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Tag: Godwin Obaseki

  • 150 farmers in Auchi to get CBN loan

    150 farmers in Auchi to get CBN loan

    A total of 150 cassava farmers in Auchi, Estako West Local Government Area are set to receive loan support under the Central Bank of Nigeria Anchors Borrowers Scheme.

    Also, some Auchi youths who were recently deported from Libya have indicated interests to be registered in the schemel.

    Otaru of Auchi, HRH Alhaji Aliru Momoh, Ikelebe III donated 500 hectares of land to the cassava farmers for the success of the scheme.

    Addressing the farmers at the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the farmers, CBN officials and other supporting institutions, Governor Godwin Obaseki said he has many programmes to uplift the living condition of farmers in the state.

    Governor Obaseki who was represented by his Special Adviser on Agriculture, Prince Joe Okojie, assured the farmers that tractors would soon be made available to prepare the land for the farmers.

    Obaseki noted that the decision to engage the farmers in clusters was to teach them new ways of farming in his quest seek alternative to oil.

    He said the new ways is for the farmers to see farming as a business and make good profit.

    Read Also: FG to train 100 rice farmers in Kebbi – Ogbeh

    According to him, “We have decided to teach people better ways of farming. If we are not self-sufficient in food production we are in trouble.

    “We don’t want to send you to farms without giving you the necessary tools. We can’t send people to farms without access to funding, market and high yielding species.

    “We will buy the farm products at the existing market prices. The loan is a single digit interest rate. How well you look after your farm will determine your profit.”

    Coordinator of All Farmers Association of Nigeria in the locality, Abdullahi Mohammed, said they were convinced success of the programmer as it would enable them farm without tears.

  • Lassa Fever: WHO lauds Edo Emergency Operation Centre

    Lassa Fever: WHO lauds Edo Emergency Operation Centre

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) delegation in Edo State drafted to support the state’s team handling the outbreak of Lassa Fever, has commended the Edo State Government for its swift response to the public health emergency, especially with the setting up of the Emergency Operation Centre at the Irrua Specialist Hospital, in the state.

    The team which also include officials of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), led by Dr. Emmanuel Musa, commended the state-of-the-art equipment deployed by the state government to the Institute to fast-track the management of cases of Lassa Fever disease, which have halted deaths from the disease in the state.

    An accident victim, a girl, was recently saved with the timely intervention of staff of the hospital, who deployed the ventilator equipment in managing her treatment, officials of the hospital revealed at the weekend.

    Recall that in the wake of the outbreak, the Edo State Government launched a state-wide, multi-pronged approach that culminated in the purchase of two dialysis machines, an x-ray machine; a ventilator and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the hospital.

    The state’s response team is led by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shiabu, who has been coordinating efforts to stem the spread of the disease in the state.

    “The Emergency Operation Centre at the Institute of Lassa Fever Control and Research at Irrua has been commended by the WHO delegation in the state, who are on ground to assess our preparedness to handle the Lassa Fever health emergency,” Shaibu said in a visit to Irrua Specialist Hospital.

    The equipment, procured as part of the intervention programme of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration, is intended to inflate the lungs and provide victims of Lassa Fever or any similar ailment or injury with an opportunity for assisted-respiration.

  • We are building new structures for its schools of agriculture – Obaseki

    We are building new structures for its schools of agriculture – Obaseki

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo says his administration is building new structures for the schools of agriculture which will soon be inaugurated.

    Obaseki said this in Benin on Tuesday when he received the executive members of the Usagbe Club of Nigeria, led by its President, Mr Tony Akiotu.

    He said that there was a need to establish quality agricultural institutions to train youths and harness the vast potential of the agricultural sector because of the vital role of agriculture in the nation’s economy.

    “We have shut down the Colleges of Agriculture in Iguoriakhi and Agbenebode; we want to have one college of agriculture with several schools specialising in different aspects of agriculture,’’ he said.

    The governor said that a team was currently working to ensure that the graduates of the new College of Agriculture became successful agriprenuers by taking due advantage of emerging opportunities in the agricultural space.

    Obaseki said that the processes for the restructuring of the college would be concluded within six months.

