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Tag: Godwin Obaseki

  • Obaseki presents two-year score card

    Unlike some governors who use the occasion of their anniversary in office to pup champagnes, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State used the occasion of the celebration of his two years anniversary to unveil progress made on campaign promises regarding the youths, women, health and education.

    Governor Obaseki assumed office in November, 2016 with a promise to create a minimum of 200,000 in the first four years, consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as well as use technology to drive his administration. He had focused his administration around six thematic areas which are Economic Revolution, Culture and Tourism, Environmental Sustainability, Welfare Enhancement, Infrastructure Development and Institutional Reform.

    Obaseki has endeared himself to Edo people as regards restoration of law and order, roads construction, youth’s empowerment and institutional reforms.

    The manner with which Obaseki responds to issues of governance earned him the nickname, ‘Wake and see Governor’ but to the opposition party, he is “Governor of MoU”.

    To critics of Obaseki, the several MoUs entered into by Obaseki were meaningless and not achieving desired results. State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, described the administration as the worst in the history of the state.

    He said: “Obaseki has done nothing and he will do nothing. He has failed in his responsibility to protect lives and property. He has failed in providing logistics for the security agencies to up their security arrangement. When he came about banning night grazing what came to my mind was that the governor spends more time outside the state. He has travelled far more times than Oshiomhole did.

    “Have you driven on the streets when it rained? Obaseki was the Chief Economic Adviser to Oshiomhole who used N30 billion to check erosion problem in Benin City. As we speak, the problem still persists. Can you name one single project started and completed by Obaseki? What we are seeing is patching of selected existing roads and that will never make us to credit him. He prides himself with ‘wake and see’. Have you seen anything?”

    However, reflecting on his performance in the first half of his first four years, Governor Obaseki said he has done beyond the expectations of his critics by staying focused on his areas of priority.

    On his promised 200,000 jobs, Obaseki said he has created 77,200, achieved in collaboration with the Federal Government agencies and multilateral institutions.

    At a Youth Summit/Job Fair tagged, “Pathway to Prosperity” held at the Edo Innovation Hub, several youths who were trained in building solar power and installation and other fields showcased their products. An elated Obaseki gave beneficiaries of the Edo Start-up Fund Initiative who have registered their businesses N500, 000 to scale up their businesses and provide job opportunities for others.

    Obaseki, who promised to make available N100 million grant to fund start-ups in the state’s 2019 budget said his programmes and policies would guarantee shared prosperity and engender more growth opportunities across the state.

    At the summit, Governor Obaseki launched the Edo Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) and the Edo Start-up Fund Initiative which are aimed at providing skills for the youth as well as access to funds for small businesses in order to eliminate obstacles that hinder youths from contributing to economic development.

    Speaking on his stewardship in the last two years, Governor Obaseki said he was determined to restore hope through various reforms he introduced and has delivered on jobs creation, infrastructural development, health care delivery and education.

    His words: “EdoJobs initiative is not only about giving you work, but it is part of it. It  was set up to teach you, train you as well as give you skills so that you can find jobs or create jobs for yourself and be an employer of labour.

    “The Edo Graduate Internship Scheme has identified projects in different areas such as construction, technology and agriculture where we send youths for training. As they get trained, they will earn a stipend, and at the end of the training, we will place them on specific jobs.”

    He said his administration would provide for hotspots for free access to the Internet at designated places.

    He said: “By consolidating our Colleges of Education into one, we now have one College of Education and three schools instead of having three different colleges. Each school is specialising on specific aspect of teacher education. The one in Abudu will have a digital training centre to train primary school teachers, the school in Igueben will focus on secondary school and science teachers while the one in Auchi will specialise in training teachers in technical education, physical education and special education.

