The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Edo State

  • Obaseki lists gains of APC-controlled House of Assembly

    …persuades electorates to vote party’s candidates

     

    Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has itemized the benefits of having an All Progressives Congress-controlled State House of Assembly to include a rancour-free relationship between the legislature and the executive arms of government which would enhance the ease of governing.

    Obaseki who urged voters in the state to come out en masse and elect candidates of the APC in the forthcoming House of Assembly election, said, “Under the current APC-controlled state assembly, we have had harmonious relationship that paved the way for several laws that have enhanced the well-being of Edo people and residents.”

    The governor further said, “We were able to nip the unwholesome activities of Community Development Associations (CDAs) in the bud, through a piece of legislation that received expedited action from members of the Edo State House of Assembly.

    “We have raised the tempo of our fight against human trafficking in the state because we have the enabling laws and other forms of support from the legislature and we need to sustain the positive strides.”

    He explained that, “In a democracy such as ours, the election of lawmakers cannot be left to chance because they are the ones that will formulate laws for our people.

    “Their political ideology should be in harmony with that of the executive for ease of governing. We do not want an assembly that will kick against our reforms and derail our wheel of progress.”

    Read Also: Obaseki inaugurates 17-member Edo PHC board

    He noted that the House of Assembly election slated for Saturday, March 9, is as good as his re-election bid, because “the elected legislators will be the ones to work with me and treat our bills and other legislative matters from May 29.

    “Today, millions of Edo people are witnesses to our achievements as a government, occasioned largely by a supportive House of Assembly, made up of very focused and patriotic people who genuinely seek the development of our dear state.”

    He added that the Edo House of Assembly has no space for rabble rousers, ill-prepared individuals, whose only interest is to cause disaffection for pecuniary motive.

  • Communities applaud Obaseki for ongoing remodelling of schools

    As remodelling work progresses on the 230 public primary schools across Edo State, residents in some of the schools’ host communities have applauded Governor Godwin Obaseki for sustaining reform of basic education in the state.

    A cross-section of residents in some of the communities who spoke to journalists, said steps by the state government to revamp the schools, will complement the deployment of Information Communication Technology (ICT) to improve learning outcomes in the basic education sector.

    A retired school administrator in Ugbiyoko, Mr. Daniel Otinua, described the intervention of the state government as timely and strategic in transforming public education at the basic level, noting, “With the training of 7000 teachers on modern methods of teaching, it is only logical that schools where the modern technological tools are deployed, be remodelled to ensure children learn in a conducive environment.”

    A parent in Evbuotubu axis of Benin City, Mrs. Monica Osunde, said that the governor deserves to be encouraged as he has shown uncommon commitment to restoring the lost glory of basic education in the state.

    Read Also: Polls: We did well, says Obaseki

    According to her, “from what I see being done in one of the schools, children will get the best from the schools. I thank the state government for approving the 230 schools for refurbishment.

    “After the renovation work, my children will have the chance to return to their school. We are really happy that schools are being worked on. It is not every government that places this emphasis on primary schools. It is worth commending.”

    Favour Ikponmwosa, who lives in Egor Local Government Area of the state, expressed appreciation to the governor for listing Eweka Primary School among the schools in the first phase of the renovation work, and said: “I thank Governor Obaseki for remembering our children.”

     

     

  • Why I slept in INEC office for two days, by Ize-Iyamu

    Edo State Director General of the Atiku Campaign Organisation, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has explained why he slept at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during announcement of results.

    Ize-Iyamu said he wanted to ensure that the results were not tampered with.

    Speaking to newsmen in Bénin City after official declaration of the presidential results, he alleged that All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders made serious efforts to tamper with the results.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu said the people resisted attempts by some APC leaders disrupt collation of results.

    Ize-Iyamu said PDP leaders in the state worked very hard to secure victory despite set back occasioned by the postponement of the general elections.

    Read Also: Tinubu hails INEC, security agencies for peaceful poll

    His words: “I am personally here to make the results are not changed. I could have sent one of my boys but they would easily intimidate them.

    “There were serious efforts to change the results. There were pressure INEC to cancel results in areas where we won but the people’s will prevail.”

