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Tag: Governor of Edo State

  • Obaseki shakes up Edo Civil Service

    …fires Environment Commissioner, Waste Mgt. Board GM

    In a major shakeup of the Edo State Civil Service, Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has redeployed top civil servants across Ministries, Agencies and Departments (MDAs).

    The redeployments affected permanent secretaries, who were reshuffled across MDAs, even as six newly sworn-in top officials were assigned offices.

    Obaseki on Wednesday swore-in the six newly appointed Permanent Secretaries.

    The new Permanent Secretaries are Mrs. Oboh Usiriedo, posted to the Ministry of Water and Energy Resources; Mrs. Stella-Marice Imasuen, who now holds fort at the Ministry of Women Affairs; and Ms. Debra Enakhimion who is now at the Directorate of Establishments.

    Others are Mr. Bernard Oigboke posted to the Board for Technical and Vocational Education; Mr. Enabulele Ferguson, who is to resume at Ministry of Infrastructure; and Mr. Roland Ogbebor, who is posted to the Ministry of Finance, as Accountant-General.

    The governor also approved the redeployment of permanent secretaries across the state’s MDAs, with Mrs. Obahiagbon R.E. of the Ministry of Environment, now in the Ministry of Education; Emoedume B.I, from Government House and Protocol Unit to the Ministry of Environment; S. O Oko-Ose, from the Directorate of Cabinet and Special Services to the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

    Others are Wasa L. A. from the Oil and Gas Commission to the Ministry of Communication and Orientation; Mrs. Aziegbmhin P. E., from the Ministry of Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment to the Office of the Head of Service; while Mrs. Obayuwana I.J, was redeployed from the Ministry of Arts and Culture to the Ministry of Minerals, Oil and Gas.

    In addition, Omozeghian M.O. was redeployed from the Bureau of Lands to the Ministry of Wealth Creation; Dania D.I., from the Ministry of Physical Planning to the Ministry of Science and Technology; Omoruyi A.I. from the Ministry of Minerals, Oil and Gas to the Ministry of Local Government; Ms. Idugboe H. A., from the Directorate of Establishments to the Oil and Gas Commission; Abode C.O., from the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources to the Office of the Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDGIS).

    Also, Ms. Bazuaye I.E., of Ministry of Education was posted to the Ministry of Youth and Special Duties; Iyekekpolor M., from the Ministry of Local Government to the Government House and Protocol Unit; Aigbirio Samuel from the Ministry of Communication to the Ministry of Arts and Culture; Mrs. Olatunji J.I was redeployed from the Ministry of Women Affairs to the Directorate of Cabinets and Special Services; while Igberaese G. O, moved from the Ministry of Science and Technology to the Directorate of Central Administration.

    At the swearing-in ceremony, Obaseki tasked civil servants to be diligent and committed to their duties, adding “This administration is committed to strengthening the state civil service for optimal productivity. Civil servants should be ready to contribute their quota.”

    He maintained that capacity building and training for civil servants would be given top priority in his administration, as it will be used as criterion for promotion. “Strong institutions are needed to drive development and we are determined to fix our civil service to ensure its reforms,” he said.

    In a related development, the state governor has sacked the Commissioner of Environment and Sustainability, Mr. Reginald Okun.

    The General Manager, Edo State Waste Management Board, Mr. Aiyamenkue Akonofua, has also been retired.

    In a statement signed by Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., the state government directed the officials to “handover their assignments to the most senior government official in their offices with immediate effect. They are also to handover all government property in their possession to the appropriate authorities.”

    In the statement, the government thanked the disengaged officials for their service to the state and wished them well in their future endeavours.

    Read Also: Obaseki fires Environment Commissioner, Waste Mgt. Board GM

  • Chieftaincy honours: Obaseki celebrates with Kachikwu family

    Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has congratulated the Kachikwu family over the conferment of Ochiligwe of Onicha-Ugbo and Ezinne Oligbo on Barr. Mrs. Josephine Ada Kachikwu, describing the honours as well deserved.

    Speaking at the conferment ceremony of the chieftaincy titles, in Issele-Uku, Delta State, Obaseki said that Mrs. Ada Kachikwu, who is the stepmother of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, has over the years contributed to her immediate community and exhibited exemplary qualities that marked her out for the titles.

    According to him, “the double titles show that she has a unique personality. This is not forgetting that her husband, late Justice Francis Okafor Kachikwu was a prominent Jurist in the defunct Bendel State and Nigeria, and they both impacted and touched lives.”

    Obaseki added that Mrs Kachikwu provided support to her husband throughout his successful career and even when her husband died, she continued to champion the cause of her community. “This tells of her character and commendable personality. We are happy to be here to celebrate her,” he said.

    Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, eulogised Mrs Kachikwu’s outstanding life of service to humanity, noting that she was a mother to all. “We are happy with her, as her service to her community has earned her double chieftaincy titles by two communities here in Delta State. It is wonderful to have this kind of honour.”

    Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu said Barr. Mrs. Ada Kachikwu is a wonderful, committed, dedicated woman, who though married his father at the age of 18, was adept at managing home chores and many other maternal responsibilities of her step-children.

    He said her determination saw her achieve her dreams of being a midwife, lawyer and later a politician, which she used to positively to touch lives.

    He said the story of Nigeria will not be properly told until we are united, irrespective of our political affiliation, noting that it was important to tolerate one another as citizens of the country. “The earlier we rise against sentiment and live as one and united people, the better for us,” he added.

    Read Also: http://staging.thenationonlineng.net/obaseki-inaugurates-committee-maps-strategies-combat-malnutrition/

  • Obaseki commiserates with family of slain APC Youth leader

    …orders arrest, prosecution of killers

     

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has expressed shock at the news of the brutal killing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leader in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state, Mr. Samson Sedi, who was allegedly shot by armed robbers on Wednesday night in Jattu.

    “I was shocked on receiving the news of Mr. Samson Sedi’s death. My heart goes out to his family. I have ordered the relevant security agencies to arrest the killers and prosecute them without delay,” Obaseki said.

    He described the late Sedi as “a grassroots mobiliser, a philanthropist who cared for orphans and a great lover of people, whose death is a huge loss to Edo people and the APC.”

    Mr. Sedi was allegedly killed by armed robbers while attempting to rescue a female petrol station attendant in Jattu, Etsako West Local Government Area, who was being robbed on Wednesday in Jattu.

    “I learnt he was driving into a road around a petrol station in Jattu and heard a female petrol station attendant shouting for help. The late Sedi, drove into the petrol station to ascertain what was happening, only to be shot by the armed robbers who were operating at the petrol station. Sedi has been with us in our party for a long time and I sympathise with his family,” the governor said.

    Sedi who was fondly called ‘Power Remain’ by his friends and supporters, was a rallying point for APC youths in his ward and constituency.

    Read Also: Obaseki urges tougher measures against slavery on victims

  • Obaseki urges tougher measures against slavery on victims

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has urged world leaders to strengthen existing laws and policies against all forms of slavery, to uphold the dignity of the human being.

    Obaseki made the call in commemoration of the United Nations International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, marked on March 25 each year.

    He decried the reappearance of slavery in Libya and other parts of the world, several decades after it was abolished, and hailed the efforts of the Benin Monarch, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’ Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, at bringing an end to human trafficking in the state.

    “Since the intervention by Oba Ewuare II, we have received positive feedbacks from the camps of the human traffickers in Europe and other parts of the world. They have been rattled and many of them have given up the inhuman trade for decent lifestyles, knowing the weight of the royal pronouncements.”

    The governor assured that “with the extensive and speedy work that have been done by the Edo State House of Assembly on the ‘Bill to Prohibit Trafficking in Persons and Establish the Edo State Taskforce Against Trafficking in Persons’,  the stage is set for an all out war against human traffickers and their collaborators.”

    He said the Bill, when signed into law, will strengthen existing Federal Government laws and agencies in tackling human trafficking.

    Obaseki noted that the United Nations International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, should remind everyone of the millions of lives that were lost; namely women, children and young men.

    “We must never go that route again. In Edo State, we have lost thousands of our young men and women to illegal migration and human trafficking and this is unacceptable.

    “My administration is committed to a new order that will engage our productive youths in dignifying and rewarding economic ventures that earn them decent wages,” he added.

    According to the United Nations, “for over 400 years, more than 15 million men, women and children were the victims of the tragic transatlantic slave trade, one of the darkest chapters in human history.

    “Every year on March 25, the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade offers the opportunity to honour and remember those who suffered and died at the hands of the brutal slavery system. The International Day also aims to raise awareness about the dangers of racism and prejudice today.”

    In order to more permanently honour the victims, a memorial has been erected at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

    An exhibition titled “Remember Slavery: Say It Loud” has been on display since March 5, in the Visitors Lobby at United Nations Headquarters New York.

    The exhibit is organised as part of the commemoration of the 2018 International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, under the theme “Remember Slavery: Triumphs and Struggles for Freedom and Equality”.

    “The theme celebrates the gains of people of African descent from slavery to present. It also acknowledges the challenges that have been overcome in the movement towards freedom and equality in all professions” the UN said.

    Read Also: Obaseki signs Edo Criminal Justice Administration Bill into Law

  • Abebe: Obaseki commiserates with family

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has commiserated with the family of the late Dr. Christopher Abebe (OFR) whose passing was announced by the family on Thursday night.

