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Tag: Edo State

  • Two die as Edo debunks reports of strange ailments in villages

    EDO State government has debunked reports of strange ailments in some villages in Uhunmwode Local Government Area. It said test carried out on victims showed a case of yellow fever.

    Two persons have been killed by the ailment. Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie, in a statement said the governor has directed officials of the state Ministry of Health to curtail the outbreak of yellow fever. According to Crusoe, “The governor is disturbed by the development and has directed the Commissioner for Health, Dr. David Osifo, to deploy experts in the ministry to the communities affected by the illness.

    “The governor has promised to mobilise additional resources, if the need arises, to support the ministry of health to enable it establish the cause of the illness and death of two persons in the area. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. David Osifo, said a team of experts have been deployed to the communities and the result of the initial tests showed symptoms of cases of yellow fever. “They tested negative to yellow fever. We are doing contact tracing and sensitising people in the communities to clean up their environment. “There is no such thing as a strange illness in Edo State. We have identified yellowness of the eyes and related symptoms, which led us to the conclusion that the illness is yellow fever. We are on top of the situation and will curb the spread of the disease as directed by the state governor.”

  • Obaseki charges campaign council on membership drive, triumph at polls

    The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has inaugurated the Edo Central Senatorial Campaign Council, with a charge to win all the elective positions in the senatorial district, during the 2019 general elections.

    Speaking to members of the campaign council at the party’s secretariat in Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, Obaseki urged the council to liberate the people of the senatorial district who have been under the control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since 1999, through aggressive membership drive.

    He explained that the campaign council will supervise, provide direction and overall guidance for the party’s participation in the 2019 general elections in the area.

    Obaseki said: “The campaign council is to coordinate all the 2019 campaign activities and resources will be deployed to strengthened the various units and wards to enable them win the various elective positions in the 2019 general elections.”

    He noted that in the last two years, his administration has focused on governance rather than politics, and has numerous achievements to show Edo people and residents.

    He added that his administration has committed resources to the development of Esan land in collaboration with the World Bank and United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to ensure that the age-long water problem is being solved.

    “My administration has done much in the areas of erosion control, road rehabilitation, education, health care and in the empowerment of our people in Esan land”.

    He advised members of the campaign council to ensure they win by 80 per cent in next year’s general elections in Edo Central Senatorial District of the state.

    The governor called on the campaign council to set up a reconciliation team to address all the grievances and fall-outs from the ward and local government congresses as well as those from the primary elections, held to elect the party’s candidates for the various elective positions in the 2019 general elections.

    Obaseki further advised members of the council to devise a strategy for expanding the membership of the APC, to increase the party’s numerical strength and win the elections convincingly.

    Earlier, the Vice Senatorial Chairman of the party in the state, Col. David Imusi, thanked the governor and his entourage for coming to inaugurate the campaign council, which is the first in the state, and assured of the council’s readiness to free the people from the grip of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The Director General of the Campaign Council is Hon. Felix Akhabue.  Other members of the Council include two leaders representing each local government area in the district, members of the state executive council, who are from the senatorial district, all local government chairmen and all youth leaders from all the local government areas in the senatorial district, all the women leaders from the local government areas in the district, members of Edo House of Assembly (EDHA) from the local government areas and campaign coordinators of the party’s candidates in the senatorial district.

  • Edo projects 2% growth rate, over 250,000 new jobs by 2021

    … as stakeholders brainstorm on 2019 – 2021 MTEF

     

    The Edo State Government has projected a positive economic outlook for the state between 2019 and 2021, as reforms across different sectors of the economy by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration is expected to drive investments and fast-track job creation in the state.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Economic and Development Planning, Mr. Joseph Eboigbe, made the submission in a presentation on the Edo State Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for 2019 to 2021, during a Consultative Forum on the MTEF, held at Government House, in Benin City, Edo State.

    Eboigbe noted that key features of the state government’s programmes in the last three years were educational reforms, investment in infrastructure and institutional strengthening, which grew the state’s economy by 1.5 per cent in 2018.

    He said growth will slow down by one per cent in 2019 due to the elections but will rise again in 2020 to 1.5 per cent and 2.0 per cent in 2021, noting, “Unemployment is projected to gradually decline in the medium term as investment promotion efforts begin to yield results. Hence, number of unemployed people will drop from 18 per cent (756,000) in 2018 to 11.8 per cent (531,000) in 2021.”

    Eboigbe noted that Governor Godwin Obaseki led-administration is set to transform the state into an industrial hub in the South-South through the development of industrial clusters and free trade zones.

    “Edo State Government has created 77,200 jobs from 2017-2018. It forecasts to create 50,000 jobs in 2019, 75,000 in 2020 and 100,000 in 2021,” he added.

