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Tag: Godwin Obaseki

  • 75 fresh beneficiaries begin Graduate Internship Scheme in Edo

    Not less than 75 beneficiaries have commenced six months internship under the EdoJobs Graduate Internship and Apprenticeship scheme, an initiative of Governor Godwin Obaseki to provide graduates with relevant practical skills and industry-based experience.

    Speaking to journalists at an orientation programme organised for the interns at the Edo Innovation Hub, in Benin City, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Jobs Creation and Skills Development, Ukinebo Dare, said besides the long-term plan, the scheme is expected to bridge the job experience gap of graduates, even as they search for other job opportunities.

    READ ALSO: Edo grants clemency, parole to 84 prisoners

    Dare noted, “We have been able to find organisations who are in search of graduate interns. One major criteria we look out for in these organisations is the capacity to grow to absorb the interns at the completion of the six-month internship. Having the right manpower is one key success factor for organisations.”

    “Edo State Government will provide funding for the internship as the interns work for six months to gain relevant experience in these organisations,” she added.

    Ukinebo Dare

    Dare explained that the 75 beneficiaries in the second batch of the scheme have been deployed to different organisations, which include those in the public and private sectors, where the graduates are expected to gain relevant experience with the possibility of being fully employed at the end of the scheme.

    She said the scheme is also for non-graduates, who are being deployed as apprentices to learn new skills and with the opportunity of being absorbed by the organisation where they work.

    One of the graduate interns, Vivian Oriere, a graduate of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, commended the state governor on the scheme, describing him as kind-hearted.

    Beneficiaries at the Internship Scheme

  • Obaseki begins annual vacation

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has begun his annual vacation. The vacation started on March 24.

    Governor Obaseki announced his vacation in a letter sent to the House of Assembly, which was acknowledged by the Speaker, Kabiru Adjoto.

    Governor Obaseki mandated Deputy Governor Comrade Philip Shaibu to act as the governor while he is away.

    Read also: ‘Why I want to be Speaker’

    Adjoto praised Obaseki for setting a democratic and constitutional precedence by transferring appointing his deputy in acting capacity, and duly informing the House in compliance with Section 190 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

  • Shaibu assures World Bank on sustainable land reforms

    Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has assured the World Bank that the state government will sustain its land reforms to attract investment that will further consolidate socio-economic development and generate job opportunities for Edo people.

    The deputy governor, who is acting as governor of the state following the transfer of power by the governor, who is currently on annual vacation, gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by a delegation of the World Bank, headed by Ms. Edda Ivan-Smith, at the Government House, in Benin City.

    He said the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration will strengthen the existing partnership with the World Bank, and assured the delegation that the state government has resolved issues relating to land grabbing by proscribing the activities of the Community Development Association (CDA), a move that received the backing of the revered Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.

    READ ALSO: 54,000 women benefit from World Bank-backed Project in Edo

    According to him, “We are already partners with the World Bank in terms of development. We are set to break new ground in Edo, which other states will emulate. As regards the research on land management by the World Bank, we have already put mechanisms in place to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. This is because we are determined to create job opportunities for youths.”

    He noted that research on land reforms and allocation to encourage private sector development being promoted by the World Bank showed that Edo is already working hard to ensure transparent and trusted land management across the state.

    Leader of the World Bank delegation, Ms. Edda Ivan-Smith, said their research in the state will enable the Bank understand the land ownership system in Nigeria, with a view of providing solutions to current challenges.

    Ivan-Smith said the World Bank is working with governments to improve land administration in the country, noting that the findings of the team’s research is targeted at stimulating dialogue in government, especially on how land is allocated to encourage private sector investment.

    She said the team is carrying out similar research in Lagos, Ogun, Jigawa and Kaduna states.

  • Obaseki commiserates with Ohiwerei over wife’s passing

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has commiserated with Dr. Felix Ohiwerei and his family over the passing of his wife, Mrs. Janet Ohiwerei.

     The governor, who expressed sadness over the news of Mrs. Ohiwerei’s passing, consoled Dr. Ohiwerei, praying that God grants him and his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

     According to him, “I received the news of the passing of Mrs. Janet Ohiwerei with shock. At this moment of grief, I urge you to take solace in the memories that you shared with her and the abiding love of God.

    READ ALSO: Obaseki commiserates with Igbinedion family over passing of Osaretin

    “Mrs. Ohiwerei was a great woman, who stood for the finest ideals of motherhood. She was a great pillar in the family and worked hard to the benefit of her family, immediate environment and the society at large.

     “She was a strong, dedicated Christian, who toiled tirelessly in the vineyard of the Lord to propagate the gospel. We will miss her guidance.”

     “As you and the family grieve over the passing of Mrs. Ohiwerei, on behalf of the government and the good people of Edo State, I extend my heartfelt condolences to you and pray that you find the fortitude to bear the loss,” the governor added.

