The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Governor Godwin Obaseki

  • Azura-Edo IPP proof of enabling environment for private investors – Osinbajo  

    The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has attributed the impressive delivery of the Edo-Azura 450mw Independent Power Project (IPP) as a testimony of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration’s posture in creating an enabling environment for private businesses.

    The Vice President, who said this during a visit on Friday to the Azura-Edo IPP, near Benin City, said the project demonstrates the capacity of Nigerian engineers as well as Nigerian enterprise.

    He said the plant has greatly increased the capacity of Nigeria to generate power, noting, “with the 450mw from this plant and the quality of this particular plant, I think we are on to a very good thing. I think with the capacity to increase generation from here, I think this is very positive.”

    “All that we need to do is to create the environment for businesses to thrive. As you know, this is a privately-owned plant and a private initiative but with the active support of the government. This is one of the reasons why I am here. To give all the support that we can and ensure that the environment is right for those who want to invest in the power sector is what we will do and what we will continue to do,” he assured.

    Read Also:Obaseki, World Bank Directors, inspect completed Azura-Edo power plant

    He described as fantastic his experience in the state for the two days, noting, “I have been to the groundbreaking of the housing units at Emotan Gardens. I have also gone to see the innovation hub, which we describe as the South-South Hub, a collaboration between the Federal Government and the State Government. I saw all of the young, creative Nigerians involved in technology and innovation, doing wonderful things. I was here to commission that; and to see our N-Power and Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP). I am glad that I came and I will be back.”

    Earlier on Friday, Prof. Osinbajo met with Christian religious leaders in Edo State at the Government House, during a Breakfast session and paid a visit to the Benin Monarch, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akplokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, in his palace.

     

  • Edo, reference point for good governance – Osinbajo 

    …lauds Obaseki’s reenactment of Ogbemudia’s devt’al strides

     

    The Vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has said that Edo State in the last decade, has retained her status as a reference point with regard to good governance in the country.

    Osinbajo gave the commendation at a State Dinner held in his honour at the Edo Government House in Benin City, as part of his 2-day visit to the state.

    He expressed satisfaction with the efforts of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led adminstration in reenacting the developmental strides recorded in the administration of the late Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia.

    The Vice President assured of the federal government’s readiness to support Edo State in her effort to bring development to the people.

    Read Also:Osinbajo, Obaseki partner to give Edo life-changing projects

    He said the various projects which informed his visit to the state, would boost the Edo economy, especially the federal government’s South-South Innovation Hub.

    In his remark, Obaseki expressed his appreciation to the Vice President for his continued support for the state, noting that the several initiatives of the Office of the Vice President have provided jobs for Edo youths.

    “The N-Power and N-Build programmes have remained major sources of encouragement for the state in her journey to greatness,” the governor said.

    The Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Phillip Shaibu, solicited for more support from the federal government to enable the state government benefit more from the initiatives of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

    Obaseki at the dinner, announced full scholarship to Miss Obakpolor Esosa, a Senior Secondary School 1 student of Idia College, in Benin City, due to the depth of her presentation on the Menace of Human Trafficking.

  • Osinbajo commends private sector-led economic expansion in Edo

    …lauds Obaseki on 1800-unit Emotan Gardens project

     

    The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday in Edo State, commended the private sector-led economic expansion in Edo State under Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    Osinbajo gave the commendation at the groundbreaking ceremony of the 1800 housing-unit Emotan Gardens, in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

    He said, “It is good to see the great and dynamic work the governor is doing. I was in Auchi recently to commission the Edo Fertiliser and Chemical Company Ltd. I was in this local government for the Benin Industrial Park. I commend the governor and MIXTA Africa for this excellent idea.”

    He lauded the governor’s investment drive and the increased participation of the private sector in the state’s economy.

    Chairman, Board of Directors, MIXTA Africa, Eddy Eguavoen, said that the firm was excited about the partnership with the Edo State Government on the project, noting that from his experience with other governments across Africa, Edo State government’s support for the private sector is unparallel.

