The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Godwin Obaseki

  • Obaseki advocates channelling domestic savings to devt financing

    Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki has made a case for channelling domestic savings to development financing instruments to spur development.

    The governor said this when he chaired the session on development financing at the induction of new and returning governors into the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), held in Abuja.

    The governor argued that the N200bn investment in agriculture which contributed to wrestling Nigeria out of recession was enough testament to the need to deploy development financing to revitalise the Nigerian economy.

    According to Obaseki, “The Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund, which we are investors as governors, has leveraged N5bn that we have given them to drive development in this country. It would make sense for us to take much of our domestic savings into our Sovereign Wealth Fund so that we can leverage more investment in our various states. The Central Bank, the Sovereign Wealth Fund and other development institutions have done well in the area of agriculture.”

    Read Also: Obaseki’s Edo Innovation Hub excites youths

    “With N200bn, we have been able to invest in agriculture and move the country out of recession. Does it not make more sense for us to commit more of our resources to develop our states,” he said.

    Noting that there was a need for states to channel funds to initiatives that guarantee greater returns and impacts for the people, he said, “Why should we be spending $6bn a year importing petroleum products. Does it not make more sense to use some of that money for development financing that would affect more Nigerians? The task is for us, the class of 2019,  to make the case to get more funding available to development financing institutions so that we, in turn, can get financing to drive projects in our states.

  • Obaseki dismisses rift with Oshiomhole

    Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has dismissed having any rift with his predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    Governor Obaseki, who spoke to newsmen at the Bénin Airport after arriving from his annual vacation, described the alleged rift with Oshiomhole as fake news.

    Oshiomhole, who is the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress(APC) had kept mute on the alleged rift.

    He has also not said anything on next year’s governorship polls

    Obaseki, who was accompanied by his wife Betsy, arrived the Benin airport at exactly 11.30am and was received by a large crowd of Edo residents led by Acting Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu.

    He waved the 4+4 sign to the large crowd, an indication of his intention to run for a second term in office.

    Read Also: Obaseki’s Edo Innovation Hub excites youths

    Obaseki said Edo people should expect more wake and see projects saying he is back refreshed and feeling good to continue to deliver good governance to the people of the state.

    Other persons that welcomed Obaseki included Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie; Edo State House of Assembly Speaker Kabiru Adjoto and Chief of Staff to the governor, Taiwo Akerele.

    All the 18 local government Council Chairmen, ward and party leaders were on ground to also receive the governor.

  • Workers’ Day: Obaseki lauds Edo workers’ dedication, dexterity

    Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki has hailed the immense contribution of workers in the state to the development strides recorded in the last two and the half years of his administration, noting that their dedication, dexterity and focus in transforming the state deserves commendation.

    He restated the state government’s commitment to paying the new minimum wage of N30,000, noting that modalities are already in place to ratify the increase.

    The governor said this in commemoration of Workers’ Days, a celebration of labourers and the working class promoted by the International Labour Movement, marked every May 1. It is also known as May Day or Labour Day.

    Read Also: Obaseki’s Edo Innovation Hub excites youths

    The governor said the state government was committed to the welfare of workers and has demonstrated it with the reforms and revamp of infrastructure to assure a better work environment, work-life balance and after service benefits.

    According to him, “As we celebrate Workers’ Day, we appreciate the dedication, dexterity and steadfastness of Edo workers in transforming the state. We reiterate our commitment to building a globally-competitive workforce and commit to sustaining revamp of the civil service.

    “We will achieve this by remodelling the workplace, including the state secretariat; transitioning our workers to digital platforms for efficiency and sustaining health and pension reforms to serve them better.”

    He reiterated the state government’s decision not to sack workers but to retrain them to be more efficient and abreast with the latest trends in their field of expertise, noting, “We have reached an advanced stage in the construction of a building for staff training and have secured partnership with international organisations on capacity building for workers, including the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). This will help in building a globally-competitive workforce.”

