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Tag: Governor of Edo State

  • Obaseki to revive farm settlements in Esan West LGA

    Obaseki to revive farm settlements in Esan West LGA

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has assured of his administration’s readiness to revive the farm settlements in Esan West Local Government Area to boost agricultural activities as well as create jobs for the teeming youths in the state.

    Obaseki gave the assurance in Ekpoma, the headquarters of Esan West LGA during his thank-you-tour of the council on Tuesday night.

    He said that land preparation in the farm settlements would commence next planting season and urged people in the area to key into the initiative.

    “We want to use the farm settlements for large scale farming and we will register men and women in the area to work there” he added.

    The governor promised to establish more primary health centres in the area while assuring that the on-going road projects in the council will be completed on schedule.

    Obaseki also visited Irrua, the headquarters of Esan Central Local Government Area where the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Anselm Ojezua hails from.

    Obaseki expressed his appreciation to the APC supporters in Esan Central for their support during the 2016 gubernatorial poll in the state and assured that his administration will invest more in infrastructure and in developing the agricultural sector.

    “We have done some road projects here and we intend to do more, we will also continue with the agricultural initiative at Usogbenu which will be a large scale farm,” the governor said.

    In his remark, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State, Mr. Anselm Ojezua, called on his people to support the governor Obaseki-led administration, saying it is committed to delivering good governance.

    Ojezua urged his people to attend the party’s weekly meeting and enrol in the APC biometric registration process to commence soon in the state.

  • Obaseki pledges to reconstruct Benin-Abraka road within 24 months

    Obaseki pledges to reconstruct Benin-Abraka road within 24 months

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has pledged to reconstruct the Benin – Abraka Road in Orhionmwon Local Government Area within 24 months to boost economic activities in the area and state in general.

    Obaseki made the pledge at Abudu, headquarters of Orhionmwon LGA during his thank-you-tour of the local council on Tuesday.

    He said the state has entered into partnership with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to reconstruct the road and promised that the state will take full responsibility for the road even if NDDC fails to pay its counterpart funds.

    He decried the level of development in the area despite the large land mass in the LGA and promised to industrialise the area.

    “The state has approved the contract for a 5,000-hectare cassava production farm in Orhionmwon to be used for ethanol production,” he said.

    He used the occasion to debunk the rumour that there was division in the party and clarified “we are one in the All Progressives Congress (APC), there was misunderstanding but not division.”

    The governor received defectors who were led by their leaders from wards in Abudu, Igbanke and Evboesi towns in the council to the All Progressives Party (APC).

    Earlier, the APC Chairman in the council, Mr Matthew Ehigie, while welcoming the governor to the council, called for the strengthening of the unity in the party so that it would achieve more successes at future polls.

    Ehigie appealed for the reconstruction of the Benin-Abraka Road, and added that other areas of need would be communicated to the governor.

  • Obaseki awards contract for Uhunmwode General Hospital

    Obaseki awards contract for Uhunmwode General Hospital

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has disclosed that contract for the construction of a General Hospital in Uhunmwode Local Government Area has been awarded to address the healthcare need of people in the local council.

    Obaseki disclosed this while speaking with members of the All Progressives Party (APC) at Ehor, the administrative headquarters of Uhunmwode Local Government Area, in continuation of his thank-you-visit to the state’s 18 Local Government Areas.

    He explained that his administration has completed the design of a General Hospital to be sited in the council and the contract for the construction of the hospital has been awarded by the state government.

    He added that statistics have shown that Uhunmwode Local Government Area ranks poorly in major indices of development, promising to change the narrative.

    “I am not happy with the level of progress recorded in Uhunmwode Local Government Area. An area with the largest land mass in the state should be assisted in developing basic infrastructure,” he said.