    “We have launched the Edo Health Improvement Programme which is a plan on the whole aspect of our health care value chain. We are rolling out a prototype of our primary health care system. Each must have 24/7 solar-powered electricity, a functioning borehole, trained staff and a customised technology to assist the nurses in managing cases so that anybody who walks through the door of our health centres will be tracked and upload to referral centres for review. We now save one per cent of our Federal Government allocation every month to invest in our health care system. The local government is also saving.

    “I promised to create a minimum of 200,000 jobs by 2020. These jobs are not coming out from government but from the private sectors. We believed jobs will be provided from manufacturing hence the push for industrial park, agricultural services and technology which was why we invested in the innovation hub. We set up the Edo State Skills Development Agency to provide the youth with positive pathway to prosperity and self-reliance. Through this agency, we create a steady supply of skilled manpower and attract employers to give them job opportunities.

    “Housing is another plan which we focus on. We believe that housing is a necessity for mankind. We see the development as one to boot construction and create jobs. We have restructured the Edo State Property Development Agency to become business-oriented and it has opened the door for more private investors in the housing sector. The existing housing estate was built 16 years ago. Within the last year, we started the construction of Emotam Garden Estate. Over 60 units have been constructed and we believed that before Christmas, 100 units will be constructed.

    “We are focusing on professionalism of the Edo State public service. We are establishing a public service training academy. The facility will be able to take 500 people at a time. The challenge in getting government to work is because we neglected training. If we keep sustained training programme for our public servants, they will perform better.”

  • 2019 polls: Edo, FIDA partner on capacity building for women

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has expressed readiness to collaborate with the Edo State Chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), on capacity building for women ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    The governor made the commitment when he received the new executive members of the state chapter of FIDA led by the chairperson, Iryn Omorogiuwa, on a courtesy visit, at Government House, in Benin City.

    He said the collaboration with FIDA has become necessary because women constitute the majority of voters, noting, “Whenever you go for rallies, women are more. This administration supports and encourages women participation in politics. We are trying to clean up and change the image of politics by removing violence and thuggery from our political system. This will encourage more people who are interested in the welfare of the people to have a platform to contest elections.”

    He said the state is ready to collaborate with FIDA to address issues of rights violation, voters’ education, adding that the state is working to restructure the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to better attend to the needs of vulnerable people in society.

    “We are doing a lot in the background as we need to restructure government institutions responsible for handling these issues because, without strong government institutions, professional groups like yours will not find the platform to collaborate with government,” he said.

    Chairperson of Edo State Chapter of FIDA, Iryn Omorogiuwa, said the body is focused, concerned and interested in the welfare of women and children in the state, as the new executives elected on November 7, have set up 10 working committees to attend to different issues.

    According to her, a bill titled ‘Violent Against Persons Act’ has been sent to the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) by FIDA, adding that, when passed into law, it will help reduce the issue of violence against women and children.

  • Obaseki mobilizes stakeholders to back plan on security architecture

    As the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, fine tunes plans for the launch of the state’s Security Architecture later in the month, private companies in the state are upbeat about the prospect of having a robust security support structure that will further boost the ease of doing business in the state.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, told journalists in Benin City, the state capital, that feedbacks from the engagements between the governor and private companies in the state, on the security architecture, have been encouraging.

    Edo State is host to several companies, namely; Dangote Cement, BUA Cement, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Pan Ocean Oil Corporation, Seplat Petroleum Development Company, Okomu Oil Plc, Presco Plc, Rubber Estates Nigeria Ltd, hotels, steel and ceramic companies, amongst others.

    “We are delighted to receive heart-warming response from our development partners who are corporate citizens of the state. As you are aware, security is everybody’s business. Governor Obaseki has set aside N2 billion in the proposed 2019 budget for this initiative and the companies in Benin are queueing behind the governor to ensure that the state is rid of all forms of crimes,” Osagie said.

    “The engagement is ongoing and we are reaching out to everyone so that we can bring everyone on board, in the fight against crimes in the state. Our dear state is the most peaceful in the Niger Delta region, but we want to raise the bar, considering our huge investment in the development of an industrial park, a modular refinery and a seaport and the attendant human traffic that these investments will pull to the state,” he added.

