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Tag: Edo State

  • Edo Poly Usen unveils internationalisation roadmap

    …attracts Diaspora lecturers


    The commitment of the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to deliver quality education at the tertiary education level has received a boost at the state-run Edo Polytechnic, Usen, as the school has unveiled an internationalisation programme with which it intends to attract Edo scholars in the Diaspora for visiting lectureship positions at the institution.

    Governor Obaseki commenced the revamp of the Polytechnic earlier this year when he appointed Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Prof. Abiodun Falodun as the school’s rector.

    Prof. Falodun, in a chat with journalists, said that he intends to consolidate on Governor Obaseki’s revamp effort by repositioning the Polytechnic as a global institution, which will offer top-grade tuition to students that balances local expertise with international exposure.

    He said the school has just opened an International Office for interface with Edos in the diaspora, and has secured agreement with two scholars from Switzerland and Germany, who will strengthen the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and programmes in the School of Environmental Studies at the institution.

    According to him, “We are causing a change at the Polytechnic because we believe we have what it takes to offer quality education if we harness our potentials. We have developed a roadmap to achieve this. It includes interfacing with a vast Diaspora community, especially those in specialized disciplines to come back here and teach the students what obtains not just in the contemporary world, but the opportunities in the future. So, our internationalisation programme is targeted at building local capacity with international exposure, such that students and lecturers can benefit from the visiting lecturers.”

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    He said two of the lectures are Engr. Marvin Ama-Amadasun Ph.D, a software engineer based in Switzerland and Dr. Peter Odion Agwi, an expert in Urban and Regional Planning from Germany, who will be anchoring classes at the School of Environmental Studies as well as the Information Systems-focused departments.

    “We have more openings for others in the diaspora who would want to contribute to the state and the institution. This will not only go a long way to reduce gaps between the town and the gown, but also engender strong collaboration between the institution and foreign partners,” Prof. Falodun added.

  • UNGA: Edo’s investment opportunities inspire investors 

    The growing profile of Edo State in the global business community caught the fancy of global business leaders during their meeting with Governor Godwin Obaseki on the side-lines of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly holding in New York, the United States of America.

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    Edo State’s unique selling point at the Nigeria Investment Roundtable in New York, as articulated by the governor, is the emerging barrier-free investment climate occasioned by massive reforms across all sectors which have earned the state higher rating on the ease of doing business index.

    At the meeting were Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma; Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Okechukwu Enelamah.

    Others were Chairman and Chief Executive of Motorola Solutions, Mr Greg Brown; Mr Frank Mosier, Chairman of Rendeavour; Yewande Sadiku, Executive Secretary of Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission and Mr Peter Tichansky, President and Chief Executive of Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU), a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organisation that encourages dialogue between business and political leaders in different countries.

    Other sessions had in attendance, Ms. Temitope Iluyemi, Director Global Government Relations, Africa, P & G; Mr. Ekene Isichei, Managing Director, ACIOE LLC; Ms. Cheryle Jackson President, AAR Africa; Mr. Marcus Jadotte, Vice President, Public Affairs AAR Corporation; Ms. Brittany Masalosalo, Head of International Affairs and Public Policy, 3M; Mr. Gorgui Ndoye, Sales Development Director, APR Energy; Ms. Patience Oniha, Director-General, Debt Management Office and Fahad Obaid Al-Taffaq of the United Arab Emirate amongst others.

  • Obaseki to PDP: You are ignorant of international investment

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Governor Godwin Obaseki, has said State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Dan Orbih lacked ignorance of how to secure international investment.

    Governor Obaseki who was reacting to the mocking of his sleeping viral photographs by the PDP said he has never portrayed himself as a machine.

    Obaseki said the several MOUs he entered have given way to final investment decisions for the Benin River Port, Benin Industrial Park and the Modular Refinery.

    Speaking through his Media Adviser, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, Governor Obaseki dismissed the celebration of the viral pictures.

    He said he could experience fatigue and exhaustion, an indisputable fact of life, to which all humans are susceptible.

