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Tag: Edo State

  • Obaseki visits scene of Afuze attack, condemns killing of police officers

    Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, on Wednesday visited the Divisional Police Headquarters, Afuze, in Owan East Local Government Area of the state, which was attacked by yet-to-be identified bandits, who killed four police officers and blew up the police facility with Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

    Obaseki condemned the attack and promised that the culprits will be arrested and made to face justice.

    “We have not gotten this lawless in Edo State, that people can go to the extent of attacking police officers at their station. I have ordered the release of all the resources required to apprehend and bring the culprits face-to-face with justice,” he said.

    “Our hearts are with the families of the deceased and we will stand by them in these difficult moments. I have ordered the immediate refurbishment of the police facility for policing to continue in Afuze and environs,” the governor added.

    Edo State Police Commissioner, Mr Danmallam Muhammed, said his men are working round the clock to apprehend the culprits.

    He called on citizens to assist the police with information and report suspicious activities in their neighbourhood to the police.

    According to reports, the gunmen attacked the Police Divisional Headquarters on Tuesday night, killing the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and three others.

    A resident of Afuze town, said that the gunmen arrived the station with Improvised Explosive Device (IED), which they detonated before leaving the facility.

    He added that most of the vehicles parked at the station were destroyed.

    The resident said after the attack on the station, the gunmen went to the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the local government where they destroyed police vehicles parked at the premises.

  • Over 200 SMEs seek space in Edo Production Centre

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that not less than 200 Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in fabrication, furniture making, printing and polythene production have applied to work from the Edo Production Centre, which will soon open for business.

    Addressing journalists after inspecting the renovation work at the facility, the governor said “We have over 200 applications from SMEs who want to come and locate here. We have had many SMEs coming together as cluster or cooperatives, who applied and have been given space for fabrication, production of polythene-based products and furniture making.”

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

    Read Also: PDP rejects Edo Assembly polls results

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

    On the plan to ensure free flow of traffic along Sapele Road, which is the major road connecting the Production Centre, Obaseki said that the state government was working with the federal government to fix pot holes on the road and install street lights.

    Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Jobs Creation and Skills Development, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, said the Edo Production Centre is set-up to assist SMEs scale up production, reduce costs and grow their businesses.

    The governor’s aide said the Production Centre is owned by the state government in collaboration with the Bank of Industry, MEND and Benson Idahosa University.

     

     

  • Polls: Obaseki attributes victory to party, people’s power

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has attributed the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the March 9 State Assembly election, to the collective effort of his party, the APC and people’s power.

    Obaseki disclosed this during a meeting with the expanded Edo APC caucus, at the Government House, in Benin City on Tuesday.

    Speaking on the party’s outing and eventual victory at the polls, he said, “This is all about gratitude to God and all of you and the millions of our supporters, for accepting the challenge to deliver the party.”

    The governor noted that the 2019 general elections have rekindled his hope in the country’s democracy and reiterated the desire to operate an all-inclusive government.

    He added, “Edo will continue to align with the federal government to attract positive development to the state as the only APC-controlled state in the South-South and South-East of Nigeria. The APC and my administration will continue to run an all-inclusive government.”

    Read Also: Obaseki’s Chief of Staff wins polling unit

    For Governor Obaseki, the victory of the APC at the polls translates to more responsibilities for the political party to live up to the confidence reposed in it by the electorate.

    Earlier, Chairman, Edo State Chapter of the APC, Barr. Anselm Ojezua, said the victory of the party at the House of Assembly poll showed the massive support citizens of the state have for the Obaseki-led administration, noting, “The result of last Saturday speaks volumes for what Edo citizens think about the APC and the governor of the state. It also speaks volume of the leadership of the political party.

    He debunked allegations that there was rift between Governor Obaseki and theleadership of the APC, adding that “there is nothing the governor has done that the party is not in support or part of.”

    Ojezua noted that the meeting was organised to review the three different elections held in the state, so as to take necessary actions.

    In attendance at the expanded APC Caucus meeting with the governor were APC leaders from the three senatorial districts, including newly-elected House of Assembly members.

  • Groups laud Obaseki for leading Edo APC to victory

    Following the impressive outing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the Edo State House of Assembly election, Edo-based socio-political groups have applauded Governor Godwin Obaseki for leading the APC to a landslide victory.

    Representatives of the groups, who spoke to journalists, said the outstanding performance of the APC in the March 9 State House of Assembly election, is not only unprecedented but goes to show that Governor Obaseki’s developmental strides and style of governance resonate well with Edo people and residents.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo State announced that the APC cleared 23 of the 24 seats in the State House of Assembly, with the election in Orhionmwon II State Constituency declared inconclusive.

    Read Also: Obaseki’s Chief of Staff wins polling unit

    In a congratulatory message, the Progressive Benin Youth Forum (PBYF) described the APC’s outing in the poll as an affirmation of Governor Obaseki’s sterling performance, adding, “we congratulate the governor on the historic victory in the State House of Assembly election.”

