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Tag: Godwin Obaseki

  • Edo commences payment of Batch 47 pensioners

    Edo State Government has commenced the payment of arrears due Batch 47 pensioners in the state, in line with Governor Godwin Obaseki’s resolve to clear all pension arrears.

    Permanent Secretary and Chairman, Pension Bureau, Mr I.D.S. Juwobor, who disclosed this on Friday, said that the payment of arrears due pensioners in Batch 47 started on Thursday, February 14, 2019.

    “All the 269 pensioners in Batch 47 who were physically present for the screening have been receiving their money since Thursday February 14, 2019.

    Read Also: Rapist, wife beaters… Run from Edo

    “This batch has the highest number of pensioners that we have attended to, numbering 269 of them. We also paid 21 other pensioners that we classified as ‘spill overs’ from Batches 37-46 and five diaspora pensioners after interviewing them remotely via skype call.”  

     Juwobor explained that the pension bureau has adopted best practice in line with the ongoing reforms across all government institutions in the state, led by governor Obaseki.

     He further said that the pension bureau has paid over N376 million to the pensioners so far screened.

  • Female Genital Mutilation: Obaseki tasks orientation agency awareness campaign

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has charged the National Orientation Agency (NOA), ministries of women affairs, communication as well as the media to publicize the provisions of the new Violence Against Persons (VAP) Law, which includes life imprisonment, without an option of fine for perpetrators of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the state.

    Obaseki who gave the charge in Benin City on Thursday in Benin City, the state capital, said that after signing the Violence Against Persons Bill into Law, there was urgent need to drive the awareness campaign to every nook and cranny of the state.

    “This is one law that is dear to my heart and the hearts of all stakeholders that supported it right from its conception, through its consideration in the Edo State House of Assembly.

    “Having a law against female genital mutilation is a major step but ensuring that people are aware of its existence is very important in our new resolve to rid Edo State of the practice,” the governor said.

    He added: “I urge all relevant government agencies with the mandate of publicising government activities, policies and programmes as well as members of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to take the message to the grassroots so that we can achieve the desired impact.”

    Governor Obaseki on Tuesday signed the Violence Against Persons (VAP) Bill into law, to address all forms of violence and protect vulnerable members of the society.

    Signing the bill in Government House, Benin City, he noted that he was aware that the bill touches on fundamental practices among the people, assuring that he was not only signing the bill as a formality, but will ensure it is implemented to the  letter.

    Read Also: Vote APC candidates for continuity, progress – Obaseki

    “We will not stop here by just signing the bill into law, but will commence the much difficult work of implementing it to the letter. It must be noted that this bill has been in consideration for over six to eight years but the time has come for us to have a law like this VAP Law, to protect the most vulnerable and weak in our society.

    “As a government, we have aligned with the Federation of Women Lawyer (FIDA)’s purpose and objective and therefore have no hesitation in signing the bill into law,” he said.

    “I want to appreciate FIDA for their doggedness, leadership and commitment to this cause. I am not sure many other states in the nation has such bills. This bill goes to the core of some of the most pressing issues in society particularly violence against women and other persons.”

    Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), Hon. Kabiru Adjoto, told the governor that the newly signed VAP law will eliminate violence in private and public life.

    “This bill prohibits violence against all persons and provides maximum protection and effective remedy for victims and punishment for offenders and other related matters,” he said.

    “This bill was sent to the EDHA in the fourth Assembly but suffered a setback. It also suffered a setback in the fifth Assembly but it was passed in the sixth Assembly.”

    Adjoto commended the wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki for her doggedness, dedication, and commitment in ensuring that the bill is passed into law.

    He said rape is properly defined in the bill and a rapist will now spend his or her life in prison, adding, “If a man beats his wife, he risks two years in prison if the case is proven. It is now an offense for men to abandon their duties of upbringing as the responsibility is not for women alone.  Female genital mutilation now attracts life imprisonment without an option of fine.”

    Wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, commended the Edo State Governor for assenting to the VAP bill, stressing that the government is gender-sensitive.

    She thanked the speaker of the sixth Assembly, Hon. Kabiru Adjoto for ensuring the passage of the bill and that all important sections are intact.

    “This bill takes care of everything related to violence against persons,” she noted.

     

  • Obaseki targets 50 percent reduction in irregular migration, human trafficking

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to reducing the incidence of irregular migration and human trafficking by 50 per cent by the end of 2019.

    The governor made the submission while delivering a speech at the one-day Prosecution and Investigation Training on Irregular Migration themed; ‘How to Bridge the Gap between Investigation and Prosecution,’ held in Government House, Benin City, Edo State.

