The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Godwin Obaseki

  • Catholic Bishops call for national unity

    Catholic Bishops call for national unity

    The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria ( CBCN ) has called for the rededication of the country to God to allow for a nation where everyone will live as united people.

    Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, the President of CBCN and Archbishop of Jos, made the call when he led a delegation of Archbishops and Bishops on a courtesy visit Gov. Godwin Obaseki, in Benin on Thursday.

    Kaigama said the bishops were in Edo to mark the centenary of Lady Fatima’s Apparition.

    He said the catholic clergy would use the opportunity to seek God’s intervention for the country and pray for leaders in positions of authority.

    He said that during the First World War, Lady Fatima appeared and preached a message of peace; hence the Catholic Church would use the event to pray for unity of various religious and ethnic groups in the country.

    ‘’We are in Benin to pray for peace and the reconsecration of  the country; that the north and south will see themselves as one,

    “Muslims and Christians will live as brothers and sisters and ethnic groups will live in harmony harmony,” he said.

    The cleric urged leaders to always engage in good works, supporting it with prayers in order to excel.

    Obaseki commended the church for its pivotal role of reconciliation and stabilising the society.

    He also expressed delight that the state was hosting another religious conference as the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria had held theirs earlier in the year.

    The governor used the occasion to seek collaboration with the church to strengthen basic education, healthcare and social welfare services in the state.

    Obaseki said that with oil prices no longer what  it used to be, Nigeria’s future economy would be knowledge-driven hence Edo was keen on collaborating with the church and other groups interested in contributing to society.

    The highlight of the visit was presentation of a statue of the Virgin Mary to the governor as well as prayers offered for his administration, the state and the country.

    The Catholic Bishops are attending the 1st National Marian Year and 3rd National Marian Congress in Nigeria in Edo.

    NAN

  • Edo to revamp housing sector, targets new investments

    Edo to revamp housing sector, targets new investments

    …As new Executive Chairman, Isoken Omo takes charge

    The Edo State Government has concluded plans to reform its real estate sector with a new roadmap that provides for re-certification of estate owners, repossession of abandoned properties and development of new estates across the state.

    The new Executive Chairman of the Edo Development and Property Authority, (EDPA) Isoken Omo, disclosed this at the Government House, Benin City, on Thursday.

    Omo explained that the state’s new housing roadmap is already being implemented with the perennial issues of debt, encroachment and undocumented occupation receiving the desired attention.

    She said that the state’s housing sector now falls under EDPA’s purview and the new management of the agency plans not only to remodel estate management in the state, but to also attract investments to the sector.

    She added that efforts are being put in place to revamp the agency to bridge the state’s housing gaps as well as reposition it to attract investments in real estate, especially as the state is now poised to be a major industrial and economic hub.


    According to her, “We discovered that many of the original occupants of the houses have left the estate. Some of the housing units in the estate were built when we were Bendel State. So, when Delta was carved out of Edo, some people, who had apartments in these estates, left to live in Warri and other places.

     “We are launching an aggressive campaign to recertify the owners of the houses. This is not to witch-hunt anyone. We just want to have an authentic database that would be as updated regularly.”

     Noting that some housing estates in the state were neglected in the past, which gave way for illegal occupation and debt, she said there are targeted, well-laid-out efforts to reform housing.

     She said the EDPA would hold a sensitisation campaign to inform the people on the new policies and initiatives guarding the housing sector, noting “part of our campaign is also to repossess buildings that may have been abandoned or illegally occupied.”

    Omo was recently appointed to chair the EDPA by the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki. She has over 25 years of real estate and property development experience in Nigeria and the United Kingdom (UK). She attended the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port-Harcourt, where she bagged a degree in Estate Management, and obtained a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) in 1999 from the University of Hull, United Kingdom. She has since assumed office.

  • Gov. Obaseki receives report on Gelegele Seaport

    Gov. Obaseki receives report on Gelegele Seaport

    The Technical Committee on the Actualisation of  the Gelegele Sea port  on Wednesday submitted its report to Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo.

    Receiving the report  at Government House in Benin, Obaseki said the successful building of the sea port would enhance the movement of  agricultural produce from the state to  local and global markets in a cost effective manner.

