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Tag: Godwin Obaseki

  • Universities not established for jobs creation – Obaseki

    Universities not established for jobs creation – Obaseki

    The Edo Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, said universities in the country were not established for jobs creation, but to advance learning, promote research and build character of students.

    Obaseki made the assertion on Saturday at the second day of the 21st Convocation Ceremony of the Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma.

    The governor said that most universities had deviated from their primary aim of promoting research and development and concentrated on having too many non-academic staff.

    “The university needs all levels of supportive staff, but the current practice where the number of non-academic staff outweighed the numbers of academic staff and researchers is not acceptable, not tenable and unsustainable.

    “Universities should through investment, efficient management of funds, partnership with the private and government sectors, grants from international bodies and Alumni association, thrive to be self-sustaining,’’ he said.

    Obaseki said that with the current recession, universities should not shy away from getting rid of their redundant and unproductive staff in the various faculties.

    “Universities should be able to check waste and corruption and stop relying on the government for subvention, because the government is almost broke,’’ he advised.

    The governor tasked the nation’s university authorities to engage in publication of journals, innovations and technology advancement of students to make them relevant in the present world of ICT.

    The university Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ignatius Onimawo, said that the institution had achieved numerous successes in the areas of fibre optic technology, infrastructural development, internally generated revenue and accreditation of 64 programmes.

    Onimawo listed areas of need to include partnership in investment ventures such as in agriculture going by the vast arable land and dam to boost the institution’s revenue.

    Others were perimeter fencing of the school, construction and tarring of roads within the campus, building of the vice-chancellor’s lodge, completion of the administrative building and provision of more students’ accommodation.

    The Chancellor, His Highness, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe of Bida, attributed the university’s giant strides to the enabling environment provided by the state governor, saying that available resources would be judiciously utilised.

    The chancellor also commended the governor for mobilising the contractors working on the administrative building back to site, saying that completion of the project would solve the problems of office accommodation.

    The governor was installed as the 15th visitor of the institution by the state Chief Judge, Justice Eseohe Ikponmwan.

    There was also presentation of honourary degrees on Chief Tony Elumelu (Business Administration), Dr Mathew Okpebholo (Engineering) and Dr Robson Momoh (Literature).

    The university awarded Post-graduate Degrees to 130 graduands with a breakdown of 40 Post-graduate Diploma, 76 Masters Degrees and 14 Doctorate Degrees, while 2,265 graduands were on Friday awarded First Degrees.

  • Osun senatorial poll: Dickson congratulates Adeleke, hails APC

    Osun senatorial poll: Dickson congratulates Adeleke, hails APC

    • Says APC provided level-playing field in Osun election
    The Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, on Tuesday, said the Governor Rauf Aregbesola-led government of the All Progressives Congress (APC) provided a level-playing field in the just-concluded Osun West Senatorial District’s election.
    While congratulating Dr. Demola Adeleke for emerging victorious at the Osun election held to fill the vacant seat created by the death of his elder brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, the governor said it was democracy in action.
    In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the governor commended the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for ensuring the party won the election.
    But he gave kudos to Governor Aregbesola for providing the enabling political environment for the successful conduct of the election.

    A post shared by *STAY GLUED* (@chinnysblog) on

    He said the poll held under the administration of Aregbesola was devoid of the “usual highhandedness often exhibited by incumbent governors especially with access to federal power”.
    The statement said: “For this reason, Dickson expressed the view that the Aregbesola-led APC government in Osun State must be commended for providing a level-playing field to allow the peoples’ will to prevail‎ and for not applying desperate measures to ensure that his party wins at all cost”.
    Dickson said he looked forward to more elections with a democratic appeal, adding that “a country or state cannot be truly democratic until its citizens have the opportunity to choose their representatives through elections that are free and fair”.
  • KOWA urges Obaseki to be magnanimous in victory

    KOWA urges Obaseki to be magnanimous in victory

    KOWA, a political party, has urged Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo to be magnanimous in his political victory by working with all stakeholders, irrespective of political affiliations.

    Mr Thompson Osadolor, KOWA’s candidate in the 2016 Edo Governorship election, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Tuesday.

    Osadolor, who was reacting to Obaseki’s victory at the Supreme Court, described the victory as a call to unite all stakeholders for the purpose of moving the state forward.