    Obaseki listed several world leaders such as former United States President, Bill Clinton; the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel; Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe; former United States President, Barack Obama; his Economic Adviser, Larry Summers; Pope Benedict XVI; former British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown; former Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi and the former Austrian President, Heinze Fischer, that have succumbed to fatigue at meetings.

    Read Also: Obaseki commences health improvement programme

    According to him, “Our records of the number of jobs the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led government has created are intact and we are racing towards exceeding the 200,000 mark.

    “Scientists across the world agree that climate change and human activities account for the flooding and other environmental challenges facing the world and Edo State is not insulated from these global trends. The Storm Water project is on course and on completion will mitigate the impact of these harsh global realities.

    “On the provision of infrastructure in schools, the technical requirements for the commencement of reconstruction and re-modelling works have been done and work is billed to commence soon.”

  • UNIDO fine-tunes Edo Industrial Policy after stakeholders’ parley

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki’s resolve to industrialize the state has gotten a new lease of life, with work in advance stage for the Edo Industrial Policy, a landmark policy document being developed in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).

    After an initial draft of the policy, the state government had organised a Stakeholders Workshop, where it engaged with businesses and other players in the state’s industrial sector to get their input in the policy.

    Edo State Focal Person for the Industrial Policy, Mr. Kelvin Uwaibi, in a chat with journalists, said that experts from UNIDO are putting finishing touches to the policy document, noting that when ready, the governor, who mandated its development, will graciously see to its implementation.

    “From the government side, we are very optimistic about the document as it will drive coordinated, impactful industrialization in the state. The good thing about the document is that it accommodates the interest of all, such that artisans, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), as well as the big players in agro-allied industries and manufacturing can contribute to the sector” he said.

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    Noting that the Edo State government is keen on tapping its human and natural resources to drive inclusive growth, Uwaibi said, “We have a number of big-ticket investments in the offing. The governor has already released funds for the commencement of the Edo Modular Refinery, which shows how serious we are. There is the Benin River Port, for which advance work has been carried out. It is linked to the Lekki Deep Sea Port, as the same Chinese company, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Ltd., is handling both projects. We also have the Benin Industrial Park.”

    He said the Edo Industrial Policy would map out how all these projects will be linked and how local actors will be aligned to tap from the immense opportunities for jobs, wealth creation and inclusive growth.

    “After fine-tuning the document, UNIDO will help in its implementation to ensure a coordinated, participatory approach to its realization. This ensures that as the state creates space for the big industries, the local ones are hooked up to them to provide needed local expertise and capacity to deliver on projects,” he added.

  • Obaseki commiserates with NSIA boss over father’s death

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has commiserated with the Managing Director of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Mr. Uche Orji, over the passing of his father, Elder Nta Osundu Orji.

    In a statement, the governor who expressed sadness over the passing of Elder Orji at 85 years, conveyed his condolences to Mr. Uche Orji and his family.

    According to him, “I am saddened by the news of the passing of your father, and hereby convey my condolences to you and your family.

    “Elder Nta Osundu Orji, who passed at 85 years, lived a life worthy of celebrating, his legacies endure in his actions while he lived and through his offspring such as yourself.

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    The governor said late Elder Orji was a man of peace, “exuding uncommon love and grace, which endeared him to all. His contribution to humanity lives on, never to be forgotten in a rush in his hometown, Arochukwu and everywhere else.”“He will be missed by all and I pray that you and the family find the fortitude to the bear this irreparable loss,” he said.

  • Benin Industrial Park: Investors angle for lots

    …as Park gets electricity license

    Coming on the heels of the approval by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) of an electricity license for the Benin Industrial Park (BIP), investors are falling over themselves to snap up juicy lots at the park, located at Iyanomo, near Benin City.

    The BIP is a big-ticket project by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration in Edo State aimed at driving the state government’s industrialization agenda and hosting manufacturing, agro-allied, textile and automobile industries.

    Governor Obaseki, at the commissioning of the new 1X60MVA, 132/33KV power transformer in Okpella, Estako East Local Government, disclosed that a Chinese company will be mobilising not less than 20 engineers to the proposed site of the Benin Industrial Park to commence preliminary work.

