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Tag: Edo

  • Obaseki orders payment of February salary to Edo workers

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Thursday, ordered the immediate payment of February salary to workers in the state, ahead of the February 23 general elections.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, disclosed this in a statement in Benin City, Edo State capital.

    Osagie said the governor’s decision to pay workers well ahead of the usual 26th day of the month, when salaries are usually paid in Edo State, was informed by the need to cushion the effect of the rescheduled elections and also provide support for those who will have to travel to their various voting centres to participate in the general elections holding on Saturday, February 23.

    He said the governor was aware that the rescheduled polls disrupted a lot of plans of residents and may have left many stranded, noting, “This is why he has decided to pay them earlier than the 26th day of the month, which is the payday for government workers in the state. Among other things, this gesture will enable them to travel to their various local government areas and fully participate in the February 23 general elections.”

    He added, “Edo workers will get their February salaries before the close of business today, Thursday, February 21, 2019. There is no denying that Governor Obaseki is committed to the welfare of workers in the state, and this amplifies this stance.”

  • Why insecurity persists in Edo, by PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has said insecurity persists in the state because Governor Godwin Obaseki was not using the N500 million collected monthly as security vote for security purposes.

    It said there would be less insecurity if Obaseki was adequately spending the N500 million to boost security.

    Spokesman of the PDP Chris Nehikhare, who was reacting to the ongoing cult war in the state, said the people were yet to see Obaseki’s security outfit in action.

    According to him, the PDP was worried about the death of the young ones, especially as the elections draw near.

    But Governor Obaseki, who spoke through his media aide, Crusoe Osagie, said personnel of ‘Operation Wabaizighan,’ a security outfit set up to fight violent crimes, have been deployed and are in pursuit of the criminals fomenting trouble.

    Obaseki condemned the recent cult-related killings, and urged the people to remain calm as relevant security agencies work hard to fish out the culprits.

    He said: “The revamped security architecture is working to ensure that those responsible for the killings are prosecuted. We are constantly engaging with the top brass of security agencies, and they have promised their commitment to fish out the culprits.

    “We are a state that upholds law and order. I dare reiterate that no one is above the law, and this is why the police have gone after the hoodlums and will ensure that they are brought to book.”

    The governor also urged the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosun, and other relevant security agencies, to leave no stone unturned in fishing out those responsible for the clashes and resultant deaths

     

  • Obaseki assures of peaceful polls in Edo

    …urges voters to come out en masse, cast their ballots

    Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has assured voters in Edo State that measures have been put in place to ensure that voters cast their votes in a safe and secure environment on Saturday, February 16, 2019.

    Obaseki who gave the assurance on Friday, maintained that adequate sensitisation has been carried out by the relevant government agencies, Civil Society Organisation (CSOs) and other stakeholders on how voters should conduct themselves on election days across the country.

    “I urge all eligible voters to come out en masse and without fear, participate in the first round of elections scheduled for Saturday February 16, 2019.

    “Elections are necessary to sustain the health of our growing democracy and we should seize this opportunity to raise the bar through our conduct on election days.

    “As the world looks up to Nigeria come Saturday February 16, we need to demonstrate by our actions and inactions that we are committed to defending our hard-won democracy.

    “As a government that places high premium on law and order, we will do all within the provisions of our laws to guarantee the security of life and property of all Edo people and residents, at all times.”

  • Auchi monarch to PDP: we’ll support party that fixed Auchi gully

    Edo North senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) Engr. Abubakar Momoh got the shock of his life at the palace of the Otaru of Auchi, HRH Alhaji Aliru Ikelebe III on Tuesday.

    The monarch told the candidate Auchi people would vote for the party that fixed the gully erosion problem that ravaged the community for many years.

    It was former Governor Adams Oshiomhole that solved the gully erosion problem.

    Momoh was at the Otaru’s palace to seek endorsement of the monarch for Saturday’s polls.

    The Otaru reportedly told Momoh that he would only give his support to the party and people that rescued the community from total collapse when it was ravaged by erosion.

    The Daniyan of Auchi Kingdom, Alhaji Usman Abudah, who confirmed the development, told newsmen that the Otaru of Auchi also advised all political office seekers to desist from the “unacceptable efforts to involve the palace of the Otaru of Auchi with their misgiving political pursuits.”

    His words: “Specifically Hon Abubakar Momoh who has on numerous occasions been seeking for political positions at the wrong time in wrong places visited the palace of the Otaru of Auchi and on each occasion, HRH Otaru of Auchi explicitly advised him to find a way to fall into line of the realities of the moment.

    “The Otaru said he will never while alive not to be appreciative of any government that came to the aid of the community during the problematic erosion problem which Oshiomhole government in collaboration with the World Bank solved for the community.

