The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Edo State

  • Edo agog as participants arrive Benin for Okpekpe Road Race

    …Obaseki restates commitment to successful outing

     

    With a few hours to the commencement of the 2018 edition of Okpekpe Road Race scheduled for Saturday, May 12, enthusiasm is at a fever pitch in Edo State, host of the first 10-kilometer International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) silver label road race in Nigeria.

    Social and economic activities have witnessed positive spike from the Benin Airport, through the ancient city and to the communities hosting the event,  as  participants, including Elite and local athletes, sports journalists, sponsors, supporters of the event and dealers in souvenirs arrive the state for the event.

    Investigation showed that hotels in Benin City are fully booked and late comers are resorting to smaller lodging facilities in the city while operators of outdoor bars, taxis, guest houses and relaxation spots are counting their gains.

    The Okpekpe international 10km road race, currently in its sixth year, is the only road race recognised by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) in Nigeria.

    The number of endorsements by corporate organisations has raised the profile of the event, the latest being the Nigerian Breweries Plc.

    The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, on Friday restated his administration’s commitment to a successful race and assured participants of adequate security.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the governor’s assurance is coming after he had earlier encouraged Edo indigenes and other Nigerians to register and compete in the 10km Road Race because of the inherent benefit of building an army of home-grown long-distance runners to represent the country in similar competitions within the country and overseas.

    Obaseki noted that much as the state is happy to play host to athletes from East African countries and other parts of the world, the competition also presents an opportunity for Edo indigenes to prove their mettle and strive to clinch the top prize.

    “As Nigerians, we are known to never give in easily in contests. So, this competition presents another opportunity for us to put up a challenge and compete to win the top prizes,” the governor said.

    According to him, “Edo State is blessed with planes and conditions that can groom people for long-distance races. Highlands such as Somorika Hills can groom athletes to favourably compete in this competition. It even presents a good training ground for many others who would like to participate.

    He added, “The Okpekpe road race is one of our emerging sports and tourism assets and we need to tap from this unique opportunity to build grassroots sports and project ourselves as a welcoming and sports-loving people.”

    Describing the backing of Nigerian Breweries as a big boost, spokesman for the race, Dare Esan was quoted as saying that the company is “coming in as a Friend of the Race. It is a massive boost for the image of the race to have a pioneer brewing company support an event in which history will be made on May 12, 2018.”

     

     

  • Edo JOHESU shuns strike directive

    Members of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) in the Edo State owned hospitals have shunned directives by its national body to join in a nationwide strike action.

    A visit to the Benin Central hospital showed that all health workers were at their duty post.

    Patients were attended to at the Accident and Emergency Ward while doctors and nurses were seen administering treatment to patients on admission.

    It was gathered that the state government met with the health workers and gave them reasons on why they should not join in the strike action.

    One of the reasons adduced by the state government, according to sources, was that there was no industrial disharmony in the state and that workers were paid salaries before the end of the month.

    When contacted for comments, State Commissioner for Health, Dr. David Osifo, said he just received notification from the state JOHESU that they would not be joining in the strike action.

    “They are not joining. They have notified me that they are not joining the strike action”, he said.

    Read Also: JOHESU strike paralyses activities at LASUTH

  • World Bank Executives arrive Edo State Friday

    …As Obaseki parades developmental projects

    Following the sustained progress that has been recorded in critical sectors of Edo State such as reforms of the public sector and the huge investment in infrastructure which have rekindled economic growth, officials of the World Bank, a major development partner of the state, will arrive Benin City on Friday May 11, to assess the impact of the bank’s-sponsored project, across the state.

    Edo State has prudently applied its receipts, portfolios as well as technical support from the bank, which account in part, for the erosion control projects, road projects, sanitation, water, agricultural and policy reforms in institutions spread across the state, designed to engender inclusive growth.

    Specifically, the Bretton Woods institution will take stock of the number of people that have been moved out of poverty, projects’ s impact on the environment, reduction in child and maternal mortality figures, gender mainstreaming amongst other considerations, underlying the World Bank’s partnership with various states and countries.

    The May visit of the eleven (11) World Bank Executive Directors to Edo and Lagos states as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, according to those keeping steps with the activities of the bank, shows the unprecedented interest in the Nigerian economy especially since the exit from recession.

    The 11 Executive Directors – considered to be an interestingly large delegation –  will assess the performance of the states on key development indicators, and review activities to determine the feasibility of extending more support to some of the programmes funded by the bank in the country.

    In the World Bank mission are the Executive Directors for Switzerland, France, Italy, Peru, Germany, South Africa (representing Angola, Nigeria and South Africa), Burkina Faso (representing Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa), Zimbabwe (representing Anglophone Sub-Saharan Africa), United Kingdom and Indonesia.