    According to him, “Our experience has been remarkable. I want to assure Nigerians and those in the diaspora that this project will be delivered with the quality and standards that MIXTA Africa is known for.”

    Governor Obaseki said that the project is the realisation of his campaign to turn the state into an economic hub, noting that the project is in line with the pledge to revive the state’s economy.

    He said, “I promised to create 200,000 jobs in the first instance, and some of them were to be in agriculture and construction, among others.

    “We realised that housing is also key. Hence, we have re-enacted the Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA) law and set up a new management. This project is a reflection of the new direction.”

    Read Also:Eight Edo indigenes returning from Spain die in Ogun accident

    Noting that the state has proven that much can be achieved with the private sector, he said, “I am happy that we have proven that it can be done.

    Obaseki added, “This building was put up in record time. I assure you that 80 per cent of materials used for this project was manufactured in Edo State. They will be used for the entire project.

    “We are starting a new paradigm. We expect that the houses will sell from between N3 million to N12 million. We are praticalising policies being enunciated in Abuja.”

    Former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, noted that the Vice President’s visits to Edo State indicate that the Edo economy is on track with Obaseki as governor.

    Oshiomhole maintained that the VP’s visits, the third since Obaseki assumed office, have always been to commission or kick-start economic projects that will propel growth and development and not for tea party.

    “These visits confirm that Obaseki is building on the foundation I have laid for the growth and development of the state.

    “I am happy because those that have doubt about our governor now know that we have a credible and a performing governor who is building on our development.”

    Oshiomhole added that the governor had assured that he would concentrate on the economy and create jobs for Edo youths, noting “this he has been doing, and has attracted private investors to the state”.

    The Vice President also launched the South-South Innovation Hub at the Edo Innovates facility. He also attended the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Clinic, where he and the governor had a chat with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and beneficiaries of the Federal Government’s Social Investment Programme (SIP).

     

     

  • Obaseki’s effort to revamp College of Agriculture Iguoriakhi on course

    Our attention has been drawn to the concerns raised over the ongoing revamp of the College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi, the latest being the worry expressed by Usifo Sebastian Ebhuomhan.

    While Ebhuomhan’s faith in Governor Godwin Obaseki’s capacity to steer our collective destiny to prosperity is commendable, his analysis of the issues underlying the institute’s overhaul, merely scratched the surface.

    To begin, after 18 months as governor of Edo State, most Edo people and residents in the state, who have kept steps with Obaseki’s style of governing, would attest to his inclination towards rigorous research, as the only basis for decision making, not emotions, no matter how compelling.

    So far, all the decisions that have been implemented by the state government in the institute are the outcome of an investigative panel that was set up to dig deep into the affairs of the institute, after an unscheduled visit by the governor exposed the derelict state of the institute.

    The Obaseki administration is not one to be swayed by emotion-laden chorus, no matter how amplified, more so, when the hard and cold facts show a dysfunctional institute where the government was paying lecturers who chose when to go to work, exploited students and did not bat an eyelid over the status of the students whose certificates suffered credibility crisis in the labour market and could not participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme for several years, not to add the fact that the staff of the institute outnumbered the students.

    Governance, for Obaseki, is about taking tough decisions that will engender sustainable growth and development for the largest number of people possible.

    Understandably, tough and reform-oriented decisions are not always popular in the short term but they recruit millions of followers when the gains start kicking in.

    Edo youths deserve an institute of agriculture that can compete with its peers anywhere in the world, and parents who toil to send their children to educational institutions in the state, do not deserve anything less.

    We will not accept anything short of the best standard obtainable in the industry and we will not run an agricultural institute that lacks the capacity to impact market-oriented knowledge and skills.

    We will not take the familiar and easy route, though popular, but fraught with failure, in a matter that is as important as the future of our children.

    Today, we are happy to report that the students of the institute currently undergoing internship in world class agricultural companies across the state are for the first time, enjoying quality hands-on field training that will clearly put them ahead of their peers in the labour market, on graduation.

