The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Edo State

  • Revamp of 230 schools: Parents, other stakeholders laud Obaseki

    As contractors mobilize to site for the commencement of rehabilitation work on 230 public primary schools across Edo State, parents and other stakeholders in the education sector have commended Governor Godwin Obaseki for prioritizing the reform of basic education in the state.

    A cross-section of stakeholders who spoke to journalists said the state government has shown uncommon commitment to the basic education sector, starting with the training of over 7000 teachers on the use of digital tools to teach in primary schools across the state.

    They said that the renovation of schools across the state has put paid to complaints that the teachers would teach in dilapidated schools, noting that the exercise shows that the governor is not just systematic in his approach to problems, but also sincere.

    A parent, Mrs. Omoh Abhulimen, from Esan South East Local Government of the state, said the intervention of the state government is a rescue mission to save public education at the basic level.

    “After training teachers on modern methods of teaching, it was only appropriate that the state government embarks on major repair of schools with dilapidated structures to ensure children learn in a conducive environment,” she said.

    Another parent, Mr. Micheal Obi, whose children were relocated to another school as a result of the state of infrastructure in their school, commended 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.”

    Favor 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.”

    A resident of Akoko Edo Local Government Area, Mrs. Bose Itsemhe, said “I am happy they are coming to fix the school here in my area. Those of us with children attending the school will monitor the progress of work and help in safeguarding the school from vandals.”

    Recall that during a meeting with contractors, Governor Godwin Obaseki vowed to prosecute contractors who deliver sub-standard work on the 230 public primary schools being refurbished by the state government.

    A School-based Management Committee (SBMC) has been put in place to ensure that the schools are well run and whatever has been provided for the schools are not vandalised.

     

     

  • Lassa Fever: Obaseki tasks local councils on sanitation

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has charged chairmen of local government areas in the state to intensify the campaign on environmental sanitation and other efforts geared at mitigating resurgence of Lassa Fever in the state.

    Obaseki gave the charge in Benin City, as a team of scientists working with staff of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, have made a breakthrough with a “rapid portable genomic sequencing technology to identify viruses without prior knowledge of the cause of the disease.”

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, the governor said that the state government has already rolled out a campaign to sensitise the public on how to prevent the spread of Lassa Fever.

    He said that the state government has mobilised relevant health agencies and is working closely with a delegation of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), to reduce the chances of a resurgence of the ailment.

    According to him, “It is no news that we are susceptible to Lassa Fever in some parts of the state, due to a number of factors. The risk of resurgence in Nigeria is high in the dry season, as people engage in bush burning.

    “However, the Edo state government has commenced an elaborate sensitisation campaign to ensure that the people are better informed on what can cause or spread Lassa Fever this season. We are aware of the resurgence in other states and are committed to stamp out the disease from our state.

    “This is why the governor is calling on the chairmen of local government areas, who are closest to the people to ensure that this message gets to our people everywhere. They are to mobilise information units in their areas to take the message of how to prevent the disease to remote parts of the state.”

    Meanwhile, a team of scientists working with staff of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, have made a breakthrough with a “rapid portable genomic sequencing technology to identify viruses without prior knowledge of the cause of the disease.”

    The research led by scientists from Public Health England (UK), the Bernhard Nocht Institute of Tropical Medicine, Germany, in collaboration with the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), has been described as a major breakthrough in Lassa Fever diagnosis.

    Read Also: Obaseki meets contractors on revamp of 230 schools

    The breakthrough is contained in a report published in the journal, Science. The research was conducted during the 2018 Lassa fever epidemic in Nigeria.

    The Chief Medical Director of ISTH, Prof. Sylvanus Okogbeni, was quoted as saying “The result of the sequencing reassured managing Clinicians in ISTH, the main centre for the diagnosis and treatment of Lassa Fever in Nigeria.

    “I would like to congratulate the team for the feat. The institution is very willing to collaborate further to ensure that on-site sequencing is a regular feature of its Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control.”

  • Obaseki meets contractors on revamp of 230 schools

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has vowed to prosecute any contractor who delivers sub-standard work on the 230 public primary schools being refurbished by the state government through the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

    The governor gave the warning when he held a meeting with the contractors handling the school renovation project, at Government House, in Benin City, on Thursday.

    He said, “Ordinary, I will not interact with contractors but because of the priority we place on basic education, I decided to have this all-important meeting with you. We have five pillars of our SUBEB system and one of them is the refurbishment of our schools.”

