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Tag: Godwin Obaseki

  • Obaseki commences health improvement programme

    …over 1,700 PHC workers shortlisted for capacity building

     

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said 174 health workers have been trained in selected Primary Healthcare Centres across the state with 1,700 others shortlisted to partake in the exercise under the administration’s Health Improvement Programme (HIP), which is a coordinated effort to re position primary healthcare delivery.

    Obaseki said this during the inspection of the Primary Healthcare Centre, Warrake, Owan East Local Government Area, Edo State, reiterating that his administration is focused on improving primary health care in the state.

    Obaseki said his administration is pursuing the HIP to train and retrain health workers for effective management of the health care system, adding, “So far, we have trained 174 primary healthcare workers and we intend to train about 2,000 of them to manage the system.”

    He said the programme also makes provision for rehabilitating the physical infrastructure in the PHCs through which electricity and water supply will be provided, adding, “Information Communication Technologies (ICT) tools will be used to capture patients’ data, with a system to administer drugs and bill patients.”

    He said the state government is already carrying out the pilot phase of the renovation work in PHC, noting, “We intend to have at least one primary health care center in each local government area which will help us study the workability of the programme before rolling out the proposed 200 primary health care centres across the state. When that is achieved, it means we will have one primary healthcare centre per ward.”

    Read Also: Ecological Fund: Obaseki remedies gully sites

    The governor said his administration is putting in place a  health insurance programme which will be all-encompassing and will improve access to affordable health care in the rural areas. “We have a bill before Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), which will soon be passed into law to ensure rural people buy into our health insurance scheme,” he said.

    He said a team has been set up to work out the operational modalities for the programme, as in the next few months, the state will launch its health insurance scheme.

    Monitoring and Evaluation Officer in the State Ministry of Health, Mrs. Pamela Archer, commended the Governor Obaseki-led administration for focusing on improving healthcare, noting that the Warrake facility already has a billing system in place to reduce fraud. “Cases treated include immunization, malaria, family planning, maternal and child health, among others,” she added.

     

  • 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.”

    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.

     

  • Obaseki commiserates with Pastor Ize-Iyamu over brother’s death

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has condoled with Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and his family, over the death of his brother, Osato Ize-Iyamu.

    In a condolence message, the governor said the passing of Osato, who he described as a “man of peace,” came as a rude shock, noting that he will be missed.

    Read Also: FG hails Obaseki’s basic education reform

    According to him, “I received with rude shock, news of the passing of your brother, Osato Ize-Iyamu. Osato was a man of ideas, a liberal democrat and a man of peace. Those who have known him for decades attest to these rare and sterling qualities of his.”

    He said his passing is a huge loss to all of us, noting “He will be sorely missed and I urge you to find comfort in the reassuring promise of God that we will all meet in the morning of resurrection day. Please be strong and do accept my sincere and heartfelt condolences. I commiserate with you and the entire members of the Ize-Iyamu family in these trying times.”

  • Buhari departs for New York Sunday to attend UN General Assembly

    President Muhammadu Buhari will on Sunday depart for New York to participate in the 73rdSession of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA73) which officially opened September 18, 2018.

    The theme for this year’s Session is: “Making the United Nations relevant to all People: Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Peaceful, Equitable and Sustainable Societies.”

    The highpoint of President Buhari’s participation, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, will be his address on Tuesday to the General Assembly on the opening day of the General Debate.

    “The President’s presentation of Nigeria’s National Statement is expected to reaffirm the nation’s commitment to international peace and security; sustainable socio-economic development; disarmament and denuclearisation; youth and women empowerment; climate change; rule of law and human rights; among others.

    ‘He is also expected to particularly canvass international support for the fight against corruption; the return of illicit assets; counter-terrorism and insurgency; curbing irregular migration; re-settling Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs); recharging the receding Lake Chad; and calls for the reform of the United Nations, especially the expansion of the permanent membership of the Security Council to make that vital principal organ of the global organisation reflect regional and equitable geographical representation.” he said.

    Read Also: Buhari, Saraki and caustic electioneering

    The statement also said that the President and his wife, Aisha, will also attend a welcome reception hosted by the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres and his spouse for Heads of State and Government and their spouses.

    The Nigerian leader and his delegation will participate in a High-Level meeting on the Fight against Tuberculosis organised by the World Health Organisation as Nigeria currently ranks seventh amongst the high TB-burden countries globally, and second in Africa.

    The Nigerian delegation is expected to attend the Mandela Peace Summit, which is a High-Level Meeting on Global Peace in honour of the centenary birth of the late South African President and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Nelson Mandela.

    Other side-events lined up for the Nigerian delegation include: High-Level Meeting on Financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; World Economic Forum’s Sustainable Development Impact Summit; the Second Annual Bloomberg Global Business Forum; High-Level Meeting on Action for Peace-Keeping; Commemoration and Promotion of the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons; High-Level Meeting on the Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa; and Pathway to Localising a Global Agenda.

    During the course of his stay in New York, in addition to the audience with the UN Secretary-General, the Nigerian President is also expected to have bilateral meetings with African and world leaders including Bill Gates with a view to promoting national and African interests.

    He will also grant audience to a select group of Nigerian professionals based in the United States.

    Apart from his wife, President Buhari will be accompanied by Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma; and the Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jibrin.

    Others on the presidential entourage include: the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd); Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar; Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Mohammad Babandede; and the Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu.

  • Flooding: Edo deploys more relief materials to displaced persons

    To reduce the effects of flooding across communities in the state, the Edo State Government has released more relief materials, including food items, kitchen utensils, sanitary kits, to communities affected by flood in the state’s three senatorial districts.

    The items were released through the Edo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for deployment to resettlement centers around flood-prone communities, where many people have been displaced by floods caused by torrential rainfall and overflow of the River Niger.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Mr. Yakubu Gowon, who spoke with journalists in Benin City, said that the state is mobilizing support to the affected communities to provide succour, and ensure that affected persons are not overly distressed at the resettlement camps.

    According to him, “We are deploying these materials to cushion the effect of flooding in the affected communities. The relief materials include food items, kitchen utensils, bedding materials, sanitary kits, among others. We empathise with the people, and feel their pains. In times like this, there would be need for most of these items we are deploying to the camps, as a lot of food items might not have been salvaged by the people from their homes.

    Read Also: Robbers stab two to death in Edo

    “However, for the time they will spend at the camps, we want them to feel some comfort. In the coming days, we will be deploying more materials to the camps.”

    Gowon said the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration will work assiduously to provide relief to the people, help in resettling the affected communities and provide needed support to mitigate the adverse effect of the floods.

    Recall that the Edo State Government had initially mobilised relief materials to Ubiaja in Esan South-East and to Ekperi in Etsako Central as well as other parts of the state.

    The government is also working with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Early Warning Mechanism for Nigeria (EWMN) to raise awareness on flooding and sensitise the people on safe environmental practices to mitigate the adverse effects of the disaster on communities.

  • Obaseki repurposes EDSOGPADEC for human devt

    …modular refinery, gas projects

    …inaugurates SUBEB, commission’s board

     

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC) and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) have been repurposed to drive critical human capital development and industrialisation projects in the state.

    The governor said this at the inauguration of the seven-man board of the Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC) as well as the four-man Edo State Universal Basic Board (SUBEB), in Government House, Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    Obaseki said the state government took out time to restructure the EDSOGPADEC and rethink its operations, assuring that the commission will continue with its traditional responsibility of meeting the needs of communities that are directly and indirectly impacted by oil production in the state.

    “We have set up investments to get greater value from our oil and gas assets. We have set up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), where funds will be moved into and a portion of the revenue from the commission will be moved there for investment,” he said.

    The governor said the investment will include Modular refinery, Gas Recovery projects, and human capital development initiatives.

    Obaseki said he hoped that by the expiration of the new board’s term in office, all host communities would record improvement in primary and secondary schools as well as in the healthcare sector.

    Read Also: Ecological Fund: Obaseki remedies gully sites

    “Primary schools in oil and gas producing areas will be part of the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) programme. We have commenced the pilot phase of 20 Primary healthcare centres in the state and EDSOGPADEC will handle that of the oil-producing areas.”

    Obaseki said a surgical clean-up has been carried out in the commission to ensure credibility, charging the board to discharge its responsibilities transparently.

    He said his administration is keen on basic education, which is why it is implementing the Edo-BEST programme, as the initiative will drive tech-based education.

    He said the programme has some innovative features which include schools’ governance structures, which ensures that teachers are in class, facilities are protected and continuous training is guaranteed.

    On strategies to manage the schools, he said, “This administration has not and will not sack any teacher. Rather, we will train them for optimal performance. We have trained 7000 teachers in the Edo-BEST programme already.

    “We are revamping over 300 schools. This includes both the structure and furniture in the schools. Our focus is to make Edo State a reference point in terms of education.”

    Chairman, EDSOGPADEC, Pastor Kennedy Osifo, commended the governor for finding them fit and proper to pilot the affairs of the commission, pledging to bring human and infrastructural development to the three oil and gas producing local government areas in the state.

    Chairman, Edo SUBEB, Dr.  Joan Osa Oviawe, said the board is mindful of the huge responsibility to develop human capital to drive development in the state, especially as over 500,000 children are under its care.

  • Obaseki leads global icons to Ekpoma for Ambrose Alli’s memorial

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, will lead a train of global icons, including business and political leaders, activists, academics, and civil society groups, to Ekpoma, in Edo Central Senatorial district, for the 29th Memorial Day Celebration of former governor of old Bendel State (now Edo and Delta states), Prof. Ambrose Alli.

    In a statement, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said that the governor would be hosting a large entourage that will be in Emuado in Ekpoma for the celebration.

    He said, “We are very excited to be celebrating late Prof. Ambrose Alli. It is, for many of us in Edo, something remarkable because a lot of the young, upwardly mobile people and businessmen in the state benefited from the impactful policies initiated by Prof. Ambrose Alli when he was the governor.

    “A good number of these people attended either one of the over 600 secondary schools or the Bendel State University, which is now Ambrose Alli University, today. So, for them, it is an opportunity to once again pay homage to a good, enviable son of the state.”

    Read Also: FG hails Obaseki’s basic education reform

    He described the former governor of old Bendel as a hero of good governance and accountability, noting, “We fondly remember the legacies of former governor of the old Bendel state and it is only right to celebrate him. The governor will be leading a delegation to Emuado, for the memorial mass service, which will host a lot of the people from within the state and the Diaspora.”

    One of the events to mark the event is a Memorial Mass at the St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Emaudo, Ekpoma.

    Late Prof. Alli, a professor of Morbid Anatomy, was governor of old Bendel State from 1979 to 1983. He founded the Bendel State University with campuses in Ekpoma, Abraka and Asaba and over 600 secondary schools. He also initiated landmark infrastructural and housing projects within Edo and Delta states.

  • Int’l Day of Peace: Obaseki sues for peaceful elections in Osun, others

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has urged political actors and their supporters in Osun State to shun acts capable of threatening the peaceful conduct of the gubernatorial election holding in the state on Saturday, September 22.

    Obaseki made the call in commemoration of the International Day of Peace, marked every September 21, by the United Nations (UN) and its various organs.

    The governor said, “Political actors and their supporters in Osun State should eschew acts capable of threatening the peaceful conduct of the polls. This is the least anyone could ask for in such a contest.”

    He noted, “It is important for political actors to work together to engender peace before, during and after the elections. This must be the watchword in such a contest and I believe necessary measures have been put in place to ensure that the peaceful conduct of the election.”

    Read Also: FG hails Obaseki’s basic education reform

    Obaseki noted that as the country prepares for the 2019 polls, a non-violent approach to resolving disagreements must be adopted, stressing, “As political parties work towards the 2019 elections, and the campaigns build to a fever pitch, Nigerians would be better off with a non-violent approach to accommodating opposing political views. Conscious efforts must be made to avoid acts that threaten peaceful living which is the foundation of socio-economic development.”

    The governor commended the UN on the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and for promoting peace across the globe, adding, “Our commitment to peaceful resolution of conflicts has been demonstrated in resolving communal clashes and adherence to the rule of law. We have done this by passing and upholding laws that place everyone on the same level before the law no matter how highly placed they are in society. At the same time, we appreciate the role of the UN and civil rights groups who work in ensuring peace among humans.”

    According to the United Nations, the 2018 Theme for the International Day of Peace is: “The Right to Peace – The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 70,” which marks the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

    The Universal Declaration states in Article 3 that everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person. These elements according to the global body “build the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world.”

  • Ecological Fund: Obaseki remedies gully sites

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has tapped into the Ecological Fund to remedy gully sites in Auchi, Fugar and Agenebode axis in Edo North Senatorial zone of the state.

    This is coming after works were completed at the Ewu, Ibore and Queen Ede gully sites carried out by the Edo State Government and its partners.  

    Addressing journalists at the commissioning of the erosion and flood control projects in Agenebode, Etsako-East Local Government Area of the state, Obaseki, represented by Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Dame Omoua Alonge Oni-Okpaku, said his administration was doing a lot and working with the Federal Government to tackle erosion and flooding across the state.

    He said that the state government has completed 18 flood control projects and is mapping out more strategies to mitigate flooding in the state.

    Obaseki noted, “We are looking at afforestation and planting of more trees and grasses to prevent erosion and flooding in the state. We have embarked on sensitization campaigns in flood-prone areas and have also commenced assessment of the damage. We have also started the distribution of relief materials. People should not build on low-lands because the sea-level is rising as a result of climate change.”

    At the commissioning, Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, Senator Benjamin Uwujumogu said the projects were executed by the Ecological Fund Office in the Presidency, to control flooding issues in the affected area.

    Read Also: Letter to Godwin Obaseki (3)

    He said over 48 projects are being executed by the Ecological Fund Office to tackle problems of desertification, soil erosion and flooding in the country.

    “Before now, the people of Agenebode and environs have been suffering from flooding occasioned by heavy downpours but the Federal Government has brought succour to them by constructing a drain system measuring about 15 meters high,” he said,

    The Okumagbe of Uwano Kingdom, Agenebode, His Royal Majesty, Dr. George Oshiapi Egabor, commended the Federal and state governments for tackling the flood problems in the area.

  • FG hails Obaseki’s basic education reform

    …as UBEC sites model school in Edo

     

    The Federal Government has commended Governor Godwin Obaseki’s basic education reform in Edo State, especially the deployment of tech-based teaching in classrooms under the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) programme, noting that reforms will lead to sustainable development in the state.

    Director, Physical Planning, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Engr. Sadiq Sa’ad, made the submission during a visit by officials of the commission to the proposed site of a multi-billion naira Model School project, at Esigie Demonstration Secondary School, in Abudu, Orhionmwon Local Government Area.

    He said the choice of Edo State for the project was informed by efforts made by the state governor to reposition the basic education sub-sector, adding that similar projects will be located in each of the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory. He noted that construction of the school projects will commence in October.

    Sa’ad expressed satisfaction with the proposed site for the project in the state, which meets the requirements for the project to be funded by UBEC.

    “The inspection visit is a follow-up to the meeting we had with Governor Obaseki in Abuja. We are here to see the land and we are satisfied with what we have seen. We are here with the team that designed the project and from all indications, there is no cause for alarm. The project will commence on the first week of October this year,’’ he added.

    He noted that the model school in Edo State will complement the effort of the Edo State government in repositioning the education sector, noting, “The multi-billion naira project includes four components: nursery, primary school1 – 6, Secondary JSS 1 – 3 and a school for the physically challenged.”

    Lead Consultant for UBEC, Prof Mas’ud Abdulkarim explained that the idea of the project is to upscale education at the basic level, stressing that the school will serve as a model for both the state and local government in the ongoing process to reposition the sector.

    Read Also: Obaseki deepens basic education reform

    Prof. Abdulkarim said UBEC is going to maintain a uniform standard for the curriculum and monitor the teachers’ performance, noting, ‘‘A state of the art digital technology will be deployed to the school to aid teaching and learning in these schools. There are going to be seven of these projects, six in each of the geopolitical zones and one in the FCT.”

    “The idea is to maintain a uniform standard for the curriculum to be adopted.  The teachers will be monitored by UBEC. Edo state was selected from the South-South geopolitical zone because of the state government efforts in this direction which falls within the purview of the federal government plans to reposition basic education system,’’ he said.

    The UBEC team also visited the Odionwere of Abudu Community, Pa Sunday Izeko, who expressed gratitude to the state and the Federal Government for the gesture.