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Tag: Godwin Obaseki

  • Women leaders pledge to support Obaseki’s gender mainstreaming policy

    Women leaders in Edo State have pledged support for the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration’s drive to enhace access to education for women, especially through Adult Education and Non-Formal Learning Centers, which seeks to bridge the gender gap in the state.

    Speaking during the campaign to drive enrollment of females in the education centres in Ovia North East and Egor Local Government Areas, the women leaders commended Governor Obaseki for implementing the initiative to redefine the role of women in the state.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Gender Issues, Ms. Efosa Uyigue, said the Governor Obaseki-led administration will continue to support the education of the girl-child, noting, “Education is fundamental in building the character of an individual and social relationship skills that elevates society. That is what we aim to achieve.”

    Read Also: Obaseki: Leader who foresees the tuture

    Uyigue said, “I encourage women to get young females under their care, who dropped out of school, to enroll in the adult education programme, which is free. This is an opportunity for them to get educated, which will enable them seek better job opportunities or become better employers of labour.”

    At the awareness campaign in Egor LGA, the chairman of the council, Hon. Eghe Ogbemudia said efforts will be made to support the effort of the state government in re-opening adult education centres for more females to get the opportunity to be educated.

    “We will provide conducive learning environment in these centres to encourage more females to enroll for the programme in line with the objectives of the state government. We will also support facilitators at the centers and provide learning materials,” she said.

    All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Leader in Ovia North East, Princess Faith Omoregie said, “I am excited that this is happening. I will support the chairperson to go around the area to encourage more women to be part of this laudable programme.”

    A participant, Helen Omofo, noted: “The chance for teenage females who are out of school to be educated will discourage them from social vices and falling preys to human traffickers.”

     

  • Stakeholders laud Obaseki on revamp of basic education

    Stakeholders in the education sector have commended Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki-led administration for revamping the state’s basic education sector through the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) programme, noting that the initiative has revolutionized the sector.

    A cross-section of stakeholders, who spoke to journalists, said in the last one year, the state government has shown rare commitment to improving learning outcomes at the basic level of education resulted in the training of over 8000 teachers on the use of digital tools in primary schools across the state.

    They hailed the renovation of schools across the state, noting that the governor’s sincere and systematic approach to addressing challenges in the basic education sector cannot go unnoticed.

    Mrs Esther Ehiagwina, a parent with two pupils in Emotan Primary School, said the intervention of the state government has saved public education at the basic level and boosted the confidence of parents who have now returned their wards to public primary and junior secondary schools across the state.

    “What I can tell you is that with all the reforms carried out by the state government, we have seen a tremendous change in teaching and learning at the schools. It has made parents like me confident in the system. After the teachers were trained and dilapidated schools repaired in my area, I had no choice but to bring back my kids to the school,” she said.

    Read Also: Obaseki awards N2.8bn contract for road construction

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie said, one year ago, Governor Obaseki initiated Edo-BEST which deployed a mix of approaches to tackle challenges facing the basic education sub-sector, noting, “The state government’s vision for sustainable development can only be achieved when children at the basic education level get the best of education in line with modern trends and global standards. This will make children learning in public schools across the state globally competitive.”

    He explained, “Not less than 8,700 teachers have been trained on modern teaching techniques to improving learning outcomes in 931 schools across the state. 170,000 pupils electronic records have been created which has made it easy for parents to keep tab of the progress of their wards in schools. 20,000 new students have enrolled in public schools in the last year,” Osagie added.

    He said 234 schools across the state are under renovation/construction, which is a deliberate effort by the state government to improve conducive teaching and learning environment, noting, “a School-based Management Committee (SBMC) has been constituted with 11,688 of its members trained to improve monitoring and community participation in the running of the schools. Not less than 7,094 gadgets/teaching tabs have been distributed to teachers and head teachers. While about 900,000 free textbooks in various subjects have been distributed to pupils.”