    Mr. Ebhuomhan also expressed fears over Governor Obaseki’s commitment to create 200,000 jobs, which the governor promised Edo people.

    Ebhuomhan need not worry; we will exceed the 200,000 jobs target. For clarification, our strategy for creating these jobs includes creating the enabling environment for industries and private companies to thrive in the state and create decent direct and indirect jobs and as at today, thousands of such jobs have been created. By the time we roll out our statistics of jobs, much of these quibbling will be silenced.

    If Mr. Evbhuomhan has been following global trends on job creation, he would appreciate the efforts of Governor Obaseki to reposition the respective government agencies that are supervising the influx of companies into Edo State.

    While the state government will employ new staff into the civil service, as is now being done with the recent vacancy advertisements by the Civil Service Commission, published in the VANGUARD Newspaper, page 8; OBSERVER Newspaper, page 19, NATION Newspaper page 32 on May 15th this year, most of the jobs will be created by the private companies.

    As you may be aware, construction has commenced in the 1800 Emotan Garden estate on Upper Sokponba Road in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area.

    The first phase of the project is expected to be delivered in 12 months and already, the governor has secured a deal with steel and ceramic manufacturing companies in the state to supply their products to the developers of the estate.

    The implication of this deal is that the steel and ceramic companies have a ready market of 1800 housing units to produce for. To achieve this, the companies will increase their operational scale by employing more people to be able to produce and meet market demand. This sort of development chain reaction is what Obaseki is about.

    Meanwhile, that is just one of the many job creation strategies of the Obaseki administration. It is not politics; it is measurable and can be verified by anyone.

    If there is anything the governor has in sufficient proportion, it is the capacity to frugally allocate scarce resources for the best outcomes possible. This cannot be controverted and has never been in dispute.

    This capacity is today manifest in all spheres of our life in Edo, and has been re-echoed by World Bank experts, development actors and informed opinion and thought leaders in the education sector.

    As part of the ongoing restructuring of the Agric college, a new curriculum as well as new faculties have been developed by the state government, an exercise that was carried out by over 10 professors drawn from various tertiary institutions in the country, with expertise in curriculum development.

    The new international standard curriculum for the College is in compliance with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE)’s provisions for curriculum. This will qualify the restructured college’s programmes for accreditation.

    Structurally, the college has been redesigned as a multi- campus institution with campuses spread across the three Senatorial Districts of the state, with the main campus in Iguoriakhi. Construction work is set to commence.

    The New College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi, will give students and parents real value for their money with its new Information Technology-based curriculum and a rich educational resource center that will be linked to the world.

     

    Osagie, Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy

  • World Environment Day: Scholars proffer plastic recycling option

    …laud Obaseki’s urban regeneration drive

     

    Environmentalists have called for polices at federal and state government levels that allow for innovative and participatory approaches to managing plastic pollution, urging for increased use of digital solutions to drive recycling.

    They also hailed Governor Godwin Obaseki’s efforts at urban regeneration, noting that the state government’s recent recalibration of state actors in the environment sector as well as the building of new towns will impact positively on the state.

    This was the resolution at a public lecture to mark the 2018 World Environment Day organised by the Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, also known as the Edo State Institute of Management and Technology, in Edo State.

    The Rector of the Polytechnic, Prof. Abiodun Falodun, said that the public lecture was organised to raise awareness and join the rest of the world in marking the day, noting that the school intends to engage the key issues in environment management as they relate to plastic pollution and help educate the people.

    Prof. Falodun, who was recently appointed by Governor Obaseki to reposition the school as a center of excellence in technology and innovation, said there is a plethora of gains in the effective plastic waste management as well as tree planting in our environment.

    According to him, “the Edo State Government led by Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki wants this school to serve as a viable centre to drive his urban/regional development agenda. Hence, we want to set the pace by beautifying and preserving the environment.”

    He called on state’s indigenes and residents to strive to keep the state clean and adhere to regulations on plastic disposal.