    Another group, Edo People in Diaspora Association, said the performance of the APC in the State House of Assembly poll is not a fluke, noting that the governor deserved such a support as he has shown to be “humble, noiseless, and an unassuming history maker.”

    The Godwin Obaseki Support Group (GOSG) said Obaseki will go down in history as a governor who led the APC to landslide victory in the State House of Assembly Poll.

    Another group, Edo Grassroots Movement, said “We hail Governor Obaseki, the champion of the masses because you put us first, we are behind you like a rock. Congratulations on the 100 per cent victory in the Edo State House of Assembly election.”

     

  • I’ll continue to put interest of ordinary Edo people first – Obaseki

    ..thanks Edo electorate for voting massively for APC

     

    Basking in the euphoria of the massive votes for candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the House of Assembly election, on Saturday March 9, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has declared that he will continue to put the interest of ordinary Edo people first in the development of the state.

    Obaseki said this at the Omega Fire Ministry International Church Benin Branch 1, when he led members of his cabinet to a thanksgiving service for the violence-free election in the state.

    The governor noted that it is God that gives power through the people and that is why he has chosen to serve the ordinary people, even if he is going to be governor for one day.

    He declared that the people will remain his priority despite the fact that some people want him to do otherwise.

    “Many people are not happy with me but I don’t care because if you, the ordinary people are with me, they cannot do me anything. It is you, the people that matter. It is you that will keep me in power. When God decides to keep me in power, it is you that will make it possible, even if it is one day I have left to spend in office, I will use it to serve you because governance is about the people,” he said.

    Obaseki expressed gratitude to God for the violence-free election in the state, and emphasised that though victory is important, “it is not as important as the violence-free election record we have achieved.

    “Under my watch, I have run three successful elections and we have not recorded the death of any soul due to these elections. We are happy for this success.”

    He assured that his administration will continue to work with the church and religious leaders who know and feel the pulse of the people.

    Read Also: Obaseki’s Chief of Staff wins polling unit

    “As a governor, I want to work closely with the Church because it is difficult to sit in Government House and feel the pulse of the people. Men of God are the right people to work with because they are always with the people and know what they pass through daily.”

    Obaseki explained that the Edo State House of Assembly election has shown that Edo electorates are appreciative of the effort his administration has made to make life better for them.

    He promised to improve on the lives and standards of living of Edo people and added that he will be more focused now to develop the state further and make life better for them especially the youths.

    “The youths are the future of this nation and as a government, the bulk of our resources must go to the young people. The youth have the energy, they have the intellect, all they need is direction to succeed and this government is ready to give that direction,” he pledged.

    He noted that his administration is not about building roads alone but also focused on affecting lives through empowerment programmes for the citizens, particularly women.

    Head Pastor of the Church, Dr. Azemhe Azena, expressed appreciation to the governor for his developmental strides across the state, which according to him, is the reason for the people’s support and prayers for his administration to succeed.

    Pastor Azena who maintained that he is not partisan and does not belong to any political party, said the work of the governor has endeared him to the church and himself.

    “God asked me to join forces with your government and work with you through prayers, to ensure you succeed in your task,” Azena said.

  • Voter apathy characterises Saturday’s polls in Edo

    The Governorship and House of Assembly elections in Edo on Saturday recorded low voter turnout, in spite of the early distribution of election materials across the state.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondents, who monitored the exercise reports that there was widespread voter apathy in the areas visited.

    Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and election materials were conveyed to the polling units early in the morning.

    Some of the residents, who spoke on the low turnout of voters, attributed it to the outcome of the Feb. 23 polls in the area.

    Mr Ehi Peters, a political analyst, told NAN that the apathy in most of the polling centres might not be unconnected with the results of the Presidential and National assembly elections.

    Peters said: “Our people were disappointed with the outcome of the polls, coupled with the disappointing comments by some chieftains of the major political parties in the area.

    “Many of them had boasted that the people’s votes in the field will not decide the final result.

    “In such a situation, the people woukd become disillusioned and uninterested in the entire process, like what is happening right now.”

    NAN reports that newspaper and food vendors were seen in strategic areas of Benin city, displaying their wares and soliciting patronage.

    A food vendor, Mrs Margret Yakubu, said that voter turnout was not encouraging, compared to the last elections.

    “I am just scared because I prepared a lot of food for prospective voters, who might be hungry, while waiting to cast their vote.

    Read also: PDP will record landslide victory in A’Ibom – Senator elect

    “But if the low turnout doesn’t change, I’m going to end up incurring a huge loss.

    “My prayer is that voters would come out en masse before the end of voting today, if not, today’s sales will not be anything to write home about.

    A drink seller, Mrs Agnes Ogedegbe, described the low turnout of voters as a big disappointement “because I had envisaged I would make good profit.”

    Frank Okechukwu, who sells egg roll, however, said that some of the voters might have gone to their farms because of the previous day’s rain.

    “You know our people are predominantly farmers. They may have gone to their farms to take advantage of yesterday’s rain to cultivate crops,’’ Okechukwu said.