    He added that the state government has set up a team that will monitor the refurbishment of the schools, noting that any contractor who does not perform as expected will be prosecuted.

    “To fix basic education, you need to look at all aspects, the training of teachers, review of curriculum and refurbishment of the physical environment of the schools. We want you to understand that you are a part of our efforts at rebuilding our basic education system and thus you must deliver on the job as specified. We are taking the process seriously and anybody that does not perform as expected will be in trouble,” he warned.

    He urged the contractors to fast-track delivery of the job, so they could bid for the additional 230 schools recently advertised.

    Some of the schools to be refurbished include Ojirami Primary School in Ojirami, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area (LGA); Ugbogo Primary School in Igarra, Akoko Edo LGA; Amegor Primary School in Uwelu, Egor LGA; Eweka Primary School in Egor LGA; Olua Primary School in Egor LGA; Ivbiyeneva Primary School in Ikpoba Okha LGA; Aduwawa Primary School in Ikpoba Okha and Uhie Primary School.

    Others are Egbokor Primary School, Idunmwingun Primary School, Iguere Primary School, Evboeghae primary school and Oza Primary School, in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, and over 200 other schools across the three senatorial districts.

  • Obaseki threatens to jail contractors over sub-standard jobs

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has warned contractors who won bids to build or refurbish 230 public primary schools to deliver quality jobs.

    Governor Obaseki who threatened to jail any contractor who delivers sub-standard work through the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

    Obaseki who read the riot act at a meeting with the contractors handling said public schools refurbishment was one of the five pillars of the Edo SUBEB.

    He disclosed that the state government has set up a team that would monitor the refurbishment of the schools.

    Obaseki said any contractor who does not perform as expected would be prosecuted.

    He urged the contractors to fast-track delivery of the job, so they could bid for the additional 230 schools recently advertised.

    According to him, “Ordinary, I will not interact with contractors but because of the priority we place on basic education, I decided to have this all-important meeting with you. We have five pillars of our SUBEB system and one of them is the refurbishment of our schools.

    Read Also: Obaseki assures new Police Commissioner of support

    “To fix basic education, you need to look at all aspects, the training of teachers, review of curriculum and refurbishment of the physical environment of the schools. We want you to understand that you are a part of our efforts at rebuilding our basic education system and thus you must deliver on the job as specified. We are taking the process seriously and anybody that does not perform as expected will be in trouble,” he warned.

    Some of the schools to be refurbished include Ojirami Primary School in Ojirami, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area (LGA); Ugbogo Primary School in Igarra, Akoko Edo LGA; Amegor Primary School in Uwelu, Egor LGA; Eweka Primary School in Egor LGA; Olua Primary School in Egor LGA; Ivbiyeneva Primary School in Ikpoba Okha LGA; Aduwawa Primary School in Ikpoba Okha and Uhie Primary School.

    Others are Egbokor Primary School, Idunmwingun Primary School, Iguere Primary School, Evboeghae primary school and Oza Primary School, in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, and over 200 other schools across the three senatorial districts

  • Edo issues fresh Lassa Fever alert

    The Edo State Government has issued fresh alert to residents in the state following report of outbreak of the disease in other parts of the country, exacerbated by bush burning and other activities that drive rats from the wild into people’s homes.

    In a statement, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said: “We want residents in the state to take extra precaution against Lassa Fever disease. The disease is prevalent during dry season as burning of surrounding bushes is common practice. The rats which spread the diseases may find shelter in human habitation as a result of bush burning.”

    He called on residents in the state especially those residing in endemic areas to adopt preventive measures in order to ward off the disease.

    “Governor Godwin Obaseki has made efforts to halt the spread of Lassa Fever in the state. If residents ignore this warning, it may expose them to the disease, as experts have linked the dry season when bush burning is rampant to the resurgence of the disease,” the governor’s aide said.

    He noted, “It is important for residents in the state to be cautious to guard against the resurgence of the disease.”

    Read Also: We’ve kept our promise on salary,says Akeredolu

    Osagie identified the preventative steps to include, “People should protect their foodstuffs and water from rats through storage in well covered containers. Avoid bush burning that can drive rats into people’s homes from the surrounding bush. The environment should be clean always.”

    He urged residents to ensure that they report suspected cases of the disease by calling the following numbers: 08033380188; 08023345987; and 08084096723.