    In a keynote lecture titled Fostering Participatory Model for Sustainable Management and Conservation of Plastic Wastes in Edo State, Nigeria, delivered by an environmentalist, Dr. Ekeoba Matthew Isikhuemen, he noted that there was need for a participatory approach to solving the menace of plastic pollution.

    The keynote lecturer, who is a lecturer in the Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management at the University of Benin, said state and federal governments must work together to ensure that policies are synergised.

    The event culminated in the planting of over 700 different economic trees in the school premises.

  • Obaseki set to launch innovation hub in Edo

    …Attracts Microsoft, Siemens, others

     

    In furtherance of its commitment to equip youths with skills and expertise to drive inclusive growth and development, the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration, through its skills development arm, Edojobs, is set for the launch of the first ever state-backed innovation hub to activate and drive the state’s fledging technology ecosystem.

    Set for launch on June 14, the hub would be run in partnership with Nigeria’s leading technology-based organisations, such as Siemens, Tech4Dev, Microsoft, Impact Hub, Curators University (an American University), HotelsNg, among others. It will train over 1,000 youths will be trained based on their interest in data management, programming, basic digital skills, and artificial intelligence.

    The hub, to be known as Edo Innovation Hub, is to be located at the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE) in Benin City, which is currently being renovated.

    Obaseki said “the innovation hub would serve as a facility for training youths in the state and it would also serve as a center for follow-up trainings for youths who are participating in similar training programmes organised by the state government through its skills development arm popularly known as EdoJobs.

    “Services on offer by the firms include an incubation and pre-incubation programme, acceleration programme, business clinics and co-working facilities.”

    He added that the “Innovation Hub would be equipped with thousands of computers supported with high-speed connectivity.”

    The innovation hub is expected to play a major role in facilitating the realisation of Obaseki’s campaign promise to put an end to unemployment in Edo State by providing 200,000 jobs.

    Head, EdoJobs, and Senior Special Asistant (SSA) to the Governor on Skills Development and Job Creation, Mrs, Ukinebo Dare, said that the innovation hub would open up the space for the development of critical manpower for Edo’s burgeoning investment climate.

    She noted that efforts are being made to ensure that the state integrates and benefits from the gains of a digital economy, which is why digital literacy features prominently in the offerings of the different programmes at the cluster.

    According to her, “There is a focus on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Small and Medium Enterprises development is key for us as they have the potentials to engage a higher number of people.”

    She noted that the hub has a number of programmes that are designed to help small businesses scale up and plug into the digital economy.

    According to her, “We have several programmes in place to work with SMEs to incubate start-ups and develop them and assist them to grow. All of these form the strategy in place to create jobs.”

    She said the Pan Atlantic University is also expected to come in and with an SME tool kit boot camp for entrepreneurs to better prepare them for wealth creation.

    Other programmes on the lineup are those of Prof. Laura Kinnard of Drake University, United States of America (USA), who would train executives on leadership, organisational behavior, management and marketing.

    Impact Hub will create a co-working space and incubation center where individuals can interact with other start-ups; Curators University, will teach Edo youths the rudiments of data science and artificial intelligence, among others.

  • Sustainable Devt: World Bank lauds Obaseki’s PPP model

    The World Bank has lauded the Governor Godwin Obaseki’s blueprint for the development of the state, which leverages on the synthesis of the expertise of the private sector and an open, transparent public sector.

    World Bank Country Director for Nigeria and Coordinating Director for West Africa Regional Integration, Rachid Benmessaoud, said this during a meeting between the World Bank Team and officials of the Edo State Government, at the Government House in Benin City.

    He said that the World Bank “is impressed with how your government was able to provide the conducive environment for the private sector by operating a transparent, open and accountable government, and understanding what it takes for the private sector to come in by bringing the public element to the private sector.”

    Read Also:World Bank backs Obaseki’s devt drive

    Benmessaoud noted, “The Executive Directors of the bank are appreciative of the fact that you brought the public and private angles to address the state’s development challenges. You have established a flagship effort that has resulted in the Azura power plant where you brought all of us together as one World Bank group at the site. We appreciate you and your team. I think you have done a lot in the state. We are very proud to be part of this journey. We hope to see how we can continue the journey together.”

