the state,” the governor added.

    Obaseki said he has received God’s favour in all decisions taken in governing the state, assuring that Edo State will remain peaceful, regardless of the antics deployed by a handful of politicians to create problems where there is none.

    “The task ahead is so enormous and our focus is to deliver good governance to the people of the state,” Obaseki reiterated.

  • UBTH to provide healthcare services at Okpekpe race

    The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), a premier and multi-specialty healthcare service provider in Nigeria and West Africa is the latest body to join the race of providing services at the 7th IAAF Silver Label Okpekpe international 10km road race which holds next week Saturday in Okpekpe near Auchi in Estako East local government area of Edo state.

    Professor Darlington E. Obaseki, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital says the UBTH is delighted to be associated with an internationally recognized race which has brought so much attention to the hilly and rustic town of Okpekpe and has put Edo State on the map of the world as a destination of sort for sports.

    ”We at UBTH are delighted to be part of this historic race, the first road running event in Nigeria and West Africa to be granted a label status by the IAAF. We are particularly delighted that the heartbeat of the nation, Edo state is playing host to such an event,” said Obaseki.

    Read Also: Okpekpe road race passes dope tests

    The chief medical director has given UBTH’s commitment to ensuring the race is delivered without any casualties.

    ”The UBTH’s partnership will ensure participants at the race get free and quality healthcare before, during and after the race,” said Zak Amodu, the event’s director of organization.

    ”We are grateful to the government of Edo state, particularly His Excellency, governor Godwin Obaseki for providing  the enabling environment for the race to thrive. We are also grateful to UBTH for associating with the race. We promise to deliver another world class event come Saturday May 25 in Okpekpe,” said Amodu.

     

  • Edo’ll set new standards with National Sports Festival, says Obaseki

    Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has assured that the state government will set a new national standard when it hosts the 2020 National Sports Festival (NSF), assuring that facilities for the games are being put in place and would be ready well ahead of the festival.

    Obaseki gave the assurance while inspecting the construction of a new block of building to serve as Secretariat for NSF officials during the competition.

    The governor said the building, which is located within the premises of the Government House, in Benin City, would be ready in 6 weeks, adding, “It will be properly equipped with the necessary facilities such as communication system to upgrade the standard of the festival.”

    He said existing sport facilities in the state are being refurbished even as the state government is building more facilities ahead of the 2020 National Sports Festival.

    “We aim to set new national standards for hosting the NSF. We are doing a total revamp of the stadium. We have ordered for new athletic tracks. We are also rebuilding the Tennis Courts, Swimming Pools and investing in other facilities around the City that will be used for the festival,” the governor said.

    Read Also: Edo primary schools now ‘well organised’, says Obaseki

    On the preparations for the festival, Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu said the State Sports Festival would be hosted ahead of the National Sports Festival, noting, “The State Festival will form the trial for those that will represent Edo State during the NSF. Team Edo will be selected from the State Sports Festival.

    According to Shaibu, arrangements are being put in place to ensure Edo State does not just host but put up a good showing at the event. He reiterated that the ongoing reconstruction work at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium would be completed before the end of August 2019.

     

  • Insecurity: APC stalwart tasks Buhari to do more in second term

    As the first tenure of the Buhari-led administration is winding down in less than three weeks, a chieftain of ruling All Progress Congress (APC) in Edo state, Stanley Osifo, has called on the president to do more in the area of intelligence in his second term to subdue the spate of insecurity that had plunged Nigeria into a dangerous adventure in the last few years.

    Speaking with The Nation in a telephone chat in Lagos on Saturday, Osifo said in the view of myriad of security challenges inherited by Buhari administration in 2015, the president has done his best and deserves commendations from Nigerians.

    The business mogul turned politician noted that the issue of security is a collective effort of every Nigerian to join hands with government to ensure a safe society.

    Osifo warned that politicization of security issue in Nigeria is one major problem that must be condemned by all Nigerians to let the nation off hooks of various degree of crimes that bedeviled the nation.