    Read Also: Obaseki presents N175.7b budget

    According to the governor’s aide, “Already procured for unveiling by the state government are three Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs); ninety (90) patrol vehicles; fifty (50) patrol cars and forty (40) pick-up patrol vans; thirty (30) motorcycles and three ambulances.

    “They are all fitted with digital communication equipment for real time information sharing among the various security agencies.”

    He said manpower will be drawn from the Nigeria Police Force; the Military; Department of State Services; Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the state’s Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) scheme.

    The governor’s aide explained that 1000 members of PUWOV will support men and women of the various security agencies in executing the goals set in the security blueprint.

    “The first batch of two hundred (200) PUWOV personnel are being trained at the Police Training School (PTS), Ogida, and another 800 volunteers will be fit for deployment before the launch date.

    “They will be kitted in the approved uniform and will form bulk of the first batch that will be unveiled at the launch date of December 13,” Osagie said.

    To kick-start the Security Trust Fund, he said the governor has set aside N2billion in the 2019 proposed budget, which will be supported by private companies in the state and other organisations.

    “The Edo State Security Trust Fund is a pool of fund set up by the Obaseki-led administration, which companies, charitable groups and individuals would contribute to, as part of a collective effort to fight crimes,” he added.

  • Gully erosion: Residents of Ewu, Ibore communities laud Obaseki

    …as reclamation projects near completion

    Communities affected by gully erosion in Ewu and Ibore in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State have lauded Governor Godwin Obaseki for his concerted efforts at reclaiming the gully erosion sites in the areas.

    Governor Obaseki secured commitment from the Federal Government, the World Bank and the European Investment Bank to remedy gully erosion threatening parts of the state, as part of the Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP). Some of the gully sites were over 25 years old and posed environmental danger to the communities.

    Project Engineer, Engr. Edwin Ero, said: “We carried out topographical survey and were able to ascertain where the flood water should flow to and our design was able to capture that. What we are doing in Ibore is similar to what is going on in Ewu. The difference is the length. The gully in Ibore is bigger than Ewu. We are using the same engineering principle at both sites.”

    The Oyakhire of Ewu Kingdom and spokesman for the community, Chief Richard Diagie said, “I thank the Edo State Government and NEWMAP for the great job being carried out in Ewu. For the past 25 years, we have been living with the problem. The distance between Eguare and Ehane ought to be between two to three minutes walk. But for the past 25 years, if you are coming to Ehane, you have to go through the express, through Iduwanle and Ewulu before coming down to Ehane. This is a distance that should not take you two minutes.”

    “Before the project was awarded, over six houses had been submerged by the gully. Things are now taking a new shape,” he added.

    Another resident of Ewu and chairman, Community Association, Ewu Kingdom, Alhaji Sufianu Ojeifo said, “We thank God Almighty who has made it possible. What we thought was impossible is now possible.”

    On his part, Odionwere of Ikekeala Community, Ibore, Pa. Omokhegbe Kumal, said, “we like what the Obaseki-led government is doing with the project. We are happy with it. The gully has claimed lives in the past. It was so deep, and we appreciate the government’s gesture.

    Woman Leader in Ibore, Madam Esther Inegbenose, described the ongoing project as commendable, adding, “We thank government for the project. Before now, the site was so scary but now one can easily pass through the site either with a vehicle or by foot.”

  • Obaseki seeks robust governance structure, world-class status for Ogba Zoo

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has called for the review of the governance structure of the Ogba Zoological Garden and Nature Park to reposition it as a world class zoo.

    Obaseki made the call during a courtesy visit by the management of the zoo to the governor, at Government House in Benin City, the state capital.

    He maintained that with the zoo’s large and diverse animal population, the most diverse in the rain forest region of the country, a broader governance structure that will boost its eco-tourism potential, is required.