    He said just like his previous victory at the Tribunal and Appeal Court, the Supreme Court victory had again reaffirmed that the people truly voted for Obaseki to be the Governor.

    Osadolor said: “Now that the legal battle of the governorship election has been put to rest, it is time for all, irrespective of political affiliations, to put the state at work.

    We must all now come together to work for the common good of the people and the state. We must now put our individual interest or ambition on hold for the common good of all – Osadolor.

    “As for the Governor, I urge him to see his victory as a call to unite all, whether they worked for him or not.

    “He should be magnanimous and humble enough to tap knowledge from his political opponents. What matters most is the overall development of the state,’’ he said.

    Osadolor said many candidates that contested the election with Obaseki did so with the desire to uplift the standard of living of the people and for the overall growth of the state.

    “In going into the contest, however, we were also conscious of the fact that only one will emerge as governor at the end of the day.

    “My point here is that since Obaseki defeated us to the seat, he needs our support; let us avail ourselves to assist him when he requests for it.

    “Obaseki is the governor today; his time has come and it will definitely end one day for another person to take the battle of leadership, but the state remains while leaders come and go.”

    Obaseki, who contested the election the election on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), September 2016, defeated his closest rival and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

    Ize-Iyamu, who was not satisfied with the results of the poll, challenged the victory of Obaseki at the Election Petitions Tribunal alleging irregularity.

    However, the Three-Member Edo Election Petition Tribunal in April dismissed the petition filed by the PDP and its candidate, for lack of merit.

    Similarly, in June, the Appeal Court again upheld Obaseki’s victory at the poll while Ize-Iyamu proceeded to the apex court to challenge the Appeal Court’s judgment.

    In the seven-man panel at the Supreme Court on Monday, the judges, in a unanimous decision, dismissed Ize-Iyamu’s case for lack of merit.

  • Supreme Court affirms Obaseki as Edo governor

    Supreme Court affirms Obaseki as Edo governor

    The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the election of Godwin Obaseki as the governor of Edo.

    The court dismissed appeal filed by Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2016 governorship election in the state.

    Ize-Iyamu had challenged the decision of the appeal court which affirmed the position of Obaseki as governor.

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen led seven other judges that gave the judgement

  • ‘No room for Corruption,’ Obaseki tells new Commissioners

    ‘No room for Corruption,’ Obaseki tells new Commissioners

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Thursday swore-in 18 commissioners, saying that “there is no room for corruption in his administration’’.

    Addressing the commissioners made up of 15 males and 3 females at Government House, Benin, the governor said their appointment was a call to service and not to make money or accumulate wealth.

    He said the commissioners were nominated by their various local government councils and they should live up to the confidence reposed on them.

    “We expect that you live above board; your confirmation by the Edo House of Assembly goes to show that you were found worthy to serve the state.

    “This is the time to build institutions; it is not a time to think about self, but to work for the common good of the people.

    “Bring your experiences to bear and treat staff with respect and follow laid down rules,’’ he said.

    Obaseki urged the commissioners to come up with innovative solutions that would help increase internally generated revenue in the state.

    The governor also tasked them on loyalty, accountability and to key into the ICT initiative of the present administration.

    Giving a vote of thanks on behalf of other commissioners, Mr Osagie Inegbedion‎, appreciated the governor for the opportunity given to them to serve.

    Inegbedion said that their appointment was a call to service, saying “we are committed to serve’’.

    The Commissioners are: Mr Yekini Idaiye (Akoko-Edo), Mr Paul Ohonbamu (Egor)‎, Mr E. Agbale (Esan-Central), Mr Emmanuel Usoh (Esan North-East), Magdalene Ohenhen (Esan South-East) and Amiolemen Osahon (Esan-West).

    Others are: Mr Joseph Ugheoke‎ (Etsako-Central), Mr Mika Amonokha (Etsako-East), Mrs Mariam Abubakar (Etsako-West),‎ Osagie Inegbedion‎ (Igueben), Erimona Oye‎ (Ikpoba-Okha) and Prof. Yinka Omoregbe‎ (Oredo).