    Obaseki said “Dr. Abebe led an exemplary Christian life with bold footprints in the United African Company Nigeria Limited, where he was the first Nigerian Chairman/ Managing Director and at the Nigerian Breweries where he was also the first Nigerian Chairman.”

    He was at various times the pro-chancellor of the University of Benin, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the University of Calabar.

    The governor noted that the father of the late former First Lady, Mrs. Stella Obasanjo, was a source of inspiration and pride to many Nigerians and young Edo people like himself, who looked forward to attaining his lofty height in Nigeria’s private sector, post-independence.

    He added that Nigerians and Edo people in particular, will miss Dr. Abebe’s fatherly guidance on a wide range of issues, at a time the country needs valuable counsel to consolidate on her achievements.

    Read Also: Obaseki convoy accident: Five-year old cancer patient gets lifetime treatment

  • Strike: Doctors’ demands unrealistic – Obaseki

    Following plans by the Edo State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), to embark on strike, Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state government is making arrangement for private health care providers to offer essential services to patients in state government hospitals, as the demands by the NMA are unrealistic.

    Obaseki said this when he received the newly inaugurated members of the Governing Board of the University Of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) at the Government House, in Benin City on Monday.

    He said the state government will write to the national body of NMA as the Edo State chapter of the association “has threatened to shut down the health system in the state following their unrealistic demands.”

    Obaseki said: “We believe that the doctors’ demands are unrealistic, having been part of the steps taken so far to improve the conditions of service of medical doctors in the state. They see what we are doing and yet have threatened to go on strike because I cannot afford to fulfil 100 per cent of their demands.”

    He noted that the doctors are not fair to the state as  “we agree with their demands but cannot afford all the demands now, rather we will spread them across four years of this administration, but the Edo NMA rejected the offer and insists on embarking on strike.

    “We are looking at various ways to execute our health reforms but will not allow anyone to blackmail us. We have been open, honest and have carried NMA along in all our activities till date. We will be talking to private health practitioners to help us and I have told them that I cannot afford all their requests at once. We are already making backup plans to take care of our people, if we are constrained to.”

    Read Also: NMA threatens to go on strike in Edo

  • Accident: Obaseki wishes victims speedy recovery

    …thanks Edo people for prayers

     

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has expressed his gratitude to God and Edo people for their prayers, following the news of the accident involving a bus attached to the Press Unit of the Edo State Government House, on Wednesday, in Ugbowo area of Benin City, wishing the accident victims speedy recovery.

    “I received the news of the accident with great shock, especially when I learnt that a mother and her child of five years of age were involved. We are praying fervently for the quick recovery of everyone involved in the accident.

    “Thankfully, no life was lost. We have taken over the care of the child and his mother and other victims, we are in touch with the management of University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), where they are receiving treatment,” Obaseki said.

    He added that the few journalists that sustained injuries in the accident have been discharged after routine checks and treatment.

    The governor said he was moved by the torrent of messages and calls from friends, family members, Edo people and residents in general, to him, enquiring about the incident.

    “The calls and messages from people showed how much value we place on our common humanity as accidents can happen to anyone, irrespective of class and status. I appreciate the love and as a government, we will continue to do our best to transform the lives of Edo people and residents,” he added.

    Shortly after the accident on Wednesday, Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, issued a press statement explaining the incident.

    He assured that an official of the state government was sent to the hospital to ascertain the degree of injuries sustained by the victims and interface with the doctors managing the victims.

    Read Also: Three injured in Obaseki’s convoy accident

  • Obaseki inspects 3.5km road project in Akoko Edo

    Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki has assured that infrastructure development will get to all local government councils in the state, even as he promised the people of Akoko Edo Local Government Area of accelerated completion of the ongoing construction of a 3.5km-long road project in Ugboshi Afe community.

    The road, it was learnt, was tarred by the late Premier of the then Western Nigeria, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, over 60 years ago, but has since been abandoned.

    Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Taiwo Akerele, who represented the governor during the site tour, at the weekend, said that the project is being delivered in a fashion that belies the ‘wake and see’ approach to governance championed by Governor Obaseki

    According to him, “I appeal to communities in the state to remain calm as Mr Governor is gradually fulfilling all his promises from one local council to another.

    “It is regrettable that the people of Ugboshi Afe have had to wait for so long for this road to be constructed. But we assure them that not only will this road be constructed, but it will be delivered in good time.”

    “The 3.5km-long abandoned road is being constructed by EDSG public works programme at an accelerated pace and will be completed before the end of May 2018,” he added.

    The people of the community said they are delighted that the governor has extended the infrastructural imprints to them, noting that the state is better off with the dogged approach to delivering on the dividends of democracy.

    A member of the community, who doesn’t want his name in print, said that the project took members of the community by surprised, thanking governor Obaseki for the good gesture.

    He said, “We celebrate the arrival of the Obaseki ‘wake and see’ miracle train to our community, 60 years after Chief Obafemi Awolowo tarred this road.”