    NAN reports that 176 candidates from 23 political parties participated in the House of Assembly election in Edo.

    It was learnt that 1.7 million voters collected their Permanent Voter Cards.

    The major political parties jostling for the 24 constituency seats, incuded the All Progressives Party, Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, Action Democratic Party and Advance Congress of Democrats.

    Others were Alliance for Democracy, Alliance for New Nigeria and All Democratic Peoples Movement, among others. (NAN)

  • Obaseki eulogies late Deaconess Cecilia Ogbeifun

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has described late Deaconess Cecilia Izogie Ogbeifun, as one among women who are the bastions of development.

    The governor gave the tribute at a social dance held in honour of late Deaconess Cecilia Izogie Ogbeifun in Benin City, Edo State.

    He said, “As a government, we will do everything to protect, support, empower and strengthen women because once you strengthen them, you would have strengthened the foundation of the society.

    “Mama was an extraordinary woman, a woman who lived 100 years.  What you see here today is a demonstration of the life she lived. She was a mother to all,” Obaseki said.

    On his part, son of the late Deaconess, Engr. Cecilia Izogie Ogbeifun, expressed his appreciation to dignitaries and other guests who were at the social dance, adding that his late mother lived a virtuous life.

    Ogbeifun said, “She is a woman who feared God and had 10 children that she brought up with integrity, honour and the fear of God. Today, we are all hardworking and successful. We thank God for her life as she died at 100 years old.”

  • EdoJobs partner Macprices, NAT Ltd, others

    …assures on transparency in selection of beneficiaries

     

    In a concerted effort to groom youths in vocations and technical skills, Edo State Government through its skills development platform, EdoJobs, has partnered with MacPrices Limited, NAT Limited and Doma Furniture on extended woodworks and furniture training course for youths in the state.

    The programme is designed as an earn-as-you-learn package which will see trainees placed on regular stipends as they learn new craft.

    Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Jobs Creation and Skills Development, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, said that the state government is committed to grooming youths on vocations and technical education so that they can meaningfully contribute to the state’s economy.

    According to her, “We have entered into a partnership that will see the participants of the training placed on an earn-as-you-learn package for a period ranging from one to two years. This will guarantee that they are comfortable and are able to remain.

    According to her, “EdoJobs is partnering with Doma Furniture, NAT Limited and Macprices Limited to train a total of 70 Edo youths on wood works and furniture making. Some of them will learn to work as machinists. Doma Funiture will train 30 beneficiaries for two years while NAT Limited and Macprices Limited will respectively train 20 beneficiaries for one year.”

    She assured that the process for selecting participants in the training will be transparent as everyone will be given a fair opportunity to participate, noting, “At Edojobs, we ensure that all qualified persons get an opportunity to partake in our training and this will be no different.”

     

  • Obaseki celebrates Osinbajo at 62

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has congratulated the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, as he marks his 62nd birthday, praying for more years of purpose-driven leadership for the erudite scholar.

    In a statement, Obaseki applauded the Vice President for his laudable leadership strides, support and absolute commitment to the growth and development of Nigeria, noting, “On behalf of the Government and people of Edo State, I congratulate you and celebrate all that you represent in building a strong and united Nigeria.”

    He added, “Your leadership strides have brought a new, refreshing panache in governance. The essence of your gracious mien in attending to governance has won you many admirers, and we celebrate this new way of thinking and doing things in government.

    Read Also: Obaseki ‘threatens to deal with APC leaders’

    The governor, who has played host to the Vice President more than four times in Edo State within a period of two years, said that Prof. Osinbajo’s commitment to ensuring the growth of Nigeria, and how he has, at different times, supported Edo State Government’s policies on basic education, industrialisation, housing development and economic reforms are commendable.

    Obaseki noted, “We celebrate with you as you continue to place Nigeria and her people first, and above all else. Happy birthday and we wish you many more years of fruitful service to humanity.”

  • We’ll win all 24 seats in Edo Assembly – APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State said it hoped to won all the 24 available seats in the Edo State House of Assembly.

    It said it was well prepared for the House of Assembly elections.

    State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Lawrence Okah, who spoke with our reporter, said the party was satisfied with the preparation of INEC.

    In Edo Central which is the bastion of the PDP, a chieftain of the APC from the zone, Mr. Victor Eboigbe, told the Nation that the APC would crush the PDP in today’s polls.

    Eboigbe said the APC has campaigned and sensitised the people of Edo Central on the need to have 24 APC lawmakers in the assembly.

    In the 2015 election, the APC won three out of the five six Assembly seats in Edo Central.

    Read Also: ‘APC has sacrificed enough for Lagos’

    According to Eboigbe, “We will do very well in Edo Central. We will win all the six seats this time around.”

    Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, decried the PDP for expressing fears over voters’ apathy.

    Osagie said the PDP was fond of making excuses and spreading lies when electoral defeat awaits it.

    According to him, “The state is prepared. Edo people are well energised to perform their civic duties.

    “Edo people will come out in their large numbers to vote. Security agencies are there to protect lives and the ballot boxes.”