    Speaking on the success of Edo-Azura Power project, he said, “After visiting the state, the Executive Directors are studying how we can replicate this success, not only in the next Azura Phase II or III, but what it will take to do five more Azuras in Nigeria and other parts of the world. The question on everyone’s lips now is how can we have more Azuras in West Africa?”

    He disclosed that “Other Executive Directors have started looking at East Africa to replicate the Edo model. You have really created a blue- print for the power sector, which clearly shows how governments can play a vital role in encouraging private sector growth.

    “This is absolutely in line with what our President; Jim Yong Kim wants us to do. He wants us to focus on two things.  One building human capital and second, maximizing finance for development.”

    According to the World Bank official, “Human capital entails investing in your own people because that is not the role the development partner can play.”

    He assured that “What we will do on human capital is to assist your government address the human capital needs. We will put our resources into it. Both the resources of the world Bank and other development partners will be used to assisting you find solutions to development challenges.”

    He emphasized that Nigeria does not need piloting anymore, “what Nigeria needs is scale, we need development scale and solutions that can work in the Nigerian context.”

  • Edo Seaport project:  Ijaw group says state sitting on a time bomb

    Ijaws in Edo state have slammed the state government’s handling of the multibillion-naira Gelegele Seaport in the state, accusing Governor Godwin Obaseki of perpetuating “modern day apartheid system” that only favours the Edo-speaking people.

    They accused the state government of completely shutting out their traditional rulers and the Ijaw people from the project, and handed him a 21-day ultimatum to reverse it or face “explosion of the time bomb.”

    The Ijaw in Edo State Emancipation Movement, which gave the warning on Tuesday, said it would not fold its hands and “watch this brazen oppression of the Ijaws of Gelegele community in Olodiama and other kingdoms.

    “There is a ticking time bomb that is about to explode in Edo state and it seems the constructors are too eager and ever ready to detonate it,” IESEM stated in a statement by John Keniwenimowei and David Ebipamojo, Coordinator and Spokespersons respectively.

    Read Also:http://staging.thenationonlineng.net/gelegele-seaport-edo-navy-strengthen-ties-deliver-project/

    The statement expressed displeasure at alleged noncompliance with universal best practice of carrying out Environmental Impact Assessment and shutting out of their kinsmen, even as it accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of doing the bidding of the Oba of Benin to the detriment of the Ijaws.

    “The Edo state government is expected to acquaint itself and make available to all stakeholders especially regards to monumental projects which impacts on the physical location, livelihood of millions, flora and fauna and the complete environment of the Niger Delta.”

    The IESEM rejected the composition of the committee for the project, which included only an Ijaw indigene and stressed that “There must be public participation in planning and decision making.”

    “The delicate nature of the location of the site of the Gelegelegbene Seaport makes it imperative for the Edo state government to release the EIA report to the general public.

    “The right issues of the host communities must adequately be addressed also,” the statement added.

    While accusing Governor Obaseki of tribal agenda, stressing, “You (Obaseki) have made mockery and denigrated the exalted office of the Governor of Edo State by being an ethnic champion.

    “Your Excellency, the Ijaws of Edo state had expected at least the minimum from you, based on your manifesto and vast experience in governance, but our hopes are now dashed because of the continuation of the injustices you inherited from your predecessors.”

    The IESEM urged the Federal Government and well-meaning Nigerians to hold the Oba of Benin and the state government responsible for a breakdown of law and order resulting from the handling of the Gelegele sea project.

  • EdoJobs partners First Bank, Interswitch to train 42 new employees

    As part of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s drive to create jobs and improve financial inclusion, the Edo State Government has through Edo Jobs, employed 42 persons as enumerators and partnered with Interswitch Financial Inclusion Services to train the new employees from the three senatorial districts of the state on agency banking.