    Read Also: Edo solicits support to host 2020 NSF

    Declaring the forum open, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning in the state, Hajiya Mariam Abubakar, said the MTEF is aimed at providing an informed basis for budgeting from 2019 to 2021.

    She said the forum was held to re-emphasise the need for efficient and effective allocation of available resources to strategic projects and programmes, adding that the MTEF will guide all stakeholders on decision making with respect to the direction of public expenditure.

    According to her, “Budget implementation has continued to focus on the core priority sectors of infrastructure, education, health, job creation and investment in the economy of the state.”

    Abubakar said that the forum will facilitate feedback from the public as the budgetary process is about people, noting “The input of the people is needed to enable the government capture the needs of the people in terms of programmes and projects that will drive and stimulate the economy of the state.”

  • Obaseki directs health ministry to curtail yellow fever outbreak

    …Commissioner dispels strange illness rumour, says tests show 2 yellow fever cases

     

    Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has directed the state Ministry of Health to curtail the outbreak of yellow fever in some communities in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of the state.

    Obaseki gave the directive following media reports of the death of two persons in the area, after exhibiting symptoms such as vomiting, high fever and stomach pain.

    Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie, said: “The Governor is disturbed by the development and has directed the Commissioner for Health, Dr. David Osifo, to deploy experts in the ministry to the communities affected by the illness.”

    Osagie added that the governor has promised to mobilize additional resources, if the need arises, to support the ministry of health to enable it establish the cause of the illness and death of two persons in the area.

    Read Also: Obaseki unveils multi-skills centre

    When contacted, Commissioner for Health, Dr. David Osifo, said: “We have deployed a team of experts to the communities and the result of the initial tests showed symptoms of cases of yellow fever.

    “They tested negative to Lassa Fever. We are doing contact tracing and sensitising people in the communities to clean up their environment.”

    Dismissing claim of a strange illness by journalists, Dr. Osifo, said “there is no such thing as a strange illness in Edo State. We have identified yellowness of the eyes and related symptoms, which led us to the conclusion that the illness is yellow fever. We are on top of the situation and will curb the spread of the disease as directed by the state governor.”

  • Edo debunks reports of strange ailments

    Edo State Government has debunked reports strange ailments in some villages in Uhunmwode local government area.

    It said test carried out on victims showed a case of yellow fever.

    Two persons have been killed by the ailment.

    Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie, in a statement said the Governor has directed officials of the state Ministry of Health to curtail the outbreak of yellow fever.

    According to Crusoe, “The Governor is disturbed by the development and has directed the Commissioner for Health, Dr. David Osifo, to deploy experts in the ministry to the communities affected by the illness.

    Read Also: Yellow fever kills two in Edo

    “The governor has promised to mobilize additional resources, if the need arises, to support the ministry of health to enable it establish the cause of the illness and death of two persons in the area.

    State Commissioner for Health, Dr. David Osifo, said a team of experts have been deployed to the communities and the result of the initial tests showed symptoms of cases of yellow fever.

    “They tested negative to Lassa Fever. We are doing contact tracing and sensitizing people in the communities to clean up their environment.

    “There is no such thing as a strange illness in Edo State. We have identified yellowness of the eyes and related symptoms, which led us to the conclusion that the illness is yellow fever. We are on top of the situation and will curb the spread of the disease as directed by the state governor.”

  • Yellow fever kills two in Edo

    Two persons have been confirmed dead from suspected cases of yellow fever in Edo State
    The deaths occurred after a outbreak of strange ailments in some villages in Uhunmwode local government.
    Symptoms displayed by the victims include high fever, stomach pains, vomiting, nose bleeding, amongst others.

    Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. David Osifo, who confirmed the outbreak debunked rumours about Lassa fever or Ebola outbreak.

    Read Also: Yellow fever: Nigeria, partners target 26.2m people for vaccination

     
    He said his team of disease control experts were on ground in the affected area to contain the strange ailment.

    “You are correct. We suspect yellow fever, two have been confirmed as yellow fever and negative for lassa.

    “My team of experts are right there now to contain it. Nothing to panic the public about please,” Osifo said.

  • Obaseki increases roads earmarked for reconstruction from 109 to 140

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has increased the number of roads earmarked for reconstruction across the state from 109 to 140, intensifying efforts to fill the infrastructure gap in the state.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said Governor Obaseki gave the approval for reconstruction work to be carried out on more major roads and streets, at the weekly State Executive Council meeting held in Government House, in Benin City, on Wednesday, November 21, 2018.

    The reconstruction work is coming in the wake of an audit of roads across the state to ascertain the level of remedial work needed to bring the roads back to shape.