    The governor also promised to provide communities within the council electricity as well as potable water, assuring the people that they would benefit from efforts to attract investors from Indonesia and Malaysia to develop oil palm plantations in the council.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic Education and Sole Administrator of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe and the Commissioner for Health, Hon. Dr. David Osifo, who both hail from the local government, were on ground to receive the governor.

    The State APC Chairman, Barr. Anslem Ojezua, commended the members of the party for their support and vote during the last gubernatorial election and promised that the local government would reap the full dividends of democracy as the governor is determined in ensuring that all parts of the state are developed.

    The APC Chairman in Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Hon. Harrison Oyegue, praised the governor for the developmental strides in roads and other infrastructural development in the state. He assured the governor of the people’s continued support.

  •  Edo investment summit to feature job fair, employability training

     Edo investment summit to feature job fair, employability training

    As part of initiatives leading to the maiden Alaghodaro investment summit and to fulfill its promise of 200,000 jobs for youths, the Edo State Government will hold the maiden Edo Jobs Summit from October 31 to November 8, featuring intensive five-day employability training and a job fair by top companies and investors in the state.

    The state government disclosed this in a statement at the Government House, Benin City, noting that the summit will be open for companies, who are interested in building their teams, or intends to recruit interns, to tap from the opportunity.

    Edo Jobs is an employment initiative of the state government to train and retrain graduates with post-secondary school certificates on business writing, workplace ethics, problem-solving skills, emotional intelligence, managing conflict, among others. It also gives them the opportunity for job placements in companies across the state.

    The government said that the Edo Jobs summit is open for companies within the state to tap from the pool of well-trained graduates, who are drawn from the Edo Job portal, noting, “The companies get a guarantee of graduates with the best skill-set because they would be trained by top experts in youth development and employability.”

    A major highlight of the job fair is the stakeholder engagement session, which holds on November 8, where the state governor, international agencies, educators and key employers, will engage in discourse around the theme: Creating A Sustainable Ecosystem For Youth Development. The outcome of the session is expected to unify strategies for long-term projects in Edo State with regards to youth employment.

    According to the statement, “In commemoration of the one-year in office of the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the state, through its employment initiative, Edo Jobs, will host a job training and recruitment programme for graduates and employment agencies in Edo State. After the training, there will be a Job fair and summit on November 8, where you can employ from the over 500 trained candidates as interns or full-time staff.”

    “Are you an employer of labour in search of qualified, trained and competent people to strengthen your workforce? Or are you a graduate with dreams of a great career? Before the job fair, candidates will undergo an intensive employability and soft skills training programme starting on October 31 to November 6, from 9am to 5pm at the Imaguero College Hall. The training will be carried out by experts in youth development and employability in Nigeria.”

     

  • Entrepreneurship: Edo, ITF train 467

    Entrepreneurship: Edo, ITF train 467

    …Obaseki gives out 150 sewing machines, 50 welding machines, 125 computers, others

     

    The Edo State Government in collaboration with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) on Wednesday, handed starter-packs to 467 people who participated in the second phase of the National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP).

    Speaking at the closing ceremony at the Government House in Benin City, Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, commended the ITF for collaborating with the state government in its resolve to create 200,000 jobs in the state.

    “We want to change the narrative that vocational jobs are inferior to white-collar jobs. We must create small and medium scale enterprises for our nation to develop because it is the most viable way to create jobs,” he said.

    The governor urged the beneficiaries of the training to put into efficient use the starter- packs by setting up their own small-scale businesses as the state government will provide working capital for them.

    He, however, warned the beneficiaries, who were drawn from the 18 local government areas of the state, not to sell the starter-packs as the progress of their businesses would be monitored.

    The starter-packs given to the trainees included 150 sewing machines, 142 ovens and gas cylinders, 50 welding machines and 125 complete computer sets.

    In his address at the event, the Director General of ITF, Sir Joseph Ari, said the initiative to equip youths with skills is in line with the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari, to ensure sustainable development in the country.

    Ari commended the state governor for ensuring each trainee got starter-packs and added that it would go a long way in helping them unleash their inherent talent.

