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Tag: Edo

  • Kano, Ondo, others for Lafarge literacy finale

    Twelve primary school pupils from Plateau, Kano, Ondo, Edo, Gombe and Anambra states will battle for the grand prize of the 4th Lafarge Africa National Literacy Competition holding in Lagos next week.

    Each of the six states will be represented by two pupils who won at the six regional finals held last month.

    Public school students from the 109 senatorial districts in the country took part in the competition which evaluates their reading, essay/summary writing and spelling skills.

    Mrs Folashade   Ambrose-Medebem,  Director   of   Communications,   Public   Affairs   and Sustainable Development at Lafarge, said through the competition, the firm had improved the reading skills of many pupils.

    “The competition seeks to touch lives of our diverse people in a sustainable way and Lafarge Africa Plc is pleased with the positive impact we have made in thepast four years,” she said

    Over 2,700 public primary school pupils took part in this year’s competition, which has impacted over200,000 pupils across 244 local government areas (LGAs) since its inception in 2014.

    Faith Toun-Agbai and Hassan Yesufu, who will be representing Edo State after winning the South-South regional final, said they had improved academically.

    “The competition has improved our spelling, reading and writing.  This makes us feel we can still achieve our goals. We will like to thank Lafarge Africa Plc for sponsoring this competition,” Faith said.

    Mrs. Ambrose-Medebem  said the literacy competition   was   one   of   the   initiatives   of   Lafarge   Africa   Plc   to   support government’s efforts to improve literacy skills in public primary schools.

    “Education is a priority under the People and Communities pillar.  The National Literacy Competition is one way we intend to make a difference in the lives of Nigerians.”

    Primary school students between ages nine and 13 years are the primary target of the competition,   which is organised with support from the respective State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEB) and the Ovie Brume Foundation, Lafarge Africa’s implementation partner.

  • Post-oil economy: Edo’ll create jobs

    Chairman, Edo Invest-ment  Summit, Asue Ighodalo, has described Edo State as Nigeria’s best secret in driving growth and development in a post-oil economy.

    Ighodalo, who is also the Chairman of Sterling Bank, made this known at the maiden edition of the Edo Investment Summit in Benin, the state capital.

    He said with its geographical location, natural endowments, dedication and commitment to drive private-sector investments, the  state has the capacity to create massive employment and become a sub-national economic hub.

    Ighodalo, while delivering his address at the summit which attracted other captains of industry from the public and private sectors, said, “The Edo State Government has convened this gathering of global, national and state leaders from the government, business and civil society to unveil and showcase Nigeria’s best kept secret, and Nigeria’s best kept secret is Edo State, and to reset the vision of the state in a post-oil economy, a vision of prosperous, productive and peaceful Edo State that rises to its full economic potential as a vibrant engine of growth within the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “In conceptualising our agenda for the summit, Edo State has engaged in a deep and rigorous assessment of factors and drivers of its future, which we will over the next few days deliberate on and then we will all together agree on the focus strategies and actions that will make Edo State the investors’ preferred choice.

    “Our goal at this investment summit is simple. We will identify the factor endowments that give Edo the competitive and comparative advantage. We will explore and examine what we must do to create the factor conditions to maximise these endowments and we will commit to the actions that make Edo State the most competitive sub-national investment environment in Nigeria.”

    Besides, he said the report and recommendations from the summit, tagged Alaghodaro 2017 and with the theme, “Envisioning the Future,” would provide a framework for the Edo strategic action plan going forward.

    He noted that a lot of work had already been done in conceptualising and providing structures and appropriate incentives, which had led to the increase in investments and interest in the state.

  • Oshiomhole: Edo can’t return to Fayose’s definition of governance

    Oshiomhole: Edo can’t return to Fayose’s definition of governance

    •APC members display resent for Obaseki 

    Former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has said the state cannot return to Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose’s definition of governance, by providing stomach infrastructure to party members.