     

  • Edo 2020: Support swells for Obaseki/Shaibu

    Ahead of next year’s governorship election in Edo State, there is fear that the disagreement between some aggrieved APC leaders and Governor Godwin Obaseki’s supporters over his re-election bid may threaten the party’s unity, reports Osagie Otabor, Benin

    THE stage is set for hot political contest in the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress on who gets the party’s ticket for next year’s governorship election. Incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki appears to be facing obstacles from some APC leaders who have vowed to unseat him.

    Obaseki introduced a style of governance many APC leaders are not happy with. They have therefore vowed to fight to the last to stop him from getting the APC ticket for a second term in office. It does not matter whether the people are happy with achievements of Obaseki, all the aggrieved APC leaders want is to deny the governor a return ticket.

    Despite the resistance of the APC leaders, Obaseki has been getting accolades and endorsements from the party leadership in the state. His support base is swelling by the day as the people he has defended these past three years are lining up behind him. For example, Obaseki has secured the backing of the Deputy Governor, Hon Philip Shaibu, the governor’s Chief of Staff, Taiwo Akerele, the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Osarodion Ogie, and other key party leaders across the state.

    Arising from its quarterly meeting, the Edo APC State Executive Committee, passed a vote of confidence on Obaseki/Philip Shaibu ticket and assured that the party would sustain support for the governor’s administration and policies.

    In a statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Chris Azebamwan, the state chapter of the party noted: “Members were unanimous in their conclusion that the House of Assembly election results equates to a referendum of the administration and the performance of Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki as governor. It, therefore, amounts to an implicit and explicit vote of confidence on him by the citizens of Edo State who have, in very clear and unmistakable terms, indicated their preference for a House of Assembly that would be supportive of the vision and mission of the governor without any distraction whatsoever.”

    The party executive members, he added, “resolved that in line with the mandate, the party would continue to sustain its avowed commitment to give the government and administration of Obaseki the needed support to keep it focused and on track.”

    Also, the Oredo chapter of the APC last month declared Obaseki as its sole candidate for next year’s election. It said it was impressed by the performance of the Governor Obaseki-led administration. The Oredo party leaders that endorsed the statement were Chairman, Oredo LGA chapter of the APC, Hon. Godwill Alabi and Secretary, Hon. Magdalene Isekhure including Local Government Executive, Councilors, Ward Chairmen, leaders from the twelve (12) wards in the LGA, Special Adviser to Edo State Governor on Political and Community Matters, Chief Osaro Idah; Secretary, Edo State Chapter of the APC, Mr. Lawrence Okah; Chairman, Oredo LGA, Hon. Jenkins Osunde and Edo APC Youth Leader, Hon. Valentine Asuen, among others.

    They said, “Considering the pace of development in different sectors of the state from infrastructure to education, industrialisation, civil service and judicial reforms, enterprise development, prompt payment of pensioners and civil servants’ emoluments, among others; we are convinced beyond doubt that the only way to sustain the current rapid growth trajectory is to ensure that Obaseki continues as governor of the state after the expiration of his first four-year term.

    “With a full sense of responsibility, we call on him to run for a second term and hereby adopt Governor Godwin Obaseki as our sole candidate in the coming 2020 governorship election in the state.”

    The leaders are also impressed by the administration’s effort in repositioning the state as a front-line sub-national among those considered to be prudent with resources.

    “At the moment, among states in the Federation, Edo State stands out in all development spheres, heads and shoulders above states that are far more privileged than us in terms of federal allocation and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). As the saying goes, the reward for hard work is more work; we, therefore, urge Governor Obaseki to heed our call to take on the responsibility of governing the state for another four years, beginning from 2020,” they said.

    Not deterred by the loss of the Oredo House of Representatives seat to the PDP, Chief Whip of the Edo State House of Assembly representing Oredo East Constituency, Hon Osaigbovo Iyoha, last week mobilised leaders of the APC in Oredo Ward 2, to endorse Governor Obaseki to enable the administration to consolidate on its developmental strides in the state.

    A frontline social-political and cultural organisation, the Etsako Solidarity Front (ESF), last week declared ‘no vacancy in Edo seat of power till 2023’.

