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Tag: Godwin Obaseki

  • Doctors’ Strike: ‘We will adopt holistic approach to health sector reforms’

    …appeals to doctors to go back to work

    Worried by the recurring strike actions by medical doctors and other workers in the health sector, the Edo State government said work on a holistic plan for workers in the sector has reached advanced stage.

    Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie, said the health sector is a major pillar of the government’s overall policy framework for the state and appealed to the striking workers to be patient with the state government.

    Osagie said: “The Edo State Government is adopting a holistic approach to the reform of the health sector in the state. We urge the health professionals to exercise some patience as hasty and tokenistic efforts cannot produce the high standard of healthcare which the Obaseki-led government has envisioned for Edo people.

    “The plans have been made and partners are being sourced, and in good time, the results will manifest.”

    He added that the governor has tremendous respect for health workers and will not turn a deaf ear to issues that affect their welfare.

    “As you are aware, Governor Obaseki is passionate about getting the health sector to contribute significantly to his administration’s overall goal. This informs his personal involvement in health care programmes, from immunisation to the distribution of long lasting insecticidal nets and the commitment to the construction of primary health care centres across the state.”

    The governor’s aide assured that the health sector will receive more than the usual attention in the months that will follow the unveiling of the reforms for the sector.

    Read Also: Doctors strike: Patients urged to resolve issues

  • Obaseki to NMA: Be patient

    Edo Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has told the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) that ‘hasty and tokenistic efforts cannot produce the high standard of healthcare he envisioned for Edo people.’

    Governor Obaseki was reacting to the 21 days ultimatum issued by the NMA for him to fix the state health sector of face indefinite strike action.

    Obaseki who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said he is adopting a holistic approach to the reform of the health sector in the state.

    He said plans have been made and partners were being sourced, and in good time the results would manifest.

  • NMA issues fresh 21-days ultimatum to Obaseki

     

    The Nigeria Medical Association has issued a 21-day ultimatum to Governor Godwin Obaseki to resolve issues in the state’s health sector or face indefinite strike action.

    It said the dispute with the Edo State Government bothered on what it termed deplorable state of health sector in the state.

    The NMA had on March embarked on five days warning strike which ended on March 11.

    State Chairman of NMA, Dr. Osaigbovo Emmanuel, who spoke at a press briefing in Benin City, expressed dissatisfaction with the manner the state government handled negotiation with the body over the past one year.

    Dr. Osaigbovo said the indefinite strike action would commence on April 1st and that doctors in private practice might be asked to join in the strike action.

    Osaigbovo listed the demands of the NMA to include immediate revamping of the health sector, addressing the total decay of infrastructure fixed and movable and employment of more doctors.

    Read Also: Obaseki preaches cordial farmer/herder relations

    He said some hospitals in the state have no doctor as only 180 doctors are spread across the 34 general hospitals in the state.

    Dr. Osaigbovo stated that what is worrisome is that all the committees set up to look into ways of fixing the health sector have submitted reports but the state government appeared to have jettison the reports.

    According to him, “The morale of doctors are very low and made worse by the fact that there are inadequate facilities as well as poor working environment.

    “Doctors employed into the state hospitals are the least paid in the country due to non-implementation of the appropriate salary scale approved for doctors nationwide. This has led to continuous drain of doctors from the state hospitals. They have become endangered species because they are far behind their counter-parts in other states.

    Dr. Osaigbovo appealed to religious leaders, traditional rulers and politicians to urge Governor Obaseki to address agitations faced by doctors in the state.

     

  • Native doctors forced to revoke curses on trafficked victims

    Native doctors forced to revoke curses on trafficked victims

     

    Reprieve appeared to have come the way of victim’s of human trafficking in Edo State as native doctors in the state were on Friday forced to revoke oaths and curses placed on them.

    Many victims of human trafficking are usually made to swear to oaths and some of their body parts collected as collateral to make them pay back the money used to sponsor them.

    But the Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, forced the native doctors to revoke the curses and oaths placed on the trafficked victims.

    The Benin Monarch declared that the trafficked victims were now free from their traffickers and whatever oaths they were placed on.