    Experts familiar with the development say that the focus on Lagos and Edo states is as a result of the relative satisfactory performance seen in the two states after the World Bank’s extension of funding to strengthen institutions, develop infrastructure and reduce poverty.

    “The stop at Abuja is for administrative reasons and will be to meet with top officials at the Presidency and the Ministry of Finance. But the visits to Lagos and Edo states are for first-hand review of their support towards strengthening institutions and infrastructures in the states.

    “It is the first time since I have been monitoring the activities of the World Bank, that 11 Executive Directors will be embarking on such a visit. There must be a couple of things that Edo and Lagos starts are doing to deserve such a visit, shortly after the annual Spring Meetings of the World Bank. “Lagos has a huge war-chest and is a darling to lenders, so the interest there is quite expected. But for Edo, it is said that they have recorded impressive milestones and have been scored really high by in-country teams. So, I am sure that the August visitors will want to go and see that for themselves,” one of the experts averred.

    An official in the Ministry of Finance in one of the states, who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said, “We are expecting that they will carry out holistic review of the programmes and hopefully extend some of the programmes.

    “In some of the states, the focus will gravitate towards social development, agriculture, among others in rural areas. This includes the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), Community and Social Development Programme (CSDP), FADAMA development project, among others.”

    He said he expects the states to impress the World Bank staff because of the level of reforms they have implemented, noting that the bank’s assistance has accelerated development in a number of rural communities in the states.

     

  • Benin Industrial Park: Edo meets host communities

    As more investors indicate interest in the Benin Industrial Park project, the Edo State Government has initiated a parley with stakeholders in the communities hosting the project, to remove any community-related encumbrances and set the stage for a hitch-free development of the park.

    Secretary to the Edo State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie Esq., said the state government will on Thursday, May 10, 2018, meet traditional rulers, elders and youths of communities hosting the industrial park at a town hall meeting.

    “The Town Hall Meeting will discuss the Environmental and social impact assessment exercise and Resettlement Action Plan with respect to the Benin Industrial Park project,” Ogie said.

    He explained that the “meeting will hold at the palace of the Enogie of Oghobaghase Dukedom in Obaretin Community, on Benin-Sapele Road.”

    Ogie said the chairman of Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, the Enogie of Oghobaghase Dukedom, Edionwere, elders, members of Agbomoba, Ekosa and Iyanomo communities are to attend the meeting and urged other interested parties to attend and participate as relevant information will be shared at the meeting venue.

    The federal government through the Nigerian Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank joined the growing number of private investors, to express its readiness to support the park’s development and build local capacity to meet export standards, with three funding windows running into N553bn.

    According to the management of NEXIM, the funding opportunities are a N500billion Export Stimulation Fund managed by the bank in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and a N50 billion State’s Export Development Fund, which the state government can access to encourage entrepreneurs to improve the quality of goods to meet international standard.

    “There is also a N3billion Export Development Fund available for capacity development for entrepreneurs in the non-oil sector,” Executive Director, Business Development, Hon. Stella Okotete, disclosed during a courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House, in Benin City, the Edo State capital, recently.

    Read Also: Edo trains 150 youths in Career Kickstarter Programme

     

  • World Bank officials to meet Osinbajo, Adeosun over projects in Nigeria

    A World Bank Mission, comprising of 10 Executive Directors, is expected in Nigeria today to hold high-level discussions with the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun and some Governors over the Bank’s projects in the country.

    In the World Bank Mission are the Bank’s Executive Directors for Switzerland, France, Italy, Nordic, Peru, Germany, South Africa (representing Angola, Nigeria and South Africa), Burkina Faso (representing Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa), Zimbabwe (representing Anglophone Sub-Saharan Africa), United Kingdom and Indonesia.

    A statement from the ministry of finance signed by Oluyinka Akintunde, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to Minister of Finance said “the delegation will discuss ongoing World Bank projects and the country’s development priorities with the Vice President, Minister of Finance and the Governors.”

    The officials will also meet the organised private sector in Lagos as well as undertake a tour of LAPO Microfinance project in Lagos and Azura Power Plant in Edo State.

    The visit Akintunde noted “is expected to provide a first-hand impression of the challenges that both the Federal and State Governments face in implementing development projects as well as ensuring good governance overall.”

    “It will further enhance the goal of the Bank for member-countries and the effectiveness of the Executive Directors in providing the necessary support” he said.