    Read Also: Buhari keeps them guessing

    The APC stalwart noted that given the reports that were issued by the military, one may not be far from truth that security challenge in Nigeria has a political undertone.

    Responding to the case of unemployment and poverty which many adjudged as factors responsible for proliferation of terrorist groups in the country, he opined that those factors should not be yardsticks to join band wagon and unleash mayhem on society.

    He urged Nigerian youths on collaborative efforts with government to harness opportunities waiting for them in an enabling environment which Buhari-led administration has been doing its best to provide.

    He tasked the president to look beyond party line for his cabinet members in second term and get the right persons for the right positions who will reflect the uprightness he is known for across the globe.

    “The issues of security challenge have always been in the country and most time politics usually comes in to create division among Nigerians along ethnic and religious considerations. But if we say we are Nigerians, why destroying our own country, why killing, kidnapping, banditry amongst other things that are happening in the country?”

    “So I advise Mr. President to endeavour do things differently in his second term from the way it has been done in the last four years,” he counseled.

     

  • Obaseki assures capacity building for healthcare personnel

    Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has said the ongoing re-training of healthcare personnel, especially nurses, in Primary Health Care Centres across the state, a part of the Edo Healthcare Improvement Programme (Edo-HIP), will build their capacity to better provide preventive and curative care to residents in the state.

    The governor, who disclosed this in commemoration of the International Nurses Day marked every May 12, maintained the state government will continue to prioritise capacity building for nurses to ensure that they are responsive to the needs of their patients and also protect themselves against hazards in the workplace.

    Read Also: Efficient Health Insurance Scheme’ll attract investment to healthcare sector – Obaseki

    According to him, “As we mark the International Nurses Day, I want to commend the excellent jobs by nurses in providing essential services to patients and assisting with the efficient management of healthcare centres. Their contributions over time have ensured that we have a close-knit, effective workforce at hospitals.”

    He said this year’s theme of the celebration, Voice to Lead: Health for All is germane and speaks to the state government’s effort to ensure quality, accessible healthcare for residents in the state at the revamped primary healthcare centres spread across the 18 local government areas across the state.

    “We hail nurses for their remarkable devotion to work and caring for the sick, sometimes at great personal cost occasioned by the long hours of work they put in to ensure that patients get maximum care,” he added.

    On reforms in the state’s healthcare sector, Obaseki said that the revamp of primary healthcare in the state is underway and a lot is being done to ensure that a holistic job is done, which includes provision of potable water and stable, solar-powered electricity supply, secured work premises, adoption of technology in patient management and continuous training, among others.

     

  • Edo calls for calm in Iguolaba community over clash

    The Edo State Government has called for calm among residents of Iguolaba Community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area over clashes that led to alleged killing of some persons in the community.

    Addressing the protesters who barricaded a major road leading to the community, Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Diaspora, Hon. Osaze Osemwegie-Ero, urged members of the community to remain calm, as a meeting has been scheduled for next week to be attended by representatives from the community and relevant authorities to ensure a lasting solution to the attacks.

    Osemwegie-Ero said, “The governor is not happy with the situation and he is concerned about your pains. The reported killings, barring people from going to their farms and attack on women is totally unacceptable. We will continue to apply diplomacy in dealing with the issues. I am sure they will come around.”

    A spokesperson for the community, Mr Vasco Ogie, called on the state government to come to their rescue over the activities of intruders in the area, adding that the attacks started four years ago.

    He said four non-indigenes residing in the community, including three males and a female, were allegedly killed by the attackers in the last two weeks.

    Read Also: 36 killed in Edo, Delta, Anambra auto crashes

    Ogie noted that residents in the community could no longer engage in farming activities because of fear of being attacked.

    “We did not plant this year because we are scared of being attacked and our crops destroyed. We have reported the issue to the Police and the state government.”

    Ogie listed other communities which are also being attacked by the suspected intruders to include Oben, Ikobi, Obozogbe-Nugu, Umughunmwun-Nokhun and Ugbakele.

    The spokesman for the Elders Council in Iguolaba Community, John Odia, said they want the state government to come to their rescue.