    Osagie said the approval brings the number of roads affected from 109 to over 140, noting that Governor Obaseki is concerned about alleviating the hardship experienced in plying bad roads.

    He noted, “We have put modalities in place to ensure contractors are mobilised to undertake this remedial work during the dry season, as promised. The work will be in line with the findings from the audit of roads earlier carried out.

    “The plan is to ensure that reconstruction work is carried out on all parts of the state and that the affected roads are in good state. The state government is clear about instructions to contractors on the quality of work to be carried out.”

    Read Also: Obaseki backs Oshiomhole against Amosun, Okorocha

    Reconstruction is ongoing at Boundary Road and Commercial Avenue, as well as Ogbelaka, Yoruba Street and Dumez Road, Ugbor-Amagba Road.

    Others are parts of Government Reservation Area (GRA) in Benin City, including Etete and Adesuwa Road, as well as 1st and 2nd Ugbor and other roads in the axis.

    Edo Central, work has reached appreciable stage in Mousco-Ukpenu Road, Ekpoma; Irrua – Uromi Road; Secretarial Road, Igueben; Union Bank Road, Igueben and Uwenlebo Road, Ekpoma, among several others, including those in Edo North Senatorial District.

  • Obaseki approves Isaac Ehiozuwa as new Head of Service

    The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has approved the appointment of Mr. Isaac Ebose Ehiozuwa as the new Head of Service of the state.

    Ehiozuwa takes over from Mrs Gladys Idahor who retired from the Edo State civil service last week.

    A statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., said “In line with the provisions of  Section 208 (1) and 2 (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, (as amended), the Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, has approved the appointment of Mr Isaac Ebose Ehiozuwa as Edo State Head of Service.”

    Read Also: Obaseki unveils multi-skills centre

    Ogie added that the new Head of Service will be sworn in on Monday, November 26, 2018 at 10:00am in the Exco Chambers of the Governor’s Office.

    Recall that Governor Obaseki at the  Thanksgiving Reception in honour of the former Head of Service, last Sunday,  attributed his administration’s impactful reforms to the support of Edo civil service in the last two years, promising to sustain the sector-wide reforms.

  • Edo to host Buhari, as President commissions Edo-Azura Plant

    …To attend COAS conference

    Edo State Government  will on Tuesday, November 27, host President Muhammadu Buhari, who will commission the Edo-Azura Power Plant and grace the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Annual Conference, which is billed to hold in Benin City, the state capital.

    In a statement, Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said that preparations are in top gear to give the president a grand reception.

    According to him, “We are delighted that the President will be in the state for the Chief of Army Staff Conference, the commissioning of the Edo-Azura Power Plant and other engagements in Benin City, the Edo State capital. Preparations are in top gear to give the president a befitting welcome.”

    The governor’s aide added that  “Much as we are certain that the impressive governance model by Governor Godwin Obaseki is one of the reasons we are having August visitors from the Federal Government, we are also delighted that the President is coming down by himself this time.”

    Read Also: Edo SDGs assures of quality education

    Osagie explained that some of the activities lined up for the visit include a visit to the Palace of Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II; commissioning of the Edo-Azura Power Plant, and will attend the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Annual Conference.

    He said that the state government is pleased to have the president commission the Edo-Azura Power Plant, which is a shinning example of the state’s attractiveness to investors and a boost to the ease of doing business.

    “The Edo-Azura Power Plant is a success story in the state’s drive to keep investors and has become a model for other states in the country. We are very much delighted that the President will be here to commission the facility.

    “This will be the second time, we are having a visit from the Presidency in less than six months and it shows we are doing something right. So, we are indeed happy to have the President,” he added.

  • We have not endorsed any candidate in Edo, says ex-militants

    Ex-militants in Edo State have said that they have not endorsed any candidate in any of the political parties for next year’s general elections.
    The ex-militants said they would soon unveiled the political party and candidates they would mobilize their supporters to vote for.
    They debunked the reported endorsement of Barr. Omosede Igbinedion, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for Ovia Federal Constituency.
    Chairman of ex-militants in the state, ‘General’ Pere Ejune, said those that reportedly visited Omosede to endorse her were impostors.
    Pere listed ex-militants’ leaders that could endorsed candidates to include Robert Okubor, Omo Towarigha, Cemense Niso Egbema, Godwin Ikhin.
    He said they would only support candidates that can work for the people.

    Read Also: Edo SDGs assures of quality education

    According to him, “The people that went to endorse Omosede are boys. They are not leaders. They are our boys.
    “We don’t work for political parties. We have not endorsed Omosede because she did not do anything for the riverine people.
    “There is nothing on ground that Omosede can show that she has done for us. We will tell the world when we have decided the party and the candidates to support”.