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Tag: Edo State

  • Obaseki rejects NMA award

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has rejected an award to be given to him by the state chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association

    Governor Obaseki who was scheduled to receive the award at the Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), with the theme: “Effective Healthcare Delivery in Edo state,” said it was too early for him to be receiving awards

    Obaseki stated that he has not done anything tangible to be considered for an award and that he believed that awards should be given after he has left office.

    The Edo governor noted that the challenges in the sector were surmountable if concerted effort was made by all players in the sector to work as a team.

    According to him, “The idea of leaving the responsibilities of the health care system to only doctors, will not take us to where we need to be. The health system affects the entire spectrum of the society and everybody should be involved in tackling the challenges, from the primary health care system, which is the bedrock of our health sector.

    Read Also: Manufacturers laud Obaseki’s reform initiatives

    “In line with the federal government’s policy of one primary health care centre to a ward, we have already set up machinery to renovate, upgrade and reconstruct the first 20 health care centres across the 18 local government areas of the state.

    “The pilot phase of the reconstruction work will start in August, with 20 primary health centres and training programme for the personnel that will run the system.”

    He however assured that the lessons learnt from the pilot phase will guide the roll out of the other primary health centers later in the year.

    Chairman of Edo NMA, Dr. Emmanuel 0saro 0saigbovo, said the body was poised to partner with all vital bodies to develop the healthcare delivery system in the State to an enviable heigh.

    Dr.  Osaigbovo called for periodic retraining of medical experts as well as provision of modern equipment is very important for doctors to carry out their work on daily basis to make patients comfortable.

    “The annual general meeting is a period of critical apprasial of the activities of the association for the past one year.”

  • Edo JAAC records N5m increase in councils’ IGR

    … Declares N2.9bn for June

     

    The Edo State Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) has recorded N5 million increase in Internally Generated Revenue of the local councils for the month of June, which formed part of the N2.9 billion declared as the total allocation that accrued to the state for the sixth month of the year.

    This was disclosed by the Chairman, Oredo Local Government Area, Hon. Evbareke Jenkins Osunde, at the end of the JAAC meeting presided over by the Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki.

    Read Also:Lassa fever: Edo urges residents to sustain prevention efforts

    Osunde noted that the internally generated revenue in local councils increased from N206 million recorded in May to N211 million recorded in June 2018.

    He explained that, “Teachers’ salaries deducted for the month was N1,081,654,814.22, contribution for pension stood at N264, 115, 845.36, while pension arrears paid was N100 million.”

    Osunde said the total deduction was N1, 979, 354, 951.11; while net allocation was N1, 001, 089, 151.83.

    The Oredo Council boss lauded Governor Obaseki for assisting local councils with the payment of workers’ salary for the month of June.

    “It is important to note that because of the deadlock in the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meetings over the revenue for June, Governor Obaseki made money available for the payment of staff salary in the local government councils in the state. We greatly appreciate him for that,” he added.

  • Manufacturers laud Obaseki’s reform initiatives

    … back investment in infrastructure

     

    Manufacturers on Tuesday in Benin City, the Edo State capital, lauded the ongoing reform initiatives of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration and pledged their support for the state government.

    Chairman of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Edo/Delta Branch, Dr. Alofoje Unuigboje, who led members of the association on a courtesy visit to the Edo State Governor, noted that the ease of doing business in the state has greatly improved.

    Read Also:Obaseki slashes market levy by 40%, as NURTW lauds devt strides

    “The ease of doing business in Edo State has improved considerably. The desilting activities on Ugbowo-Uselu axis and other locations in Benin City are appreciated.

    The disappearance of the ‘ocean’ at Okhoro/New Lagos Road crossroad has improved traffic situation considerably and saves cost of vehicle repairs,” Unuigboje said.

    The association applauded the rural/urban dichotomy in Land Use Charge and advised that “it should be sustained to assist rural development and stem rural-urban drift.”

    It urged the state government to sustain her focus on developing science and technology, which it described as “the sub-stream on which industrialisation rests,” amongst other recommendations.

    In his remark, the Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, assured the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) that his administration would continue to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the state.

    The governor told his guests that the he was committed to developing the infrastructure that would attract foreign and local investors, adding that the completion of the Benin River Port and the Benin Industrial Park is top priority to his administration.

    Obaseki said: “My administration has done well by eradicating private tax collectors from the state. This has also increased the Internally Generated Revenue of the state.

    “The easy way to creating jobs for our people is for government to ensure that an enabling environment is created for businesses to boom. In the area of tax collection, the good news is that we have now introduced the use of technology in all the local government areas of the state.”