    President of the group, Alhaji Saidu Momoh, noted that in less than three years of Obaseki’s administration, the state has witnessed silent revolution

    Momoh said, “I think it is time to make our position clearly known that Governor Godwin Obaseki cannot be politically intimidated or blackmailed by anybody from contesting the party’s primary or 2020 governorship. We are tired of this talk that he will not get his second term on account of the fact that he is not sharing the state resources to service professional politicians.

    “Obaseki has demonstrated purposeful leadership and we are happy with him. Edo people will continue to support him to ensure that there is sustainability of the people’s oriented projects he has embarked upon which are visible to all”.

    A public notary, Olayiwola Afolabi, said he was convinced that with the developmental strides recorded by the Obaseki-led administration, a ticket for another four-year-term would enable the administration continue with its good work, which are spread across every part of the state.

    Afolabi appealed to the leadership of the APC to give what he described as “the performing governor” a second term. He argued, “The man has worked and he is working everywhere; even during the elections, work did not stop. During the Presidential and National Assembly elections and the State Assembly election, he kept working. He is working everywhere.

    “Obaseki is not making noise but working everywhere; if he says he is not going to contest, we are going to beg him because we need him. If he says he doesn’t want, we will compel him. He has been able to prove that development is possible. His style is unique from what we are used to and that is why Edo people and residents here believe he deserves a second term as governor of Edo State.”

    Senator Domingo Obende, who is the patron of Obaseki/Shaibu Movement (OSM), said the group would embark on a state wide enlightenment campaign to sensitise Edo people on achievements recorded by Governor Obaseki in the state.

    “We are proud of the meaningful projects executed by the Obaseki/Shaibu administration in the state and assure Edo people of more people-oriented projects,” he said.

    There is growing support from different quarters for the Obaseki/Shaibu 2020 ticket even though the electoral body is yet to release guidelines for the election. Given that the aggrieved leaders are bent on stopping Obasaki notwithstanding the growing support for his re-election, the coming days will unfold how APC in the state would avoid implosion ahead of the election.

     

  • Edo 2020: Home front spoils for showdown with Abuja front

    THE 2020 governorship race in Edo State is getting more and more interesting by the day. The sitting governor, Godwin Obaseki, is getting all manner of endorsements from stalwarts of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and local chapters of the party in the state, particularly in Governor Obaseki’s base in Edo South. They believe that the governor has performed and so deserves a second term.

    But there are people within the party who think otherwise and are really prepared to take on the governor. Among them is a former deputy governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, and a retired general, Charles Airavbiare, who was the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate in 2012 but lost to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. Airavbiare is now in APC.

    The two are believed to be oiling their machines for a showdown with Obaseki and are looking up to Abuja for help. Who it is they are looking up to in Abuja, no one knows. But the race, going by sentiments in the state, may turn out to be the home front versus Abuja front. It is reminiscent of the 1979/1983 National Party of Nigeria (NPN) race in the old Cross River, which saw the then Senate President, Joseph Wayas, leading the Lagos front against the home front of the then governor, Dr. Clement Isong.

  • Edo completes 17 markets with sanitary facilities, power

    In fulfillment of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s promise to traders during a recent tour of major markets in the state, the state government has completed the installation of sanitary facilities, including toilets and potable water as well as power generating sets in 17 markets across the state.

    Speaking during the handing over of the facilities to the traders, the Edo State Focal Person on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mrs Ifueko Alufohai,said the facilities were installed in fulfilment of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s promise to the traders.

    She said the governor directed the SDGs programme to deliver the project within three months, noting, “with time, more markets in the state will benefit from Governor Obaseki’s promise.”

    Alufohai said “This is a fulfilment of a promise made by the governor who has so much concern for issues that affect women in markets. He was not happy that traders lacked toilet and water facilities, so he stepped in to deliver these projects through the SDG programme.”

    She urged the traders to take ownership of the facilities and ensure that they are properly maintained, stressing, “Now that the governor has fulfilled his promise to construct toilet and water facilities in markets, it is left for you to take it as your own and ensure proper maintenance of the facilities.

