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Tag: Godwin Obaseki

  • Obaseki orders full roll-out of Ward Development Committees initiative

    …sets up Sports Commission with Executive Order No. 2

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has directed the full roll-out of the Ward Development Committees initiative across the state, to drive inclusive, sustainable development in the grassroots.

    The governor also issued a stern warning on cult-related violence in the state, directing the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the State to activate relevant sections of the law to fish out and punish those found culpable for cult-related offences in the state.

    Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon. Paul Ohonbamu, disclosed this during a press briefing after the Weekly Executive Council (EXCO) meeting, at the Government House, Benin City, the Edo State Capital.

    He disclosed that the governor has set up the Edo State Sports Commission with the signing of Executive Order No. 2, to drive sports development and administration in the state.

    He said the governor directed the full roll out of the Ward Development Committee initiative to 16 other local councils after the success of the pilot phase of the initiative in Orhionmwon and Uhunhwunde Local Government Areas.

    According to him, “EXCO ordered that the constitution of the committee must adhere to the laid down template. The committee must not be subjected to undue influence as it is not set up for political reasons but to drive development. The committee has an in-built mechanism for monitoring and anyone who falls short of the standards set by the governor will be disqualified. The roll-out of the Ward Development Committee initiative was piloted in Orhionmwon and Uhunhwunde Local Government Areas and will now be replicated in the 16 other local government areas in the state.

    Read Also: Obaseki deepens basic education reform

    On Executive Order No. 2, he said, “The governor has signed the Executive Order 2, setting up the Edo State Sports Commission. The Edo State Sports Commission will oversee sporting activities and drive policy, regulation and administration of sports in the state. The commission will regulate activities of sports associations in the state and provide direction for sports development.

    On the state government’s stance against cult-related violence in the state, he said that the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of State has been ordered to activate relevant sections of the laws in the state to ensure severe punishment for those found culpable in cult-related activities.”

    He added, “It has come to the notice of the council that some cult groups are rearing their heads in recent times, which has led to the loss of lives. EXCO frowns on this and the governor has ordered that aspects of the law that relates to violence and cult related activities be deployed to fish out and punish those found culpable.

  • Edo to grow tourist traffic, showcase culture at 2018 EDOFEST

    The Edo State Government has unveiled plans to leverage on the growing investor confidence in the state to grow tourist traffic with the repackaged Edo Festival of Arts and Culture (EDOFEST).

    Commissioner of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Mr. Osaze Osemwegie-Ero said this on Monday at the press conference in Benin City, to announce plans for the 2018 edition of EDOFEST.

    According to Osemwegie-Ero, the event with the theme: “Harnessing Arts and Culture for Sustainable Economic Development,” will put on the world stage, the rich cultural heritage of the people of the state and attract a large array of tourists to the state to explore the rich cultural heritage of the state.

    “Edo State is deeply rooted in culture. The arts of Benin Kingdom are a global brand. Benin artefacts are among the most exquisite and coveted in the world history and represent the earliest civilisation among blacks, especially Africans,” he added.

    The commissioner listed the activities lined up for the 2018 EDOFEST as carnival parade, theater show, food and fashion exhibition and a gala/ awards night.

    Assuring that the 2018 outing will build on the success of last year’s edition, he said the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration places high premium on the culture and tourism sector.

    Read Also: Flood: Affected Edo residents refuse to leave communities

    He told journalists that a tourism masterplan currently being developed by the state government would spell out the roles of all stakeholders in the development of the sector to unleash the socio-economic benefits which the sector holds.

    He further said that several tourist sites have been identified across the state and discussions with investors are ongoing to develop the sites and take advantage of the prevailing investors-friendly climate in the state.

  • Flooding: Edo, ECOWAS re-strategise on disaster management

    … as Obaseki charges councils on sensitisation

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the state is partnering with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Early Warning Mechanism for Nigeria to strengthen strategies for effective flood management and other related disasters.