    He added that the pension reforms have ensured that workers are migrated to the contributory pension scheme, which guarantees a better life during active service and in retirement.

  • Obaseki, newly elected governors meet at NGF parley

    Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki has sought for areas of partnership with some of the newly elected state governors during the induction of new and returning governors into the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), holding in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    Governor Obaseki said Edo State has pioneered a number of reforms that would be beneficial to other state governors, noting that the state would be willing to compare notes and share its success stories with others. Rwandan President, Paul Kagame is expected at the event.

    Governor Obaseki in the company of his wife, Mrs Betsy, joined his colleagues at a dinner on Sunday ahead of an elaborate induction programme organised by the secretariat of the NGF for newly elected and returning governors holding from Monday to Tuesday.

    Mrs Obaseki is expected to take part in a separate programme for wives of the new governors focused on etiquette and protocol which will hold on Wednesday.

    Read Also: Obaseki: Thriving with politics of good nature

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is expected to represent President Muhammadu Buhari, who is on a private visit to the United Kingdom, during the event. Others expected at the event include former state governors from the United States of America (USA), who are expected to speak on Monday and Tuesday.

    Vice President Osinbajo will be speaking on the topic “The Journey So Far” on Tuesday.  Others expected at the event include Chairman of First Bank, Ibukun Awosika, and Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah, who will speak on Monday on the topic, “The Task of Nation Building.”

  • Edo 2020: Obaseki under pressure to drop Shaibu

    There is pressure on Governor Godwin Obaseki to drop his Deputy, Hon. Philip Shaibu, as his running mate for next year’s governorship election.

    The pressure is said to be coming from some All Progressives Congress leaders in the Estako axis of Edo North senatorial district.

    Shaibu is regarded as a confident and ‘son’ of the National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole but the leaders have asked for his removal as a condition for them to support Obaseki’s second term bid.

    Read Also: Obaseki reiterates commitment to knowledge economy

    It was gathered that the leaders have penciled down some names to be presented as Shaibu’s replacement with a view to whittle down his powers ahead of 2024 when the governorship seat will be zoned to other senatorial district.

    Those pressing for Shaibu’s removal, according to sources, are said to be from Auchi, Fugar, Okpella, Jattu, Owan East and Agenebode.

    An APC chieftain who spoke on anonymity said part of Shaibu’s sins were that he opted to support Obaseki‘s second term agenda and the role he played between silent wrangling between Uzairue and Auchi.

    A top government official however said Governor Obaseki would decide Shaibu’s fate in November when his administration clocked the third year.

    President of the Estako Solidarity Forum, Mr. Saidu Momoh, who confirmed the pressure to drop Shaibu said the group would wait for Obaseki to formally declare for second term before taking a stand.

     

  • Edo unveils, links 30 startups to investors

    In furtherance of its commitment to promote innovation, science and technology, the Edo State Startup Fund Initiative has unveiled 30 startups that have undergone business incubation, and are ready to benefit from funding from credible investors.

    The businesses unveiled at the event include those that provide solutions to challenges in the Arts, E-commerce, Agribusiness, Healthcare and Education, among others.

    Speaking at the unveiling of the startups in Benin City, Focal Person, Edo State Social Investment Programme, Osayuwame Aladeselu said the fund was established by Governor Godwin Obaseki to encourage youths with innovative business ideas to access funding to grow their businesses.

    Aladeselu said not less than ten startups have been successfully linked to investors, noting, “We have been able to link about 10 startups with investors. We are still networking to have more of them get needed funding to go to scale in the next couple of months. We wanted to make sure that their business ideas don’t die.

    A cross-section of some founders of the startups unveiled by the Edo State Startup Fund Initiative, in Benin City, Edo State.

    “We have taken them through enterprise development phases to train them on how to plan and run successive businesses already. So, we are confident that they can run profitable businesses.”

    She urged youths to take advantage of the Edo State Startup Fund Initiative to scale their businesses, noting that the startups are taken through businesses incubation so that they would be well equipped to survive Nigeria’s business climate.