  • Benin Airport Clash: Edo APC chides Senator Urhoghide

    Chairman of Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Barr. Anslem Ojezua, has taken a swipe at the Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District, Senator Mathew Urhoghide, saying his alleged impeachment motion and the furore that greeted his actions are not just condemnable but irresponsible.

    Ojezua, who said this in a chat with journalists in Benin City, said that the Senator’s attempt to point fingers at the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, for his ordeal smacks of ingratitude given that the governor was instrumental to rescuing him from the irate crowd that had stalled his exit from the airport.

    According to him, “It is unfortunate that Urhoghide should suggest that Governor Obaseki was there when the incident happened. It was Obaseki who saved his neck because as at the time we arrived, Obaseki’s aircraft had not touched the ground. The governor met Urhoghide at the airport because the police were keeping him in the building from those who wanted his neck. It was when the governor came that he was able to come out. I think it was unfortunate and a show of ingratitude on his part for him to suggest that the governor was behind his travail. It is typical of PDP for you to do them good and they reward you with bad.”

    Arguing that Urhoghide’s action is in bad faith and antithetical to efforts to curb ravaging insecurity in the country, he said, “A supposed distinguished senator of the Federal Republic went to the floor of the Senate and began to make reckless demands and requests about the presidency over an alleged expenditure that borders on security of our country. This was done in the light of all the killings that is going on. I think that statement was irresponsible. I think it was unfortunate that the Nigerian Senate should even allow such a thing to be discussed.

    “Everybody has been concerned about the killings. We know the limitations of our security forces. Goodluck Jonathan was president when this request was made and it was turned down repeatedly. Now, for once, the American Government has accepted to release to us the equipment that we dearly need to deal with this situation, then a group of people, who claim to be representing people, particularly Urhoghide, who claims to be representing the people of Edo state, is against it. You know how many lives we have lost to supposed herdsmen. We have information that some of these killings are contrived.”

    He continued, “Now, this equipment can assist us in resolving these issues and the Senate is asking for authority. When Obasanjo emptied this same account, where was the Nigerian Senate? How much did Goodluck Jonathan inherit and how much did he leave there? These same people could not say anything. Now, for once, somebody is coming up with something and they are asking questions. The unfortunate thing is that it is emanating from Edo State.

    “I think it is reprehensible and should be condemned. I feel so bad that such a thing should happen, for him to arrive here and for them to say they want to do reception. To receive who? Somebody who has been in the Senate for how long? He comes here every week. So how come they have not been receiving him like this before. Because he made such a scandalous statement at the Senate, some stupid hoodlums went to the airport and you expect that Edo people will just accept it? It will not happen.

    “It is not about APC; it is about the people of Edo state. I am chairman of APC; I was on that same flight with him I didn’t know there was anything going to happen at the airport. If I didn’t know, then I could not have known to provide a response. I think the Police needs to step in because the policy that the Federal Government came up with during Jonathan’s administration that they don’t want people to come to the airport as a crowd has not changed. It has not been reversed. How come nobody has been arrested?”

    On the conduct of the recent ward congress in the state, Ojezua said, “The same way we conducted our primaries into offices in the local government, we adopted the consensus approach. It worked for us then, it worked for us again this time. It was very peaceful.”

  • Pension Arrears: Edo commences verification, payment of LG pensioners

    …urges pensioners to report at LGA for screening, payment

     

    Following the approval given by the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, to use the N1.5billion Paris Club refund to liquidate part of the outstanding pension arrears due to local government retirees, all local government pensioners have been asked to report for verification and payment.

    In a statement issued by the Commissioner of Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Jimoh Ijegbai, the state government directed “all local government pensioners to go to the local government where they retired, from Monday, May 7 – Wednesday 9, 2018 with all relevant documents for verification to enable us commence immediate payment of their arrears as approved by the Governor of Edo State.”

    At the 2018 Workers’ Day celebration in Benin City, last Tuesday, Obaseki told workers in the state that he has instructed that all outstanding salaries and pension arrears due to local government staff and pensioners be paid before the end of the year.

    “To ensure that this happens, I have approved that the sum of N1.5billion from the Paris Club refund should be used to liquidate part of the outstanding N2.5billion pension arrears due to local government employees,” the governor said.

    While assuring the workers that the balance will be paid before the end of 2018, he said the goal of his administration “is to ensure that local governments move into the Contributory Pensions Scheme next year, thus putting an end to the pension crises.”

    Noting that extensive reforms have been carried out to make the local governments more responsive to the needs of the people, he said, “We are great full to the Almighty for the very peaceful and successful local government elections. With the new chairpersons and elected officials, we are now poised to change the future and fortune of local government in Nigeria.”