  • Obaseki appreciates Edo voters for increasing acceptance of APC

    Following the outcome of the presidential elections in the state, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has expressed appreciation to Edo people for the growing acceptance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    In a statement by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, the governor said that the state’s performance in the 2019 election is an improvement on its performance in the 2015 elections.

    According to him, “With the results out, it is obvious that there is a growing acceptance of the APC in the presidential and National Assembly elections in the state. The margins show that we have considerably closed the gap here. The outcome of the polls turned out to be better than the previous one held in the state in 2015.

    Read Also: Obaseki’s aide urges INEC to embrace ICT

    The governor’s aide said that a comparison of the results shows that in 2019, PDP polled 275,691, and the APC got 267,842; while in 2015, the PDP scored 286,869 against APC’s 208,469 in the presidential election.

    “In 2015, the margin of defeat was 78400 votes, but in 2019, it dropped by 90 per cent to 7849 votes. This is a considerable improvement on the party’s performance,” he added.

    He assured that a better feat will be recorded in the March 9 gubernatorial and house of assembly elections. He said the state government is growing towards a people-oriented political culture, which bodes well for democracy.

    According to him, “We appreciate the people of Edo for coming out en masse to cast their votes and for aligning with the vision of returning President Muhammadu Buhari, and we wish to congratulate them for the party’s strong showing.”

     

  • Polls: We did well, says Obaseki

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the All Progressives Congress did well in the state when compared to results of the 2015 general elections.

    In last Saturday’s general elections, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party won two seats in the Senate and four House of Representatives seats while the APC won a seat in the Senate and five seats in the House of Representatives.

    Governor Obaseki who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr.

    said he appreciated Edo people for the growing acceptance of the APC in Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    Obaseki however assured that the APC  would record better results in the March 9 gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections.

    According to him, “With the results out, it is obvious that there is a growing acceptance of the APC in the presidential and National Assembly elections in the state. The margins show that we have considerably closed the gap here. The outcome of the polls turned out to be better than the previous one held in the state in 2015.

    Read Also: Obaseki votes, hails peaceful polls

    “A comparison of the results shows that in 2019, PDP polled 275,691, and the APC got 267,842; while in 2015, the PDP scored 286,869 against APC’s 208,469 in the presidential election.

    “In 2015, the margin of defeat was 78400 votes, but in 2019, it dropped by 90 per cent to 7849 votes. This is a considerable improvement on the party’s performance.

    “We appreciate the people of Edo for coming out en masse to cast their votes and for aligning with the vision of returning President Muhammadu Buhari, and we wish to congratulate them for the party’s strong showing.”

  • Obaseki to revamp Irrua Technical College

    …assures of more job creation initiatives in Edo Central

     

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured Edo residents of his administration’s plans to refurbish the Government Science and Technical College, Irrua, as part of ongoing effort to reposition Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the state to boost skilled workforce.

    The governor gave the assurance at the official flag-off of remediation work on Ewu and Ibore gully erosion sites in Esan Central Local Government Area of the state.

    He said the next plan for the council is economic empowerment for youths through technical education and revitalisation of Ewu Flour Mill which will provide jobs.

    Read Also: Obaseki’s aide urges INEC to embrace ICT

    “The technical school at Irrua will be rehabilitated so that our youths can acquire skills that would enable them sustain themselves.”

    Recall that while on an inspection tour of ongoing rehabilitation work at the Government Science  and Technical College (GSTC), formerly known as the Benin Technical College, in Benin City, Obaseki said that the state government was working with the World Bank and Federal Ministry of Education to access a facility that would be used to promote technical education in the state.

    He added that the facility which is expected to be available by June this year, would be used to replicate the structures being constructed at the GSTC in Edo Central and Edo North senatorial districts.

  • EDSTMA asks motorists to come for impounded vehicles

    The Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA) has given owners of vehicles impounded for traffic offenses by the agency a 30-day ultimatum to come and reclaim their vehicles in its offices across the state.

    In a statement, the agency said 46 vehicles have been abandoned in its premises, urging the owners to come forward to reclaim them with valid vehicle particulars.

    Some of the vehicles have been in the custody of the traffic agency as far back as 2017, and they are spread in the different zones of EDSTMA’s operation.