    The DG hailed Obaseki for investing in vocational education, noting that his agency was ready to train more manpower at the Benin Science and Technical College. The participants were trained in fashion designing, pastry making, welding and fabrication and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for about three months.

     

  • Anniversary: Obaseki to kick-start Industrial Park at Ologbo

    Anniversary: Obaseki to kick-start Industrial Park at Ologbo

    …Promises massive road construction in Egor LGA

     

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said he would kick-start the development of an Industrial Park at Ologbo in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state, as part of activities to mark his one-year anniversary in office.

    The governor said this while speaking to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at Idogbo, the administrative headquarters of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, during a thank-you-tour to local government areas in the state.

    Earlier, the governor and other top government functionaries were at Uselu, the administrative headquarter of Egor Local Government Area, where he promised the people more road construction projects across the council area.

    “We have awarded the contracts for roads at 19th street, Ugbowo; Powerline at Evbuotubu; Textile Mill Road; Uwelu road, among others,” he added.

    Obaseki commended Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area for ensuring that the party cleared the votes in its ten wards, stressing, “I want to thank you for a great job by ensuring our party won in the ten wards in the council area. Three wards in this local government got 95 percent votes for the party during the governorship election that brought this administration to power.”

    Noting that he would not renege on the promises made during his electioneering campaign, he said, “During the one-year anniversary of this administration, we will lay the foundation for an Industrial park at Ologbo. We will create jobs for our youths through this means to fulfil our electioneering promises of job creation.”

    He said it was noteworthy that the Secretary to State the Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., who is the engine-room of his administration, hails from the council. “You call me wake and see, Governor! For your information, I sleep, but you have to thank your son, the SSG and the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, because, while I am sleeping, they are awake and should be commended as they are responsible for what you see when you wake up,” he added.

    The governor awarded N500,000 to ward seven for securing for the party the highest number of votes during the gubernatorial election; ward ten got N500,000 for the highest percentage of votes, while other wards got N100,000 for their effort.

    The APC Chairman in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Barr. Eric Osayande, thanked the governor for his developmental strides in road construction in just ten months of leadership, adding, “We thank you for the ongoing construction work at Lucky way; Obayantor-Ogbekpen-Obagie- Irhirhi Road and others, as well as, the proposed Industrial park at Ologbo/Obazagbon.”

     

  • Poverty Eradication: Obaseki calls for global consensus on strategy

    Poverty Eradication: Obaseki calls for global consensus on strategy

    …proffers broad-based growth models

     

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, on Tuesday called on world leaders to adopt a common strategy to end poverty in all parts of the world.

    Obaseki made the call on Tuesday on the occasion of the commemoration of the United Nations Day for the Eradication of Poverty, observed on October 17, each year.

    According to the governor, “world leaders need to review their social and economic policies to accommodate the needs of people in the rich, developing and underdeveloped countries.”

    He explained that “what causes poverty in some countries is in actual fact, the result or effect of some policies in the developed countries,” arguing “anti-free trade and protectionist policies abound that put developing countries in very precarious situations and ultimately, in poverty.”

    To create a level-playing field for all economies to take equal leap at development, Obaseki proffered “a broad-based and an all-inclusive global development plan anchored on fair trade policies,” which he said is in line with the theme of the 2017 event: “Answering the Call of October 17 to end poverty: A Path Toward Peaceful and Inclusive Societies.”

    He challenged political actors, thought and business leaders in third world countries to rise to the occasion and tackle the barriers to accessing quality education, health care, land and other forms of capital, housing and employment by the populace to drag them out of the poverty net.

    The governor said his administration has prioritised technical education to equip Edo youths with the skills to confront poverty and defeat it.

    “Our emphasis on primary health care is deliberate and the wisdom behind it is that a healthy population, especially the middle class and those on the lower rung of the ladder, can withstand the pressure of life. With the right capacity, they can compete with their counterparts in other parts of the world,” he added.