    According to him, “People should ensure that they wash their hands frequently in addition to avoiding contact with infected persons. Any person with fever should go the hospital promptly. Eliminate rats from your homes and communities. Cook your food thoroughly.

    “Residents in the state should avoid eating raw food that are not properly stored in covered containers. If possible, people should suspend the drinking of garri.”

  • Obaseki assures new Police Commissioner of support

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured the state’s new Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Olusegun Odumosun, that the Edo State Security Architecture, will guarantee well-coordinated policing that will benefit from input from relevant stakeholders, especially local communities, in the state.

    Obaseki gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by the state’s new Commissioner of Police, at Government House in Benin City, the Edo State capital, on Wednesday.

    The governor also noted that a permanent emergency response centre, where activities of the new security architecture will be coordinated, will be ready before the end of the first quarter of 2019.

    He said, “We are building an emergency response center to be ready in the quarter of this year. For now, we will set up a temporary center to coordinate all the activities of the operatives under the new security architecture recently launched in the state.”

    The governor commended the outgoing Police Commissioner, Mr. Johnson Kokumo, for his cooperation and support in birthing the security architecture, which has made the state safer for citizens.

    He said the security trust fund will be managed transparently, urging Edo people and residents in the state to support and contribute to the fund.

    “We can’t secure the state alone without the support and cooperation of Edo people. The security information management system which Kokumo has helped the state to set up is vital. All the information in the database will help in understanding the incidence of criminality in the state as well as assist in policing the state.

    “The system has been launched. In the next few days, officers that will be coordinating the Security Trust Fund, operationally, will be made public. Also, those that will be in charge of the Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) will be made known. The formal fundraising of the security trust fund will be done,” he said.

    He further assured the new Commissioner of Police of his administration’s support to ensure that he succeeds while urging him to quickly fit into the shoes of the outgoing CP, especially with regards to the Edo State Security Architecture.

    Obaseki urged the new Commissioner of Police to run a corruption-free command and ensure that the people of the state trust the force.

    The new CP, Hakeem Odumosun said his mission in the state is to protect life and property and ensure the state is safe for all.

  • Obaseki awards contract for refurbishment of 230 primary schools in Edo

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has approved the contract for the refurbishment of 230 primary schools across the state, to provide for conducive learning environment for pupils in the schools.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said this in Benin City, the state capital on Wednesday.

    He noted that the state government is committed to making learning pleasurable for pupils in the state, adding that the review of a list of another 230 primary schools is in progress, after which contracts for their refurbishment will be awarded.

    According to him, “The governor has approved the contract for the renovation of 230 primary schools in the state. This is in furtherance of his commitment to ensuring that students in the state learn in a conducive environment.

    “It is also coming as the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) is set to roll out the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) in more schools across the state.

    Read Also: Obaseki mourns as former President Shagari passes at 93

    “With the award, contractors are expected to be on site working on the schools. As that is ongoing, we are also in the process of compiling another batch of 230 public primary schools for which contracts would be awarded in the first quarter of 2019. This will bring the number of schools marked for renovation to 460.”

    He said that an audit of another 800 schools is also ongoing, after which schools found to be in need of renovation would be added to the 460, noting that the state government is not going to leave any school behind in the rollout of the renovation programme.

    “We are committed to ensuring that the schools in Edo State are in good shape. We have had to take our time to do this because we wanted the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) to be in place so they can play a critical role in ensuring that the schools are well run and that whatever is provided for the schools are not vandalised,” he said.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Gabriel Enaboifo’s passing: Obaseki commiserates with family

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has commiserated with the family of Barrister Gabriel Osimen Enaboifo, a respected politician and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, whose passing was announced recently.

    In a statement, the governor said late Enaboifo contributed significantly to deepening democracy and the overall development of the state.

    “I commiserate with the family of late Barr. Gabriel Enaboifo, whose passing has been brought to my notice. He was a consummate politician who led the state’s chapter of a number of political parties in the state and was a founding member of our great party, the APC.

    “As a grassroots politician, he was a great mobilizer and his dexterity and experience will be missed as we go into the polls in 2019. On behalf of the state government, I send my condolences to his family and pray that God grant them the fortitude to bear the loss,” Obaseki said.

    Barrister Enaboifo had a rich profile in politics that dates back to him being the Chief Secretary for Organisation of the Unity Party of Nigeria, Bendel State until 1983. With the return to civil rule in 1992, he was the Edo State Chairman of the Social Democratic Party.