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    “With the handing over of the toilet and water facilities and the generating sets, the facilities no longer belong to the state government but the traders. The maintenance of the facilities by you all will encourage the governor to do more for traders across the state.”

    She said other projects being carried out by the SDG office in the state include the construction of school buildings and primary healthcare centres.

    She applauded plans by the traders to devise means of sourcing funds to power the generating sets provided by the government.

    Alufohai also urged the traders to support Governor Obaseki and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu’s in the forthcoming elections in the state

    She said the governor would rely on their support for re-election, as he has continued to show concern to issues that affect women, the girl-child and other vulnerable groups in the state.

     

  • Obaseki awards N6.8bn contract for road dualisation, drainage construction

    To provide needed infrastructure to fast track the development of the Benin River project and accelerate sustainable development in the state, Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki has awarded a N6.8 billion contract for the dualisation of Ekehuan Road and construction of underground drainage system on Uwadiae Street.

    The contract was awarded during a recent Executive Council (EXCO) meeting held before the governor proceeded on his annual leave.

    The project was awarded at a cost of N6,812955739.70. On completion, it will “enhance the state government’s desire to transform Benin into a modern City and serve as a booster to the development of the Benin River Port,” a document on the contract said.

    Read Also: Crack in Edo APC over endorsement of Obaseki

    The Benin River Port is one of the big-ticket projects of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration in the state aimed to drive industrialisation and boost export earnings.

    The port project, which is being developed in partnership with China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC), would serve as a conduit for products to be manufactured at the Benin Industrial and Enterprise Park; Benin Auto Park; Benin Production Centers and other industrial clusters across the state. Preliminary work on the project has been completed by the Chinese Company, even as the Federal Government has approved for a Marine Police Post at the site of the port project. It will also serve as a sister port to the Lekki Deep Sea Port being developed by CHEC.

    Residents in Ekehuan Road and Uwadiae commended the governor for the projects and noted that the projects would reduce traffic logjam and curb flooding.

    The project follows closely behind the award of contracts for the construction of Textile Mill Road; Iyoba, Iyobanosa and Omozogie Streets; Benin-Abraka Road; St. Saviour, Oba-Obazagbon, PZ-Okabere Roads and Ugbor-Amagba Road, which was hailed by Benin City residents.

  • Obaseki awards N2.8bn contract for road construction

    In furtherance of his mandate to develop infrastructure in the state to drive development, Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki has awarded the contract for the construction of Textile Mill Road; Iyoba, Iyobanosa and Omozogie streets as well as an underground drainage system in the area valued at N2.8 billion.

    The contract was awarded during a recent Executive Council (EXCO) meeting held before the governor proceeded on his annual leave.

    On completion, the project will “solve the perennial flooding problem of the area and enhance human and vehicular movement especially to the two major motor spare parts market at Evbareke and Uwelu communities and security of lives and property as well as bring to life access to the revered Traditional Palace of Iyoba,” a document on the project stated.

    Edo residents, particularly those in the area, have hailed the award of the contract, appreciating the Governor Godwin Obaseki for the project which will drive development and provide a conducive environment for businesses in the axis to thrive. The governor, during the campaigns for the last elections in the state, visited the communities and assured them that construction would start on Textile Mill Road and the adjoining streets, a promise which is now being fulfilled.

    The project follows closely behind the award of contracts for the construction of Benin-Abraka Road; St. Saviour, Oba-Obazagbon, PZ-Okabere Roads and Ugbor-Amagba Road, which were hailed by Benin City residents.

    The Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration has sustained the campaign to deliver infrastructure projects in different parts of the state, aimed at fortifying the infrastructure base to drive industrialisation, one of the administration’s cardinal policy thrusts. The projects are also expected to open up new towns, as well as, regenerate urban centres.

  • Pension arrears: Edo to verify, pay pensioners in batches

    In line with Governor Godwin Obaseki’s commitment to clear pension arrears in the state, the Edo State Government has announced the commencement of physical and documentary verification for payment of pensioners in batches 48, 49 and 50.