    On infrastructure, he assured that “Our goal as a government is to continue to rehabilitate and reconstruct roads that will connect all parts of the state and serve as major channels for the distribution of goods.”

    “As part of making Edo State more viable, a very transparent and procurement process has been put in place, such that all government procurements are listed and matched with local producers,” he said.

  • Lassa fever: Edo urges residents to sustain prevention efforts

    …as resurgence threat looms

     

    The Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. David Osifo, has called on residents in the state to redouble their effort against the resurgence of Lassa Fever disease, as experts have identified occurrence of suspected cases of the disease in the endemic areas.

    The commissioner who made the call while addressing journalists in Benin City, Edo State capital, explained, “We have observed that after the intervention by Governor Godwin Obaseki to halt the spread of Lassa Fever, it appears that residents in the state are slowing down on preventive measures against the spread of the disease.”

    Read Also:Edo records 521 suspected cases of Lassa fever

    He disclosed that “Medical experts with the health ministry have identified the resurgence of the disease with records of new cases in endemic areas such as: Esan North-East, Esan Central, Etsako East and other areas.”

    He advised that “It is important for residents in the state to continue to take steps to prevent the disease.”

    “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 and homes where people live should be clean always,” Dr. Osifo further urged.

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

    “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,” he said.

  • Market women, NURTW laud Obaseki’s achievements 

    …hail removal of thugs from markets, parks

    Market women and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Edo State have staged solidarity walks in support of the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

    The leader of the Market Women Association, Madam Blackie Ogiamien, in their separate march, told the governor “We are here to express our appreciation to your leadership style. As keen followers of your administration, we salute you for your various initiatives which includes the promotion of cleanliness through the weekly sanitation introduced by your administration.

    Read Also:Edo berates BEDC over poor supply of electricity to residents

    “Many persons have attested to the restoration of law and order in the state capital. This has improved the free flow of human and vehicular traffic especially around markets. In the beginning it seemed like child’s play but today, we have seen the result.”

    Ogiamien maintained that “As mothers, wives and workers, your prompt payment of workers is quite commendable as it encourages workers to plan ahead and meet the demands of their families.

    “We market women commend you for demobilising street urchins and thugs or ‘agberos’ who were terrorizing our markets and making trading almost impossible. We commend you for restoring sanity in this area as we the market women now have peace and are able to do our business without any harassment.”

    She appealed to the governor not to allow for the return of thugs in the state, recalling the harrowing experiences they had in the hands of the thugs while they held sway.

    In his response, Governor Obaseki expressed his appreciation to the women for their support, and explained: “With the support of members of my administration, we stopped ticketing through which different groups were extorting market women. I never knew that my pronouncement would go far and restore sanity in the city, which has improved the total revenue collected by the local government monthly.”

    In a separate event, the Chairman, Edo State Chapter of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mr Odion Olaye, who led other members of the union on a solidarity walk to the Government House in Benin City, commended the governor for what he called “the good work Obaseki has done within a short time in office,” and assured that members of the union are behind him.

    “We are here to pass a vote of confidence on you as the governor of Edo State, because of the good work you are doing for us in the state. It is only those who are blind that will not see the good work you are doing. You are building roads; we are seeing the projects and our members are happy with you. We appreciate the good work you are doing with the Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA), the vigilante group and the Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) programme.

    He urged those peddling falsehood to distract the governor to desist from the act and maintained that the governor deserved to be praised.

    In his remark, the governor expressed appreciation to members of the union for their support and assured that his administration is determined to make life more meaningful for the average Edo person.

    “My vision is to transform the economy and make the state viable for businesses to thrive. I have engaged contractors to rehabilitate and reconstruct roads across the 18 local government areas of the state.”

     

  • Obaseki slashes market levy by 40%, as NURTW lauds devt strides

    To boost the profit margin of traders in the state, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has reduced by 40 per cent the levy paid in selected markets.

    Obaseki announced the cut when he received members of the Market Women Association led by Madam Blackie Ogiamien, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, in Benin City, Edo State.

    In a related development, members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state have thrown their weight behind Governor Godwin Obaseki for delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.

    According to the governor, traders who would benefit from the cut are those whose businesses are not viable in Agbado, Oliha, Ogiso and Uwa markets in Benin City, the state capital, and declared that traders who were paying N5, 000 before the announcement, will now pay N3,000.

    He assured market women that his administration has made double ticketing and touting history in the state, noting that he would give priority to Edo citizens on job creation.