    Read Also: Obaseki reassures of Economic Expansion, urges social, political harmony

  • Obaseki urges speedy passage of Human Trafficking Prohibition bill

    Obaseki urges speedy passage of Human Trafficking Prohibition bill

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has urged members of the Edo State House of Assembly to expedite work on the bill for a law to prohibit trafficking in persons and establish the Edo State Task Force against Trafficking in Persons.

    The Bill which was sent to the EDHA in January is part of government’s efforts to institutionalise the fight against human trafficking in the state.

    According to Obaseki, “The state government has adopted a multipronged approach which includes a law, aggressive campaigns at markets and across the broad spectrum of the media, stakeholder engagements, partnerships with the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and international governments and bodies, in tackling the menace.”

    He also appealed to the lawmakers to accelerate action on the Bill for the establishment of the Edo State Development and Property Agency which the governor said will revolutionise the state’s housing sector.

    “The state government envisions a robust housing sector with huge private sector investment that will address the housing and infrastructural deficit in the state. We are ready to replicate best practices in the built industry to ensure that standards in the industry are adhered to across the value chain,” he said.

    The first reading of the EDPA Bill was read on the floor of the house last Monday, after which it was referred to the House Committee on Infrastructure and Rules, Business and Government House for further legislative input.

    Similarly, the EDHA earlier in the week commenced the clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill for a Law to prohibit trafficking in persons and establish the Edo State Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons.

    Read Also: Obaseki backs use of native doctors to fight human trafficking

     

     

  • Int’l Women’s Day: Obaseki harps on inclusive policies

    Int’l Women’s Day: Obaseki harps on inclusive policies

    Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has called for inclusive policies and stronger collaboration on programmes that will create spaces for women to be properly represented in politics and business.

    The governor said this on the commemoration of the International Women’s Day (IWD) marked every March 8, by the United Nations and many other organisations across the globe.

    He said that much as there are efforts to expand the frontier for women to participate in economic, politics and social institutions in society in urban and peri-urban centers, there was even a more urgent need to focus on those in rural areas who need inclusive policies, financial support and social structures to facilitate their contribution to development.

    According to the governor, the imperative to press for progress across different markers of development, especially for women, and ensure spaces are created for them to achieve their potentials.

    “As the world celebrates the International Women’s Day, it is important to stress the contribution of women to national development. But at the same time, it is an opportunity to call for inclusive policies and open space to address issues of gender parity. This will make it easier for women to not only reach their full potentials in politics and business, but also expand the space for representation for societal integration and growth.”

    Meanwhile, the First Lady, Mrs Betsy Obaseki, has presented cheques of N50,000 to 2,000 female entrepreneurs who are into small and medium scale enterprises in the state.

    Mrs Obaseki presented the soft loan cheques during the 2018 International Women’s Day celebration organized by the state’s Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, in collaboration with the Office of the Edo State First Lady in Benin City, on Thursday.

    She said the initiative, which is supported by the Bank of Industry, is to assist women to grow and expand their small and medium-sized enterprises.

    She said some of the beneficiaries are successful participants of the Edo Women for Agriculture and Enterprise initiative while others were drawn from several cooperative societies across the state.

    “The 2000 women are going to be beneficiaries of the first phase of this scheme. Last year we empowered 500 women with poultry birds to make each of them earn at least N150,000 from the sale of eggs,” she said.

    The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu launched the Betsy Obaseki After School Club (BOASC) and the Edo Women Monthly Farmers’ Market Initiative, urging women to lead the drive for economic emancipation and wealth creation.

    She said the BOASC seeks to address the root of economic hardship amongst women via empowering school girls with skills in shoemaking and vehicle repairs.

    “This initiative aims to build confidence in their abilities and give these girls a firm footing against traffickers who may approach them with promises of better lives abroad. 180 school girls drawn from 18 Public Secondary schools are participating in the first phase” she said.

    The First Lady said the Women Farmers’ Market initiative is to promote the purchase of healthy agricultural produce as well as provide ready markets for women farmers to sell their produce directly to buyers.

    She added that the theme for this year Women’s Day celebration: “Time is Now: Rural and Urban Activists Transforming Women’s Life” was apt, noting that it reinforces the need for all hands to be on deck and work concertedly for the overall progress and stability of women.

    In her remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Magdalene Ohenhen, said the occasion was put together to highlight the activities, progress and problems confronting women in all aspects of their lives.

    Ohenhen said women have continually been challenged by issues such as maternal and infant mortality, poverty, unemployment, low income and low participation in governance.

    She, however, commended the Edo State government for mainstreaming women in governance, particularly, the appointment of female Special Assistants on Gender.

    Read Also: Int’l Women’s Day 2015: IFAD-RUFIN empowers rural women for better livelihood