    Obaseki, who was represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, disclosed this while declaring open a two-day Planning Workshop for State Governments on Flood Emergency Management themed: Building Flood Resistant Communities, at the Government House in Benin City, Edo State.

    He said the workshop was holding at a time the state is battling flooding as predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the National Hydrological Agency for 2018.

    Assuring that the workshop would assist in developing effective preventive strategies to manage flood disasters, he said, “There is no doubt that there is a great possibility of altering the pervading circumstance of flood disaster for the better, through concerted efforts such as this nature.

    “Owing to what has been experienced in the past and very recently, there is the need for a shift in old beliefs and approaches. We must have robust plans about how to mitigate the effects of natural disasters on us and our environment; even when we cannot do much about stopping such natural occurrences.”

    Obaseki urged participants to take advantage of the workshop to fashion out the best management strategies, adding that the resolution from the workshop would further strengthen established action plan on managing flood and other related hazards in the state.’

    Read Also: Edo shuts 10 illegal burrow pits

    The governor tasked local government chairmen and community leaders to take the workshop seriously as it would assist them in sensitising the people on the importance of adopting practices to safeguard the environment.

    Head, Taskforce ECOWAS Early Warning Mechanism for Nigeria, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the workshop is necessary to ensure that the incident of 2012 does not re-occur, noting that the workshop will help build capacities for resilience in communities at risk of flooding.

    “The main objective of this initiative is to enhance the response capacity of member states to security threats as a way to boost our conflict prevention architecture,” he said.

    Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Dame Omua Alonge Oni-Okpaku, said the stakeholders’ workshop is laudable and expressed confidence that at the end of the sessions, the state will be better prepared to manage flooding.

    Edo State Chairman of Red Cross Society, Mr.  Festus Alenkhe commended the organisers and maintained that there was need for stakeholders to discuss and fashion effective disaster management strategies.

     

  • Int’l Day of Democracy: Obaseki tasks actors on development-focused policies

    The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has saluted promoters of democracy across the world for defending a system of government that allows people to forge their destinies through popular participation in governance.

    Obaseki who said this on the occasion of the International Day of Democracy, celebrated on September 15, each year, noted that “democracy has proven effective in aggregating the needs and developmental aspirations of the people as well as in allocating resources to all segments of the electorates.”

    The governor advised political actors and leaders to “Use the international day of democracy to reflect on how much impact we have made in the lives of the people that voted us into power.”

    He added: “Our policies and programmes must be designed to address the developmental challenges facing the electorates and the ideals of democracy such as the rule of law, political freedom and tolerance of dissenting views and opinions as well as legal equality must be upheld.”

    Obaseki argued that “the major task before democratic leaders is to put aside issues that are extraneous to development and focus on human upliftment and progress, more so in developing countries.”

    He maintained that this year’s theme – “Democracy under Strain; Solutions for a Changing World” dovetails with his administration’s conviction that more women and young people must be given more roles to play in governance.

    “We are resolute about mainstreaming women’s issues in governance and we firmly believe that we cannot continue to undermine women and the youths in our policy design, considering the fact that participation in governance is strictly a matter of human right and with the growing population of women and the youths, we run a great risk if we do not allow them their space.”

    Read Also: Obaseki deepens basic education reform

    The governor said: “We currently have 18 female senior special assistants and a special adviser on gender issues in Edo State, in addition to the other female appointees on my cabinet. I made these appointments to bring women’s issues to the table. We created EdoJobs to address the issues of unemployment and unemployability and so far, the outcomes have been impressive.”

    He stressed that his administration is committed to progressive ideas to keep pace with emerging issues in democratic governance and assured that no segment of Edo people and residents will be left behind in the delivery of the dividends of democracy.

    According to the United Nations “This year’s International Day of Democracy is an opportunity to look for ways to invigorate democracy and seek answers to the systemic challenges it faces.

