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Tag: Godwin Obaseki

  • Sports sector reforms: Work intensifies on Ogbemudia Stadium revamp

    The Edo State government has intensified work on the revamp of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium to meet international standard as part of the overall reform of the sports sector in the state.

    According to the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, the walls are being reinforced with concrete pillars and all the roads and drainage system in the area hosting the stadium are undergoing reconstruction.

    “Edo people deserve a world class stadium. Our contribution to sports globally is common knowledge both in the number and quality of athletes Edo State has produced for the world stage. We also want to provide standard playing fields for our young ones whose turn it is to replicate the success stories of yesteryear,” Obaseki said.

    He maintained that “sport is a huge industry with allied businesses that can take most of our idle youths away from the streets. We want to produce more Victor Moses, Julius Aghahowa, Austin Eguavoen, Osazee Odemwingie and Odion Ighalo.”

    He said part of the reforms of the state’s sports sector includes the rebranding of Bendel Insurance and the club’s restructuring to ensure that the club can overcome funding, administrative and other challenges.

    The 20 mini-stadia that will be spread across the state will serve as talent grooming and skills honing ground for youths in the 18 local government areas.

    On completion, the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium’s tartan tracks and the offices will be modernised while the synthetic grass in the pitch would be replaced with natural grass. The gymnasium and the lawn tennis courts would also be upgraded to international standard.

    There will be a roof over the entire stand of the stadium. The trusses that will support the roof are being erected already.

    The swimming pool is part of the project but it will be done in the second phase. The entire renovation work will be completed by October.

    Bendel Insurance of Benin will now play its home matches at the University of Benin football field as a result.

  • Obaseki, Indonesian President, tackle barriers to trans-continental trade

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, the President of Indonesia, Mr Joko Widodo, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, in Indonesia, Mr Luhut Pandjaitan, and President & Chief Executive Officer, PT Pertamina ( Persero ), Mr. Elia Massa Manik, on Tuesday at the ongoing Africa Indonesia Forum in Bali, highlighted the barriers to sustainable trade between Africa and the Asian country and proffered home-grown solutions to the challenges.

    With the theme: “Developing sustainable Trade and Investment Cooperation Between Indonesia and Africa,” the panel session, which was moderated by Director, Standard Chartered Bank, Anthonia Okoh, focused on agriculture, technical cooperation, financing, strategic industries, manufacturing and digital economy.

    Sharing the Edo State experience, Obaseki told his co-panellists and participants, the successes being recorded through reforms in critical institutions of government, such as the creation of an Edo Geographic Information Service Agency to create a land data bank, the repositioning of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and the synergy between the state government and the Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, to remove the encumbrances in land acquisition, a major factor of production.

    “Our land reforms are yielding positive results as more investors have expressed their desire to set up factories in Edo State. We have strengthened the institutional framework for physical development management in the state and a few days ago, I gave a directive to the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to ensure a 48-hour turnaround time for approval of building plans in the state, within the next six months.

    “We have also tasked the Edo State Geographic Information Service Agency to ensure that Certificates of Occupancy ( C of O ) and Rights of Occupancy ( R of O ) are issued to applicants within thirty ( 30 ), days of application,” the governor said.

    He assured the Asian investors of his administration’s commitment to an investment-friendly climate that has supported the best oil palm companies in Nigeria and called on investors to leverage on the growing positive socio-economic outlook of Edo State.

    “Both Okomu Oil and Presco Plc. have embarked on very ambitious projects to expand their plantations in the state, and are currently doing well in the Stock Market. These achievements are tied to the friendly investment climate we have created for businesses in our state, and with the Benin Industrial Park, the Gelegele Seaport, the Benin Modular Refinery and our robust bouquet of agricultural programmes, Edo is indeed, the best place to invest,” he added.

    Obaseki further said that “Edo youths are industrious, ready to work and the people are hospitable to investors and tourists.”

    Welcoming participants to the event, the Indonesian President, Mr Joko Widodo, highlighted the gains inherent in extensive relations between his country and Africa.