    Also sworn-in were: Mr Osaze Osemwegie-Ero (Orhionmwon), Mr Monday Osaigbovo (Ovia North-East), Dr Christopher Adesotu (Ovia South-West), Mr Jimoh Ijegbai‎ (Owan-East), Mr Okun Reginald (Owan-West) and Dr David Osifo‎ (Uhunmwode).

  • Obaseki distances Edo govt from grazing bill

    Obaseki distances Edo govt from grazing bill

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Thursday said solution to nomadic problems in the state was not contained in the Anti-Grazing Bill currently before the House of Assembly.

    He made this known in Benin during a public hearing organized by assembly on the bill intended for a law to establish control for nomadic cattle rearing in the state.

    Obaseki, who was represented by the Solicitor General of the state, Mr Wole Iyamu, said that the state government had “absolutely nothing’’ to do with the bill.

    “If the bill had gone through the rigour that executive bills go through, it will not have generated so much controversy.

    “The bill did not address the problems on ground. It fails to define who nomadic farmers are.

    “The failure of the bill to define grazing can ruin the purpose of a law during litigation. The bill is supposed to outlive us if it is properly drafted.

    “Land is fundamental to the people, therefore, when you begin to touch issues that concern land you need to be very careful.

    “The bill did not define who designates land for ranching, because government does not own land; it only holds land in trust for the people,” he said.

    The governor pointed out that there was no provision in the bill that empowered government to designate land for ranching.

    “If there is a provision in the bill that empowers government to designate land for ranching, then consent of government would be sought.
    “Again, the solution to the problems of nomadic cattle-rearing is not contained in the bill,’’ he stated.

    In his contribution, Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state, Mr Oyenude Kuru, said that the bill did not represent the interest of Edo people.

    Kuru noted that the grazing bill violated the Land Use Act in the state, adding that it sought to empower only the local government to allocate land for agricultural purposes.

    He noted that some sections of the bill empowered and protected the herdsmen against Edo people.

    Kuru, however, explained that the bill portended danger for present and future generations of the state.

    Also, Chief David Edebiri, announced his representation of the Oba of Benin, but said that the monarch did not ask him to contribute to the debate but to observe the proceedings.

    Edebiri, the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, however, expressed reservations over seeming disagreement between the executive and the legislature over the bill.

    Earlier, Speaker of the assembly, Dr Justin Okonoboh, said the essence of the public hearing was to get the input of the public to bill.

    Okonoboh assured that the views of the participants would be adopted holistically, in the interest of the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the grazing bill is a private one sponsored by Mr Bright Osayande, representing Ovia North East 11Constituency in the assembly.

    Osayande is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

  • Edo signs MoU with Nigeria Institute of Welding to establish Fabrication Village

    Edo signs MoU with Nigeria Institute of Welding to establish Fabrication Village

    The Edo Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria Institute of Welding (NIW) to establish  a Fabrication Village in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Governor Godwin Obaseki signed on behalf of the state government, while Dr Solomon Edeberi, the president of NIW signed on behalf of the school.

    The ceremony was held at the Edo Government House in Benin on Thursday.

    Obaseki said the aim of the MoU was to fast-track the industrialisation process of the state.

    “Industrialisation is the core of my administration and at the core of industrialisation is fabrication, and welding drives fabrication.

    “We are very excited to work with you and it is an understanding that we will give life to,’’ he said.

    He noted that Human Capital was needed to coordinate all aspects of development and commended the institute for its initiative to train human capacity in state.

    According to the governor, the MoU with the institute will give the state global access to welding processes and technological capacity to have welding colonies.

    The governor also assured of provision of power to the proposed fabrication site in the state.

    Earlier, Edeberi said the signing of the MoU showed the level of confidence the state government had in the institute.

    He assured that the team working on the fabrication project would bring its wealth of experience to bear to justify the confidence reposed on them.

    The institute’s president said that the school would work with all aspect of the state to ensure that professionalism was brought into technical training.

    “We will work to actualise your vision of a technologically driven state and bring up a centre for welding and technology.

  • Obaseki seeks end to agitations for Nigeria’s break up

    Obaseki seeks end to agitations for Nigeria’s break up

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has called on Nigerians to stop agitations for the country’s disintegration, saying all ethnic groups have a lot to contribute to its development.