    He said that about 4,800 returnees have been received by the state government after going through harrowing experience in the quest for greener pastures in foreign lands.

    “In dealing with the crime of human trafficking, my administration is tackling the root cause by providing quality education, technical training which will provide jobs,” he added.

    Obaseki noted that the state government was receiving greater support from the international community as the state continues to combat the scourge of human trafficking.

    He said activities of the state taskforce against human trafficking have attracted the support of both the Federal Government and international partners in organising training on prosecution and investigation, noting, “For us in Edo State, we have realised we have a problem which has led to several steps that we have taken to solve the problem.”

    Guest lecturer at the training and Comptroller-General, Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Mohammed Babandede, who delivered a lecture entitled; ‘Effective Investigation and Prosecution of Human Trafficking Cases,’ urged stakeholders to join hands with governments in the fight against the scourge.

    Babandede averred that trafficking was not an issue only for uniform personnel, but for all stakeholders such as religious leaders, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), among others.

    “Trafficking is an organised crime with three elements which must include the acts, means and purpose. Trafficking poses serious threat to governments as it relates and connects to other crimes.”

    The NIS Comptroller-General recommended policy, protection, prevention, prosecution and partnership (5Ps) as a strategy to assist investigation and prosecution of human trafficking and related cases.

     

     

  • Obaseki signs violence against persons bill into law

    Two years jail term for wife beaters

     

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has signed the Violence Against Persons (VAP) Bill into law, to address all forms of violence and protect vulnerable members of the society.

    Obaseki, who signed the bill in Government House, Benin City, on Tuesday, said he was aware that the bill touches on fundamental practices among the people, assuring that he was not only signing the bill as a formality, but will ensure it is implemented to the  letter.

    “We will not stop here by just signing the bill into law, but will commence the much difficult work of implementing it to the  letter. It must be noted that this bill has been in consideration for over six to eight years but the time has come for us to have a law like this VAP Law, to protect the most vulnerable and weak in our society.

    “As a government, we have aligned with the Federation of Women Lawyer (FIDA)’s purpose and objective and therefore have no hesitation in signing the bill into law,” he said.

    Addressing protesters on violence against women, the governor commended them and stressed that the time to change the way society responds to violence against the weak has come. He added that his administration was not afraid of change and will embrace it to the fullest.

    “I want to appreciate FIDA for their doggedness, leadership and commitment to this cause. I am not sure many other states in the nation has such bills. This bill goes to the core of some of the most pressing issues in society particularly violence against women and other persons.”

    Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), Hon. Kabiru Adjoto, told the governor that the newly signed VAP law will eliminate violence in private and public life.

    “This bill prohibits violence against all persons and provides maximum protection and effective remedy for victims and punishment for offenders and other related matters,” he said.

    “This bill was sent to the EDHA in the fourth Assembly but suffered a setback. It also suffered a setback in the fifth Assembly but it was passed in the sixth Assembly.”

    Read Also: Obaseki inspects revamped Abudu College

    Adjoto commended the wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki for her doggedness, dedication, and commitment in ensuring that the bill is passed into law.

    He said rape is properly defined in the bill and a rapist will now spend his or her life in prison, adding, “If a man beats his wife, he risks two years in prison if the case is proven. It is now an offense for men to abandon their duties of upbringing as the responsibility is not for women alone.  Female genital mutilation now attracts life imprisonment without an option of fine.”

    Wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, commended the Edo State Governor for assenting to the VAP bill, stressing that the government is gender-sensitive.

    She thanked the speaker of the sixth Assembly, Hon. Kabiru Adjoto for ensuring the passage of the bill and that all important sections are intact.

    “This bill takes care of everything related to violence against persons,” she noted.

    Earlier, FIDA, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the state, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, CSOs, and other stakeholders protested against violence against women.

    They marched through major streets in Benin metropolis, Police headquarters and Edo State Government House, where the governor addressed them.

  • Vote APC candidates for continuity, progress – Obaseki

    Less than a week to the 2019 general elections, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has charged voters in Oredo Local Government Area to come out en masse to vote for candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) seeking to represent the people in the State and National Assemblies.

    Obaseki gave the charge at the APC rally in Oredo LGA, where he described the 2019 elections as important events that would determine the future of Nigeria, urging residents of the area to ensure they vote for continuity and progress.

    “The issue is very simple. Do you want to go back or go forward? My message today is simple: I just started to work in the state and if you want me to do more, you must vote for APC candidates to support me at the Senate and House of Representatives. I have gotten approval to do the Benin River Port, so I need strong people to represent us in Abuja,” he said.