    He said the state government will fully participate in her funeral and the events that follow, in solidarity with the family.

  • Obaseki rejects borehole, toilets as constituency projects

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that Edo people would no longer accept boreholes and toilets as constituency projects from lawmakers elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

    Governor Obaseki said he would not allowed duplication of projects as well as projects not worth N500m from National Assembly members.

    Obaseki, who spoke at a reception for APC members and supporters to celebrate the success of the party at the general elections in the state.

    He said he would hold interactive sessions with the lawmakers in the National Assembly on a monthly basis to review their projects.

    READ ALSO: Obaseki sets world-class target for Edo varsity

    Governor assured APC supporters that elected APC legislators would have no reasons not to deliver good governance to Edo people who gave them the mandate to serve.

    According to “I will not accept boreholes and VIP toilets as constituency projects any more. Edo people have spoken that they want real change and we must deliver the change to them.

    “For the elected members of the House of Assembly, every constituency you represent must have something meaningful in the budget on a yearly basis.

    “I will not accept N40 million constituency projects, if you are not able to appropriate between N500 million to N1 billion, then you are not working for your constituency,” the governor said.

    House of Representatives member-elect for Akoko Edo Federal Constituency, Hon. Peter Akpatason, thanked the governor for the massive support he gave all candidates of the APC during the elections

    Akpatason promised to attract the support of the federal government to the state and said that a better synergy between the state house of assembly, national assembly, state and local governments on project execution will ensure the judicious use of the state’s resources.

  • Obaseki sets world-class target for Edo varsity

    …pledges more support to boost ranking

    Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has set a new target for staff and students of the Edo State University, Iyamho, promising that his administration would redouble its efforts at making the institution one of the best in global university ranking.

    Obaseki gave the new target while addressing students and staff of the University at the 3rd Founder’s Day Ceremony held at the premises of the university in Iyamho, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

    He explained that his administration’s vision for the university is to become a world-class university in ranking.

    “I want the University to strive hard as our bench mark is not the Nigerian standard but the world’s, as I want them in the next ranking to be one of the best in the continent before we go to the next level. As a state, we would continue to endow the university,” he added.

    The governor called on management of the institution to run its affairs in a sustainable manner and have enough resources to self-fund; which he noted is the goal of the founder.

    READ ALSO: Obaseki backs prison reforms

    Obaseki said his administration was still considering the option of partnering with one of the world leading universities in the area of intake, research and in attracting more endowments to continue to sustain the quality of infrastructure and learning at Edo University, Iyamho.

    He explained that similar vision was proposed for the other state-owned university but it met with resistance for fear of affordability.

    “This university was set up along private sector standard. It is the modern way. It will encourage us to see how we can use the model to retool our other universities. It might be expensive but we can as a state put in all sorts of mechanisms and schemes to ease the burden on parents who have children in our universities,” he said.

    The third Founder’s Day Ceremony had a presentation by the Minister for Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Hussein Adams, who spoke on “Water Sanitation and Hygiene for Sustainable Development.”

    The Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Benin, Prof. Eddy Erhagbe, made a presentation on “Democracy and Meeting the Needs of Nigerian Citizens.”

  • Edo Govt’s SEEFOR Plus boosts road construction efforts

    The Edo State Ministry of Infrastructure, the State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR) and a new scheme wholly funded by the state government using the World Bank template, SEEFOR Plus, have intensified road construction work across the state.

    In a statement, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, said road construction remains a key component of Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration’s vision to open up the state to socio-economic activities.

    Osagie said, “we will not relent on road construction until we have a state, where driving through the streets and towns will be hassle-free. Central to this plan is the intent to open Edo State for business and bring development closer to our people.”

    He explained that to ensure that a considerable number of roads get the needed attention, the Obaseki-led administration set up SEEFOR Plus, which utilises World Bank templates in funding projects, to complement road construction carried out by other agencies.

    The governor’s aide said the state government through the Ministry of Infrastructure is also carrying out construction work on several other road projects across the state.

    READ ALSO: Obaseki charges contingent to restore Edo’s glory

    Among the roads being constructed are several streets behind School of Health Technology on Dumez Road as well as others on Erediauwa Street, linking Upper Sokponba and Sapele roads, in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area.

    Construction work is progressing rapidly on streets in Ogbe Quarters, in Benin City, including the construction of drainage to evacuate flood water in the area.

    Work is also progressing on the 1.3kilometre Jemide-Ibizugbe-Osamwonyi road executed by the state government and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    In Edo Central Senatorial District, the Iruekpen-Ekpoma Road, Welfare Road in Ekpoma and several other roads are being constructed.

  • Obaseki, elected legislators brainstorm on spread of developmental projects

    …says Edo people will not accept borehole, VIP toilets as constituency projects

    Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, and the newly elected legislators on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have agreed to deepen synergy between both arms of government to ensure projects are not duplicated across the state.

    The consensus was reached during a reception for members and supporters of the APC, after the thanksgiving service organised by the state government, to celebrate the success of the general elections in the state.

    Addressing members and supporters of the party at Government House, Obaseki stressed that his administration will no longer accept boreholes and toilets as constituency projects from members of the national and state assemblies.

    “I will not accept boreholes and VIP toilets as constituency projects any more. Edo people have spoken that they want real change and we must deliver the change to them.

    “For the elected members of the House of Assembly, every constituency you represent must have something meaningful in the budget on a yearly basis.

    “I will not accept N40 million constituency projects, if you are not able to appropriate between N500 million to N1 billion, then you are not working for your constituency,” the governor said.

    READ ALSO: Obaseki declares total war on cultists

    He added that duplication of projects would not be allowed, to ensure for the efficient use of the state’s resources.

    Obaseki further said that he would be holding interactive sessions with the party members in the national assembly on a monthly basis to review their projects, noting that the elected APC legislators have no reasons not to deliver good governance to Edo people who gave them the mandate to serve.

    Responding, Hon. Peter Akpatason, the House of Representatives member-elect for Akoko Edo Federal Constituency, thanked the governor for the massive support he gave all candidates of the APC during the elections, adding that Obaseki spurred them to victory.

    Akpatason promised to attract the support of the federal government to the state and said that a better synergy between the state house of assembly, national assembly, state and local governments on project execution will ensure the judicious use of the state’s resources.

    Speaking on behalf of the newly elected state House of Assembly members, Hon. Washington Osifo, said they would ensure the executive succeeds in its endeavour.

    “I want to assure you that you will enjoy our support and you will be happy at the end of the day that you have all the 24 seats in the state assembly.

    “We will ensure that as you are working for the good of Edo people, we will give you all our support,” he said.

  • Rainstorm: Edo promises relief materials to Ofunama Community

    Following the devastating rainstorm in Ofunama Community in Ovia North-East Local Government Area, the Edo State Government has promised to assist those affected with relief materials.

    Governor Godwin Obaseki, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Mr. Yakubu Gowon, said the state government will assist victims of the incident.

    According to him, “We are here to assess the level of damage caused by the rainstorm. The incident brings to the fore the need to be environmentally conscious and strive to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. We have undertaken a tour of the affected areas in the community and will ensure that the community gets the necessary support to spring back to life.”

    READ ALSO: Edo cult killings: Our fight is generational, says cultist

    He said that the state government is strengthening its emergency response institutions to be able to effectively respond to emergency such as the one that was witnessed in the community, noting, “We are strengthening the relevant emergency institutions in the state to be able to respond to the issues that arise from this sort of issue as well as undertake sensitisation on practices that can mitigate the effects.”

    One of the victims, Mrs. Zelon Areoro, expressed appreciation to the governor for coming to their aid, noting that the community would be relieved if assistance came their way so they can go back to their normal life.

    Chairperson of Ofunama Community, Pastor Abel Ajemiri, thanked the governor for the gesture, noting that the community appreciates the state government for the quick response.

  • Obaseki declares total war on cultists

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has declared war on cultists and cult related activities in the state.

    Governor Obaseki said there were hundreds of investors waiting to invest in the state but had to be assured that the state is safe and secure for businesses to thrive.

    Obaseki said providing security and tracking of cultists and cult related activities were now a priority for his administration.

    Speaking at an interdenominational church service to celebrate peaceful elections in the state and victory of the All Progressives Congress in the March 9, House of Assembly elections, Governor Obaseki vowed to invoke the full wrath of the law on cultists.

    The Governor said plans were on to set up a Special Security Squad on cultism in collaboration with the Nigerian Police.

    READ ALSO: Obaseki warns against disruption of activities at Benin Central Mosque

    According to him: “I am going to go heavily on cultism. We are setting up a special squad on cultists.

    “We must make Edo safe and make people know Edo is safe to do business.

    “I am giving full effect to the law on cultism. I will also not accept thuggery and ‘Agbero’ in this State.

    “If we find anybody collecting revenue illegally, we will take appropriate action to deal with whoever is involved.

    “Security is now my number one priority. We have started investing in security.

    “We have raised the Security Trust Fund and it is the sustainable ways of dealing with security

    “We have a lot of economic plans. We have to convince the investors that Edo is safe.”

    He added:  “The issue of cultism is going to be my next agenda. We already have a law in place against cultism.

    “I am going to give full effect to that law. Please if you have any person or relation involved in cultism, tell them to desist from it.

    “In the next several months, I am going to go tough on cultism. With the new Commissioner of Police of Edo, we have set up a Special Squad.”

    Chairman of Edo State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Bishop Oyennude Kure, had in his statement urged Governor Obaseki to tackle cult activities before it gets too late.

    Kure suggested the setting up of a committee to look into ways of providing lasting solution to stopping cult activities in the state.

    He stated that secondary schools in the state were becoming citadel of cultism instead of learning.