    “There is need to set up a team comprising experts who have experience in the management of zoos to look at the laws setting up the zoo.

    “We need to know the level of diversity in the zoo and what type of insurance policy is needed to protect the facility.”

    The governor noted that government’s intervention could be in the area of remediation, adding:

    “Ogba Zoo is part of our rainforest that is quickly disappearing. I appreciate the zeal which you have invested in this precious project, to keep the zoo alive over the last two decades, in spite of several challenges.

    “I believe the zoo should be preserved, so we would give a ninety-day window to reflect on the governance structure of the zoo and thereafter come up with plans of how we want it to look, going forward,” Obaseki said.

    He assured that the security of the zoo would be included in the state government’s security architecture, due for launch on December 13.

    Earlier, the Managing Director of Ogba Zoological Garden and Nature Park, Mr Andrew Ehanire, commended the governor for his interventions which have saved the zoo from destruction.

    Ehanire explained that Ogba Zoological Garden and Nature Park remains the only zoo in the country that has successfully transited into a Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework, essential to operating on a self-sustaining basis.

    He however noted that in the last 15 years, the zoo has witnessed threat of losing more than 70 per cent of its land and other assets.

    He appealed to the state government to grant the renewal of the Ogba Zoological Garden and Nature Park lease agreement to facilitate its urgent re positioning.

    “We are currently working on the lease renewal. We are committed to the rapid execution of important pilot schemes in sustainable use of natural resources, including breeding programmes for community empowerment.

    “Other planned projects include the construction of a purpose-built conservation education centre, a 50- room eco-lodge, incorporating traditional architecture, amongst others.”

  • Obaseki warns corpers against anti-democratic tendencies

    Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State on Wednesday advised  National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in the State to avoid being used against the conduct of free and fair 2019 general  elections.

    The governor gave the charge at the terminal parade/closing ceremony of the batch ‘C’ stream II, orientation course at Okada, near Benin.

    Obaseki, represented by Mr Mika Amanokhai, Commissioner, Youths and Special Duties, urged the corps members to also avoid acts that would threaten the unity and progress of the country.

    He said: “Dear compatriots, you are the batch that may be charged with the enormous duty of facilitating the conduct of the 2019 general elections.

    “I therefore challenge you to prepare your minds to perform the exercise with diligence and high sense of patriotic commitment to the country.

    “As umpires, avoid the temptation of doing those things that might threaten the smooth conduct of the elections or worst still the unity and progress of our country.”

    He gave an assurance that the government on its side would do everyone possible to guarantee the safety of the corps members in the discharge of their duties.

    Read Also: Obaseki assures more support for Edo Poly Usen

    According to the governor, it is on record that the state government rewards corps members who execute personal community development projects with honours.

    He said that the government would continue to create conducive atmosphere for them to showcase their innate talents and capabilities.

    Earlier, in his opening remarks, Mr Adebayo Ojo, State coordinator of the NYSC, said that the corps members, in the last three weeks in camp, had exhibited high level discipline, resilience, loyalty and commitment.

    Ojo said: “As managers of the scheme, the corps is satisfied and confident that the members have been fully equipped to render very important and rewarding services.’’

    He, however, urged them to say no to all forms of negative behaviour and tendencies, as well as avoid unauthorized journeys.

    NAN

  • EU, World Bank hail Edo Govt. on campaign against human trafficking

    …call on other states to adopt Edo intervention model 

    The European Union (EU), the World Bank and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have commended Edo State Government’s unrelenting and well-articulated effort to curb human trafficking and illegal migration in the state.

    The stakeholders disclosed this at the 2nd Roundtable Dialogue on Managing Migration Through Development Programme (MMDP), a two-day event which kicked-off on Tuesday in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    In his address, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, said that all efforts by local and international partners in the fight against irregular migration needs to be synergised to achieve the desired results.

    Obaseki said a coordination matrix designed by Edo Government and her partners will create a platform for better collaboration and cooperation among stakeholders, avoid duplication of efforts and improve efficiency in migration management.