    A business coach, Chunu Tejiri Jerry, said the training in leadership and management would help mitigate against failure and ensure the startups are better equipped to survive.

    He commended Governor Obaseki for empowering youths, urging young people to take advantage of the opportunity to garner valuable lessons in business management.

  • Edo-HIP programme’ll sustain campaign against malaria, says Obaseki

    Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has said the revamp of the primary healthcare system through the Edo Healthcare Improvement Programme (Edo-HIP) would ensure gains recorded in the roll back malaria campaign are sustained.

    The governor said this on the occasion of World Malaria Day, marked every April 25, by the World Health Organisation, to raise awareness on the need to form a strong alliance to fight malaria.

    The governor said that the state government had in recent years embarked on distribution of treated mosquito nets and a number of advocacy programmes to ensure that the people are properly equipped to fight malaria, noting that the revamp of the 18 PHCs will further complement government’s effort to build local capacity and provide infrastructure to combat the disease.

    According to him, “As we commemorate the World Malaria Day, I assure Edo residents of our determination to bring quality primary healthcare closer to their doorsteps with the revamp of 20 Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs), in the first instance. With this, every local government will be equipped with the right manpower, equipment and the right environment to sustain the campaign against malaria and other infectious diseases.”

    He said the theme of this year’s celebration, ‘Zero Malaria Starts With Me’ is apt as it stresses the role of the community and other actors in combating malaria, noting, “The Edo-HIP provides for a variety of intervention programmes that ensure the PHCs respond to the needs of local communities. This provides the necessary structures to sustain the fight against malaria.”

    Read Also: How Obaseki averted doom for Edo APC

    According to WHO, “Urgent action is needed to get the global response to malaria back on track and ownership of the challenge lies in the hands of countries most affected by malaria. On World Malaria Day 2019, WHO joins the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, the African Union Commission and other partner organizations in promoting “Zero malaria starts with me,” a grassroots campaign that aims to keep malaria high on the political agenda, mobilize additional resources, and empower communities to take ownership of malaria prevention and care.

     

  • Obaseki reiterates commitment to knowledge economy

    Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki has said the state government’s investment in education is aimed at tapping the transformative power of books and the knowledge economy to drive growth and development in the state.

    The governor said this in commemoration of the World Book and Copyright Day, marked every April 23, by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), and other organs of the United Nations (UN).

    The governor said the state aims to groom actors in the fast-evolving global knowledge economy by ensuring that pupils in the state are provided with the best possible education that meets the demands of the new world information and communication order.

    He said the emphasis on enhancing and protecting indigenous languages in this year’s commemoration of the day aligns with the state government’s prorammes to preserve the state’s heritage and culture, through establishment of culture clubs in schools; support for cultural institutions and training of Edo language teachers for better service delivery.

    According to him, “As we commemorate the World Book and Copyright Day, I want to restate the state government’s commitment to groom a generation of young people that are well fitted to the times, who will participate actively in the knowledge economy as a result of the up-to-date education they are getting through the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) programme.

    Read Also: How Obaseki averted doom for Edo APC

    “At the same time, we are very mindful of the fact that much of this cannot be achieved without the transformative power of books. This is why I call for stricter measures to check piracy and reward the effort of those, who commit to writing and preserving knowledge for future generations.”

    He said through the Edo-BEST programme the state government has purchased over 800,000 books and equipped teachers to deliver lessons using tech gadgets that make the teaching and learning experience in public schools more pleasurable. “It would imbue in the pupils a healthy reading culture and make them life-long learners,” he said.

    Reaffirming the resolve to transform the basic education sector, he said the state government would continue to invest in the knowledge economy, deploy latest technology to boost productivity and work towards ensuring that those who produce knowledge are adequately rewarded.

    According to the UN, “It was a natural choice for UNESCO’s General Conference, held in Paris in 1995, to pay a world-wide tribute to books and authors on this date, encouraging everyone, and in particular young people, to discover the pleasure of reading and gain a renewed respect for the irreplaceable contributions of those, who have furthered the social and cultural progress of humanity.”