    With its vast and abundant fertile soil, Indonesia is a major global key producer of a wide variety of tropical agricultural products. Palm oil is particularly important to Indonesia, as the country is the world’s biggest producer of the commodity, providing about half of the world’s supply.

    For Africa, agriculture accounts for up to 60 percent of all jobs on the continent and more than 50 per cent of GDP in many African countries. In this sense, discussion on sustainable and holistic agriculture management is crucial for both sides’ economic and social benefits, the organisers said.

    On financing, the organisers of the event explained that “financing is one of the key components in trade and investment cooperation, Indonesia continuously explores innovative ways to strengthen economic relations with African countries. One example is that since 2015, Indonesia has been implementing the National Interest Account ( NIA ) program to boost Indonesia’s trade and investment, particularly to untapped markets, including Africa.

    “Under the NIA program, the government allocated Rp 1.3 trillion ( approximately USD 96 million ) for trade financing with Africa until 2022 and is planning to enhance the budget in the future. To date, a number of trade activities with Africa have been already funded through NIA.

    Read Also: Obaseki: arrest pastor’s killers

    “The Indonesian government is also considering the possibility of establishing a mechanism that can enhance Indonesian investment in African continent through counter trade financing scheme.

    “The manufacturing sector plays an important role in Indonesia’s economic relations with Africa, therefore, addressing trade and investment barriers such as high tariffs and NTBs are timely for continued cooperation. The discussions to open up both markets through trade agreements in addition to other mechanisms should be further explored, and it is imperative to seek creative ways in order to address the issues.

    “There are currently 25 companies doing business with Africa and we would like to see this number grow in the future, including through Small and Medium Enterprises ( SMEs ) cooperation. The inclusion of digital economy as a topic of discussion reflects the fact that both Indonesia and Africa are well positioned to benefit from rapidly accelerating technological change that can unlock growth and leapfrog the limitations of physical infrastructure.

    In that context, Indonesia has become one of the hottest start-up hubs in the world, pocketing around $160.7 million in investment. The Indonesian economy is moving steadily to further digitalization, as Indonesian internet users are expected to jump from a current 92 million to 215 million in 2020. In Africa, at the same time, penetration of internet is expected to hit at least the 50 per cent mark in 2020 from only 2 per cent in 2010

    On technical cooperation, the panels will highlight the principle that Indonesia’s engagement with Africa does not merely focus on the economic benefit, but also intends to establish a true partnership for mutual progress.

    Other speakers at the forum are the Chief Executive Officer PT TIMAH, Mr Mochtar Riza Tabrani, and President Director PT Wika, Mr Bintang Perbowo.

    NAN

  • EU, Edo partner on illegal migration solution

    The European Union Parliament says it will partner Edo Government to evolve solution to illegal migration which is common to the union and the state.

    Dr Josef Weidenholzer, Chairman, Sub-committee on Human Rights, EU Parliament, made this known when he led a delegation of the Parliament on a visit to Edo Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, in Benin on Friday.

    Weidenholzer said that helping the state to curb illegal migration would strengthen existing ties between EU and Nigeria and create a win-win situation for both.

    “We want to improve the stable relationship EU has with Nigeria and set up a common agenda in tackling trafficked migration since the people are actually forced into the phenomenon.

    “We are here to find a common solution because there is no point in just sharing the problem. I think we have to share the solutions,’’ he said.

    He commended Obaseki for the positive approach and structures he was putting in place to curb illegal migration from the state, adding that the EU was ready to give needed support.

    “It is a good starting point on the part of the governor if he wants to create an enabling environment for people in Edo to see a future in the state.

    Read Also: Edo lawmaker trains 230 on skill acquisition

    “We are here to give the support; Edo can become a model for a new relationship between Europe and Africa,” he said.

    In his response, the governor said that EU could help in investigating and getting intelligence in tracking and prosecuting traffickers, but that more importantly, should give hope and skills to young people being trafficked.