    Obaseki recalled how irritated and frustrated Edo people used to feel until his administration signed the Private Property Bill (PPP) into law, which has since brought sanity to land acquisition and management in the state.

    “Today people can acquire land and develop their property without being harassed by thugs and criminals” he said, adding that his administration through the several people-oriented programmes in agriculture, wealth and employment creation, has empowered thousands of Edo youths across the state.

    According to the United Nations, this year marks the 25th anniversary of the declaration by the General Assembly, in its Resolution 47/196 of 22 December 1992, which set October 17 aside as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

    This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the Call to Action by Father Joseph Wresinski — which inspired the observance of October 17 as the World Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty — and the recognition by the United Nations of the day as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

  • World Food Day: Obaseki salutes farmers, rural women

    World Food Day: Obaseki salutes farmers, rural women

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has saluted farmers, rural women, food processors, distributors and other actors in the agricultural value chain for their contributions to human existence.

    Obaseki gave the commendation on Monday in commemoration of the World Food Day, October 16 each year, set aside by the United Nations in honour of the founding of Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) in 1945 and other organisations that are committed to ensuring food security.

    “As the world celebrates the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and other institutions that work tirelessly in mobilising actions to check threats to food security across the globe, I wish to salute farmers, rural women, food processors, distributors and other actors in the food value chain for their contributions to human existence,” he said.

    He added that “despite the myriad of challenges that farmers face over access to land, inadequate agricultural loans, seedlings and other farming inputs in Nigeria, our farmers have remained resilient in their desire to put food on our tables, which according to Abraham Maslow’s hierarchical order of human needs, is a non-negotiable need and basic to survival.”

    According to the governor, a country’s ability to feed her population is a major hallmark of development and lauded “the efforts of individuals and groups whose skillful hands bring forth the food we eat.”

    He explained: “Our appreciation of the potential in agriculture, whether manifest or latent, explains our government’s adoption of the sector in our economic reconstruction strategy, which will deliver much of the jobs we are creating for Edo people and our industrialisation drive.”

    He stressed that the theme of this year’s celebration “Change the Future of Migration, Invest in Food Security and Rural Development,” is apt, and a clarion call on world leaders to take good governance and development to the people at the grassroots to check life-threatening migration.

    According to him, “In Edo State, the goal of my administration in the next two years, is to ensure that farmers in the State cultivate a minimum of 250,000 hectares of farmland. We have taken some bold steps in this direction with the maize farm project in Sobe, Owan West Local Government Area of the state, where harvest is currently ongoing.

    “We have commissioned the Edo State Fertiliser and Chemical Company Limited in Auchi, to make the product easy for our farmers in the state and beyond to access. The College of Agriculture in Iguoriakhi is being revamped to produce world-class graduates with the right capacity to change the face of agribusiness in the state.”

    Noting that there is a holistic strategy adopted in transforming agriculture in the state, he said, “We have just received the Technical Report on the Development of the Gelegele Sea Port, a project that is very dear to my heart, and will on completion, serve as the gateway to the global market for agricultural produce and other economic goods produced in the state and the southern region.

    “Our trip to the Asian continent to firm up agreements with Indonesian and Malaysian companies and partners has illuminated our plan to develop an industrial park in the state and make Edo State the oil palm capital of the nation through mechanisation.”

    Obaseki said the role of rural women in food production is worth highlighting on a day like this, as the United Nations set out October 15, as the International Day for Rural Women. He added that with the 2017 celebration themed, “Challenges and opportunities in climate-resilient agriculture for gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls,” it was pertinent to applaud the role of women in driving sustainable agriculture, as they make up 75 percent of Nigerian farming population, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

  • Edo farmers to cultivate 250,000 hectares of land in two years – Obaseki

    Edo farmers to cultivate 250,000 hectares of land in two years – Obaseki

     

    …harps on modern farming methods

     

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has disclosed that the goal of his administration in the next two years is to ensure that farmers in the State cultivate a minimum of 250,000 hectares of farmland.