    According to him, “The approval of the license has further prompted a partnership with a Chinese Company that has shown interest to partner with us to develop our industrial park. They are sending 20 engineers to the state next month.”

    The visit by the Chinese Engineers follows several other business concerns that have expressed interest in setting up at the site, checks at the state’s Investment Promotion Office, show.

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    “We have noticed impressive enquiries on the status of the project and the opportunities for investment. I think what is pulling the interest is the assurance that we now have a license for power generation at the site. As you well know, power is one of the major considerations for investment. With the governor’s investment-friendly posture, the assurance of electricity clears the coast for potential investors,” an official at the Investment Promotion Office said.

    Mr. Osamudiamen Efosa, who resides in Iyanomo, said that there has been an increase in traffic of people coming to the site of the industrial park with the news that a power license has been approved, noting that the state government’s commitment to the project is remarkable.”

    According to him, “Aside from the usual set of people we often see here, we are seeing a new crop of people who have been coming to make enquiries on the status of the project and they are often delighted to see a field office at the site.

     

  • Edo secures electricity license for Benin Industrial Park

    …as Obaseki berates BEDC 

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved a license for the state government to generate and use electricity in its offices as well as in the proposed Benin Industrial Park (BIP), after the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) frustrated its efforts.

    At the commissioning of the 1X60MVA, 132/33KV Power Transformer at the Okpella Transmission Substation in Etsako East Local Government Area, Edo State, the governor expressed delight with the approval by NERC, noting that the nod gives it the clearance to work with its partners such as the Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Project and others, in delivering electricity to street lights, government offices and the Benin Industrial Park.  He said the new power transformer by TCN in Okpella will improve electricity supply in Edo North axis of the state.

    He noted, “The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) frustrated effort by this government to create alternative source of electricity. The company’s regrettable actions led us to seek the license, to ensure that we get the required power mix to light up government offices and the other projects which it will serve. The approval of the license has further prompted a partnership with a Chinese Company that have identified interest to partner with us to develop our industrial park as they are sending 20 engineers to the state next month.”

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    The governor commended the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for building the 1X60MVA, 132/33KV Power Transformer at the Okpella Transmission Substation in Etsako East Local Government Area, noting that the gesture has sparked off a revolution in Edo State and Nigeria.

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for critical investment in the power sector, adding, “As Minister of Petroleum, the President built our core petroleum industry and as Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), he carried out major infrastructure investments in the country. In the last three years, President Muhammadu Buhari has tried to rebuild the core infrastructure of Nigeria. If every Nigerian leader is like the president, Nigeria would have developed than its present stage.”

    Chairman, NERC, Prof. James Momoh commended the collaboration between Governor Obaseki and the TCN, which led to the realisation of the project, noting that the project will have significant impact in the lives of the people.

    The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, TCN, Mr. Usman Mohammed said the project is in line with the Transmission, Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP), of the President Buhari’s administration.

    “TCN is implementing the project to stabilise, expand and provide infrastructure consistent with international standard N-1 reliability criterion. I urge the distribution companies to invest in rehabilitation and expansion of their network.”

    The Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, represented by Luck Obalo, expressed appreciation to governor Obaseki, TCN, other agencies and stakeholders for their efforts in ensuring the people of the area get electricity.

  • Obaseki commences health improvement programme

    …over 1,700 PHC workers shortlisted for capacity building

     

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said 174 health workers have been trained in selected Primary Healthcare Centres across the state with 1,700 others shortlisted to partake in the exercise under the administration’s Health Improvement Programme (HIP), which is a coordinated effort to re position primary healthcare delivery.

    Obaseki said this during the inspection of the Primary Healthcare Centre, Warrake, Owan East Local Government Area, Edo State, reiterating that his administration is focused on improving primary health care in the state.

    Obaseki said his administration is pursuing the HIP to train and retrain health workers for effective management of the health care system, adding, “So far, we have trained 174 primary healthcare workers and we intend to train about 2,000 of them to manage the system.”

    He said the programme also makes provision for rehabilitating the physical infrastructure in the PHCs through which electricity and water supply will be provided, adding, “Information Communication Technologies (ICT) tools will be used to capture patients’ data, with a system to administer drugs and bill patients.”