    He said that his administration was discussing with Leventis Farms on the acquisition of 2,000 hectares of land which would be leased out to out-growers in this planting season.

    Besides, the governor pledged to conclude the construction of the Okpella-Agenebode road, adding that the people of the Weppa-Wanno communities would soon witness the health and education sector reforms of his administration.

    Earlier, Akiotu commended the governor for his dynamic leadership style and urged him to develop the Weppa-Wanno communities.

    “We applaud Your Excellency for your decision to actualise the construction of the already advertised road projects like the Ivioghe-Iviebua-Ivianokpodi-Iviukhua-Iviegbepui-Iviukwe-Ekwotsor project.

    “The road will help to network Weppa-Wanno communities and provide comfort for the people with its attendant economic benefits to the communities,’’ he said.

    Akiotu said that the association, which was composed of prominent individuals from the Weppa-Wanno communities, engaged in the execution of community development projects.

    He pledged the readiness of the association to support the state government in its transformation agenda.

    He said that the decision by the state government to restructure and upgrade the colleges of agriculture was highly commendable.

    NAN

  • World Radio Day: Obaseki lauds inventors

    World Radio Day: Obaseki lauds inventors

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has extolled the inventors of radio, whose diligent scientific researches, he said “resulted in the small audio box that has transformed the lives of billions of people across the world.”

    Obaseki gave the commendation on Tuesday in commemoration of the United Nations World Radio Day, marked on February 13, each year.

    “The transformational power of the radio is awesome. It has contributed significantly to governance across the world, mobilising people in the grassroots to embrace the policies and programmes of government while providing the platform for the listener to contribute to governance and social debates. Its ability to convey messages to millions of heterogeneous audience members far flung from one another makes the mass medium of communication unique,” he said.

    The governor noted that in many instances, the radio was the first source of education for millions of people and has proven to be a reliable electronic companion that broadcasts entertainment materials and transmits cultures from one generation to the other.

    He explained that with the advancement in information and communication technology sector, “there is need for stakeholders in the sector to expedite work on media convergence to enable media owners harness the associated benefits.

    Read Also: Obaseki mourns death of general Shagaya

    “In this regard, the Edo State Government is repositioning the state-owned broadcasting station, Edo Broadcasting Service and the Nigerian Observer, for efficient delivery of quality media contents.”

    He added: “Our aspiration is to adopt best practice in the management of our media enterprises, cutting-edge technology and well trained and motivated workforce in the state’s broadcast and print media enterprises in line with the demands of the information age.”

    On the theme of the 2018 World Radio Day “Radio and Sports,” Obaseki said the year promises a lot of magical moments with the forthcoming soccer mundial, the World Cup, which will offer loads of entertainment to soccer fans who will assemble around the radio, especially in rural and peri-urban areas to enjoy live broadcast of the Russia 2018 World Cup.”

    According to the United Nations, Radio is specifically suited to reach remote communities and vulnerable people: the illiterate, the disabled, women, youth and the poor, while offering a platform to intervene in the public debate, irrespective of people’s educational level. Furthermore, radio has a strong and specific role in emergency communication and disaster relief.

    On this year’s theme, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) calls on all radio stations around the world to showcase the beauty of sports in all of its diversity.

    “Let’s celebrate the traditional sports that connect us to our cultural heritage, the grassroots sports that anchor us within our communities, and the inspiring stories that challenge gender stereotypes and cover, equally, both men’s and women’s sports events” the organisation said.

     

  • Edo partners NIGCOMSAT on deployment of e-learning facilities in schools

    Edo partners NIGCOMSAT on deployment of e-learning facilities in schools

    The Edo State Government has commenced negotiations with the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) for the provision of e-learning facilities in schools across the state.

    Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hon. Emmanuel Agbale, disclosed this in a chat with journalists shortly after a meeting between the state government officials and representatives of NIGCOMSAT, at the Government House, Benin City on Monday.

    Agbale said the state government was fine-tuning details of the partnership, adding, “Godwin Obaseki led-administration means business with the plan to deploy technology in enhancing teaching and learning in schools across the state.”