    “This includes tackling economic and political inequalities, making democracies more inclusive by bringing the young and marginalized into the political system, and making democracies more innovative and responsive to emerging challenges such as migration and climate change.”

    The organisation said that with this year’s 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Day of Democracy is also an opportunity to highlight the values of freedom and respect for human rights as essential elements of democracy.

    “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that ‘the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government’ (article 21.3), has inspired constitution-making around the world and contributed to global acceptance of democratic values and principles. Democracy, in turn, provides the natural environment for the protection and effective realization of human rights.

    “The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development addresses democracy in Sustainable Development Goal 16 recognizing the indivisible links between peaceful societies and effective, accountable and inclusive institutions,” the global body added.

  • Obaseki revs up industrialisation drive with new policy

    …Prioritises employment generation, incentives for businesses

    Efforts to deepen the ongoing industrialisation drive of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration received a boost on Thursday in Benin City, the state capital, as development experts met to review the Edo State Industrial Development Policy.

    Welcoming stakeholders to the state’s ‘Industrial Policy Validation Workshop’ Obaseki noted that since he assumed duty, his focus has been on driving holistic development through policies that would engender sustainable economic growth.

    He told the workshop participants that his administration is committed to developing a modern state where citizens will be empowered through initiatives that will prioritise employment creation, skills acquisition and entrepreneurship.

    Obaseki, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Economic and Development planning, Mr. Joseph Eboigbe, maintained that the ongoing reforms in all sectors of the state were designed to eliminate barriers in the ease of doing business.

    “Our administration will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders such as the federal government and members of the organised private sector to achieve our set goals, like the reduction of unemployment to below 15 per cent and creating the enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the state.”

    Read Also: Obaseki attracting foreign investment to Edo – Osagie

    He assured that his administration is developing a modern state where citizens will be empowered to become employers of labour, adding that the state is well on her way to becoming a reference point in creating young entrepreneurs.

    Dr. Omo Aregbeyen, one of the experts working on the Edo State Industrial Development Policy, described the industrial sector as a key driver for increasing growth rates, generation of employment opportunities and sustainable economic growth and development.

    He said the workshop was put together to validate the proposed industrial framework for the state, and explained that the vision of the governor Obaseki-led government “is to transform Edo State from a producer of primary goods into a producer of processed valued-added goods for both the domestic and export market.”

    The Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Employment and Cooperatives, Emmanuel Usoh, commended participants for their support for the government and urged them to produce a framework that will guide the state in her journey to becoming one of the richest states in the country.

  • Obaseki deepens basic education reform

    …unveils 7,000 newly trained digital teachers

     

    To consolidate on the gains recorded in the basic education sub-sector in Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki will on October 6 unveil 7,000 newly trained digital teachers in the teachers’ professional development programme of the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) initiative.

    Executive Chair Designate, Edo State Universal Basic Education Board, (SUBEB) and Special Adviser to the governor on Basic Education, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, who disclosed this in a chat with journalists, said that the government is advancing rapidly with its reform of the basic education sub-sector.

    According to Dr. Osa Oviawe, “The graduation ceremony which will hold at the University of Benin Sports Complex, Benin City, is an opportunity to highlight the governor’s vision to re-enact basic education in Edo State through the Edo-BEST programme.”

    She explained that “since the launch of Edo-BEST Programme in April, 2018, no fewer than 7000 head teachers and teachers have moved from analogue to digital teaching, using tablets and smart phones. 612 public primary schools have been captured in the programme, with over 150,000 pupils billed to benefit. In addition, over 800,000 textbooks are being deployed across the 612 schools currently.”

    Read Also: Obaseki lauds charitable bodies’ work in North East

    The graduation ceremony she added, will hold at the University of Benin Sports Complex, Benin City.

    She further said that the ceremony was planned to coincide with the International Teachers day, on October 5, and would serve as a means to join teachers across the world in celebrating the contribution of teachers to development and also acknowledge the place of technology in the classroom of tomorrow.