    He said under the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, states were  asked to develop an  economic blueprint that would  stimulate exportation.

    Obaseki said that the seaport was also a critical infrastructure needed by the state government in view of  the investment expected in  the state.

    “We have travelled to various countries,  especially Asia,  looking at how to re-enact our competitive advantage in oil palm and rubber.

    “Edo is a logistic hub for this country,  goods can be efficiently moved into various states and distributed across the country,’’  he said.

    The governor assured the committee members  that the report would  be studied with a view to implementing its recommendations   in addition to  seeking  experts’   inputs toward executing the  seaport initiative.

    Earlier, the Chairman of the committee, Mr  Greg Ero, said the committee  took a holistic view of the project  and addressed in details the location of  the seaport, sea route to the Atlantic Ocean as well as  viability.

    “We visited Gelegele community, relevant offices and locations and gathered information and data from various sources, including reports on previous assignments  commissioned by the Federal Government on Gelegele,” he said.

    NAN

  • Edo deploying tactful measures to tackle security challenges – Obaseki

    Edo deploying tactful measures to tackle security challenges – Obaseki

    …Urges indigenes, residents to be calm, vigilant and measured in their utterances.

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has assured citizens and residents of the state that the state government is deploying resources tactfully to arrest the recent spike in security challenges in parts of the state.

    The Governor also expressed deep sympathy with the family of the late Prof. Paul Otasowie who unfortunately lost is life in one of the attacks in the recent spike in violent crimes in the state.

    While expressing his solidarity with the families of Andy Ehanire and Osayomore Joseph who were both abducted recently, he called on indigenes and residents of the state be measured while making statements about the cases, in order not to jeopardise the efforts being made by the government to ensure their safe return to their families.

    In a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Osarodion Ogie, Obaseki appealed for calm among Edo people and residents, and urged them not to resort to extreme measures that could endanger the lives of those being held.

    “The State Government is working quietly and tactfully behind the scene to restore normalcy in the state and return the abducted to their families unharmed,” Obaseki said.

    The governor emphasised that: “There is absolutely no need for anyone or group to resort to misguided statements, extreme measures, self help or brute struggle. What is required in the circumstance is tact.”

    He stressed that the state government was committed to ensuring that those held are released in good health condition to the waiting arms of their families.

  • Edo will not negotiate with criminals – Obaseki

    Edo will not negotiate with criminals – Obaseki

    Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has said the state will not be forced by criminal elements and organised crime overlords to the negotiation table, stressing that law and order, as well as the liberty of the ordinary law-abiding Edo citizens and residents, are not for sale.

    Obaseki, who called on Edo people to remain calm but vigilant, noted that an elaborate scheme was being finalised to rein in the orchestrators of the recent violence, bring them to justice and restore sustainable peace and safety in the state.

    According to Obaseki, “Edo people, the majority of whom are law-abiding, should be rest assured that the promise to restore sanity to the state have been fulfilled. The state government would never return to the old order. The oppressive actions of different groups who had been fattened over the years by extorting honest and hardworking people in the name of revenue collection have been curbed. No matter the amount of pushback from perpetrators, they remain dislodged and would not have any reason to harass honest traders, citizens, and other residents.”

    He said it was regrettable that the perpetrators of criminal activities had lived on the proceeds of crime, oppression, and extortion so much so that they have forgotten how to earn a living through honest means, noting that the state government intends to teach them how to do honest work and earn a living in the process.

    “We are opening up various sectors of the economy to ensure that jobs are available to both the skilled, semi-skilled and even the unskilled. We are also building vocational and technical training institutions where these people will be directed and trained for free in order to reintegrate them into the society where people live off the fruit of their daily labour in legitimate enterprises,” the governor said.

  • Living under high tension cables risky, Edo Govt. warns residents

    Living under high tension cables risky, Edo Govt. warns residents

    …to support relocation of certified buildings

    The Edo State Government has sensitised owners of buildings and other structures under high tension electricity cables in the state on the health risks.

    Speaking during a meeting with the property owners at Idogbo Secretariat in Ikpoba–Okha Local Government Area, the Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Political and Community Matters, Chief Osaro Idah, said the state government was worried that people could ignore the risks associated with living in such area.

