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Tag: Godwin Obaseki

  • Buhari, Obaseki, others meet on continental fight against corruption

    …as Nigeria champions session

    President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and presidents of other African Union member states, have held a high-levelled meeting in New York on strategies to rid the continent of corruption.

    The session with the theme: “African Union High-levelled Meeting on Winning the Fight Against Corruption: Leveraging International Cooperation to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals in Africa” was led by President Buhari, as the champion of the fight against corruption, who presented the key note address.

    The event which was organised by the African Union Commission with Rwanda, as country of the AU Chairperson, followed an earlier Bilateral meeting by the president, in company of Governor Obaseki, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama and officials of the Nigerian Embassy in the United States, with the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres.

    Recall that president Buhari had advocated for a global effort to fight corruption, considering the negative impact it is having on countries such as illegal migration and poverty, in his address at the United Nations General Assembly, much earlier.

    Read Also: Obaseki to PDP: You are ignorant of international investment

    The General Assembly is one of the six main organs of the United Nations.

    The Nigerian president told the large audience that: “Corruption within countries and illicit flow of funds across national boundaries have huge negative impact on the stability, peace, and economic prospects of millions in developing countries.

    “Corruption significantly deprives national Governments of resources to provide meaningful livelihoods to their populations who are predominantly youths, thus giving rise to more irregular migration.

    “The fight against corruption, therefore, involves us all. It is in our collective interest to cooperate in tracking illicit financial flows, investigate and prosecute corrupt individuals and entities and repatriate such funds to their countries of origin.”

     

  • World Maritime Day: Benin River Port will boost economy – Obaseki

    The Edo State governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has said that the Benin River Port, on completion, would significantly improve the state’s economy through international linkage with actors in the global shipping business.

    Obaseki who gave the assurance in commemoration of the World Maritime Day marked on September 27 each year, explained that “the Benin River Port will open up the state to international trade, with all the allied businesses and will bring more prosperity to our people.”

    The governor added that “Well managed seaports have the capacity to create wealth and transform the economies of host states and countries, into major hubs of economic activities.

    “The Benin River Port will facilitate the movement of goods and services across continents, save Edo people the troubles of importing goods through Lagos and other ports and will enable the state key into the global blue economy.

    “Thousands of direct and indirect employments will be created for our people, several warehouses will spring up around the port and it will stimulate production and manufacturing activities across the state and the south-south region as the manufacturers would be guaranteed easier access to the international market.”

    Read Also: Obaseki commiserates with NSIA boss over father’s death

    The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) said this year’s celebration is unique as it marks the 70th year “since the Convention establishing the organisation was adopted in 1948, which has helped the body to promote safe, secure and clean shipping.”

    IMO noted that “It has developed mandatory international regulations covering almost every aspect of shipping since the adoption of the convention.

    “As a result, modern shipping conforms to the highest practicable standards and is the safest, cleanest and most efficient way to move goods around the world.”

    The organisation further said, “The theme for the 2017 World Maritime Day celebration is IMO 70: Our Heritage – Better Shipping for a Better Future, and the celebration provides an opportunity to take stock and look back, look forward, address the current and future challenges for maritime transport to maintain a continued and strengthened contribution towards sustainable growth for all.”

  • Edo targets $70bn global lottery industry

    …as EIRS launches Edo Lottery, promises jobs

    … ‘Edos in Diaspora to take full advantage through online gaming’  

    The Edo State Government has said it is set to roll out Edo Lottery, a new entrant in the global and domestic lottery scene targeted at the growing lottery market share in Edo State.

    With this, Edo State is the first and only state currently operating a state lottery scheme.

    The Executive Chairman, Edo Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), Igbinidu Inneh, in a chat with journalists, said that Edo Lottery is the state government’s lottery franchise regulated by EIRS, which is set up to harness the opportunities from the lottery business and create jobs for teeming youths in the state through the scheme’s agent network and partnership product distribution network.

    He said that Edos in the Diaspora will participate actively in the lottery scheme as there is an online platform through which they can be part of the legitimate gaming industry and the ease of redemption of winnings through the Nigerian electronic banking channels.

    According to him, “We are set to commence operations of Edo Lottery in partnership with 70th Precintt Limited, which is out to provide Edo people with numerous opportunities in the lottery sector with offerings cutting across Edo Mega Millions, Edo Powerball, Edo Lotto, Edo Football Jackpot and a host of other games. Players can register and play online and play from anywhere. Their earnings are paid via any of the registered Nigerian banks.