    He said the state government has in the last one year, entered into a collaboration with key partners which has significantly changed the narrative with regard to the fight against the scourge.

    “Since the launch of Round Table Dialogue in Abuja in May this year, several partnerships have been birthed which have contributed to the success stories” he said.

    Read Also: Akeredolu’s aide resigns appointment

    The governor noted that the state government will continue to demonstrate political will to tackle the problem of human trafficking and illegal migration by constantly finding a common ground and seeking more collaborations with other stakeholders.

    Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, who was  represented by Mr. Martin Eze, said resettlement of returnees is at the heart of the federal government’s intervention programme.

    He appealed to foreign partners, especially countries in the European Union to smoothen their visa issuance process so that eligible Nigerians, who have genuine reasons to travel abroad are not frustrated.

    In his keynote address, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Mr. Ketil Karlsen, expressed appreciation for efforts by President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Obaseki which have seen Nigeria drop to the sixth position among countries whose citizens engage in irregular migration.

    Karlsen also commended Edo State government for launching the MMDP Coordination Matrix, noting that the EU would not fund any state operating in isolation without involving local stakeholders.

    “We are doing better now by being transparent and including our activities in the matrix and by guaranteeing that every step we take will be in that spirit,” he said.

    Mr. Karlsen said the European Investment Bank has expressed willingness to increase investment in funding economic programmes in Africa to one billion dollars to empower youths and discourage irregular migration.

    He added that a holistic approach and a legal framework has been identified to capture the return of illegal migration via investment in migration institution, youths and jobs.

    Director General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, represented by the Director of Research and Programme Development, Godwin Morka, said that the state government’s model should be studied and replicated in other states, noting that the tactical and far-reaching response by the state government is commendable.

    She noted that the state government was quite proactive in nipping the menace in the bud, noting that the coordinated approach and the institutional reforms set up to tackle the menace helped in large measure to restore hope to victims of human trafficking in the state.

    Programme Manager, MMDP, Dr. May Ikeora, said that government’s response to mitigating illegal migration include resettlement of migrant returnees, skills development, and development of at-risk communities.

    She expressed optimism that the launch of the MMDP coordination matrix will make effort at managing migration more efficiently, and said that, “The coordination matrix will lead to better information exchange and strategic planning that is evidence-based and sustainable.”

  • Edo: Obaseki unveils security architecture, trust fund

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, is set to launch the state’s new security architecture which defines roles for and relationships among the various security agencies in his administration’s resolve to tackle insecurity head-on and rid the state of violent and other crimes.

    The event will also feature the launch of a Security Trust Fund, for which N2 billion has been set aside in the state’s 2019 proposed budget, the unveiling of newly trained personnel and equipment, procured by the government  to raise the bar in the   fight against all forms of crimes in the state.

    According to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie, “the unveiling which is scheduled for December 13, will set the stage for a new era in the state in which residents will work closely with security agencies, which are being retooled to better perform their functions, which includes ensuring the safety of life and property, to bolster investor confidence across the state.

    Osagie added that “Already procured for unveiling by the state government are three Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs); ninety (90) patrol vehicles; fifty (50) patrol cars and forty (40) pick-up patrol vans; thirty (30) motorcycles and three ambulances.

    “They are all fitted with digital communication equipment for real time information sharing among the various security agencies.”

    Read Also: Obaseki assures more support for Edo Poly Usen

    He said manpower will be drawn from the Nigeria Police Force; the Military; Department of State Services; Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the state’s Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) scheme.

    The governor’s aide explained that 1000 members of PUWOV will support men and women of the various security agencies in executing the goals set in the security blueprint.

    “The first batch of two hundred (200) PUWOV personnel are being trained at the Police Training School (PTS), Ogida, and another 800 volunteers are to be trained before the launch date.

    “They will be kitted in the approved uniform and will form bulk of the first batch that will be unveiled at the launch date of December 13,” Osagie said.