    Chief Idah said the removal of the buildings was necessary because of the inherent dangers of living under the transmission lines, such as cancerous radiations, among others.

    He emphasised that the state was determined to avoid casualties and a repeat of the infamous electrocution incident in Calabar, where lives were lost when a transmission cable fell on a football-viewing centre.

    “We have a habit of saying, it will not happen, God forbid. But, government will not wait to see our people die before it acts. Relocation is non-negotiable; we want to ensure that people get a fair deal when it is done,” he said.

    Chief Idah appealed for understanding from those that would be affected, as government was determined to ensure that the discomfort would be minimal. He said that, as far as they have evidence of their correspondence with TCN, wherein they sought compensation, the state would ensure that they are duly compensated.

    According to him, “We will use these papers to make a case for everybody. However, note that it is not the state government that will pay compensation, but the TCN.”

    Earlier, Head of Local Government Administration, Ikpoba–Okha Local Government Area, Mr. Peter Ahonhai, said the stakeholders meeting was called on the instance of Governor Godwin Obaseki to proffer solution to concerns of those affected by the governor’s directive that those living under transmission lines across the seven wards in the council be relocated.

    The owners of the properties were asked to submit evidence of their correspondence with the TCN to Ikpoba–Okha Head of Local government administration, as the state government would follow it up.

    Chief Idah, who was accompanied by Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Hon. Edorodion Erimona, also visited Oredo and Egor local council areas.

  • We are mobilising relief for flood victims, Obaseki assures

    We are mobilising relief for flood victims, Obaseki assures

    Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has reassured communities affected by flood in Etsako Central Local Government Area and other parts of the state that government has deployed a team of officials to evaluate the situation and mobilise relief for victims.

    Obaseki who said this on Monday, when he received reports of flooding in some communities in Estako Central, particularly Udaba-Ekperi, Osomghegbe, Ifeku and other villages, said that he has mobilised the Commissioner for Youth and Special Duties; Special Adviser, Special Duties and other assistants from that axis of the state to evaluate the situation and lead preliminary relief efforts to the affected areas.

    According to him, “It is quite unfortunate that people are being sacked from their homes in these communities. However, we want to assure them that we are on top of the situation. I have dispatched officials from that part of the state to assess the situation, as we ramp up efforts to provide relief.”

    Obaseki said the state emergency service apparatus would also be deployed to the state to ensure that communities affected are properly taken catered for during this phase, adding, “Emergency services would be provided to the affected communities too. But we appeal to the people to move to higher ground so that we are sure they are safe.”

  • Nigeria at 57: Obaseki approves release of 70 prisoners

    Nigeria at 57: Obaseki approves release of 70 prisoners

    …Urges Nigerians to aim for greatness

     

    As part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 57th independence anniversary, Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, approved the release of 70 inmates from various prisons across the state.

    The 70 inmates to be released have been in prison for a considerable time, some of them not less than two years without trial.

    Obaseki said this was a step towards improving the justice delivery system in the state as well as reducing the number of awaiting-trial inmates by 50 percent, which is part of Federal Government’s policy on decongesting prisons.

    He, however, stated that the inmates would be sternly cautioned to stay away from crime before they are let go.

    At a church service held earlier to mark the independence anniversary, Governor Obaseki, urged Nigerians to be grateful for the opportunity to coexist peacefully in a free nation for 57 years, stressing, “We are united as a nation and poised for greatness.”

    The service held at the Christ Embassy Zonal Headquarter, Erediauwa Street, off Ekehuan Road, Benin City, Edo State.

    Governor Obaseki said Nigerians have all accepted that we are one indivisible nation and added that the ongoing conversation on restructuring is not one that would divide the nation, but rather enhance its growth and prosperity.

    “As a country, we are endowed. The problem is not Nigeria. We only need to change our attitude as a people and the nation will certainly grow and develop and our people will prosper.”

    He said, as a people, Nigerians need to be much more productive, as the era of easy oil money is over and to get ahead in the new dispensation, the people must become more productive and enterprising.