     

  • Obaseki assures Edo youths of opportunities in creative industry

    Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki has assured ample opportunity for youths in the creative industry with the Edo film and TV village as well as the Edo Innovation Hub, which are initiatives to boost productivity and meaningfully engage the state’s teeming youth population.

    The governor said this in commemoration of the World Creativity and Innovation Day marked by the United Nations (UN), every April 21.

    The governor said the state government was creating structures in the state to exploit the economic benefits of Nigeria’s booming creative industry and also the deployment of innovation in science and technology to change lives and solve society’s most pressing problems.

    According to him, “As we mark the World Creativity and Innovation Day, the state government is assuring of its commitment to the Edo Film and Television Village, an initiative to exploit the creative energies of our youths and give them the opportunity to create wealth through their talent.”

    He said that the Film and Television village will tap talents in film, television, other audiovisual products in the performing arts, new media and publishing to boost the state’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP).

    Read Also: Obaseki: Leader who foresees the tuture

    He added that provision for the construction of the site for the village has been made and work would soon commence in earnest, noting, “We have a rich cultural heritage in Edo and our Film and TV village will provide opportunity for our youth to tell our stories to the world, helping to preserve our culture and also contributing to our economic diversification plans.”

    He said the theme of this year’s commemoration, ‘Fashion and Sustainability: Look Good, Feel Good, Do Good’ is in sync with the state’s campaign to engage every sector in contributing to economic development.

    According to the UN, “the creative economy –which includes audiovisual products, design, new media, performing arts, publishing and visual arts– is a highly transformative sector of the world economy in terms of income generation, job creation and export earnings.

    “Culture is an essential component of sustainable development and represents a source of identity, innovation and creativity for the individual and community. At the same time, creativity and culture have a significant non-monetary value that contributes to inclusive social development, to dialogue and understanding between peoples.”

  • How Obaseki averted doom for Edo APC

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won the presidential and National Assembly elections in Edo State. But, Governor Godwin Obaseki rose swiftly to abort the plan of the main opposition party to win majority of seats in the House of Assembly elections, reports Correspondent OSAGIE OTABOR.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State is in a celebration mood. It has broken an all time record in electoral contest in the just concluded House of Assembly polls held on March 9 by winning all the 24 seats in the House. For the first time in the history of the state, the House of Assembly would not be having a Minority Leader.

    Basking in the euphoria of its victory in the February 23rd Presidential and National Assembly elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had called on Edo people to repeat the feat in the House of Assembly elections by giving the ruling APC a bloody nose. The APC has lost the presidential election by polling 267,842 against the 275,691 scored by the PDP.

    The victory of the PDP, especially in Edo South where Governor Godwin Obaseki  and Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, hail from, was a big blow to the APC. It was a shock to see a sitting governor losing in his senatorial and House of Representatives seats to the opposition.

    In Edo Central, the PDP retained its political prowess, winning the senatorial and the House of Representatives seats.

    After the presidential election, Edo APC returned to the drawing board to strategise on how to prevent the PDP from winning majority seats in the Assembly. The APC wanted to avoid a repeat of what former Governor Adams Oshiomhole suffered in the hands of a PDP-dominated Assembly.

    Sources in the ruling APC said factors responsible for the electoral defeat were identified. The factors included sabotage on the part of some party leaders, hate speech against President Mohammadu Buhari by some Christian leaders, lack of voter’s education, proper sensitisation of the people on the achievements of Obaseki and the need for a cooperative Assembly.

    Before the March 9 election, Obaseki held a strategic meeting with party leaders in Oredo where he released the mobilisation fund. Source at the meeting the sum of N40m could not be accounted for. Some youths at the meeting who were shortchanged were said to have been enraged that the leaders could shortchanged them. It was revealed that some leaders did not use prescribed party agents, but opted for family members.

    A source at the meeting said Obaseki challenged the affected leaders to reveal what he gave to them.