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    “We are well aware of the opportunities in the sector and would want Edo people to take full advantage which is why we have built a lottery scheme that will match any anywhere in the world with features to ease doing business in our clime. The lottery is legal and has the backing of the government.”

    Noting that the state government stepped into the lottery scene to sanitise the sector and provide a platform for the people to properly participate, he said, “We are looking at a $70 billion global lottery industry, which Nigeria is gradually warming up to. The various offerings from Edo lottery will provide Edo people with an opportunity to tap from this industry to create value while also creating thousands of jobs through the agent network and distribution channels. The lottery is going to be available to people in different parts of the state and the global online space.

    “With our huge Diaspora base, we expect that those in the diaspora will participate in the lottery. This is done through the lottery’s online platform which is available on promo.edolottery.com,” he added.

    Edo Lottery offers incredible potential winnings and allows players to bet on the results of a hand-picked selection of spectacular international lottery games while offering transparency as draws will be televised live for the viewing global participating public.

    According to Mr. Inneh, this is part of the result of the total transformation of governance in Edo State by the Governor Godwin Obaseki government and promises that more value added services will be added to the delight of the gaming public.

  • EdoJobs, WeAreBits, others commence year-long IT training for 50 youth

    …as govt trains 200 enumerators, holds stakeholders’ parley

     

    EdoJobs, a job creation platform of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration, in partnership with WeAreBits, Butterfly Works and EkoBits have commenced a one-year training programme for 50 Edo youth on Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills.

    Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Skills Development and Jobs Creation, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, told journalists in Benin City that the programme is aimed at assisting youths to acquire skills in ICT and prepare them for job opportunities within and outside the country.

    She said that EdoJobs will be organizing Edo Synergise on September 26, to host stakeholders in the private and public sectors to harmonize strategies to map out the skills gaps and employment opportunities in the state.

    Ukinebo, who heads EdoJobs, said, “At the end, participants would have acquired practical skills in digital design and specialise in web development, motion graphics, photography, and video graphics.”

    Dare said the training was designed to enable the youths discover their talent in the use of technology in becoming entrepreneurs and employers of labour.

    Read Also: EdoJobs takes skills devt mandate to Uhunmwode, Orhionmwon LGAs

    Manager, EdoBits, Mr. Abraham Omomoh, said Bits school is an institution for young school leavers without access to university education to get trained in a year-long professional course on ICT and Digital design.

    He said the programme will prepare the youths to be employers of labour., noting, “I want to urge you all to take the training very seriously as it will mark the beginning of new things and offer opportunities to change your lives for the better.”

    Meanwhile, EdoJobs has completed a two-day training for second batch of 200 enumerators in Benin City, to assist the state government in gathering data of unemployed persons, for effective planning.

    Speaking to journalists on the need for the enumeration exercise, Dare said the exercise is to provide data for government to better engage with Edo people in matters regarding job creation and entrepreneurship.

    She said “Following the success of the first batch, the governor asked us to expand the programme to accommodate 200 more Edo youth as enumerators, for more data capturing, which will assist the administration fulfil the electoral promise to create 200,000 jobs in the state.

    “Within three months, the enumerators will reside in their local government areas and their duties will include: registering people on the EdoJobs portal; reaching out to people on existing vacancies; explaining to people the processes of EdoJobs and working with employers in the local government areas to get vacancies out to the unemployed.”

  • Edo Poly Usen unveils internationalisation roadmap

    …attracts Diaspora lecturers


    The commitment of the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to deliver quality education at the tertiary education level has received a boost at the state-run Edo Polytechnic, Usen, as the school has unveiled an internationalisation programme with which it intends to attract Edo scholars in the Diaspora for visiting lectureship positions at the institution.

    Governor Obaseki commenced the revamp of the Polytechnic earlier this year when he appointed Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Prof. Abiodun Falodun as the school’s rector.

    Prof. Falodun, in a chat with journalists, said that he intends to consolidate on Governor Obaseki’s revamp effort by repositioning the Polytechnic as a global institution, which will offer top-grade tuition to students that balances local expertise with international exposure.

    He said the school has just opened an International Office for interface with Edos in the diaspora, and has secured agreement with two scholars from Switzerland and Germany, who will strengthen the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and programmes in the School of Environmental Studies at the institution.

    According to him, “We are causing a change at the Polytechnic because we believe we have what it takes to offer quality education if we harness our potentials. We have developed a roadmap to achieve this. It includes interfacing with a vast Diaspora community, especially those in specialized disciplines to come back here and teach the students what obtains not just in the contemporary world, but the opportunities in the future. So, our internationalisation programme is targeted at building local capacity with international exposure, such that students and lecturers can benefit from the visiting lecturers.”

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    He said two of the lectures are Engr. Marvin Ama-Amadasun Ph.D, a software engineer based in Switzerland and Dr. Peter Odion Agwi, an expert in Urban and Regional Planning from Germany, who will be anchoring classes at the School of Environmental Studies as well as the Information Systems-focused departments.

    “We have more openings for others in the diaspora who would want to contribute to the state and the institution. This will not only go a long way to reduce gaps between the town and the gown, but also engender strong collaboration between the institution and foreign partners,” Prof. Falodun added.

  • Obaseki to PDP: You are ignorant of international investment

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Governor Godwin Obaseki, has said State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Dan Orbih lacked ignorance of how to secure international investment.

    Governor Obaseki who was reacting to the mocking of his sleeping viral photographs by the PDP said he has never portrayed himself as a machine.

    Obaseki said the several MOUs he entered have given way to final investment decisions for the Benin River Port, Benin Industrial Park and the Modular Refinery.

    Speaking through his Media Adviser, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, Governor Obaseki dismissed the celebration of the viral pictures.

    He said he could experience fatigue and exhaustion, an indisputable fact of life, to which all humans are susceptible.

    Obaseki listed several world leaders such as former United States President, Bill Clinton; the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel; Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe; former United States President, Barack Obama; his Economic Adviser, Larry Summers; Pope Benedict XVI; former British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown; former Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi and the former Austrian President, Heinze Fischer, that have succumbed to fatigue at meetings.

    Read Also: Obaseki commences health improvement programme

    According to him, “Our records of the number of jobs the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led government has created are intact and we are racing towards exceeding the 200,000 mark.

    “Scientists across the world agree that climate change and human activities account for the flooding and other environmental challenges facing the world and Edo State is not insulated from these global trends. The Storm Water project is on course and on completion will mitigate the impact of these harsh global realities.

    “On the provision of infrastructure in schools, the technical requirements for the commencement of reconstruction and re-modelling works have been done and work is billed to commence soon.”

  • UNIDO fine-tunes Edo Industrial Policy after stakeholders’ parley

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki’s resolve to industrialize the state has gotten a new lease of life, with work in advance stage for the Edo Industrial Policy, a landmark policy document being developed in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).

    After an initial draft of the policy, the state government had organised a Stakeholders Workshop, where it engaged with businesses and other players in the state’s industrial sector to get their input in the policy.

    Edo State Focal Person for the Industrial Policy, Mr. Kelvin Uwaibi, in a chat with journalists, said that experts from UNIDO are putting finishing touches to the policy document, noting that when ready, the governor, who mandated its development, will graciously see to its implementation.

    “From the government side, we are very optimistic about the document as it will drive coordinated, impactful industrialization in the state. The good thing about the document is that it accommodates the interest of all, such that artisans, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), as well as the big players in agro-allied industries and manufacturing can contribute to the sector” he said.

    Read Also: ‘No imposition of candidates by Edo APC’

    Noting that the Edo State government is keen on tapping its human and natural resources to drive inclusive growth, Uwaibi said, “We have a number of big-ticket investments in the offing. The governor has already released funds for the commencement of the Edo Modular Refinery, which shows how serious we are. There is the Benin River Port, for which advance work has been carried out. It is linked to the Lekki Deep Sea Port, as the same Chinese company, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Ltd., is handling both projects. We also have the Benin Industrial Park.”

    He said the Edo Industrial Policy would map out how all these projects will be linked and how local actors will be aligned to tap from the immense opportunities for jobs, wealth creation and inclusive growth.

    “After fine-tuning the document, UNIDO will help in its implementation to ensure a coordinated, participatory approach to its realization. This ensures that as the state creates space for the big industries, the local ones are hooked up to them to provide needed local expertise and capacity to deliver on projects,” he added.

  • Obaseki commiserates with NSIA boss over father’s death

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has commiserated with the Managing Director of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Mr. Uche Orji, over the passing of his father, Elder Nta Osundu Orji.

    In a statement, the governor who expressed sadness over the passing of Elder Orji at 85 years, conveyed his condolences to Mr. Uche Orji and his family.

    According to him, “I am saddened by the news of the passing of your father, and hereby convey my condolences to you and your family.

    “Elder Nta Osundu Orji, who passed at 85 years, lived a life worthy of celebrating, his legacies endure in his actions while he lived and through his offspring such as yourself.

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    The governor said late Elder Orji was a man of peace, “exuding uncommon love and grace, which endeared him to all. His contribution to humanity lives on, never to be forgotten in a rush in his hometown, Arochukwu and everywhere else.”“He will be missed by all and I pray that you and the family find the fortitude to the bear this irreparable loss,” he said.

  • Benin Industrial Park: Investors angle for lots

    …as Park gets electricity license

    Coming on the heels of the approval by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) of an electricity license for the Benin Industrial Park (BIP), investors are falling over themselves to snap up juicy lots at the park, located at Iyanomo, near Benin City.

    The BIP is a big-ticket project by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration in Edo State aimed at driving the state government’s industrialization agenda and hosting manufacturing, agro-allied, textile and automobile industries.

    Governor Obaseki, at the commissioning of the new 1X60MVA, 132/33KV power transformer in Okpella, Estako East Local Government, disclosed that a Chinese company will be mobilising not less than 20 engineers to the proposed site of the Benin Industrial Park to commence preliminary work.

    According to him, “The approval of the license has further prompted a partnership with a Chinese Company that has shown interest to partner with us to develop our industrial park. They are sending 20 engineers to the state next month.”

    The visit by the Chinese Engineers follows several other business concerns that have expressed interest in setting up at the site, checks at the state’s Investment Promotion Office, show.

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    “We have noticed impressive enquiries on the status of the project and the opportunities for investment. I think what is pulling the interest is the assurance that we now have a license for power generation at the site. As you well know, power is one of the major considerations for investment. With the governor’s investment-friendly posture, the assurance of electricity clears the coast for potential investors,” an official at the Investment Promotion Office said.

    Mr. Osamudiamen Efosa, who resides in Iyanomo, said that there has been an increase in traffic of people coming to the site of the industrial park with the news that a power license has been approved, noting that the state government’s commitment to the project is remarkable.”

    According to him, “Aside from the usual set of people we often see here, we are seeing a new crop of people who have been coming to make enquiries on the status of the project and they are often delighted to see a field office at the site.

     

  • Edo secures electricity license for Benin Industrial Park

    …as Obaseki berates BEDC 

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved a license for the state government to generate and use electricity in its offices as well as in the proposed Benin Industrial Park (BIP), after the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) frustrated its efforts.

    At the commissioning of the 1X60MVA, 132/33KV Power Transformer at the Okpella Transmission Substation in Etsako East Local Government Area, Edo State, the governor expressed delight with the approval by NERC, noting that the nod gives it the clearance to work with its partners such as the Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Project and others, in delivering electricity to street lights, government offices and the Benin Industrial Park.  He said the new power transformer by TCN in Okpella will improve electricity supply in Edo North axis of the state.

    He noted, “The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) frustrated effort by this government to create alternative source of electricity. The company’s regrettable actions led us to seek the license, to ensure that we get the required power mix to light up government offices and the other projects which it will serve. The approval of the license has further prompted a partnership with a Chinese Company that have identified interest to partner with us to develop our industrial park as they are sending 20 engineers to the state next month.”

    Read Also: Edo orders arrest of imposter over illegal revenue collection

    The governor commended the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for building the 1X60MVA, 132/33KV Power Transformer at the Okpella Transmission Substation in Etsako East Local Government Area, noting that the gesture has sparked off a revolution in Edo State and Nigeria.

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for critical investment in the power sector, adding, “As Minister of Petroleum, the President built our core petroleum industry and as Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), he carried out major infrastructure investments in the country. In the last three years, President Muhammadu Buhari has tried to rebuild the core infrastructure of Nigeria. If every Nigerian leader is like the president, Nigeria would have developed than its present stage.”

    Chairman, NERC, Prof. James Momoh commended the collaboration between Governor Obaseki and the TCN, which led to the realisation of the project, noting that the project will have significant impact in the lives of the people.

    The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, TCN, Mr. Usman Mohammed said the project is in line with the Transmission, Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP), of the President Buhari’s administration.

    “TCN is implementing the project to stabilise, expand and provide infrastructure consistent with international standard N-1 reliability criterion. I urge the distribution companies to invest in rehabilitation and expansion of their network.”

    The Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, represented by Luck Obalo, expressed appreciation to governor Obaseki, TCN, other agencies and stakeholders for their efforts in ensuring the people of the area get electricity.