    He said that his government had started to resolve the menace of human trafficking and illegal migration but needed additional support for training.

    “Just imagine, we need to give technical or vocational training to 3,000 to 5,000 young men and women; where are the teachers, where are the facilities?

    “We need massive support, not necessarily cash but the skills and the knowledge; in that way, we can give hope to young men and women that they are not useless to themselves.”

    Obaseki stated that his government was providing concrete data and projects, adding that the administration was involved in agriculture, logistics and vocational training to create employment for the youths.

    He noted that Benin Technical College for instance, was a work-in-progress and that there was anticipation that it would be near completion before the end of the year.

    “The workshops and laboratories have to be furnished; we have to recruit teachers, and they need to be sent abroad for training.

    “So, these are some of the areas they can provide technical support to provide skills for our young people,” the governor said.

    NAN

  • Obaseki commits to Agric Devt. in Esanland

    Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state government is committed to exploiting the agricultural endowments in Esanland to create jobs and improve livestock and food productivity in Edo Central.

    The governor, who spoke during a townhall meeting in Esan South East Local Government, said that the agricultural initiatives in the Senatorial district includes a 400-hectare maize farm and a piggery project to be sited at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.

    He said the development was necessary because Esanland serves as the breadbasket of Edo State and was central to some of the economic plans the state government was pursuing.

    According to him, “Because of my economic plans for Edo State, I cannot fold my hands and allow insecurity in Esanland. We have pledged 400 hectares of land for maize. We are working at the Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma on a piggery project. We are looking at cattle fattening, too. All the things that used to happen here during Ogbemudia’s time and even more, we are working to reactivate them. So that we can create jobs for young people.”

    Obaseki said that the projects are germane to the state government’s food security programme, calling on the people to support government in realising the projects as they are sure to benefit from the spill-over effects.

    He said, “We won’t allow insecurity derail our plans to develop the state. The plan is to ensure that development spreads to different parts of the state and ensure that youths are gainfully engaged in the sector.”

    Edo State government’s agricultural plans extend to providing a climate that allows existing investors to expand, especially oil palm production companies as well as facilitating opportunities to engage rural communities in outgrower schemes. The focus on Esanland is part of the overall strategy to spread agricultural development to all parts of the state.

  • Edo maps out strategies to combat malnutrition

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Wednesday inaugurated the state’s Food and Nutrition Committee to ensure a sustainable road map towards identifying and encouraging the consumption of healthy food in the state.

    Speaking before inauguration at Government House in Benin, the governor said: “we are concerned about the health status and nutrition of our people, particularly the very young ones and the old people’’.

    “Eating nutritious food goes a long way in maintaining a healthy lifestyle that is why this committee is important.

    “We are aware that there is a connection between nutrition, preventive medicine, girl-child education, women empowerment and childhood development,’’ Obaseki said.

    He directed the committee to identify the problems of nutrition in the state, coordinate efforts in improving nutrition and to ensure adequate resource allocation to address malnutrition issues.

    “The committee has the mandate to identify efforts already put in place by various institutions to tackle malnutrition in the state and to review the strategies to tackle it and their impact on the society.’’

    The governor called for working synergy among the various stakeholders in the food and nutrition sector to avoid duplication of programmes and allow for optimal use of resources.

    Read Also: Edo begins upgrade of Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium

    In her remarks, the Chairman of the committee, Mrs Vera Obadan, the Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, commended the governor for setting up the committee.

    Obadan, who was represented by the Vice-Chairman of the committee, Prof Ignatius Onimawo, the Vice-Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, said good nutrition is key to human development.

    She said that the bedrock of nutrition is breastfeeding, regretting that the breast feeding rate in the country was low.

    The chairman assured that the committee would do a lot of information dissemination to educate mothers on the importance of breast feeding in ensuring early childhood development.

    Obadan requested that the governor’s wife, Mrs Betsy Obaseki, be made one of the champions of good nutrition in the state.