    Oba Ewuare II also placed a curse in human traffickers and those aiding and abetting human trafficking in the state.

    He cursed the native doctors who subject victims to oath of secrecies, violators of the order banning Community Development Associations and others whose business is to initiate the sons and daughters of the land into various cult groups.

    Those who took part in the swearing exercise were priests from various shrines in the state such as the Ohen Okhuae, Ohen Ovia, Ohen noriyekeogba, Ohen Ake, Ohen Niwuo, Native Doctors, Ohen Sango,  Odionwere, Iwueki and the  Enigies.

    Oba Ewuare II warned those aiding and abetting human trafficking through the use of black magic and subjecting them to the oath of secrecies to desist from the act or face the wrath of the gods.

    He declared that those under oath of secrecies have been set free and at liberty to air their views as well as reveal their sponsors without fear of any harm from their sponsors.

    The Benin Monarch stated the interest of the palace was to work for the development and progress of the state and urged all his subjects to work towards that direction by doing what is right.

    His words, “You native doctors whose business are to subject people to the oath of secrecies and encouraging this evil act on the land, you have to repent, stop doing it. This is not a joking matter and if you do not repent, you have to wait for the repercussion”, he said.

    “The palace is not against those practicing the act of native doctors but those who use it to perpetrate evil in the land through aiding and abetting human trafficking in the state.

    “We want to use this medium to tell those who are under any oaths of secrecies that they are now free. We revoke the oath today.

    “What the Palace stands for is peace and the development of the state. I want to use this medium to tell you that the act of using charms to aid trafficking, the palace seriously frowns at it.

    “We want us to join hands together to fight against human trafficking in the land”, he said.

    He said there have been positive reports about Edo State and that such positive report must be sustained.

    The Oba said the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has pleaded with him to help reduce the spate of human trafficking in the state adding that before now, he has been in the vanguard against human trafficking in the state.

  • Obaseki backs use of native doctors to fight human trafficking

    Obaseki backs use of native doctors to fight human trafficking

     

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has backed the initiative of the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, to engage all priests, priestesses, native doctors, traditional chiefs, market women and village heads to tackle human trafficking, kidnapping and other security challenges in the state.

    Governor Obaseki described the initiative as a royal endorsement of the state government’s fight against human trafficking, illegal migration and other crimes in the state.

    Obaseki noted that people who know the factors fuelling human trafficking and illegal migration would appreciate Oba Ewuare II wisdom in calling the meeting of traditional priests, priestesses and native doctors.

    He said the native doctors have valuable ideas and inputs that is needed to develop a robust bouquet of strategies that would finally bring an end to modern day slavery and criminal trade in humans.

    The Edo Governor expressed optimism that some priests and native doctors would adjust their ways because there are instances where some of these priests and native doctors have breached their codes of practice and get involved in the illegal trade.

    Read Also: LG polls: Obaseki lauds Edo people, security agencies, others

    He said, “As a government, we could not have asked for a better deal from the Oba of Benin. He is rich in wisdom and always there to offer his support to us. I am excited about the meeting, especially with the apex anti-human trafficking agency, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) scheduled to attend.

    “It is time to be frank about this crisis and tackle it with all we have. We cannot continue to fold our arms and watch as we lose the most productive class of our population to human trafficking and illegal migration.”

    “We are setting the stage for socially and legally approved enterprises and ventures that will keep our creative youths at home and contribute to nation building. We have committed the last one year of our administration to industrialising the state and things can only get better,” he assured.

     

  • Edo assembly considers bill to prohibit human trafficking

    Edo assembly considers bill to prohibit human trafficking

    Edo House of Assembly on Tuesday began consideration of a bill for a law to prohibit human trafficking and establish the Edo State Task Force against trafficking in persons.

    The majority leader, Roland Asoro, the member representing   Orhionmwon South constituency, moved the motion for the house to dissolve into a committee to consider the bill.

    The Chief Whip of the house, Iyoha Osaigbovo, member representing Oredo East constituency, seconded the motion.

    The committee consequently considered sections one to seven of the bill.