    He said the state government is already carrying out the pilot phase of the renovation work in PHC, noting, “We intend to have at least one primary health care center in each local government area which will help us study the workability of the programme before rolling out the proposed 200 primary health care centres across the state. When that is achieved, it means we will have one primary healthcare centre per ward.”

    Read Also: Ecological Fund: Obaseki remedies gully sites

    The governor said his administration is putting in place a  health insurance programme which will be all-encompassing and will improve access to affordable health care in the rural areas. “We have a bill before Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), which will soon be passed into law to ensure rural people buy into our health insurance scheme,” he said.

    He said a team has been set up to work out the operational modalities for the programme, as in the next few months, the state will launch its health insurance scheme.

    Monitoring and Evaluation Officer in the State Ministry of Health, Mrs. Pamela Archer, commended the Governor Obaseki-led administration for focusing on improving healthcare, noting that the Warrake facility already has a billing system in place to reduce fraud. “Cases treated include immunization, malaria, family planning, maternal and child health, among others,” she added.

     

  • Edo secures electricity license for Benin Industrial Park

    …as Obaseki berates BEDC 

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved a license for the state government to generate and use electricity in its offices as well as in the proposed Benin Industrial Park (BIP), after the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) frustrated its efforts.

    At the commissioning of the 1X60MVA, 132/33KV Power Transformer at the Okpella Transmission Substation in Etsako East Local Government Area, Edo State, the governor expressed delight with the approval by NERC, noting that the nod gives it the clearance to work with its partners such as the Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Project and others, in delivering electricity to street lights, government offices and the Benin Industrial Park.  He said the new power transformer by TCN in Okpella will improve electricity supply in Edo North axis of the state.

    He noted, “The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) frustrated effort by this government to create alternative source of electricity. The company’s regrettable actions led us to seek the license, to ensure that we get the required power mix to light up government offices and the other projects which it will serve. The approval of the license has further prompted a partnership with a Chinese Company that have identified interest to partner with us to develop our industrial park as they are sending 20 engineers to the state next month.”

    The governor commended the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for building the 1X60MVA, 132/33KV Power Transformer at the Okpella Transmission Substation in Etsako East Local Government Area, noting that the gesture has sparked off a revolution in Edo State and Nigeria.

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for critical investment in the power sector, adding, “As Minister of Petroleum, the President built our core petroleum industry and as Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), he carried out major infrastructure investments in the country. In the last three years, President Muhammadu Buhari has tried to rebuild the core infrastructure of Nigeria. If every Nigerian leader is like the president, Nigeria would have developed than its present stage.”

    Chairman, NERC, Prof. James Momoh commended the collaboration between Governor Obaseki and the TCN, which led to the realisation of the project, noting that the project will have significant impact in the lives of the people.

    The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, TCN, Mr. Usman Mohammed said the project is in line with the Transmission, Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP), of the President Buhari’s administration.

    “TCN is implementing the project to stabilise, expand and provide infrastructure consistent with international standard N-1 reliability criterion. I urge the distribution companies to invest in rehabilitation and expansion of their network.”

    The Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, represented by Luck Obalo, expressed appreciation to governor Obaseki, TCN, other agencies and stakeholders for their efforts in ensuring the people of the area get electricity.

     

  • Obaseki commiserates with Pastor Ize-Iyamu over brother’s death

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has condoled with Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and his family, over the death of his brother, Osato Ize-Iyamu.

    In a condolence message, the governor said the passing of Osato, who he described as a “man of peace,” came as a rude shock, noting that he will be missed.

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    According to him, “I received with rude shock, news of the passing of your brother, Osato Ize-Iyamu. Osato was a man of ideas, a liberal democrat and a man of peace. Those who have known him for decades attest to these rare and sterling qualities of his.”

    He said his passing is a huge loss to all of us, noting “He will be sorely missed and I urge you to find comfort in the reassuring promise of God that we will all meet in the morning of resurrection day. Please be strong and do accept my sincere and heartfelt condolences. I commiserate with you and the entire members of the Ize-Iyamu family in these trying times.”