    In a statement, the Permanent Secretary and Chairman, Pension Bureau, Mr Saylor Juwobor, urged all pensioners in batches 48, 49 and 50 to present themselves for physical and documentary verification at the Imaguero Hall, Benin City from Wednesday, April 17 to Thursday, April 18, by 9.00am each day.

    He said, “pensioners in batches 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47 who failed to participate in the previous verification exercises are urged to take advantage of the scheduled forthcoming screening alongside pensioners in batches 48, 49 and 50.”

    Read Also: Edo secures N5bn loan for rice, maize production

    “State Government Pensioners in batches 48, 49 and 50 and the spillover batches of 37 to 47 are advised to check the list of pensioners scheduled for the screening on the Notice Board in the Pensions Bureau’s Office at the former Ethiope Building, Oba Ovoranmwen Square (King Square) Benin City, from Monday April 15th and Tuesday April 16,” he added.

    He urged affected pensioners to come to the venue of the verification exercise with their “Pension Authority; Retirement Letter; Letter of First Appointment; Pension I.D. Card; Biometric Slip; and Bank details including bank name and Account Number.”

    Juwobor explained, “Upon conclusion of the verification exercise, the outstanding pension arrears of those screened will be credited into the pension account of each pensioner after necessary documentation by relevant agencies involved in the payment process.”

  • Obaseki harps on attaining Universal Health Coverage in Edo

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured of his administration’s commitment to attain Universal Health Coverage with ongoing reforms in the health sector, which are geared towards providing access to responsive, affordable, efficient health services especially at the primary healthcare centers across the state.

    The governor stated this in commemoration of the World Health Day, celebrated every April 7, to mark the founding of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

    According to Obaseki, “As we mark the founding of WHO, we are emboldened to press on with our mission to provide access to qualitative, responsive and efficient healthcare services, at the primary healthcare to all Edo residents. We have begun by gradually overhauling the primary healthcare system, a move that brings us closer to attaining Universal Health Coverage in Edo.”

    The governor explained that the state government’s healthcare reforms are holistic and far-reaching, and got a boost recently with the right institutional framework, to be driven by the 17-member Edo State Primary Healthcare Board. He noted that the board was inaugurated with a mandate to ensure revamp of the state’s primary healthcare system to be responsive, efficient and effective, in delivering affordable and accessible healthcare.

    Read Also: Obaseki boosts LG workers’ capacity on budget preparation

    The governor added that part of his administration’s commitment to providing access to quality healthcare to Edo people and residents is expressed in the payment of counterpart funding for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), “which will enable Edo State fully benefit from the implementation of the BHCPF, a fundamental funding provision under the National Health Act signed in 2014.”

    “In Edo State, we are revamping our Primary Healthcare system which is being built on several pillars, including human capacity, provision of technology and data, quality assurance, financing and infrastructure of the healthcare system to provide a well-package preventive, curative and rehabilitative healthcare services to our citizens,” he added.

    In a statement to mark the 2019 World Health Day, in Geneva, Director-General, WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom, said in 2019 it is simply unacceptable that “half the world’s population cannot access essential health services. Millions of women give birth without help from a skilled attendant; millions of children miss out on vaccinations against killer diseases, and millions suffer and die because they can’t get treatment for HIV, TB, and malaria.”

     

     

  • Edo SEEFOR Plus: Shaibu assures on opening more frontiers in rural areas

    Edo State Acting Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, has assured that the state government will not compromise on quality in road constructions across the state, as part of renewed drive to open more parts of the state to economic activities.

    Shaibu gave the assurance when he inspected road construction work in Kings Garden Road, Jattu, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

    Addressing journalists after inspecting the road construction, the acting governor said the work is being carried out through the Ministry of Infrastructure and the State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR) Plus, a new scheme wholly funded by the state government using the World Bank template to intensify road construction across the state.

    He said, “The Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration will ensure standard and quality work is done on the road to meet international standards.

    Shaibu added that the state government through the Ministry of Infrastructure has mandated the construction of standard drainage system for every road construction project.

    The acting governor also inspected remediation work at the Ewu Gully Erosion site in Esan Central Local Government Area of the state.

    Ewu gully erosion remediation project is being executed by the state government and the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP).