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Tag: Godwin Obaseki

  • Igbo traders in Edo State promise massive votes for APC candidates

    Igbo traders in Edo State have pledged that they will come out en masse and cast their ballots for candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 9, State House of Assembly election.

    According to them, their support for APC candidates in the election will ensure continuity of ongoing economic reforms being implemented by the administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    Leader of the Igbo traders, Chief Ejike Enemuo, gave the assurance at a meeting between the traders and Governor Obaseki at Government House, in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    Read Also: Edo Poly eyes grant for research

    Enemuo said Igbo traders are beneficiaries of several economic reforms initiated by the APC-led government in the state, particularly, the ban on illegal tax collection across markets in the state and the massive cut in revenue paid by them.

    “It is no longer news that the political season is here once again and we are here to pledge our unflinching loyalty and support to you and your government. We have started sensitizing and mobilising our co-traders and their families to come out en masse to vote for the continuity of your enviable policies,” Enemuo said.

    In his response, Obaseki expressed his gratitude to the traders for supporting his administration, adding that he was committed to building on the business-friendly environment in the state so that traders will continue to do their businesses with ease.

    He noted that his administration was concerned about poor power supply in the state and assured that an Independent Power Plant (IPP) would become operational in the state by June this year.

    “We are working to ensure business activities blossom in the state on a daily basis. By the time we have the Independent Power Plant working, you will not need to buy power generating sets to power your businesses again.

    “We have also made sure that illegal taxes are no longer collected from you so that you can record appreciable profit,” the governor said.

    He urged the traders to vote for APC candidates in the House of Assembly election to enable sustain the tempo of development in the state.

     

  • FG/World Bank to empower 54,000 women in Edo

    Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Edo State has said that at least 54,000 Edo women are to benefit from the Federal Government World Bank-supported Nigeria for Women Project (NWP).

    A statement by Obaseki’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr Crusoe Osagie on Thursday, quoted the governor as saying that the would-be beneficiaries of the pilot phase would be drawn from the three senatorial districts in the state.

    Obaseki, who was speaking at the inauguration of the State Steering Committee and State Technical Committee of NWP in Benin, said that the project was being supported by the World Bank in collaboration with the Federal Government.

    In the pilot phase, the project is expected to empower women in Edo, Ogun, Niger, Taraba, Abia, and Kebbi states.

    Read Also: Obaseki calls for global network on women empowerment

    The governor commended the programme, saying that his administration was committed to bridging the economic and social gaps existing between the male and female genders in the state.

    “We are addressing all forms of gender gaps, which have promoted extreme poverty in the state.

    “So much is being done to ensure that women are empowered with relevant skills, which will make them more useful and self reliant in a highly competitive world,” he said.

    According to Obaseki, empowering women will have a multiplier effect on the nation’s economy and poverty reduction.

    The governor, who said that the project needed to be data-based, called on the steering and technical committees for the project to come up with the best possible modalities that would guarantee successful execution of the project.

    “We need to come up with specific action plans and monitoring mechanism so we can measure outcomes,” he added.

    He said that Ward Development Committees should be part of the screening process for the beneficiaries of the project to allow for fair representation.

    In her remark, Mrs Magdalene Ohenhen, the state’s Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, said that the ministry was passionate about the project.

    Ohenhen, therefore, assured the governor and other stakeholders of a successful implementation of the project.

    She said that the governor’s resolve and commitment to mainstreaming women into governance in the state made it possible for Edo to be part of the Nigeria for women project.

    NAN

  • South-south pensioners laud Obaseki’s uninterrupted pension payment

    Against the backdrop of issues of unpredictable pension payment regime and unpaid pensions plaguing different states in the country, the South-South Zone of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) has hailed the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration in Edo State for a regime of uninterrupted pension payment in the state.

    Chairman, South-South Zone of the NUP, Comrade Pullen Noruwa, said this at the South-South Zonal Forum of the NUP, held in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    Noruwa lauded Governor Obaseki for his commitment to the welfare of pensioners, whose monthly pension have been uninterrupted in the state, since he assumed office.

    Comrade Noruwa, who is also the Chairman of Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) Edo State Chapter, appealed to the state government to reinstate the deduction of one per cent (1%) union dues amongst other requests.

    Edo State Head of Service (HOS), Mr. Isaac Ehiozuwa, said Governor Obaseki’s passion to keep retirees happy has paved way for the state to develop a phased payment plan in settling pension arrears accumulated from as far back as 1999.

    Mr. Ehiozuwa said this innovative plan by the Edo State Government has resulted in the payment of arrears of pensions without hindrance, stressing that the days of waiting on rolls to get paid are over.

    Noting that the state government has approved the automatic migration to the pension system for retired civil servants, he said, “I appeal to civil servants who are about to retire to key into the laid down procedure to avoid a situation where pensioners will have to suffer avoidable hardship after disengagement from service.”

    This strategy, he said, would put an end to protests by pensioners and tackle the non-payment of pension arrears. He advised aggrieved members of the NUP to channel their grievances through the duly recognized NUP body led by Comrade Noruwa for redress.

  • Obaseki urges support for APC Assembly candidates

    …to sustain ban on thuggery in markets, parks

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has urged electorates in the state to vote for candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) vying for seats in the March 9 State Assembly election, to sustain the sanity and best practice in revenue collection at markets and motor parks across the state.

    Obaseki who called on electorates across the state to come out in their numbers to vote for APC candidates in the election, added that an APC-controlled House of Assembly will ensure that touts and hooligans do not return to lay siege to markets and motor parks for revenue collection.

    He explained that the reforms which have transformed revenue collection in the state, were made possible with the full support of members of the outgoing assembly, adding, “as a result of these reforms, traders in markets and transport operators across the state are no longer subjected to harassment by revenue collectors who in the past hassled traders and commercial transport operators, and in some instances, confiscated their goods.”

    “By sustaining these reforms, Edo State will continue to take the lead in the ease of doing business in South-south Nigeria, as more investors are being attracted to the state, a development that  has created more job opportunities and decent means of livelihoods for Edo people,” he said.

    Read Also: Obaseki mourns death of Prof. Elebute

    Underscoring the impact of healthy relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government, Obaseki stressed the need to sustain the level of cooperation between both arms of government, by voting for all APC candidates across the 24 state constituencies.

    The governor said that his administration has sustained interventions in the health, educational, agricultural as well as several other sectors of the state, through sound reform programmes. 

    “I need the support of the House of Assembly to ensure that we do more to boost investor confidence and create more wealth for our people.

    “With the transparent system we have created for revenue generation, we are ensuring that tax payers benefit from government programmes and policies, such as road construction and reconstruction, remodelling of Primary Health Care Centres and schools across the state. We need a House of Assembly that will not pull us back by projecting their own interests,” Obaseki said.

    (more…)

  • Obaseki ‘threatens to deal with APC leaders’

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has threatened to deal with some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) whose activities led to the party’s defeat in the February 23 elections.

    Government sources said what angered Obaseki was the margin of defeat recorded in Egor, Ikpoba-Okha and Oredo councils in Edo South.

    Obaseki hails from Oredo.

    The governor was said to have issued the threat at a meeting with the party leaders.

    A source at the meeting, who pleaded for anonymity, said Obaseki challenged the affected leaders to reveal what he gave to them.

    He added that the governor was almost moved to tears as he expressed his disappointment with some of the leaders, especially when it was revealed one of the leaders did not buy generators meant for Ward collation centres.

    Read also: Deeper Life partners CAN, PFN to train church leaders

    “We were shocked when Obaseki started talking. He revealed so many things. He said he was shocked how the leaders sabotaged his efforts. “The governor spoke to a point that he threw away the microphone. None of the leaders could say anything in defence, and he promised to deal with them.

    “We are happy that the governor set up a 25-man team to work with him to win the House of Assembly election on Saturday.”

  • Obaseki inspects road projects in Amagba Community

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Tuesday, inspected ongoing road projects in Amagba Community, Oredo Local Government Area of the state, with an assurance to provide more infrastructural projects in the area.

    Obaseki, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Taiwo Akerele, expressed satisfaction with the progress of work, noting that the state government was fulfilling its promise of infrastructural development of the state.

    “I am impressed with the work. When we came to inspect the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) Computer-Based-Test Centre in this community, the governor promised to support the host community with road projects to give easy access to the center.

    “This is a government that does not fail in keeping to its promise; in the next two years, the quality of life of people in this area will have improved.”

    The governor urged people of the community to cast a vote of confidence on his administration by voting for Osaro Obaze and Chris Okaeben, both candidates of the APC in the March 9 election in the area.

    Enogie of Amagba Community, Chief Frank Igbinenikaro, noted that the community had been deprived of good roads in the past, and commended the Governor Obaseki-led administration for putting smiles on their faces with the construction of link roads in the locality.

    Read Also: Obaseki threatens to deal with APC leaders

    “We are seeing the handwork of Governor Obaseki in our community. We are pledging continued support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and we will vote the party’s candidates in the March 9, House of Assembly election.

    Meanwhile, the Site Engineer for the WAEC CBT Road, Paul Nwankolo, said about 10 inter-connecting roads measuring 5km were being constructed. He said the WAEC CBT Road would be delivered in April.

    The entourage visited the Odionwere of Amagba and held a meeting with different communities in Amagba, Ugbor, Irhirhi, Aruogba, where assurance was given on the timely completion of road projects in the communities.

  • Obaseki mourns death of Prof. Elebute

    …extols his contribution to medicine

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has expressed sadness over the passing of Late Prof. Emmanuel Elebute, founder of Lagoon Hospitals and celebrated physician.

    In a letter addressed to the deceased’s son and Chairman, KPMG Africa, Mr. Kunle Elebute, the governor said that he was deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Prof. Elebute and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the family.

    According to him, “The outpouring of goodwill, by those who knew your father since his passing, attests to the impactful and decent life he lived, rare qualities that he bequeathed to you and your siblings.

    “He was a great lover of peace and exuded uncommon love for hard work and the good of society, through his vast knowledge of medicine which he dedicated to caring for the sick and saving of lives in Nigeria and beyond, for decades.”

    Obaseki added that Prof. Elebute’s immense contributions to the broad spectrum of the nation’s health sector, particularly, the establishment of Hygeia Nigeria Limited, which he co-founded, aided access to affordable health care in the country.

    The governor said Late Prof. Elebute will be greatly missed by all and prayed that the family “finds the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss until we meet to part no more.”

  • Edo JAAC declares N2.77bn allocation for LGAs

    The Edo State Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC) has declared N2,769,964,452 as total allocation that accrued to the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state from the Federation Account for the month of February, shared in March 2019.

    Chairman, Oredo Local Government Area, Hon. Jenkins Osunde, disclosed this at the end of the monthly JAAC meeting presided over by Governor Godwin Obaseki, at Government House, in Benin City, Edo State.

    Osunde, who is also Chairman, Edo State Chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), noted that teachers’ and non-teachers’ salaries gulped N1,143,184,336, while Local Government contributions for pension is N276,144,513.

    “Total deduction from LGAs is N1,740,183,728 and net allocation to LGAs is put at N1,029,780,723. Total amount transferred to LGAs stands at N1,015,930,901,” he added.

    According to him, “February Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is N175, 843,666. Net IGR paid to LGAs is put at N131, 678, 251.”

    Osunde explained that there was decline in the allocation for February as well as IGR, which is expected to increase in the month of March, as the decline was on account of the election period.

  • Obaseki threatens to deal with APC leaders

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has threatened to deal with some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) whose activities led to the defeat of the party in the February 23rd general elections.

    The APC lost the election by polling 267,842 against the 275,691 scored by the to the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Government sources said what peeved Governor Obaseki was the wide margin of defeat recorded in Egor, Ikpoba-Okha and Oredo local government areas in Edo South senatorial district.

    Read Also: Edo needs supportive House of Assembly – Obaseki

    Obaseki, who hails from Oredo in Edo South senatorial, was said to have issued the threat at a meeting with APC leaders.

    A source at the meeting, who spoke in a chat with newsmen and pleaded anonymity, said Obaseki challenged the affected leaders to reveal what he gave to them.

    The source said the Governor was almost moved to tears as he expressed his disappointment with some of the leaders especially when it was revealed one of the leaders did not buy generators meant for Ward collation centres.

    According to the source, “We were shocked when Obaseki started talking. He revealed so many things. He said he was shocked how the leaders sabotaged his efforts. Obaseki asked them if it were his re-election, that is how he would have lost.

    “The Governor spoke to a point that he threw away the microphone. None of the leaders utter any word in defense. He has said he would deal with them.

    “We are happy that the Governor set up a 25-man team to work with him for the purpose of the House of Assembly election this Saturday.”

     

     

  • UK-based medical expert institutes lecture series at Edo Poly

    Impressed with the dedication and focused leadership at the Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, a United Kingdom (UK)-based medical practitioner, Dr. Yusuf Amuda Garuba, has instituted a lecture series and scholarship package at the Department of Food Technology at the institution.

    The first edition of the lecture series holds on March 5, with the topic: the burden of food borne related toxicity and liver disease in Nigeria, and is to be delivered by Senior Lecturer and Researcher at Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Benin, Dr. Igharo O. G., at the polytechnic’s complex in Usen, near Benin City.

    The Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, has recorded improved performance in the last one year since the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, commenced revamp of the institution. The new direction of the institution steered by Prof. Abiodun Falodun, has seen the institution record increased academic and research activities as well as infrastructural development.

    Speaking with journalists, Rector of the institution, Prof. Falodun, said that the school community is pleased with the growing list of Nigerians in the Diaspora, who are looking homeward and contributing to the institution’s growth.

    Read Also: Expert trains Edo Poly students, staff

    According to him, “Aside the lecture series and the scholarship for the best graduating student in the Department of Food Technology, Dr. Garuba has a standing relationship with the department and would contribute to its growth. He has also donated some equipment to the school’s health center. As a medical practitioner, he is willing to contribute his expertise and other forms of support to the polytechnic.”

    Noting that the institution is poised to contribute meaningful to societal growth through research and development, he said, “As a polytechnic, we have a mandate to provide practical solutions to problems in society. So, aside the lecture series, we are also engaging in in-depth applied research across different disciplines.”