    Read Also: Human trafficking: NAPTIP hands over 17 victims to relatives

    According to the house, appointment of members of the task force shall be by the governor and subject to the ratification of the house of assembly.

    The Speaker, Kabiru Adjoto, directed the majority leader to schedule further consideration of the bill for the next sitting day.

    Our reporters, reports that Gov. Godwin Obaseki had in January sent the bill in person to the house for consideration.

    NAN

     

  • Edo committed to attaining self-sustenance with IGR – Shaibu

    Edo committed to attaining self-sustenance with IGR – Shaibu

    …Says Obaseki prioritises wellbeing of Edo people

     

    Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, has said that the Godwin Obaseki led-administration remains committed to implementing economic policies that will create wealth for Edo people and self-sustenance through aggressive Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) drive.

    Shaibu made this submission during an interview with journalists in Benin City, Edo State capital.

    The deputy governor said, “The Godwin Obaseki led-administration prioritises economic policies that will spur growth, wealth creation and prosperity for Edo people.

    “These policies are targeted at reducing the rate of poverty and unemployment. The long-term economic plan of the state governor is to create wealth and prosperity for Edo people.”

    He said the state’s economic model is targeted at driving economic growth and sustainability, noting, “With our policies, we intend to achieve self-sustainability for the state where proceeds from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) will be used to drive economic growth and prosperity for Edo people without depending on the allocation from the Federation Account to drive social growth and development.”

    Shaibu maintained that “When we have fully achieved this, proceeds from the Federation Account will be considered an addition, just like grants from donor agencies.”

    He assured that the state government is committed to opening up the economic space in the state and creating avenues for more people to participate in economic activities.

    “The state government’s economic blueprint is also directed at opening the economy to encourage the participation of more people to contribute to economic growth.

    “We intend to capture more Edo people in the quest for development, so as not to burden few people with taxes. This measure will improve revenue generation. When the economy is open, more people will be captured in the tax net and the tax burden will be spread. We are interested in reducing the tax burden on few persons,” he said.

    Read Also: Edo SUBEB launches Edo-BEST programme, trains 300 teachers in pilot scheme

  • Massive turnout in Edo council polls

    Massive turnout in Edo council polls

    There was massive turnout of voters in Saturday’s local government elections held across the 18 local government areas despite the boycott by the Peoples Democratic Party.

    Ten other political parties participated in the elections.

    Sensitive materials arrive some polling units like Ward five in Uromi, Esan North East local government.

    Voting started in many polling units as early as 8am.

    Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Agriculture, Prince Joe Okojie, who voted at about 10am at Uromi Girls Primary School said the massive turnout was a reflection of the peoples’ trust in the APC led Government.

    Prince Okojie noted the non-participation of the PDP in the election was a sign of the final defeat of the PDP.

    Okojie said the people want a replication of Obaseki’s wake and see performance at the local level.

    Governor Godwin Obaseki who spoke after he voted at about 12.30 pm, the election was peaceful. He said many supporters of the PDP have defected to the ruling APC in almost all units and wards across the state.

    Obaseki stated that the opposition PDP was no longer existing in the state.

    His words, “I think it is logical because every politicians aspires from his unit and if you do not give him the opportunity he will seek it from outside. So that was what happened. We can confidently say that the opposition party is none existence in Edo State.

    Read Also: Edo holds council polls Saturday

    “This is a precursor to 2019, Edo State as you see it is on lock down for APC. So may be the contest will be outside Edo State but Edo State is an APC state.

    “What has happened is that the councillors themselves, the candidates, have gone out to mobilize people. I had challenged them that the votes they obtained in their election must be bigger than mine when I ran for election.

    “I have been monitoring the distribution of materials since morning, reports reaching me says that things have gone on smoothly”.

    At Iyamho in Etsako West Local Government Area, immediate past Governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole,  said the local elections was a confirmation of the final liquidation of the PDP in the state.

    “You can see people are celebrating democracy at the grassroots. They are more interested in local elections because that is the man they can see everyday. You can see people are keen to vote.