    According to the source: “We were shocked when Obaseki started talking. He revealed so many things. He said he was shocked how the leaders sabotaged his efforts. Obaseki asked them if it were his re-election, that is how he would have lost.

    “The governor spoke to a point that he threw away the microphone. None of the leaders utter any word in defence. He has said he would deal with them.

    “We are happy that the Governor set up a 25-man team to work with him for the purpose of the House of Assembly election this Saturday.”

    Obaseki further met with  stakeholders, including the Igbo Traders Union, where he explained to them why they should not support the PDP to have majority in the Assembly.

    Unlike before the presidential election when Obaseki decided not to campaign with his achievements, he recorded several speeches which were relayed on radio, television and social media where he talked about the need to continue with projects like roads, Bénin River Port, Industrial Park and several others.

    The APC selected new party agents and trained them on the proper way to vote, with a view to avoiding voids votes as was experienced in the Presidential election.

    On March 9, there was voters apathy in some areas while other areas witnessed huge turnouts of voters. Agents of the APC were more vigilant as they resisted any attempt.

    In Edo Central where the APC had found it difficult to win, the party won all the seats for the first since 1999.

    APC candidates that emerged are Chris Okaeben (Oredo West), Crosby Eribo (Egnr) Henry Okhuarobo (Ikpoba-Okha) Roland Asoro (Orhionmwon West) Nosayaba Okunbor (Orhionmwon East) Osaro Obazee (Oredo East) Washington Osifo (Uhunmwode) Ugiagbe Dumez (Ovia North East 1) Vincent Uwadiae (Ovia North East 11) Sunday Aghedo (Ovia South West) Francis Okiye (Esan North East 1) Emmanuel Okoduwa (Esan North East 11) Victor Edoror (Esan Central) Sunday Ojiezele (Esan South East) Marcus Onobun (Esan West) Ephraim Aluebhosele (Igueben) Ganiyu Audu (Estako West 1) and Aliyu Oshiomhole (Estako West 11).

    Others were Emmanuel Agbaje (Akoko-Edo 11) Yekini Idaiye (Akoko-Edo 11) Eric Okaka (Owan East) Micheal Ohio-Ezo(Owan West) Oshoma Ahmed (Estako Central) Kingsley Ugabi (Estako East).

    The Secretary to Government,  Osarodion Ogie, said the results showed President Buhari won in the state, if some APC votes were not cancelled or voided.

    Ogie said the PDP has been decimated, adding that it cannot be victorious in any election in the state.

    He said: “We saw Obaseki’s capacity for annihilating the opposition during the last local government election in which all the 18 candidates of the All Progressives Congress triumphed in the state.

    “With all the 24 House of Assembly seats in our kitty, we are determined as a party, to put our best foot forward in the gubernatorial election, come 2020. The rising profile of our party under Obaseki is phenomenal, and Edo people have spoken that they appreciate his people-focused policies and programmes.”

    Obaseki thanked the voters for coming out en masse to vote for candidates of the APC. He said he was delighted by the enthusiasm and maturity exhibited by voters across the state while casting their ballots.

    He said: “My dear good people of Edo State, I thank you immensely for the massive votes you gave to candidates of my party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Saturday March 9, House of Assembly election in the state.”

    “With this overwhelming endorsement of my party and my administration, my government is now turbocharged and fired up to exceed the expectations of the millions of Edo people and residents who reaffirmed their faith in our developmental programmes and policies at the polls on Saturday.

    “We campaigned vigorously and impressed it on our people that a vote for the APC House of Assembly candidates, is a vote for me to continue and complete all ongoing projects in every sector of the state.

    “Thankfully, this message resonated well with our people and you have charged us to continue with all our ongoing reforms in Edo State. We will continue to create more jobs, construct more roads, renew our education and healthcare system, invest more in the security of life and property, and industrialise Edo State, in our collective quest to actualise the Edo of our dreams.

    “I assure you that we will not take for granted this loud vote of confidence in my administration. I will continue to put you, our people first, in all our development plans.”