    According to him, “The state government is partnering with NIGCOMSAT because it has the capacity to provide solutions required for the deployment of technologies for teaching and learning in schools. NIGCOMSAT will also organise the training of teachers to manage the ICT facilities to be deployed in schools.

    “We have concluded arrangement for capacity building and development of science and Information and Communication Technology labs in schools across the state, already.”

    On his part, Executive Director, Marketing and Business Development, NIGCOMSAT, Mr. Samson Osagie, said NIGCOMSAT provides satellite services and solutions to improve teaching and learning in schools.

    He said, “NIGCOMSAT is ready to assist Governor Obaseki to develop science, technology and innovation to deliver effective governance in the state.”

    Osagie added that the partnership with Edo State Government was part of the pilot scheme of NIGCOMSAT to showcase its potential in providing seamless connectivity and satellite communication solutions, noting, “The deployment of e-learning facilities for teaching and learning in primary and secondary schools would raise the quality and standard of education in the state.”

  • 302 Libya returnees graduate from Edo govt capacity building programme

    302 Libya returnees graduate from Edo govt capacity building programme

    To ease their re-integration into society, the Edo State Government has graduated 302 returnees from Libya from her capacity building and skills development programme.

    Chairperson, Edo State Task Force Against Human Trafficking, and Commissioner for Justice/ Attorney General in Edo State, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, at the ceremony to mark the end of the two-week vocational and technical training programme, said “the graduation marks the first step in preparing the returnees on the path to becoming successful entrepreneurs and employers of labour.”

    The second batch of graduands from the programme were trained on beadmaking, make-up and basic sewing, and their graduation is coming few months after the first set of returnees were trained on agribusiness and provided with 150 hectares of land and 100 million start-up fund to ease their settling into society.

    According to Omorogbe, “163 of the returnees acquired skills in make-up; 92 in basic sewing, while 47 were trained in the art of beadmaking.”

    She charged the graduands to be ambassadors of Edo State and expressed delight at the success of the programme. She said the state government will assist returnees who have successfully acquired skills in different trades to enable them set-up small-scale businesses through which they can provide for themselves and employ others.

    Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Edo State Governor on Anti-Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration, Mr. Solomon Okoduwa said, “The graduation ceremony has further demonstrated the commitment and interest of the state government in the fight against human trafficking and irregular migration in the state.”

    He added, “Mr. Godwin Obaseki has shown that he will keep his promise to assist the returnees and reintegrate them into the society by providing them with sustainable means of livelihood.”

    Okoduwa said that the graduands will be organised into co-operatives, which will enable them access credit facilities at zero-percent interest. He noted that “all the graduands will be required to register with the cooperative. Their progress will be monitored to see how they will put credits into good use. It will also help us breed entrepreneurs and employers of labour.”

    A bank manager, who is also one of the facilitators, Mr. Michael Adetola, urged the returnees to apply financial discipline as they set up their businesses, stressing, “Financial discipline plays important role in managing small businesses. Without it, one makes wrong decisions, which account for the failure of most small businesses.

  • Edo govt to construct 25 new roads

    Edo govt to construct 25 new roads

    The Edo State Government has earmarked 25 new roads for construction across the state in the coming weeks, as it intensifies efforts to deliver projects that will transform the socio-economic landscape of the state.

    Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie Esq., disclosed this during a chat with journalists, in Benin City, Edo State.

    He said, “The state government led by Godwin Obaseki will deliver on its mandate to transform infrastructure across the state. In the coming weeks, 25 new roads have been earmarked for construction, by the state government.”

    He added that the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration has provided leadership capable of transforming the state into an economic hub.

    “The governor knows how to pull resources for the benefit of a great majority of Edo people. As an investment banker, he is someone who knows how to manage resources to drive socio-economic growth through infrastructural development.”

    On the forthcoming local council polls, Ogie said that he has no doubt that candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will all be elected, noting “with the effort made by former Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Governor Obaseki in transforming the state, I am confident that Edo people will vote massively for APC candidates at the polls.”

    On security in the state, the SSG said the state government takes security of lives and property across the state seriously, which accounts for why it is considered as safest in the South-South region.