    Obaseki explained that: “We have commenced payment of pension and gratuity arrears as far back as the year 2000. So far, we have paid batches 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41. As we resolve a few lingering problems, other Batches will be paid though I must note that resources are limited.

    “We have meetings with retirees every two weeks and we have an open line of communication to avoid misunderstandings. Our commitment is to make our retirees that have laboured so much for our present and future, feel comfortable.

    “In line with my promise last year to resolve all outstanding pension issues, I have directed that the amount used for paying outstanding pension arrears be doubled by 100 per cent from N100 million monthly to N200million.”

  • APC Lawmaker calls for peaceful congresses

    The lawmaker representing Akoko-Edo constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Peter Akpatason, has called on leaders of the All Progressive Congress in Edo State to conduct peaceful Ward congresses scheduled to hold today.

     

    Akpatason who spoke to our reporter said the Ward congresses is critical to every electoral activities in 2019.

     

    He noted that the Ward congresses should be done in an inclusive manner that would strengthen the party.

     

    His words”The ward congresses are critical to every electoral activity that is going to happen in 2019. It should be done in an inclusive manner that will strengthen the party. 

     

    “In my Ward, we are holding a meeting because we see ourselves as a family. We believe in consensus in our Ward. We are one family. We will not change it.”

     

    State Youth Leader of the APC, Hon Valentine Asuen, said the party is poised to conduct free and fair congresses.

     

    Hon Asuen stated that all youths of the APC have been mobilized to ensure peaceful congresses.

     

  • Press Bus accident: Edo refurbishes, hands over accidented vehicles

    The Edo State Government has handed over two vehicles that were damaged in the accident involving the Government House Press Corps Bus, to their owners, after refurbishment.

    The refurbished vehicles, a Toyota Corolla saloon car with Registration Number FC 291-APP belonging to Ezeora Obiora, and a Honda Civic saloon car with Registration Number USL 380-AH belonging to Mr. Obi Charles Ifechukwu, were handed over to the Nigeria Police Force at the Government House, in Benin City.

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Taiwo Akerele, said the vehicles were refurbished and handed-over to the Police for onward delivery to the owners.

    He said the handing-over was a fulfilment of the governor’s promise, noting, “The handing over was done as we operate a responsive government that cares for its people and take responsibility for its actions.”

    Obaseki  said the state government took care of the hospital bills of all the victims of the accident as promised, adding “All the victims were adequately attended to as the state government ensured that the medical bills were cleared.”

    He expressed appreciation to the owners of the vehicles for their patience and understanding, adding, “we also appreciate the level of professionalism displayed by the Nigeria Police while investigating the cause of the accident.”

    The Chief Executive Officer, Lady Mechanic Initiative, Sandra Aguebor, whose company refurbished the vehicles, said the state government made real its promise to refurbish the vehicles, adding that the vehicles were in better working condition.

    Recall that a bus assigned to the Press Unit of the Edo State Government House was involved in an accident on its way from an official assignment, on March 14, opposite the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), in Benin City.

    The medical bills of all the victims of the accident were settled by Governor Obaseki when he visited the patients in the hospital, including the bills of a medical doctor, a mother with her five-year-old child, Freeman Okoro, whose cancer treatment has been taken over by the state government.

  • Students commence training in rubber institute

    A batch of 48 students of the College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi have been posted to the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Iyanomo, Edo State, for a three months internship programme, in continuation of efforts to reposition the college by the Godwin Obaseki-led administration.

    Checks at the Institute confirmed that majority of the students have resumed for the training and are expected to get hands-on experience of the different areas of the science and technology of rubber production.

    Director and Programme Leader, Rubber Improvement and Biotechnology Programme at the Institute, Dr. Kenneth Omokhafe, said that the students have been posted to various units at the research facility for training.

    According to him, “We have received the students. They are done with documentation and have been posted to several units here. In fact, some of them have been posted to the field. They are going to get hands-on experience here on the nitty-gritty of rubber research and allied areas.”

    He said the state government was instrumental to the students being posted to the college as agreements had been reached to ensure the institute opens its doors to the students and ensure that they receive comprehensive training on the facility’s area of expertise.

    The students join 90 others who were deployed to Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc and Presco Plc, in a holistic programmebeing implemented by the state government to revamp the College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi, into a world-class institute.

    Renowned Professor of Agriculture, Prof. Oluwafemi Balogun, is leading the task of the college’s restructuring, which is expected to transform the college into a center of excellence in agricultural training.

    The students would be paid N20,000 monthly stipend during the period of their training by the state government.

    Read Also: Obaseki to revamp College of Agriculture , Edo State Polytechnic