    While urging voters to support the APC candidate for Oredo Federal Constituency, Hon. Osaigbovo Iyoha, Obaseki said Iyoha has assisted him in actualising the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EDOBEST) programme while serving as member of the Edo State House of Assembly.

    APC Senatorial candidate for Edo South, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, according to the governor, is also a trusted ally and a public servant who is ready to attract development to the state.

    Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said voting for APC candidates in the forthcoming elections translates to voting for better things to come, noting, “President Muhammadu Buhari has done a lot in the last four years; we are no longer importing fertilizer and now import only 10 per cent of rice. The president wants to spend Nigeria’s money on Nigerians, so let us vote for him.”

    Read Also: Obaseki decries assault on lady accused of phone theft

    Other APC candidates seeking seats in the Edo State House of Assembly to represent Oredo LGA include Oredo East Constituency candidate, Osaro Obazee, and Oredo West Constituency candidate, Christopher Okaeben.

    Chairman, Edo State Chapter of the APC, Barr. Anselm Ojezua, assured that the party is fully prepared to participate in the 2019 elections, adding, “We want to retain power and the only way to show that the governor is working is to vote for all APC candidates that will support the governor to achieve greater success.”

    The chairman also received decampees from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties who pledged to ensure victory for the APC at the polls.

    Chairman, Oredo LGA, Hon. Evbareke Jenkins Osunde, who welcomed the governor to the APC rally, said the residents in the council are happy to have benefitted from programmes initiated by the Obaseki-led administration.

  • Obaseki charges parents, teachers on girls participation in science

    Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has charged parents, teachers, school administrators and community leaders to prioritize the participation of girls in science.

    Obaseki gave the charge on Monday in Benin City, in commemoration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, marked on February 11, each year, by the United Nations and its partners.

    The governor decried practices in some societies that relegate the girl child in the pursuit of knowledge and explained that girls can contribute as much to development, as their male counterparts, if equally empowered.

    “With the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EDOBEST) programme, which my administration initiated, we have provided a level playing field for our male and female children to actualise their God-given potential,” he said.

    According to the governor, “the ongoing revamp of 230 primary schools across the state and the conversion of the former Benin Technical College (BTC) to Government Science and Technical College (GSTC) were informed by our realisation of the new offerings of science education in fast-tracking development.”

    He added that several trainings have been organised for girls at the Edo Innovation Hub to equip them with hands-on skills to participate in the Information Communication Technology-driven global market.

    Obaseki assured that more opportunities will be created for girls by his administration, to enable them take charge of their space and contribute significantly to the nation’s growth and development.

    The United Nations said that “Over the past 15 years, the global community has made a lot of effort in inspiring and engaging women and girls in science. Yet women and girls continue to be excluded from participating fully in science.”

    On the 2019 theme: ‘Investment in Women and Girls in Science for Inclusive Green Growth’ the UN explained that Science and gender equality are both vital for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    It notes that “At present, less than 30 per cent of researchers worldwide are women. According to UNESCO data (2014 – 2016), only around 30 per cent of all female students select STEM-related fields in higher education.

    “Globally, female students’ enrolment is particularly low in ICT (3 per cent), natural science, mathematics and statistics (5 per cent) and in engineering, manufacturing and construction (8 per cent).”

    The global body further said that “Long-standing biases and gender stereotypes are steering girls and women away from science related fields. As in the real world, the world on screen reflects similar biases — the 2015 Gender Bias Without Borders study by the Geena Davis Institute showed that of the onscreen characters with an identifiable STEM job, only 12 per cent were women.

    “In order to achieve full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls, and further achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/70/212 declaring 11 February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.”

  • Obaseki mobilises teachers to vote for APC candidates

    Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has urged teachers in the state to support candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming general elections, which will enable his administration sustain ongoing reforms in transforming the state’s basic education sector.

    The governor made the appeal while speaking at a forum organised by the Association of Primary School Heads of Nigeria (AOPSHON), Oredo Local Government Chapter, to honour the governor for the successes recorded in transforming the basic education sector.

    Obaseki, who was represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, said to sustain the transformation and developmental strides by his administration, stakeholders in the education sector should come out en masse to vote for candidates of the APC in the forthcoming general elections.

    “The success recorded by my administration in the education sector was due to the support received from the legislative arm of government. In order to sustain the tempo and even do more, there is a need to elect those whose aspirations will be in consonance with that of our government,” he explained.

    He said he has made verifiable progress in transforming various sectors of the state as a result of the support from members of the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), urging teachers to join hands in voting in candidates that will ensure formidable representation in Abuja, to fast-track development in the state.