    Obaseki made the call in Benin on Sunday at the St. Patrick Catholic Church, Ikpoba Hill, 4 Brigade Garrison, Nigerian Army.

    ‘‘We are one; Nigeria has come to stay; every group has its own relevance in the country.’’

    The governor, who said Nigeria would never break up, admonished divisive elements to stop the hate speeches.

    He, therefore, called on Church leaders to pray for the continued unity and economic prosperity of the country.

    Obaseki explained that he decided to worship at the Church because it volunteered to house equipment of contractors handling the ongoing rehabilitation of the Luckyway road project.

    He stated that his administration is working tirelessly to redefine the value of a political office and make its occupiers see it as service to the electorate and residents of the area.

    According to him, most of those who served in the military deserve better infrastructure.

    Obaseki, who volunteered to join the Church’s harvest committee, gave an assurance that he would assist the Church to raise funds for the completion of its building project.

    Earlier, Rev. Father Richard Bwami, a retired major, had applauded the governor for tackling the deplorable road situation in the locality.

    Bwami described Obaseki as an action governor whose commendable performance is glaring statewide.

  • Why I accepted N200m severance package – Oshiomhole

    Why I accepted N200m severance package – Oshiomhole

    Former Edo State Governor has explained why he accepted the N200m severance package approved for him by the Edo State House of Assembly.

    He spoke in the current edition, described by the MD/Editor-In-Chief, Azu Ishiekwene, as “perhaps one of the most exhaustive in the magazine’s nearly two-year history”.

    “I was never going to talk about it (the severance package),” he said, “but I have to say it now so that you can understand where I’m coming from.”

    The former labour leader delved into his decades of service as a union leader “without a kobo” as severance benefit, the legal challenge he mounted to remove his predecessor and his legacy, among many other explosive subjects.

    He said he withdrew his support for former President Goodluck Jonathan because he believed that a Jonathan second term would have ruined the country.

    Before the 2015 general election, Oshiomhole was the only South South governor in the opposition party and some expected that Oshiomhole’s hands might be tied by his geographical kinship with the former president.

    In the current edition of The Interview Oshiomhole said, “Competence that was expected was not there. The level of fairness was not there. And even if you talk about sentiments, the sentiment of servicing the geo-political zones, the South South had nothing to boast of. Even the road to Yenagoa did not show that a president came from there!”

    He also said he referred to a private meeting where he advised, through Jonathan’s former Chief of Staff, Mike Oghiadomhe, that the former president should not contest after 2011, but his advice was ignored.

    “I said,” Oshiomhole recalled, “let Jonathan complete Yar’Adua’s second term and hand over to a northerner…”

    The edition also features an interview with the Chairman of ThisDay editorial board and author, Mr. Segun Adeniyi, who spoke on his new book and his tenure as the spokesperson of former President Umaru Yar’Adua, especially in the final, turbulent days of that government.

    The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Professor Ishaq Oloyede; and the survivor the Abuja UN building bomb blast, Member Feese, also shared rare insights on their experiences.

  • Edo poll: Court dismisses Obaseki’s cross appeal

    Edo poll: Court dismisses Obaseki’s cross appeal

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Benin City, Edo State, on Friday dismissed the Cross Appeal filed by the state Governor, Godwin Obaseki and the All Progressive Congress (APC) against a ruling of the state election petitions tribunal.

    Obaseki and the APC are challenging the refusal of Justice Ahmed Badamasi-led panel to strike some paragraphs in a petition sent by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

    In its four grounds of cross appeal, Governor Obaseki and the APC contended that the trial erred in law when it held that “the whole essence of the application is to defeat the intendment of the petition through technical process, it is premature at this stage to consider striking out paragraph 17 – 753 and we so hold”

    Among the reliefs sought by the cross appellants are an order of the appellate court to allow the cross appeal, an order granting their motion on notice dated and filed on November 30, 2016 by striking out paragraph 16(1) of the petition touching on corrupt practices and all other paragraphs of the petition, in which allegations of corrupt practices are pleaded including paragraphs 17 – 753.

    They are contending that the tribunal breached the cross appellants’ constitutional right to fair hearing when it failed to adequately consider all the issues raised and submitted before it.

    Justice Mohammed Mustapha, who read the judgment, described the cross appeal as a sheer waste of time.