    He later held similar role in the All People’s Party and All Nigeria Peoples Party. He was a founding member of the Action Congress of Nigeria, which later became the APC. Barr. Enaboifo was a staunch mobiliser for the parties he belonged to in Esan West Local Government Area in particular and Edo State as a whole.

    Enaboifo died at the age of 77.

    The schedule for his burial, according to the family, will run from January 10 to 13, with activities set to hold in Ekpoma and Benin City, in the state.

  • 2019: Obaseki mobilizes support for APC at New Year’s day service

    Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has called on all Edo people and residents, particularly those in Sabongida-Ora, to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming general elections.

    Obaseki made the call during a New Year’s day church service on Tuesday, at the Cathedral of St. John Anglican Church in Sabongida-Ora in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

    The governor explained that a vote for President Buhari will enable the APC-led government sustain the achievements and progress the nation has recorded under the party.

    “We must understand that Nigeria faces major challenges. But we are on course as we have done quite a lot of work in the last three and a half years. We need to sustain the work we are doing and the massive support for the APC will guarantee this.”

    He noted that though the nation’s increasing population was frightening, with associated challenges, he assured that “the President is equal to the task as he is creating opportunities and empowering people to make life more meaningful for everyone.”

    According to him, the people of Sabongida-Ora are celebrated for the high value they place on education and emphasised that the ongoing reform in the state’s education sector is revolutionizing the sector.

    Read Also: Obaseki mourns as former President Shagari passes at 93

    “Basic education is free and compulsory for our children in the State,” he stressed.

    “Health is another area of focus for us especially primary healthcare system. We are committed to ensuring an efficient healthcare system that will identify diseases early enough for easy treatment, before ailments get out of hand”.

    He told the congregation that his administration is also investing in agriculture to attract industries to the state to feed production and processing centres.

    In his sermon entitled “Our year of divine expansion”, Rev. Augustine Ohilebo, Diocesan Bishop, Diocese of Sabongida-Ora, said Christians cannot enjoy God’s blessings if they don’t have personal relationship with him.

    “If you are outside the camp of God you are prone to danger. Sin hinders your relationship with God and limits your expansion. For you to experience divine expansion we need to get in contact with God,” the Bishop admonished Christians.

    Reading from the Bible book of Isaiah, chapter one verse 18, he urged Christians to repent from their wicked ways and trust the Lord for his provisions in 2019.

    “To experience divine expansion, you should enlarge your capacity in service to God; attendance to church, paying of tithes, prayers and giving to the work of God.

    He added that the country will not be divided and warned that anyone or group of persons who want Nigeria to divide will not succeed.

  • Edo residents upbeat about 2019

    …as churches, fun places, event centres wear new look

     

    Residents of Edo State are filled with high hopes for the New Year, as churches and public buildings, including event centres wear new look in Benin City, Edo State capital to usher in 2019.

    A cross-section of residents who spoke to journalists in Benin City, said they hope the New Year would usher in new opportunities for prosperity and that managers of the country  would expertly navigate the numerous economic and political events that will shape the New Year.

    When asked about how he intends to celebrate the New Year, Mr. John Ojehomon said, “I will be in my church for the cross-over service to thank God for the blessings and gift of life in the year 2018. I am happy to be alive and to be celebrating 2019 in good health. I believe there is a lot of things to look forward to in the new year. We hope that Nigeria will overcome the numerous hurdles in 2019.

    Read Also: Three die in Edo multiple accident

    Victor Lax, who operates an event centre, said, “We are set to host customers who will be visiting the centre to celebrate cross-over into the new year. We are expecting customers after the end of the cross-over church service. We will be open for business all through the night as fun seekers will be around to celebrate the new year.

    Mrs. Joy Idehen said, “The new year celebration is a perfect opportunity to go out with the children. My husband and I will visit an event centre to mark the day. As God has blessed us with life and good health, nothing stops us from celebrating together as a family.”

    Pastor Monday Osazee said members of his congregation will be holding a thanksgiving cross-over service to thank God for his blessings and protection in the year 2018 and pray for a successful year 2019.

    On his expectations in year 2019, Ojehomon said he expects a successful 2019 general elections with no crisis, adding, “I believe Nigerians are now more enlightened to exercise their civic rights without resorting to violence. With free and fair polls, I believe we will have capable leaders to pilot our affairs as a nation.”