    Chairman, Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic Education, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, expressed appreciation to governor Obaseki for the tremendous support and transformation in the education sector.

    She urged teachers to reciprocate the gesture of the governor by supporting the candidates of the APC to ensure victory for the party across all levels in the 2019 general elections.

    Chairman, Oredo LGA Chapter of AOPSHON, Comrade Imafidon Sunday, whose speech was delivered by the Secretary of the association, Enogie Noragbon, thanked governor Obaseki for the developmental strides in the education sector and for impacting on the lives of teachers in the state.

    “You introduced Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EDOBEST) programme through which over 7,000 teachers have been trained. Teaching methods have also been migrated from analogue to digital. We appreciate your prompt payment of teachers’ salaries, allowances, gratuities, and pensions.”

    Imafidon also applauded the governor for the ongoing renovation of 230 primary schools across the state.

  • Obaseki extols virtues of late Madam Christiana Omokhodion

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has described late Mrs. Christiana Edenokun Omokhodion, as a rare breed, who bequeathed her boisterous energy and business acumen to her children, and guided many others in contributing to national development.

    The governor said this during the funeral mass held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Ujemen, Ekpoma, on Saturday, noting that she led a life worth emulating.

    The eldest son of the deceased and Chairman, Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Governing Council, Chief Lawson Omokhodion, described his late mother as an inspiration, who led a life that motivated others.

    “Mother was a rare breed in peace making and in building a strong and united family. Mama, you were a born leader and you were the centre of peace and progress to the Ujemen Women Social Club in Benin City.”

    Late Madam Christiana Edenokun Omokhodion was born in 1927 in Oduwa-Idumebo to Late Pa and late Mrs Aikhuomogbe Ajobi.

    Late Madam Omokhodion had a successful business career in dress making, trading and food vending across various markets in the state capital, Benin City.

    Among the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of Late Madam Omokhodion are Mrs Roseline Okosun, Chief Lawson Omokhodion and Bright Omokhodion.

    Her death was announced on January 6, 2019.

  • Obaseki condoles with Ogbebor family over death of patriarch

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has paid condolence visit to the Ogbebor family over the passing of Chief (Dr.) Joe Aisien Ogbebor, the Efeisoghoba of Benin Kingdom.

    Obaseki, who led the state government’s delegation to the deceased’s residence in Government Reservation Area (GRA), Benin City, described late Chief Ogbebor as hardworking, dedicated, humble, loving, disciplined and full of inspiration.

    “Your father was an illustrious and accomplished true Benin icon. He is a self-made Benin man, a unique Nigerian who recorded outstanding success in his business endeavours.

    “We will continue to remember him for his humility and calmness. He is so quiet and humble. He is a caring man who takes time out to care for people.”

    The Governor urged his children to emulate the legacies of their father, acknowledging that their father lived a fulfilled life.

    Spokesman for the family, Marcus Ojo, thanked the governor and his entourage for finding time to visit the family at their trying times.

    “We thank you our governor for this visit despite your busy schedule, especially in this electioneering campaign period. We assure you that the family will inform you of the burial plans,” he said.

     

  • Obaseki decries assault on lady accused of phone theft

    …commends swift arrest of culprits

     

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has condemned the assault on one Miss Favour Ada, over the alleged theft of a mobile phone, in the Ugbiyoko area of Benin City, stressing that the state would never tolerate the reign of lawlessness or resort to self-help in managing crime.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, the governor said, “The gruesome and dehumanising attack on the lady is condemnable without equivocation.”

    He commended the State Police Command, lawyers and members of the Civil Society for forming a solid campaign to fish out the lady’s attackers and urged the Police to ensure that justice is served in the matter.

    According to him, “The campaign on violence against women and children is a major thrust of our government. So, we see this case as serious and are committed to bringing the perpetrators of the disgraceful act to justice.”

    Noting that the state government prioritises law and order, the governor said, “We believe that due process must be followed in addressing issues of alleged theft. The resort to self-help is unacceptable as we have established agencies of government that deal with such issues using the laws of the land.”

    Read Also: Obaseki inspects revamped Abudu College

    Obaseki commended the Police for the prompt response to the attendant public outcry, noting “The proactive step of the Edo State Police Command in arresting the attackers is commendable. I urge the Police to get to the bottom of the case and ensure other persons involved in the incident are arrested, thoroughly investigated and charged to court for assaulting the young lady.”

    The governor urged members of the public to join in condemning jungle justice and all acts of violence which infringe on people’s fundamental human rights.

    He said the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development is also monitoring progress on the incident and would work to ensure the victim gets justice and fully recover from injuries and trauma she suffered from the assault.