    Oshiomhole, who spoke at a thanksgiving to mark Governor Godwin Obaseki’s one year in office, said the govenror’s business is not to listen to some voices, but focus on the primary purpose of governance, which is to grow the economy, ensure that quality education remain available, and others.

    “It is the outcome of these efforts that will deliver food to the people’s stomach. It cannot be about keeping money to share; we cannot return to Fayose’s definition of governance.

    “There are some things the government must do which he is doing; the ultimate gain of these investments being attracted is for the people to create wealth for themselves – that is what is sustainable and not giving handouts in terms of money,” the ex-governor said.

    Party members, however, displayed open resent for Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    They are angry that Obaseki has not been providing ‘stomach infrastructure’ for them.

    When Oshiomhole walked into the Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, party members disrupted the opening prayers by shouting his praise. Each time his name was mentioned, they give a resounding applause.

    The APC’s secretary in Ovia North East, Samson Idehen, said they were unhappy.

    Idehen noted that no matter what the governor achieved, if politicians were not carried along, people would see him as a non-performer.

    His words: “When embarking on projects, you should carry political leaders along because they have followers. If a contract is given to a leader, the followers will be carried along; it’s not by giving them money.”

    Another party leader, who pleaded for anonymity, said they are hungry and annoyed that after one year, there was nothing to show for supporting the party and Obaseki to power.

    Frank Guobadia said the APC, under Obaseki, has not disappointed the people by performing beyond expectations.

    He, however, said low revenue was the cause of money not getting to the party leaders.

    “They call him wake and see Governor because they saw what he is doing. We just left the era of surpluses everywhere. It won’t be as usual but things will be better,” he added.

    But Governor Obaseki said contrary to speculations, Oshiomhole has not interfered in the administration of the state.

    He insisted the former governor gave him a free hand to run the government.

  • Governors are facing difficulties times, says Dickson

    Governors are facing difficulties times, says Dickson

    Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has said that Governors in the country are presently passing through difficult and trying times.

    Dickson who spoke in Benin City at the thanksgiving service to mark Governor Godwin Obaseki’s one year in office said God’s intervention has been helping governors in the country to remain focus.

    He said he was in the state to show solidarity with Governor Obaseki according to him has done well in office.

    Dickson said he declared a special holiday in Bayelsa State to thank God because it was not easy to win elections, go through several litigations to remain in office and then face the hurdles of governance.

    “These are difficult times for governors. No one knows it better than those who have been there. We just have to keep focus because distractions and detractors are bound to be there.

    “It is our business to rely on God to keep focus on delivering good governance. We have to pray for governors and those at the helm of affairs in this country,” Dickson said.

  • Edo to cultivate 100,000 hectares oil palm in 3 years – Obaseki

    Edo to cultivate 100,000 hectares oil palm in 3 years – Obaseki

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo says the goal of his administration is to cultivate 100,000 hectares of oil palm plantation in the state within the next three years.

    The governor said this on Thursday when he members of the Plantation Owners Forum of Nigeria (POFON) visited him in Benin.

    He said that he intended to visit Indonesia and Malaysia, as part of efforts to revamp oil palm plantation in the state.

    “We are very much endowed and we pride ourselves as one of the leading oil palm producing states in Nigeria, and investors are showing significant interest.

    “Our oil palm production is significant in Ovia, Orhiomwon and Uhunwonde local government areas, and we clearly have in excess of 500,000 hectares of land available for oil palm cultivation.

    “We have set up a committee that is currently reviewing the land allocation processes in the state and we will soon come up with decisions on how to address the issue of land grabbers,’’ he said.

    Speaking, Mr Emmanuel Ibru, the Chairman of POFON, said that the members of the association owned the vast majority of private oil palm and rubber plantations across the country.

    He said that the association was formed to protect the existing investments of its members, while showcasing new investment opportunities to potential investors.

    Ibru said that the visit was to enable the association to ascertain the availability and accessibility of lands for oil palm cultivation in the state, the land use charges as well as the security of existing and new investments.