    “Otaru will never in his life mislead his people he has spoken and will continue to speak the truth to the people of his domain.”

  • Obaseki extols virtues of late Maj. Gen. David Ejoor

    …mourns passing of Taiwo Ogunjobi

     

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has extolled the virtues of Late retired Major General David Ejoor, who served as administrator of old Mid-Western Region and later as Governor, Mid-Western State, praising his contribution to what later became Delta and Edo states.

    The death of late Maj. Gen. Ejoor at the age of 87 was announced on February 10, 2019.

    Also, the governor mourned the passing of ex-Nigerian international, Taiwo Ogunjobi, describing him as an astute administrator and a model to young sportsmen and women.

    In a statement by Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, the governor said that given the peculiar character of Mid-Western State, it needed a well-versed leader to pilot its affairs, a role which Maj. Gen. Ejoor performed well.

    He described him as a respected statesman, who contributed to the development of the region and set some of the foundation stones for progress and unity in Delta and Edo states.

    According to him, “The Edo State Government commiserates with the people and government of Delta State over the death of retired Major General David Ejoor, who was at a time, administrator of now defunct Mid-Western region.”

    “The outpouring of goodwill messages from Nigerians, since retired General Ejoor’s passing, is a testimony to his tireless work in propagating oneness among Nigerians, especially his role in the unity of Nigeria during and after the civil war when he served as administrator of now-defunct Mid-Western state and later the Chief of Army Staff.”

    On Ogunjobi, the governor said, “We are saddened by the passing of Mr. Ogunjobi who served Nigeria meritoriously as a footballer as well as a sports administrator.

    “On behalf of the people and government of Edo State, I commiserate with the nation’s football community and the government of Osun State over Ogunjobi’s passing.”

    Ogunjobi’s passing was announced on February 11, 2019. He was a former Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and was the serving chairman of Osun State Football Association.

  • Edo denies bribing INEC staff with N.5m

    Edo State Government has denied allegation by the opposition People’s Democratic Party that it held meetings with newly recruited ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ).

    It also debunked allegations that it bribed INEC’s Electoral Officer with N500, 000 to release bulk Permanent Voter Cards to its candidates.

    Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the PDP’s allegations were signs of panic measures ahead of the elections.

    Osagie said officials of state government and leaders of the APC were currently on campaign to Owan Federal Constituency.

    He said the PDP leaders know the fate that await them on February 16 and March 2nd.

    His words, “As I am talking to you we are in Owan campaigning to the people. Who is now meeting with anybody in government house?

    Read Also: Edo flags off 740m College Road in Uhunmwode LGA

    “These are simple signs of panic. They know what fate that is ahead of them. They know they are going to lose the election.

    “All these things are lies. The people of Edo know the government working for them and they are going to vote for the APC.”

  • Man nabbed for repackaging bullets

    A 25-year old man, John Omosuanfo, has been arrested by men of the Edo State Police Command for producing bullets from expended cartridges.

    John was arrested at Iyoha village in Estako West local government area after one of his brothers used one of the bullet to shoot a rival cult member.

    He told newsmen when he was paraded that he used the bullets he manufactured to hunt animals and not for armed robbery or cultism.

    John explained that attempt by his brother to lure one Lucky into the Jurist confraternity led to family fight and both parents were injured in the process.

    According to him, “I pick expended cartridge and remove the under. I cover it back with slippers and load it with local gun power. I used it for hunting animals. I don’t sell the bullets. I was arrested because my brother used one of the cartridge to shoot some boys.

    “My brother was having issue with a boy at a bar. My brother told the boy to join Jurist but the boy said he would prefer to join Vikings. My brother went to his house to make peace but fight started. The boys came to our house and use cutlass to cause injuries on our father.

    “That was the reason my brother use the gun to shoot them.”

    His brother, Omomoh, who was also paraded said, “Sunday wanted to initiate Lucky in Jurist but Lucky refused. He asked them to leave the bar since they do not want to join Jurist.

    “He went to their house to apologise but fight started so I destroyed their property because they injured me. They came to our house and didn’t find us. They use machete on our father which made our younger brother to use gun to fire at them.”

    But Sunday Anthony, a brother to Lucky who was also paraded, said he returned home from Jattu when he saw some boys fighting with his brothers and used cutlass inflict injuries on their father.

    “The boys destroyed our properties and used cutlass to inflict injuries on our father. We went to their house to also use cutlass to cut their father. As we were going, Sunday brought a gun to shoot us.”

  • I didn’t become Governor to make money, says Obaseki

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that he did not contest election to make money but to work for the people.

    Governor Obaseki said the APC-led government purpose is to serve the people and not to loot money.

    Obaseki spoke when he led the APC campaign rally to Ekpoma Esan West Local Government Area where he paid tributes to Late Prof. Ambrose Alli, a former Governor of the defunct Bendel State.