    The News men reports that the members of the committee are drawn from relevant stakeholders in the private and public institutions in the food and nutrition sector.

    NAN

  • Why NMA, Edo Govt talks end in deadlock

    Ongoing talks between the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA)  and the Edo State Government are not yielding results because of the demands for 100 percent wage increment by the doctors.

    The 21 days ultimatum issued by the NMA to the Edo State to meet its demands will expire on Sunday and the NMA has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike action if the demands are not met.

    Among the demands of the NMA are revamping of the health sector, employment of more doctors, addressing decayed infrastructure in the state government owned hospitals and boosting of morale of doctors through payment of good salaries.

    Government sources however said the NMA was only interested in the increment of doctors’ salaries and not concerned about infrastructure in the hospital.

    The source said Governor Obaseki offered 25% pay rise with a promise to increase it in the next four years but the NMA insisted on 100 percent pay rise.

    According to the source, “The NMA is looking for a situation where a doctor will be earning over N1m monthly and not really concerned about the decayed infrastructure.

    “Governor Obaseki has opened up on his robust plans for the health sector  but the NMA wanted the pay rise. If Obaseki agreed to pay them high salary now, they will forget other things they are talking about.

    “This administration is sincere about revamping the health sector and not the approach of the NMA.”

    Reacting to the demand of the NMA, Governor Obaseki said they were unrealistic.

    Obaseki said arrangements were on for private health care providers to offer essential services to patients in state government hospitals during the period of the strike action

    His words, “We believe that the doctors’ demands are unrealistic, having been part of the steps taken so far to improve the conditions of service of medical doctors in the state. They see what we are doing and yet have threatened to go on strike because I cannot afford to fulfil 100 per cent of their demands.”

    “We agree with their demands but cannot afford all the demands now, rather we will spread them across four years of this administration, but the Edo NMA rejected the offer and insists on embarking on strike.

    “We are looking at various ways to execute our health reforms but will not allow anyone to blackmail us. We have been open, honest and have carried NMA along in all our activities till date. We will be talking to private health practitioners to help us and I have told them that I cannot afford all their requests at once. We are already making backup plans to take care of our people, if we are constrained to.”

    Read Also: NMA accuses Obaseki of insincerity

  • No plan to sell state owned media – Obaseki’s Aide

    There is no plan to sell the state-owned radio and television station, Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS) and the Nigerian Observer Newspaper to an individual.

    The falsehood being peddled by the Edo State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is a figment of their imagination.

    Understandably, the depleted Edo PDP is idle and has all the time in the world to imagine the unimaginable. There is no plan, whether now or in the future to sell government enterprises to any individual.

    Recall that Governor Obaseki paid unscheduled visits to the two media houses last year and was appalled by what he saw at the media houses; outdated equipment and a disenchanted workforce.

    The stories of the visits were widely reported in the media and the governor has vowed to reposition the media houses for optimal performance and to play a major role in the educational sector.

    For emphasis, the Edo State government led by Godwin Obaseki, is too sophisticated to indulge in acts that the Edo PDP members either went to jail for or are still visiting the offices of the anti-economic and financial crimes agencies, for!

    He will not sell assets owned by the good and loving people of Edo State to any individual.

    Read Also: http://staging.thenationonlineng.net/pdp-kicks-plans-sales-state-owned-media/

  • Obaseki okays teachers’ promotion

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has approved the promotion of teachers in primary schools.

    The exercise covers three years, from 2013 to 2015.

    Obaseki directed the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to give letters to the teachers.

    Acting Chairperson of SUBEB Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe said: “The details of the promotion letters are being finalised. A list of the teachers will be sent to education secretaries in the Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs), indicating teachers who have been promoted across the 18 local governments.”

    She added: “Clearing the backlog of promotion for teachers shows Governor Obaseki cares about the welfare and well-being of teachers.

    “The governor’s directive has demonstrated his commitment beyond mere rhetoric. He has continued to show support to provide a conducive environment for teaching and learning.”