    Some of the affected vehicles at the agency’s headquarters include a taxi color Mitsubishi bus with vehicle number BEN-409-ZW; an Ox-blood color Toyota Camry with vehicle number GGE-783-EU and a taxi color Vanette bus with vehicle number DGE-618-XC.

    Similarly, an ash color Camry 2.4 with vehicle number EC-453-BEN; Audi 80 with vehicle number GUE-429-LV, a taxi color Vanette bus with vehicle number ACA-841-ZL are abandoned in Zone 2.

    In Zone 6, the agency said the affected vehicles are a black Jetta, an ox blood colour Toyota Camry 2.2 and a white trailer truck with Vehicle numbers AQ-530-BDJ, WWR-76-PR and KPR-439-XA respectively.

     

  • Orhiomwon votes to decide Buhari, Atiku’s fate in Edo

    The presidential results from Orhiomwon local government is being expected to decide the fate of President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State.

    Read Also: Atiku leads with 3,034 votes in Edo

    In the results released from 17 out of the 18 local government areas in Edo State, the PDP presidential candidate is leading with 261,640 votes while Buhari has polled 258,640 votes.

    The APC won the National Assembly election in Orhiomwon local government area.

  • Obaseki urges timely remodeling of 230 public schools

    With work progressing on a large number of the 230 primary schools marked for remodelling by his administration, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has charged contractors handling the rehabilitation work on timely completion of the projects to provide conducive learning environment for pupils in the state.

    In a statement by Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, the governor said that the state government is committed to providing serene, conducive learning environment for the pupils in line with the infrastructure renewal component of the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) programme.

    The rehabilitation of public primary schools is a cardinal part of the Edo-BEST programme which will ensure that the new system of Information Communication Technology (ICT)-based teaching and learning in primary schools is conducted in a sane environment.

    The governor’s aide said construction work is progressing in Edokpokor, Igbesanmwan, Eweka, Evbuotubu, Ugbiyokho, Imasabor, Okhoro primary schools.

    Read Also: Obaseki votes, hails peaceful polls

    Others are Oba Ewuare, Osunde, Amegor primary schools as well as Obe Primary School, in Sabongidda-Ora, Owan West Local Government of the state.

    According to him, “The governor has given a marching order to the contractors to deliver quality work. He has just urged them to ensure that they deliver the job in good time so that the pupils can learn in a safe, habitable environment.

    “The renovation work which cuts across different parts of the state will see us having primary schools that we can be proud of.

    “Another critical reason why these schools are being remodeled is for them to complement the other reforms in the basic education sub-sector. So, with this, teachers will now teach in proper classrooms and the children, who will now learn in more comfortable classes, will be the better for it.”

     

  • Edo tasks communities others on forest conservation

    The Edo State Government has urged for continued support from community leaders, corporate bodies, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and other well-meaning stakeholders to deepen efforts at rolling back the effects of deforestation and ensuring sustainability of forest reserves in the state.

    Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Dame Omoua Oni-Okpako Esq., made the call while commissioning 39 newly acquired motorcycles to aid in the patrol of the interiors of the state’s forest reserves, especially sections that are inaccessible to vehicles.

    Read Also: Stay away from polling units, Edo CP warns thugs

    She noted, “Deforestation and its resultant effects are creeping on us. We either salvage our forest now or lose it forever. Our focus now is on planting of trees and conserving the remaining existing ones. So, this Ministry will not tolerate any form of illegalities that will further degrade our forest and jeopardise the ecosystem.”

    “I wish to also emphasize here that Government cannot do it all. For effective forest sustainability, community leaders, corporate bodies, individuals and other stakeholders in the sector should form a part of the process of protecting the forest, if for no reasons, but for posterity,”Dame Oni-Okpako added.

    “We should not look at the Forest reserve as Government property that could be abused. Unlawful forest activities should be reported to the Forestry office immediately and offenders would be prosecuted accordingly.

    “As a state, and as a people, let’s join hands together to preserve these Natural resources that God has bequeathed to us. This time, it is not only the timber trees but everything in it. The Total forest estate has been so depleted that the flora and fauna species are being endangered and others have gone extinct. We have to strive to bring nature back to its original position,” she urged.