    He said the legacy of governance of late Prof. Alli was his driving force.

    Governor Obaseki said Esan West is bouncing back to its past glory as it were during the era of Alli as he has initiated people-oriented government.

    Obaseki told the APC supporters that his leadership style borrows from the governance model of Alli, who he noted prioritised development of the people.

    He said the late Alli was one of the best governors the state has ever had and he was determined to surpass Alli’s achievements.

    He urged Esan people to align with the ruling APC so they could continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

    The governor assured that support for President Muhammadu Buhari and all APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections is the right decision to make.

    Read Also: Obaseki hails legacy of Ambrose Alli

    “Alli did only one tenure and you can see the development in Esan West. I am assuring you that the APC-led government has one purpose which is to serve the people. I am not a governor that is out to make money but to work for my people.”

    Chairman of APC in the council, Mr Onabwekhlen Ehikioya, commended Governor Obaseki for bringing development to the council.

    “We are seeing the ongoing road construction work in the council, Esan West has been turned into a construction site and we promise to deliver the needed votes for APC to win the forthcoming elections.”

  • Obaseki kicks off renovation of 230 schools in Edo

    Few weeks after Governor Godwin Obaseki awarded contracts for the renovation of primary schools, work has commenced in a number of the primary schools across Edo State.

    The renovation work is part of the overall vision of Governor Obaseki to reposition basic education for improved outcome, with the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) leading the charge.

    At a number of the schools visited by journalists, labourers were seen carrying out major renovation work on some of the dilapidated structures.

    Read Also:I created 77,000 jobs in 2 years- Obaseki

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said that the remodelling of the 230 schools is part of the state government’s commitment to provide conducive learning environment for pupils in the state, a major pillar of the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EDOBEST) programme.

    At Ivbiotor Primary School in Benin City, workers interviewed, assured that they would deliver quality job as their supervisors are determined to exceed the state governor’s expectations with regard to quality and deadline for delivering the project.

    Renovation work is also ongoing at  Ezoti Primary School, St Paul Primary School, Obaseki Primary School now hosting Ekpenede Primary School, Okai Primary School and Obakhavbaye Primary School, which were relocated.

    Osagie noted that the state government is keen on ensuring faith is restored to the public-school system in the state, adding that this would be achieved not only through improved teaching and learning methods, but also through provision of a conducive environment for teachers and their pupils.

    Recall that Governor Obaseki during a meeting with contractors vowed to prosecute any of them who deliver sub-standard work in the ongoing refurbishment of public primary schools.

    Obaseki told the contractors: “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 emphasised that his administration was not leaving any public school behind in the rollout of the renovation programme, adding “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.”

    Some of the schools scheduled for renovation 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.

     

  • I created 77,000 jobs in 2 years- Obaseki

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki on Tuesday his administration has created over 77,000 direct and indirect jobs following comprehensive institutional reforms in the last two years.

    He added the target is to create 200,000 jobs as soon as possible.

    According to him, massive infrastructural development, transparency and accountability in governance coupled with the inauguration of series of investment and innovative projects have changed the narrative of the state as the preferred Investment destination in the country.

    Obaseki, who said he had a vision to turn Edo state to a knowledge- based economy within the shortest period, said his administration has completed construction of over 200 roads within the three senatorial zones in the past two years while 20 Primary Health Care Centres have also been inaugurated in the rural areas.

    The governor spoke at the National Defence College Abuja while delivering a lecture titled: Strategic leadership: My Political Experience to members of Course 27 of the NDC.

    He said besides his personal experiences , his professional background also played key roles in his approach to governance issues, stressing that strategic leadership should revolve around the ability of leaders to execute conceptualized plans in a religious manner.

    According to him, the valued systems adopted by leaders also played significant roles in driving governance towards sustainable growth and development.

    He recalled when he assumed office, he made it clear that people should not expect him to share government money to them while they paid him courtesy calls or solidarity visits.

    Governor Obaseki said he anchored his vision for the development of the state on six pillars of institutional reforms, social welfare, infrastructural development, environmental stability, inheritance and culture and economic revolution.

    He emphasised the need for transparency and accountability in government at all levels, stressing that it is also imperative that after institutional reforms have been conducted, the business of governance by institutions saddled with various responsibilities would be free from interference of the political leadership.

    Read Also; Obaseki streamlines policies, initiatives on open data

    The governor said he would like to be remembered for the imprints his administration would leave for future generation in educational development, stressing Edo state was able to overcome the challenges in the education sector by using technology.

    According to him over 7,000 teachers have been retrained while massive renovations and constructions have taken place in various schools across the state.

    The Commandant of the College Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo noted the institution as the highest strategic training institution for senior military officers had trained over 2000 participants since its inauguration in 1992.