    The exercise is the first in a series of activities that will roll out over 500 agency bankers in partnership with Firstbank Nigeria and Interswitch.

    The skills development program equips beneficiaries with skills and expertise to become third party agents for the processing of cash deposits, withdrawals and payment of utility bills.

    Read Also:Edo trains 150 youths in Career Kickstarter Programme

    Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Skills Development and Jobs, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, said that the training is in part, a fulfilment of the Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration’s promise to create 200,000 jobs in the state.

    She added that the trainees will also serve as enumerators for the EdoJobs programme, as they have been deployed to provide assisted registrations on the EdoJobs portal from all LGAs in Edo.

    Noting that the state government is determined to empower youths to become self-reliant, she said, “At Edo Jobs, we want to address the issue of job creation wholistically. So, we are leaving no stone unturned. Much as we are training people on how to be the best in the workplace, we are also empowering them to be self-reliant with bespoke training packages.”

    On the partnership for agency banking with FirstBank, she said, “As part of its commitment towards the development of Edo State, First Bank of Nigeria is partnering with EdoJobs on training and equipping of 500 small business owners on Agency Banking across all Local Government Areas.”

    She said, “Agent banking is the provision of financial services to customers by a third party (agent) such as cash deposits and withdrawals, payment of utility bills and other banking services. The partner will be branding the business location as well as providing necessary tools to help drive publicity and business profitability.

     

  • Edo to spark ‘new era’ in agric data collection

    THE Edo State Government is working to give farmers agricultural data – information,  essential to achieving  food security, Governor Godwin Obaseki has said.

    According to him, agriculture has entered a period where data capture and interpretation are essential for successful farming.

    Addressing BusinessDay Agribusiness & Food Security Summit  in Lagos, Obaseki said  his administration was using technology to organise and enhance data from across the agricultural landscape to enable farmers produce more food for a growing population, using natural resources in a sustainable way.

    He stressed that while high-input and resource intensive farming systems have increased food production they have come at a high cost to the environment.

    To achieve sustainable development, he said the state is working with Proforest Group to transform agriculture system by improving land conservation practices and making  real progress at producing more food with less environmental impact.

    He reiterated that the government is determined to remove the encumbrances in land acquisition through land reforms to assist  investors that have expressed their desire to set up farms and agro businesses in the state.

    Obaseki said the government was working towards  establishing ranches to address the security challenges posed by the activities of herdsmen in the state.

    The initiative, Obaseki said, will not only ensure the safety of farmers and farm produce, but provide jobs and income.

    He said Edo State has one of the best soil conditions that supports large scale cultivation of a variety of crops and good climatic condition to boot.

    Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Audu Ogbeh said plans are on the way to peg interest rate for agricultural lending at three per cent.

    Ogbeh added that the step was  being taken  to ensure availability of credit at a reduced interest rate for youths interested in farming.

    At the interest of between 25 and 35 percent, the minister said agriculture was not profitable, adding that failure rate occasioned by skyrocketing interest rates charged by the banks were not in the interest of the economy.

    To keep pace with population growth, he emphasised that food production needs to increase mainly through youth involvement.

    One way to achieve this, he added, was  through measures to help farmers and youths  access  credit  and benefit from technological advances.

    Head of Netherlands Representation in Nigeria, Michel Deelen  said Nigeria has the capacity to increase food production and  agriculture to boost growth rates, create more jobs, significantly reduce poverty, and grow enough  food to feed its citizens if efforts are made to improve road infrastructure.

    Discussions during the forum focused on the role of small holder farmers in ensuring food security, the challenge of climate change, and the opportunities agriculture can offer  youths.

    Stakeholders at the summit wanted the government to address constraints, including improving land tenure, expanding credit availability, investing in input markets for nutrients and machinery, developing drainage and irrigation systems, and enhancing rural transport and electricity connectivity.

    They said farmers and agribusinesses could create a trillion-dollar food market if they can expand their access to more capital, electricity, better technology and irrigated land to grow high-value nutritious foods.