    Recall that Governor Godwin Obaseki in April launched the Edo-BEST programme, where 2, 000 teachers were unveiled after participating in the pilot phase of the programme.

    An initiative of the Governor Godwin Obaseki administration, Edo-BEST is aimed at developing a highly-skilled teaching workforce by training, supporting and motivating Edo State teachers to succeed in the classroom of tomorrow and enhance the Edo State Basic Education curriculum thereby empowering children to compete effectively in the world of work.

    The programme is already transforming the basic education delivery systems in Edo State, by leveraging technology in education provision and utilizing accurate and timely data to drive policy and planning decisions.

  • Edo hosts stakeholders for Industrial Policy validation

    To set a definite course for its industrialisation drive, the Edo State government will be hosting stakeholders in the industrial sector, comprising trade unions, chambers of commerce and manufacturers, to a validation session for the newly drafted Edo Industrial Development Policy on Thursday.

    The Focal Person for the Edo Industrial Policy and Senior Special Assistant to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Investment Promotion, Mr. Kelvin Uwaibi, in a statement, said the session would serve to engage stakeholders in the sector especially the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria – Edo/Delta branch, Miners Association of Nigeria Edo branch, Edo Exporters Clusters, Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists Edo branch, Technology Incubation Centre Edo State chapter and the Edo International Business Forum.

    He said the document is being developed in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), to ensure that the industrial base is built on international best practice.

    Read Also: Flood sacks another seven communities in Edo

    According to him, “We are holding this session after we had sent out draft copy of the Edo Industrial Development Policy to the stakeholders for review. This will serve to aggregate their views and critically review the document before we arrive at the final policy.

    “All these stakeholders were consulted and we believe it will be of immense benefit to have them look at it for the last time. This is because the Edo state government is keen and sincere in its plan to build an inclusive industrial base that everybody will benefit from and contribute to.”

    The policy is the brainchild of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration to reset the state’s economy for growth and expansion.  In the run up to the development of the policy, Obaseki, who is pushing hard on big-ticket projects, noted that “steps that have been taken by our administration are in line with the state’s well-articulated industrial development policy which will support increasing growth rates, generation of sufficient employment opportunities and sustainable economic growth and development.”

     

  • Obaseki urges actionable strategies as experts fine-tune Edo Environment Policy

    …flooding, deforestation top validation session

    The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, on Wednesday charged environment experts to fast-track work on the Edo State Environment Policy that was tabled for validation at the expert session in Benin City, the state capital.

    The policy document which was prepared in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), according to Obaseki, would address environmental issues such as flooding, deforestation, amongst others.

    Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment, Dr. Felix Iyalumhe, who shared the governor’s expectations, explained at the one-day validation workshop for ‘Edo Environment Policy,’ that the state was working with critical stakeholders on the last lap of the policy, with a view to having a document that will help create a safer and cleaner state.

    Iyalumhe added that residents of the state would benefit from the implementation of the policy as it would address the issue of flash floods and other environmental challenges being faced in the state.

    The National Programme Officer, UNIDO, Mr Reuben Bamidele, noted that human activities have continued to pose a great deal of threat to the sustainability of the environment.

    Read Also: Obaseki finalises investment with Chinese firms

    Bamidele assured that when developed, the Edo Environment policy would checkmate the activities that cause environmental degradation in the state.

    “Edo is currently being faced with challenges  of erosion, deforestation especially with the furniture business in the state; the forest is gradually being eroded.

    “In the area of agriculture, the effect of bush burning and use of agrochemicals also pose a threat to the environment; these are challenges the state has to tackle. The environment policy is needed to mitigate their impact,” he added.

    Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability, Mr Brai Emoedume, explained that the essence of the workshop was to validate the input of stakeholders in the policy.

    “Environment is key to human existence, hence the need to have a framework to coordinate activities happening within it. We should consider the environment as something we are holding in trust for our children and protect it,” the permanent Secretary said.