    He said that in the coming months, the state government would ensure that power, water and sanitation issues receive the desired attention in all the markets within Benin metropolis.

    Obaseki said that traders who trade in densely populated areas would have access to health care services.

    He urged the traders to support his administration’s effort to eradicate child labour in the state by reporting suspected cases to the appropriate authority.

    Earlier, the leader of the traders, Madam Blackie Ogiamien, commended the governor for the steps taken to spread development across the state, adding that Obaseki’s governance style is worth commending.

    Read Also: Obaseki inaugurates 12-man prerogative of mercy council

    She lauded the governor’s resolve to address double taxation and touting which place much burden on the traders, noting that the gesture would increase their profit.

    The State Chairman of NURTW, Mr Odio Olaye who led other members of the union on a solidarity walk to the Government House in Benin City, commended the governor for what he called “the good work Obaseki has done within a short time in office,” and assured that members of the union are behind him.

    He urged those peddling falsehood to distract the governor to desist from the act and maintained that the governor deserved to be praised.

    The union leader said: “It is only those who are blind that will not see the good work you are doing. You are building roads, we are seeing the projects and our members are happy with you. We appreciate the good work you are doing with the Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA), the vigilante group and the Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) programme.”

    In his remark, the governor expressed appreciation to members of the union for their support and assured that: “My administration is determined to make life more meaningful for the average Edo person. My vision is to transform the economy and make the state viable for businesses to thrive. I have engaged contractors to rehabilitate and reconstruct roads across the 18 local government areas of the state.”

  • Economy boost: Edo strengthens synergy with cooperative societies

    Efforts by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration to transform individual business ventures and scale them up to become part of the emerging private sector-led Edo economy through formalisation of their processes and coming together as cooperative societies have begun yielding result.

    At a Tax Summit held by the Ministry of Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment in conjunction with Edo State Cooperative Federation (ECF) and the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) held in Benin City, the state government restated her commitment to mainstreaming small and medium scale enterprises in the economy of the state.

    Read Also:Edo uncovers 39,000 fake Cooperative Societies

    Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment, Mr. Emmanuel Usoh, explained that the summit was conceived to build capacity of cooperative societies and empower them to play a major role in the growth plan for the state’s economy.

    “We see cooperatives in the state as partners in progress and we are working together to build and develop the local economy of the state.

    “We need to work together to build data, access funding and understand that cooperative societies are a veritable tool for growing the economy. Usoh told the summit participants that the state government is open to engagement on taxation matters such as tax laws, amongst others.

    Secretary to the Board of Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), Efe Edamwen Iserhienrhien, said the tax summit would educate the participants on the need to comply with the relevant tax laws in the state.

    “Our aim is to make every citizen of the state to be tax compliant. We have engaged cooperative societies,tomorrow it will be farmers and the next professionals may be teachers. We will continue with the engagement until all the stakeholders know the importance of tax and comply with the laws,” he added.

    A representative of Bendel Newspaper Multi-purpose cooperative society, Mr Matthew Okagha, commended the organisers of the summit for bringing cooperative societies together and described cooperatives as a critical sector to economic growth.

    Another participant, Mrs. Ike Charity, who represented NIFOR Multi-purpose Cooperative Society, said the training gave members of her group insights into how to build a strong cooperative society.

     

     

  • Obaseki tasks religious leaders to groom credible leaders

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has tasked religious leaders in the country to play active role in grooming God-fearing leaders who will provide credible leadership for the future.

    Obaseki made the request on Friday in Benin City, at the Men’s Ministries Convention 2018 organised by the Assemblies of God Nigeria, Edo District, themed: “Men, His Agent of His Glory.”

    He described the convention as a good ground for leaders of the church to pray for Nigeria to overcome her challenges, adding, “The major problem this country is facing is that of leadership, as most of our past leaders failed us as a country.

    Read Also: Obaseki places N10m on police killers

    “The country is where it is now because of bad leadership. At a time in our history, Nigeria was the largest producer of palm oil. God has specially blessed Nigeria in terms of climate and other natural resources across all parts of the country.”

    He maintained that spiritual leaders have an important role to play in praying for the country and contributing to political and economic development, among others.

    In his remark, the Church District Superintendent, Rev. Paul Ekeasi, assured that Nigeria would experience good leadership in the country.

    Ekeasi offered prayers for Nigeria’s economy to experience a boom that would reduce the level of unemployment in the country.

    He urged spiritual leaders to ensure they offer prayers for the peaceful coexistence of Nigerians, irrespective of tribe or other considerations.