    Obaseki called on leaders in all spheres of society to go back to their communities and organise their people towards spurring the country to greatness.

    The head Pastor of the church, Moses Olayemi, called on Nigerians to always have positive thoughts towards the country, and only make good statements about themselves, no matter how challenging their circumstances may appear to be.

    Other government functionaries at the church service include the first lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; the Chief of Staff, Taiwo Akerele; the Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie; the Commissioner for Art, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Osazee Osemwegie-Ero; Commissioner for Environment, Reginald Okun; Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment, Emmanuel Usoh; Commissioner for youth and Special Duties, Mika Amanokha; Commissioner for Health, David Osifo and APC Women leader, Aisosa Amadasun.

  • Art can serve as Alternative to Crude Oil – Obaseki

    Art can serve as Alternative to Crude Oil – Obaseki

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has said that Art is assuming a new place of importance in national discourse and can be developed as an alternative source of income to crude oil.
    He said this during the opening of the Exhibition Gallery at the National Museum Benin by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) in collaboration with the Edo State Government, and the Smithsonian Institute, United States of America, on Friday, in Benin City.
    Obaseki said he accepted to be the first Nigerian Commissioner in Venice Art Biennale, which is like the Olympic for the Art, and accepted to represent Nigeria to draw the link between art, Nigeria and Benin City.
    He noted that it was the first time the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, in the United States of America (USA), was hosting and housing an exhibition on the African continent. He said the exhibition would add value to the quest to develop cultural and tourist sites in the state.
    “The role of a museum as a tourist centre cannot be overemphasised especially as a state known for its artistic and cultural heritage. As a state, we have a good international image in the area of art, following centuries of creative work of excellence,” the governor said.
    The Director-General of NCMM, Yusuf Abdallah Usman, commended Governor Obaseki’s support for the laudable project, and stressed that “this is a departure from the experience with past state governors.”
    The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, William Stuart Symington, described the event as an “extraordinary moment, as it is the first time in the history of the America’s great national museum, Smithsonian Institute, that we have brought an exhibition to the continent of Africa.”
    “We are not just bringing the images here. This is not just art, but Benin art and images. And today, they are brought back home,” he said.
    The Oba of Benin, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewure II, said Benin artworks are largely rituals, some are used for recording history, to place on record events that happened in different periods in Benin History.
    A representative of the Oba, the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, said the Benin artworks gained prominence in Europe in 1897 after the Kingdom was attacked by the British soldiers, who later took the artworks to Europe.
    The high point of the event was the launching of the book “Fragile Legacies,” the photographs of Solomon Osagie Alonge, and a tour of the exhibition area by governor Obaseki.
     
  • No industrial growth with paper certificate alone – Obaseki

    No industrial growth with paper certificate alone – Obaseki

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo said investment in vocational education is fundamental to job creation and industrialisation of the state as well as the country as oil revenue continues to dwindle.

    Obaseki said this on Tuesday when he received donations made by the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association ( NECA ) in collaboration with the Industrial Training Funds ( ITF ), at Government Science Technical College, Benin.

    He commended the organisations for the donating electrical equipment and tools to the technical college.

    According to him, no country can grow industrially with `paper certificate’ alone; it must have technical skills to make the needed difference.

    The governor noted that most industrialised countries had in their workforces, people with vocational training who might not be university graduates.

    He said that plans were underway to set up three or five megawatts of power on the Government Science Technical College premises for its light industrial park to ensure constant electricity supply.

    The governor gave the assurance that the donated items would be judiciously utilised.

    Earlier, the Director-General of NECA, Mr Olusegun Oshinowo, thanked the state government for emphasising improvement in vocational and technical education.

    Oshinowo said that the biggest challenge facing Nigeria was that of unemployment due to lack of technical skills to make youths employable.

    He urged that all hands should be on deck to tackle the challenge.

    The Principal of the college, Mrs Bose Imafidon, said that the benefitting electrical department was one of 10 departments with highest enrolment.

    Imafidon pledged to use the equipment for the intended purpose.

    The News Agency og Nigerian (NAN) reports that the other equipment and tools included desktop monitors, contact voltage regulators, prismatic fluorescent fittings and bundles of cables.