  • Sales intensify for EDPA’s Emotan Gardens

    …as demand chases available units

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki’s affordable housing programme has stirred a mild revolution in the state’s real estate sector, as increased confidence in the administration has led to a rush for units in the state government-backed 1800-unit Emotan Gardens housing project.

    Emotan Gardens, an ambitious affordable real estate project, is being developed by the Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA) and MIXTA Africa, a renowned real estate company in Africa.

    Receiving interim report of the state government’s outing at the 27th Edo National Association Worldwide (ENAW) Convention in Toronto, Canada, Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, expressed his delight at the endorsement of the Edo community in the diaspora for the housing project.

    “I am glad that the Emotan Gardens project resonated with our people in the diaspora. We have several other projects in other sub-sectors of the state’s economy that have been carefully designed to improve the wellbeing of all Edo people, irrespective of where they currently reside,” the governor said.

    Executive Chairman, EDPA, Isoken Omo, said since sales commenced for units in Emotan Gardens, the agency has been inundated with calls from different parts of the world, noting that the overwhelming response is as a result of the seamless and trustworthy mechanism set up to manage the process.

    Read Also: Obaseki attracting foreign investment to Edo – Osagie

    “The demand is pursuing the units available. It has mostly come from Edo people in the state and in the Diaspora, particularly at the just-concluded Edo National Association Worldwide (ENAW) convention in Canada, where Edo sons and daughters bought many units.

    “The local diaspora, that is Edo people in other states of Nigeria, are also snapping up units. Non-indigenes from other states have joined in the rush for the houses. So, anyone who is yet to make their intention known should do so as soon as possible,” she urged.

    She attributed the demand to the solid land reforms of the Obaseki-led administration; transparency in land allocation and collection of titles which is spearheaded by the Edo Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS) agency, and the absence of middlemen in the sales of the housing units in the Emotan Gardens project, as against the old system where those in the diaspora lost monies through friends and relatives.

    According to her, “The confidence in this administration is one of the reasons for the impressive response we have received. There is also the assurance that monies invested in the project are being judiciously utilized due to the integrity of our partner, MIXTA Africa, as well as Governor Godwin Obaseki’s sincerity.”

  • Hotel owners in Edo rally support for Obaseki’s seaport, other projects

    …target growing tourist traffic  

    Hotel owners in Edo State have thrown their weight behind the efforts of Governor Godwin Obaseki to industrialise the state, and have begun positioning themselves to take their share of the resulting tourist traffic.

    Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Association of Hotel Proprietors, Edo State chapter, Mr Roland Osunde, who led members of the association on a courtesy visit to the governor, in Benin City, saluted the governor’s bold steps in transforming the state’s economy.

    Specifically, Mr Osunde said the development of the Benin River Port in Gelegele would boost tourist traffic in the state and impact positively on the hospitality and tourism sectors as well as the larger economy of the state.

    He explained that his association is a major player in the hospitality sector and a major employer of labour in the state, with over 1700 workers across the 18 local government areas.

    Read Also: Obaseki extols S/South growing confidence in devt. framework

    Mr. Osunde assured the governor of his association’s readiness to contribute to the state government’s efforts at diversifying the economy and improve the wellbeing of Edo people and residents.

    In his response, the Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, assured his guests of more support for their business as work on a master plan for the tourism sector is in progress.

    The governor noted that as more investment deals are executed in the state, traffic in the tourism and hospitality sector would increase.

    “Economic activities in the hospitality sector have been impacted significantly by the policies of the government, hence it is our decision to grow the industry but we cannot do it alone, we need your support.

    “We see a lot of business traffic in the state as a result of the ongoing industrialisation drive by this administration and we see you as our biggest beneficiaries,” Obaseki said.

    He maintained that when work on the tourism master plan is finalised, the hotel owners would benefit immensely from the boom that the sector will record.