    Obaseki said this at the weekend during  the 13th Esan Economic Empowerment Workshop, with the theme: “Modernising Agri-business in Esan Land for Economic Empowerment,” organised by the Association of Esan Professionals.

    He explained that agriculture is at the centre of the economic reconstruction programme of the Federal Government as well as Edo State government due to the sector’s potential to create millions of jobs.

    “This initiative is in line with my administration’s commitment to create 200,000 jobs for Edo people, which we promised during our electioneering campaign,” the governor said.

    He said agriculture is being embraced in Edo State due to the incentives his administration is providing to make access to land, fertiliser and other inputs easy for farmers.

    He further said that his administration has revamped the Edo fertiliser plant in Auchi to enable farmers have same type of fertiliser after proper examination of the soil to ensure healthy crop production.

    “We have equally revamped the College of Agriculture in the state to train our farmers and help them with the required knowledge to grow healthy agricultural products for export.”

    Obaseki said the Gelegele Sea Port is another important project that will help in the export of finished agricultural products.

    He urged the youths to embrace agriculture as his administration is creating the enabling environment for large scale farming, easy access to land and improved seedlings.

    “Agriculture is now scientifically done and mechanisation will help us compete in the international agricultural market.”

    The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe, congratulated the organisers of the workshop and pledged the support of the federal government for their programme.

    The Minister who was represented by the State Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Edo State Office, Omoragbon Wellington, assured that the Federal Government would support the group in the area of capacity building and supply of processing machines at subsidised rate.

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    The president of the Association of Esan Professionals, organisers of the workshop, Barr. Mathew Egbadon, said the association was established with the sole objective of serving as a non- political platform for the Esan people to contribute their quota to the development of Esan land.

    He said the association has established Esan Education Trust Fund to assist indigent students in accessing quality education.

    Egbadon said the association is focusing on agriculture because Esan people have comparative advantage in the sector with the vast land available for farming.

    Highlight of the event was the presentation of a cash gift of N500, 000 to three schools for coming tops in a quiz competition organised to test their proficiency in Esan language.

    The cash reward was to encourage proficiency in Edo languages in line with the state government’s resolve to promote Edo culture.

  • Obaseki reiterates pledge to improve education, social welfare

    Obaseki reiterates pledge to improve education, social welfare

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has assured the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria of his administration’s drive to improve basic, vocational and technical education, social welfare and healthcare service delivery in the state.

    The governor said this when he hosted Bishops from the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by their President, the Archbishop of Jos, Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama, at the Government House, Benin City.

    The visit is part of CBCN’s activities to mark the commencement of its 3-day National Marian Congress, holding in Benin City.

    Obaseki said the state government is open to collaborating with the Catholic Church in areas of mutual interest, especially in ensuring social cohesion, welfare provision and religious harmony.

     “This administration has an open-door policy to collaborations. We are willing to work with anyone that has a mission to support our efforts to improve education, social welfare and health care system. These sectors are capable of bringing about desired social change in the state,” he said.

     The governor commended the decision of the CBCN to host its national congress in Benin City, noting that the preference to hold such a high-powered event in the state doesn’t only prove that the state is safe, but that it is also blessed.

     President of CBNC, Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama expressed his appreciation to the state governor and people of Edo State for the warm reception accorded to the Bishops and other congress participants.

    He said: “the congress which has participants drawn from the entire country is centred on prayer and consecration for peace and unity in Nigeria.”

     Archbishop of Archdiocese of Benin, Augustine Akugbueze, extolled the leadership qualities of the governor, noting that the ongoing rehabilitation and constructions of roads, is testament to a commitment to the needs of the people. He also lauded the governor’s drive in the creation of jobs for youths since his assumption of duty.