    “The increasing number of investors visiting the state is a pointer to the fact that the state has the best security arrangement in the region. Embassies have security reports from every part of the country for foreign investors. That they indicate interest to do business in Edo shows that our security report is favourable for investors.”

    He added that the state government will continue to improve on the security architecture and ensure investors get benefit from siting their companies in the state.

  • Obaseki inaugurates Technical Committee on Privatisation

    Obaseki inaugurates Technical Committee on Privatisation

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Tuesday inaugurated a 10-man Technical Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation (TCPC) to play advisory role in transactions the state government intends to undertake.

    Inaugurating the committee in Benin, the governor said the state government needed to align its policies with that of the private sector as it focused on economic growth.

    “We have taken several trips and steps to attract investments to the state; we have to stimulate transactions in agriculture sector, infrastructure, ports, industrial estate, and innovation hubs and so on.

    Read also: Dickson Obaseki meet for peace, unity in Niger Delta

    “So, the TCPC will play a participatory and advisory role in the transactions we intend to privatise and commercialise,’’ the governor said.

    According to him, the committee’s terms of reference includes taking inventory of all non-operational state-owned enterprises and companies which will entail site visit.

    “You are to recommend possible restructuring model through commercialisation, privatisation and partnerships.

    “The committee shall conduct due diligence on the Uromi Cassava Factory; take steps to ensure the selection of capable investors for the update of the factory.

    “The committee shall appoint the Public Private Partnership office as a standing and ad-hoc committee to facilitate the performance of its function,’’ the governor said.

    The Chairman of the Committee, Mr Philip Shaibu, thanked the governor for the opportunity given them to support the economic agenda of the administration.

    Shaibu, represented by Mr Emmanuel Usoh, the Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment who is also a member of the committee, assured that they would justify the confidence reposed in them.

    “We will bring to bear our professional experiences in the discharge of our duties to meet the demands of the governor and in line with the law.

    “We will be transparent in all our duties and we pledge to do our assignment with all wisdom and diligence,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Ballot recount shows I won governorship poll, says Ize-Iyamu

    Ballot recount shows I won governorship poll, says Ize-Iyamu

    Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2016 governorship election in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has told party supporters that the recounting of ballot papers ordered by the tribunal showed that he defeated  Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu who assured party supporters that the PDP would bounce back to power in 2019 urged the party leaders to get more youths and women involved in party politics.

    Ize-Iyamu who spoke at a town hall meeting with PDP leaders in Ovia South West local government said there were huge differences in the figures written in the INEC result sheet and the votes from the ballot papers.

    Read Also: Supporters urge Fayemi to join governorship race

    He said he was satisfied that the ballot recount exposed the rigging of the governorship polls.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu urged the PDP supporters to mobilize more members saying next year’s Presidential election would change the political dynamics in Edo.

    Ize-Iyamu said several members of the APC have contacted him that they want to defect to the PDP.

    His words, “The ballot recount showed that we won despite their having all the agencies to support them.

    “We must all be prepared. The next election is too important for us. If you give APC 50 years, they will still be talking about the PDP. Since they don’t have solution to the problems, let us bring back PDP.”

  • Edo marshal plans to combat Lassa fever

    Edo marshal plans to combat Lassa fever

    The Edo Goverment has approved a marshal plan to contain the spread of Lassa fever and provision of essential materials for health centres to address any emergency in the state.
    The state Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Mr Paul Ohonbamu, disclosed this after the weekly State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting presided over by Gov. Godwin Obaseki in Benin on Wednesday.
    Ohonbamu said the governor had taken proactive steps and met with stakeholders in the health sector and other allied sectors on how to address and prevent further spread of the disease.
    He said that some of the steps taken include provision of potable water, dialysis machine and essential drugs at the Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control, Irrua, and increased enlightenment campaigns.
    The commissioner also said that the EXCO had approved N600 million as counterpart funding to enable the state government access N1.4 billion European Union and UNICEF funding for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme.
    The approval was sequel to the visit of the EU/UNICEF representatives on a courtesy visit to follow up on the WASH programme which had begun in two local government areas of the state.
    “The project will cover provision of clean water as well as toilets and other sanitation facilities in rural communities.
    “This is also aimed at reducing open defecation which is a menace in the rural areas,’’ he said.