  • Edo’s Alaghodaro Investment Summit

    As Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State marks his first anniversary in office on November 12, there would be so much to talk about in the coming weeks on the Edo State Investment Summit, otherwise branded as Alaghodaro, which means ‘progress, moving forward and looking ahead’ in Edo language. It is another way of saying the future is here. Everywhere you turn in Benin City, the Edo State capital; you will find billboards and flag pole banners starring back at you in a welcoming gesture announcing the summit and critical areas of intervention to reset the economy of the state.

    The summit that would be declared open by Prof Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s Vice President, is scheduled to hold from November 10 – 12, in Benin City, and the organisers have promised to reveal ‘Nigeria’s best kept secret’ at the summit. The essence of Alaghodaro has been aptly captured as “Envisioning the Future” by looking at 30 years from now. It is a bold and visionary endeavour by Governor Obaseki and the intention is for local and foreign investors to unlock the investment potentials in Edo State. Indeed, Alaghodaro is a march to greatness and a plan to own the future.

    By being forward looking and coming up with a strategic intent for creating wealth and prosperity for Edo State people, Obaseki is bringing his wealth of experience in the private sector, especially his investment-savvy credentials, to bear on his economic transformation agenda in Edo State. The very distinguished professor of strategy, Michael Porter of the Harvard Business School, says strategy is about winning by using your resources to gain competitive advantage through innovation.

    As a man of ideas, Obaseki has clearly continued on this path since he assumed office 12 months ago and it is evident that he is in a hurry to accomplish so much during his tenure. The governor is a technocrat and strategist and silent workaholic who would rather allow his performance record speak for him as he strives to win for the Edo State people. If you visit the website of Alaghodaro, it says the summit is aimed at bringing together “top Nigerian and international business leaders, investors, bankers, industry experts, policymakers and the academia to set the agenda for development”.

    The richest man in Africa, Aliko Dangote, will be leading a host of other serial investors and entrepreneurs to make presentations in what the organisers say would “spark innovation and inspire commitment to strategic deployment of capital for greater socio-economic and environmental impact”. Together with the Dangote Group, the Mahindra Group from India and Tolaran Group from Singapore are ready to showcase a $1.5 billion investment at the summit. A ground-breaking event would be the launch of Edo Industrial Park that would signpost the governor’s vision for the rapid industrialization of the state.

    In addition, the summit intends discover how Edo State will leverage its competitive advantages in the different sectors for sustainable economic growth. This critical outcome is expected to be achieved by private sector collaboration with the state government. The strategic pillars of the prosperity road map that would be unveiled at the summit as the government looks into the future include institutional reform, economic development, social welfare, environmental sustainability, and art, culture & tourism.

    Information from the Alaghodaro website further revealed that the Edo State Investment Summit was conceived with the following objectives in mind:

    • Bring together stakeholders critical to advancing business interests across a variety of industries.
    • Build important business relationships with key stakeholders such as investors, financiers, consultants, operators, project developers and government.
    • Acquire practical knowledge from top local and international business leaders and investors on the latest trends, opportunities and challenges across various fields of interest.
    • Gain valuable insight into Edo’s investment landscape and untapped potential in a variety of industries.
    • Explore prospects for joint venture or outright acquisition through public-private-partnership, privatization and commercialization of several state-owned enterprises.

    To set the tone for the summit and to demonstrate his commitment to succeed, Obaseki was at the London Stock Exchange recently to speak to a global audience on investment opportunities in Edo State. The sectors he talked about during the session discussing ‘The Nigerian Opportunity’ included mining, agro-processing, infrastructure, transportation, healthcare, arts, culture, tourism and education. With assurances of a favourable investment climate provided by the governor, global business leaders are encouraged to participate at the Alaghodaro Investment Summit.