  • Edo engages communities on intra-state boundary dispute resolution

     …urges community leaders to embrace peace

    Following an earlier meeting between the governments of Edo and her sister state, Delta, Chairman of the Edo State Boundary Committee and Deputy Governor of the state, Rt. Hon Philip Shaibu, has held a meeting with representatives of some Edo communities to resolve the lingering disputes over boundaries.

    According to Shaibu, the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration is committed to resolving all disputes in Edo communities to ensure peaceful coexistence and pave way for investments.

    In his welcome address at the intra-state boundary meeting with leaders of the communities with boundary disputes in Government House, Benin City, the Deputy Governor explained that the state government has done a lot in enthroning and maintaining law and order across the state, and urged the various community representatives to give peace a chance in their respective communities.

    He assured that the Obaseki administration has the willpower to resolve all boundary-related disputes within the state, and stressed that peace is an essential ingredient for development.

    Read Also: Flood kills two pupils in Edo

    He said: “We have a governor with private sector orientation and who has been attracting foreign investment from all over the world to take advantage of the positive economic outlook of Edo State.

    “We need peace in the state and I urge all the leaders of the various communities to embrace peace in your domain as there can’t be development without peace. I urge you all to activate love that would bring peace in your areas of influence.”

    He told the community leaders that the state government would give them three options in resolving lingering dispute over land, and explained that the first option is that the communities have a one month window which will expire on August 18, 2018, to resolve their differences and call on the government to sign, demarcate and gazette the agreed upon outcomes.

    The second option is for the parties that refuse to agree, to formally write to the government to wade into the issues and will have no option than to agree with the decisions of the state government. He added that such communities have two weeks after the expiration of the one-month period, that is, till September 1, 2018, to communicate their position to government.

    Shaibu further said that the third option will allow the state government to take over the land in dispute if the communities fail to agree on a solution, and the land will become the property of the state government.

    He urged the communities to embrace the first option and settle their disputes amicably before inviting the government to sign the document and gazette their positions.

    High Priest Nomuovbiekpen Uwague Idehen, the Ohen Obaro of Iyanomo Community, in Uhunmwode Local Government Area, and Eshiefaotsa Sylvanus of Ayogwuri Community in Etsako West Local Government Area, both in Edo State, thanked the deputy governor and the boundary dispute resolution committee for ensuring peace in the state.

    They assured that they would embrace the first option to resolve their issues themselves and invite the government thereafter.

     

  • Edo Poly Usen strikes deal with Huawei on Tech Hub

    …As students jostle for spots in Huawei’s Seed for the Future Programme

     

    Committed to Governor Godwin Obaseki’s vision to build the capacity of youths to drive the Edo State’s fledging technology ecosystem, Edo State Polytechnic Usen, has sealed a deal with leading global Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solutions provider, Huawei, to set up a Huawei Authorised Information Network Academy (HAINA) at the school.

    The partnership resulted in the hosting of a workshop for students of the polytechnic to bring them up to speed with latest technologies in the tech sector.

    Rector of the Polytechnic, Prof. Abiodun Falodun, who disclosed this in a chat with journalists, noted that students of the school now have access to top-of-the-range resources to acquire marketable skills and contribute to the state’s tech revolution.

    He added that the partnership will see the students participate in Huawei’s ‘Seeds for the future’ programme, noting “The programme seeks to develop local Information and Communication Technology (ICT) talent, enhance knowledge transfer, promote a greater understanding of and interest in the ICT sector, and improve and encourage regional building and participation in the digital community.”

    He explained that through the programme, selected top university and polytechnic students will take a study trip to China.

    “Over the course of the programme, Huawei shares its ICT expertise and experience in managing a multinational corporation with young ICT professionals, and helps fuel the development of local ICT industries,” he added.

    He said HAINA is non-profit that provides institutions with resources and tools to up-skill students with up-to-date skills relevant in the Information Technology (IT) industry.

    According to him, “the Academy will train our students and make them more marketable in the ICT industry. Huawei Academy does not only offer network courses, but also offers in-demand courses such as HCNA-Storage or HCS field server to students.”

    Explaining that the ICT sector holds a lot of opportunities for skilled graduates and offers one of the quickest means for securing decent jobs, he said, “The Polytechnic believes ICT is absolutely important. The programme is part of Governor Obaseki’s initiatives to empower and create jobs for the youths, especially graduates of the polytechnic and equip them to be job creators. The programme will support the existing ICT facilities in the institution and create ICT hubs called Huawei Academy in Edo Poly, Usen.”