    “With this election, We have just completed the liquidation of the PDP. There is no further proof of that liquidation other than that they have on their own admitted to defeat. They don’t regard the people who vote for them at the grassroots. They have my sympathy. This was the promise that from a party that used to arrogantly rig people out and ask you to go to court.

    “We have demystified them and enthrenched one man one vote which is an area they don’t have competence. They are not used to voting, they are used to writing results. It shows for them they are ready to spend in the big elections. That they are not interested in the elections for local people reveal their character. I feel fullfiled that in my lifetime, the PDP surrendered without a blow.

    “Their going to court was an excuse to their members that the are alive.”

    At Ologbosere Primary School voting centre, Ikpoba-Okha Ward 7, with 39 units, the turn out of voters was impressive, just as it was at Itohan Secondary School voting centre, Ikpoba-Okha Ward 6.

    Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie and Hon Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma described the election as peaceful and urged those remaining in the PDP to join the APC.

  • Obaseki reveals plans to reposition state-owned media

    Obaseki reveals plans to reposition state-owned media

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo says his administration is leveraging on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in its quest to reposition the state-owned media to align it with global media trend.

    The governor said this when he received the management team of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) led by its Director-General, Alhaji Is’haq Kawu in Government House, Benin, on Wednesday.

    Obaseki said that plans had been finalised on how to re-position the state-owned broadcast media and assured the NBC that his administration was ready to support them in the digital switch over.

    Read Also: Sports reforms to drive job creation, youth development in Edo – Obaseki

    He said his administration would procure state-of-the-art digital equipment, upgrades the skills of the workers and solicited for the support of NBC in achieving the goals.

    Earlier, Kawu described the rich cultural heritage of Benin Kingdom as unique, saying that with the digital switch over, stations would be able to package and beam the rich cultural heritage of the country to the outside world.

    He pleaded with Obaseki to assist the body in solving the flooding issue faced by NBC zonal office in the state.

    NAN

  • Obaseki lauds FG on welfare package for IDPs in Edo

    Obaseki lauds FG on welfare package for IDPs in Edo

    …as NCFRMI distributes materials in Uhogua camp

     

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has lauded the Federal Government’s role in assisting with welfare packages for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) across Edo State.

    Obaseki gave the commendation when the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) donated educational materials and food items to the IDPs in Uhogua Camp in Ovia North East Local Government Area, Edo State.

    The relief materials include branded bags; food flask and water bottles; notebooks; cartons of biros and pencils; mathematical sets; bags of rice and beans; vegetable oil, among others.

    The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Yakubu Gowon, said, “The role of NCFRMI in resettling refugees, migrants and IDPs across the country is commendable. The commission has remained committed in catering for social welfare for these categories of persons.

    “Edo State government appreciates the efforts of the commission in consolidating the state’s campaign in receiving, resettling and reintegrating victims of human trafficking and illegal migration through its active involvement in organising the return of these persons to Nigeria.”

    Commenting on the donation of educational materials and food items to the camp, he said “The state government expects the exercise to be sustained even as we anticipate that circumstances that led to the displacement of persons living in this camp will be resolved as soon as possible, so that they can return to their normal lives.”

    Obaseki noted, “We promise to commit resources so that those living in the camp have fond memories as our guests, even after they return to their homes.

    Federal Commissioner for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouk, represented by her Special Adviser on Media, Hajiya Halima Musa, said, “The commission whose responsibility is to ensure solutions are provided for refugees, IDPs across the country already had intervention in 28 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) where humanitarian crisis are identified.”

    She said the commission provides both short and long-term plans to help the people regain themselves, “In this area, we have provided in the short-run maintenance materials to alleviate the suffering of people of concern while in the long run, we plan to provide durable solution to alleviate their plight.”

    She said the commission is in Edo State to flag-off the distribution of the relief materials to make life better for the IDPs, adding that the commission’s gesture was the result of reports from desk officers’ assessment of condition of children at the camp.

    Responding to the gesture, one of the displaced persons, Grace James, thanked NCFRMI, Edo State government and other non-governmental organisations for their continuous support to the camp, urging them not to relent as God will continue to bless them and their families.