    In a season of declining oil revenues, Obaseki says Alaghodaro is a response to that challenge through innovation by moblising human and private capital to open up non-oil sectors such as agriculture, mining, sports, technology, entertainment, arts, culture and tourism. The time has come for governors to completely innovate and think out of the box. The era of going cap in hand to Abuja for monthly handouts should become a thing of the past. Such monthly allocations ought to be considered as residual revenue while focusing on non-oil sector revenue to accelerate developments in their respective states.

    Indeed, plans are afoot to turn Edo State into a tourist destination through a re-branding effort that encourages ownership of the process by all stakeholders. The idea is to look at the culture and lifestyle of the Edo people; festivals, carnivals, tourist attractions and historical sites in view of the rich cultural heritage of Edo State. For example, Edo State Festival of Arts, Culture and Tourism, otherwise known as EDOFEST is planned to hold from December 17 – 22 in Benin City just as the Ososo Carnival has been scheduled to hold in Ososo in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State from December 23 – 30.

    These are just two examples to promote domestic tourism in the state. In addition, the state government has also targeted a critical audience by looking at diaspora citizens. It is an open secret that most Nigerians abroad are keen to either return home or have investments with organisations or individuals they can trust. Nigerians abroad send millions of dollars home every year but these funds can be properly harnessed for investment purposes in critical sectors that align with the Alaghodaro vision.

    There are several investment assets that may be considered by investors including our diaspora brothers and sisters. A good example is the AMES Edo Truck Transit Park which is an Edo State government public private partnership agreement (PPP) with Atlantique Marine and supported by the federal government through the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) that is constructing a modern Truck Transit Park (TTP) located in Benin City. The park is designed to conveniently accommodate about 1000 trailers on rotation basis. The park will also serve as a public rest area located off the road to provide temporary rest location for truck drivers.

    Another PPP example is the construction of an Inland Container Depot (Dry Pot) in Benin City also facilitated by Atlantique Marine. The objective of the project is to bring shipping activities closer to manufacturers and drive industrialization in Edo State and neighbouring states. On completion by 2018, the project is expected to be designated a Custom Port and receive the federal government approval as a Port of Origin and Destination.

    However, in order to successfully reset the economy during and after the Alaghodaro Summit, the strategy and economic team should explain in a document the incentives for investors who are deploying private capital. An investment guide would also be helpful and it should clearly establish how shared value that is sustainable can be created through PPP to encourage more investments from the private sector.

     

    • Braimah is a Lagos based public relations and marketing executive.
  • 84 Libya deportees undergo medical examination in Edo

    84 Libya deportees undergo medical examination in Edo

    Edo State Government yesterday carried out medical examination on 84 indigenous of the state who were recently deported from Libya.

    The 84 persons which included teenagers, youths and men were among 147 persons deported from Libya on Monday.

    Governor Godwin Obaseki took delivery of the 84 persons in Lagos and provided transportation for them to return to Benin City.

    They were lodged in a hotel at the Government Reservation Area for proper rehabilitation.

    Governor Obaseki who visited the deportees on Tuesday promised to train them in any vocation of their choice as well as pay them monthly stipend during the period of the training.

    Some families have besieged the hotel to visit their relatives while some are yet to contact their relatives.

    Read: 1549 Nigerians deported from Libya, UK, South Africa, others

    A 48-year old man, Okunday Augustine, who came to see his 20 years old son, Kelvin, said his on never told him about the trip to Europe.

    “He called me that he was on his way to Libya. Where his money finished
    I had to send money to him. I sent him N150,000 to cross the sea but stopped him when I heard that there was no longer rescue on the sea.”

    One Ujuemeka Sunday who hails from Enugu State said he left Nigeria with N850,000 after his business collapsed.

    He said there was fighting in Libya when he got there and had stay in a camp unit his money got finished.

    “I saw a lot of people die inside the camp. I did not enter the boat because it did not got to my turn. The first boat that came was ambushed and the people on it were taken by criminals to another camp.”

    Read Also:I am happy to be back, says 17 years old Libya deportee

  • Edo to remodel Benin Moat, others for tourism

    The Edo State government will remodel the Benin Moat and 58 other tourist sites to boost tourism. This informs part of investment potential in tourism to be unveiled at the coming Alaghodaro Investment summit.