    To kick-start the Security Trust Fund, he said the governor has set aside N2billion in the 2019 proposed budget, which will be supported by private companies in the state and other organisations.

    “The Edo State Security Trust Fund is a pool of fund set up by the Obaseki-led administration, which companies, charitable groups and individuals could contribute to, as part of our support for security agencies, in our collective fight against crimes,” he added.

  • Obaseki assures inclusive devt. for people in Evbobanosa, Abudu

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured that his administration will collaborate with communities in Evbobanosa and Abudu to drive inclusive development for people in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state.

    He gave the assurance during the formal presentation of the Evbobanosa and Abudu Development Plan to the Enogie, His Royal Highness, Prof. Gregory Akenzua, at Government House, in Benin City, Edo State.

    He said the plan was revolutionary because it was initiated by leaders of the communities in Evbobanosa and Abudu, adding that government’s role is to provide an enabling environment to ensure their aspirations come to reality.

    The governor noted, “When we got the draft plan, we directed the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to review what was submitted. This is commendable and I urge other communities to emulate this.”

    He said that the planned development became important as his administration intends to stem rural-urban drift  through policies which will encourage evolution and development of many other satellite cities outside  Benin City, in Edo South and other senatorial districts.

    Read Also: Obaseki assures more support for Edo Poly Usen

    “Edo is very blessed with almost 19 million hectares of land. But as we speak today almost 50 per cent of the population are in Benin City, putting pressure on the amenities and structures, which is not ideal for the growth of cities,” he added.

    Obaseki said Abudu has one of the foremost Teachers’ College in the country which served the entire Mid-West region and beyond, attracting people to the city, noting that his administration is making effort to re-establish a Teacher Training College with three schools, with one in Abudu, Igueben and Auchi.

    He added that the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has promised to build a digital training laboratory, with construction scheduled to commence next year.

    “We will collaborate with you in developing the infrastructure. The Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC), has a mandate that covers the area. So they will collaborate to develop the infrastructure, such as electricity, road and water. It’s a modern layout. This is one initiative I fully support and will ensure it comes to manifestation.”

    The Enogie of Evbobanosa and Abudu, Prof. Gregory Akenzua, expressed appreciation to Governor Obaseki for his effort to develop the plan, noting that it will help in bringing development to the area.

    He said, “This plan, I believe, is the first step to the development of Evbobanosa and Abudu. It will provide facilities in nine neighborhood for a population of 90,000 people, each neighbourhood has about 10,000 people.”

  • 2019 Polls: Obaseki charges Edo NUJ on balanced political reporting

    …says press critical to success of 2019 elections

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has called on journalists to strive for balanced political reporting in the 2019 general elections, which is germane to consolidating on Nigeria’s democracy and safeguarding the people’s right to choose their leaders.

    He made the call while receiving members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State chapter, who were on a peace walk to the Government House, Benin City, as part of activities to mark the 2018 Press Week, themed:Making the Votes Count: the Media as Catalyst.

    Obaseki, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Taiwo Akerele, said the role of the media cannot be overemphasized as Nigeria approaches the 2019 general election.

    “The importance of the media cannot be overemphasized. The media have a vital role to play in ensuring balance in reporting political activities. We use this opportunity to call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be above board and fair to all parties. I can assure you that the government is behind you as this administration will do all to ensure the Press Week succeeds,” he said.

    Obaseki commended the Comrade Roland Osakwe-led NUJ in the state, stressing that the state has experienced peace and development for a long time.

    He said, “You have been a good partner in progress. This administration will continue to support you to ensure success. The press is important to this administration. We commend you for your professionalism and fair reporting since we came into office two years ago.”

    Earlier, Chairman, NUJ, Sir Roland Osakwe, said Edo NUJ is a body that supports peaceful elections, noting, “We, as a body, stand for peaceful, free and fair elections. We will continue to support credible elections come 2019.”