    Noting that lifting the ban on the promotion of teachers in primary schools is significant, Oviawe, who is also the special adviser to the governor on Basic Education, said: “This will enable the government to achieve the objectives of Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST).”

  • PDP, APC bicker over anti-open grazing bill

     

    The anti-open grazing bill sent to the Edo State House of Assembly by the Peoples Democratic Party has sparked a fresh row between the party and the ruling All Progressive Congress.

    Speaking in Benin City at a lecture series organized by the Gatekeepers, a former Commissioner for Works and Transport in Benue State, Mr. John Ngbede, said the passage of the bill proposed by the PDP will stop destructive activities of Fulani herdsmen.

    But State Chairman of the APC,  Barr. Anselm Ojezua, described the proposed PDP’s bill as a political pamphlet that has no solutions to the menace of Fulani herdsmen.

    The former Benue Commissioner who urged Edo lawmakers to pass the bill stated that the problems of Fulani herdsmen was beyond the ruling APC.

    Ngbede disclosed that they succeeded in chasing the Fulani herdsmen out of Agatu in Benue State because of resilient of the people.

    He added Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, agreed to support the anti-open grazing bill because of the 2019 general elections

    He said, “The herdsmen do not reason like humans. It will take courage for Edo lawmakers to pass the anti-open grazing bill. The lawmakers will have to look at it.

    “We should say no to open grazing because the Fulani herdsmen will become a problem if you allow them.”

    “Activities of herdsmen in Benue is worrisome. We are pleading with the federal government to help the state government implement the anti-open grazing law. There will be no problem if the law is supported.”

    State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, said Governor Godwin Obaseki must listen to the cries of the people to protect them from herdsmen.

    Chief Orbih warned against the use of state instrument to suppress the opposition for democracy to survive.

    The Edo PDP proposed bill prohibiting open rearing and grazing of livestock across the state provides for the establishment of ranches and livestock administration, regulation and control.

    Barr. Ojezua however urged the APC lawmakers not to hesitate to throw the bill away.

    His words, “Have your read the proposed bill? I saw it myself and it is a political phamlet that does not find any solution to the issue of herdsmen menace. Our people should not waste time in throwing out the document. It is not a serious document. The problem is deeper than what they have proposed.”

    Chairman of the occasion, Justice Roland Amaize, urged the state government to do the needful by not making cattle rearing its business but that of private individuals.

    His words, “Herdsmen menace is Edo is troubling and sickening. I do hope that whatever we do here will provide the legal framework to check the menace.”

  • Be prudent with funds, Obaseki tells LG chairmen

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Wednesday urged local government chairmen in the state to be prudent and avoid incurring unnecessary debt.

    The governor spoke during the opening ceremony of a three-day programme organised for newly elected local government chairmen and councilors in Benin.

    He said that the state had the resources to support councils to perform optimally and effectively.

    “We have state agencies that can address most of your needs without charges; we have abundant resources to help you.

    “We know most of you do not have resources internally to plan, but I want to assure you that we have most of the resources you require and we will extend them to you without any cost.

    “I will advise you not to waste your scares resources on expensive or dubious consultancy or training contracts,” the governor said.

    Obaseki said that the local government councils would not be allowed to employ people indiscriminately.

    “You are not allowed to employ people indiscriminately; most of you are over-staffed; use the existing staff you have.

    “It is only when it is clear they are are insufficient that you begin to hire new people.

    “Most of you are owing salary arrears. So, I don’t know what justification you have to hire new people when you cannot pay the ones you already have,” he said.

    The governor said that all  chairmen and councilors must reside in their councils and should come up with strategic plans on how to better the lives of the masses.

    He said that the government would go after anyone found to have stolen council funds, where it had clear evidence.

    “We want you to be transparent, as indiscipline will not be tolerated,’’ he said.

    Obaseki urged the chairmen to take revenue generation, security and job creation as priority.

    Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, said the local government is the closest level of governance to the people where many of them can contribute.

    He called for more cooperation between the three tiers of government.

    NAN