    The Benin Moat is the world’s longest man-made earthwork.

    The Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Diaspora Affairs, Osaze Osemwegie-Ero, was in a chat with reporters at the Government House in Benin City.

    According to him, the government is working towards getting approval of the Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, for the project, expected to be done in partnership with the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

    Osemwegie-Ero, who said the state was ready to work with willing and capable investors on a number of projects, added: “The ministry plans to revive abandoned tourist’s sites, including Captain Philip’ tomb and Oba Ovonramwen’s resting place on Ekehuan Road.”

    Other projects, according to him, are the Ososo Hills in Akoko Edo; Crocodile Lake in Lampese in Edo North; Amazon Water Fall in Igueben (where two separate quality of water flow at parallel lines without mixing) and the 15-minutes’ walk along the cave leading to the Somorika or Kukuruku Hills.”

    He noted that the maiden Alaghodaro Investment Summit will showcase some of these tourist sites so the state can court capable hands to help in developing critical infrastructure, and expertise to grow its tourism.

    His words: “Some of the efforts to recover the moat include excavation and development of green areas, relaxation spots and cable cars around the moat. This will be achieved through the partnership with UNESCO. Some demolition work will be done and we are talking with the Oba to get local buy-in.”

     

  • Edo street sweepers protest non-payment of seven months salary

    Edo street sweepers protest non-payment of seven months salary

    Hundreds of street sweepers employed under the State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR) projects in Edo state on Thursday protested non-payment of their seven months salary.

    The protest made parts of Benin City dirty and unkept and sweepers abandoned their duty post to join in the protest.

    SEEFOR, is being implemented in the country with the National Planning Commission in collaboration with World Bank, European Union and the four participating Niger Delta states of Edo, Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers.

    Placards with protesters had inscriptions such as, “pay us our money, seven months of road and streets sweeping no payment, pay us our money of seven months of road and streets sweeping without payment, commissioners of environment where is our money pay us our money. God win oh, Governor Obaseki hear our cry’’, “Pay us our money’’ and “Commissioner for Environment where is our money’’?

    The street sweepers marched through the Kings Square to Edo State Government House.

    Spokesperson for the protesters, Ms. Magdalene Osemwenkhae, urged the state government to pay them without delay.

    The State Deputy Governor, Hon Philip Shaibu, told the protesters that all issues leading to the delay on the payment of their salaries were currently being resolved.

    Shaibu said Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Osarodion Ogie was currently meeting with all the contractors under the waste management agency to resolve the issues.

    He explained that the government was planning a better Public Private Partnership to keep the state clean adding that the partnership would impact positively on their welfare.

  • Monkey pox recorded in Benue, Edo

    Monkey pox recorded in Benue, Edo

    A suspected case of monkey pox has been discovered in Gboko, Benue State.

    Gboko, in Benue North West, is the ancestral home of the Tiv people. The town is known for trade in bush animals, such as monkey, grasscutter and antelopes, which are commonly associated with monkey pox.

    It was gathered that a 40-year-old woman was seen with the symptoms around Agedam area.

    Yesterday, her relations were trying to take her to hospital for proper diagnosis.

    Another suspected case has been discovered in Edo State. The patient is receiving treatment at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).

    The hospital management, which said this yesterday, said samples were taken for test to the World Health Organization (WHO) accredited test centre.

    The hospital’s spokesman, Mr. Uwaila Joshua, in a statement said the patient was responding to treatment and was on further evaluation.

    “The good news is that the patient is recovering fast, and we presently do not have any reason to worry.

    “The UBTH, relevant agencies and local government health authorities, are working together and monitoring the patient’s close contacts, and so far, no one has been hit.

    “There is no need for worry; no worker or patient is exposed to danger as the patient is in an isolated complex. The hospital is ready and prepared to contain any situation if the need arises,” he said.