The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Mr Godwin Obaseki

  • Police arrest 58-year-old man for defiling minor in Edo

    …Edo sets up committee on child defilement

     

    The Edo State Government has set up a committee to check the incidence of child defilement in the state, in a renewed effort to strengthen the Child Rights Law to address issues of sexual abuse of children.

    Acting Chairman, Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and Special Assistant to the Governor on Basic Education, Dr. Joan Oviawe, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Government House, Benin City, when the state government handed over a 58 years old man, Mr. Lambert Ighodaro, to the State Police Command for prosecution for allegedly raping a 12 years old girl in Benin City, Edo State capital.

    Dr. Oviawe added, “After the case was reported by SUBEB to the Police, Mr. Lambert was apprehended by the Police.”

    She said, “This was after SUBEB received report of the incident from the class teacher of the 12 years old girl, who is a pupil in one of the primary schools. She had observed that the girl was always absent from school and contacted the girl’s guardian to find out the cause of her absenteeism.”

    “The girl told her class teacher how she was being sexually abused by Mr. Lambert Ighodaro, in his house during school hours since 2017. She alleged that the man gives her money after defiling her,” she added.

    The SUBEB boss told journalists that the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, had set up an inter-ministerial committee to develop a framework to curb the incidence of child defilement in the state.

    She said the board is concerned about the wellbeing of pupils while in and out of school, noting that structures are being put in place to assist victims of rape overcome stigma, while the perpetrators are not only shamed but prosecuted.

    She said, “Teachers who were trained recently in the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo BEST) programme, were trained on ways to identify children who have been abused physically and sexually.”

    Oviawe explained that the board was also investigating two other cases of sexual abuse involving an 11 years old girl and another eight years old girl.

    “The state government is reviewing existing Child Rights Law to strengthen the law made to combat all forms of abuses against children in the state,” she noted.

     

     

  • Edo BEST Initiative makes learning attractive – Obaseki

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo BEST) programme, makes reading and the entire learning experience attractive and fun for children in public primary and secondary schools in Edo State.

    In his address at the 2018 Readership Promotion Campaign, themed: Sustaining Lifelong Reading for Positive Change, organised by the National Library of Nigeria in Benin City, Obaseki explained, “As part of the plans to over-haul the basic education sub-sector in the state through the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (BEST) programme, the state government has concluded arrangement to provide mini-library in each classroom in public school across the state. This will assist pupils in public schools to cultivate sustainable reading culture.”

    Read Also:Obaseki calls for tolerance, inclusive mindset to drive sustainable growth

    He added that in the plans for the reconstruction of public schools across the state, there are provision to equip the schools with rich libraries where students can read and conduct research.

    The governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Emmanuel Agbale, noted, “The pupils will be taught how to manage books in the mini-library so that on a rotational basis, every pupil in a class will have the opportunity to serve as the class librarian.”

    Obaseki explained, “There are plans to equip public schools with solar panels that will provide adequate lighting to power tablets to be distributed to students in public schools, with pre-loaded novels and story books.”

    “Survey carried out to generate data on the number of schools will assist the state in developing strategies that would guarantee the protection of assets deployed to schools for improved teaching and learning outcomes,” he added.

    Obaseki urged youths to make effort to cultivate good reading habit, noting that the time spent daily by youths reading and sending messages on social media platforms was a wrong presumption of effort at developing their reading habit.

    He noted that youths would benefit from cultivating a healthy reading habit, adding that such would set them on the path of becoming global citizens and competing favourably with their peers anywhere in the world.

    A guest lecturer, Dr. (Mrs.) Elizabeth I. Ifidon, of the Department of Library and Information Science, Ambrose Alli University,  Ekpoma, explained that the campaign on sustainable reading for positive change can only be successful if it is supported by all stakeholders including parents and educational institutions.

  • We’re strengthening int’l collaboration to boost oil palm production – Obaseki

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured of stronger international collaboration with more foreign partners and investors in the state’s agricultural sector, following the commitments he secured at the Rome conference on Eradicating Poverty Through the Agriculture and Plantation Industry to Empower Peace and Humanity, held on Tuesday in Italy.

    The event assembled heads of governments, elite investors in the agricultural sector, particularly the oil palm sub-sector, members of the diplomatic community, the academia, the clergy, amongst others.

    In attendance were the Ambassador of Indonesia to Germany, Arif Havaz Oegroseno; Maritime Coordinating Minister of Indonesia, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan; Malaysian Ambassador to the Vatican, Tan Sri Bernard Gilgal Dompok; and the  Prefect, Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development, Cardinal Peter Turkson.

    Others were the Indonesian Ambassador to Poland, Peter Gontha; Executive Director, Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC), Mr. Mahendra Siregar; and Mr. Ryan Edwards of Dartmouth University as well as investors, regulators and other stakeholders in the agricultural and allied sectors.

    Obaseki said: “The conference provided the platform for oil palm producing countries and states such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Edo State, amongst others, to articulate the peculiar challenges militating against unhindered access of agricultural produce to European market.

    “We compared notes on several issues and shared our experiences. Edo State is the largest producer of oil palm in Nigeria which makes the sector an area of strength for us.”

    Marketing Edo State as the preferred investment destination on the continent, the governor told the conference participants that “the reforms in land administration in the state have removed all man-made encumbrances and have made land acquisition stress-free.

    “We have moved away from the dark ages in which land grabbers reigned supreme, harassed and killed themselves over land. This scared away potential investors and sent the wrong signal to people prospecting for businesses in the state.

    “Our rising profile on the Ease of Doing Business Index is attributable to the reforms in land administration and other sectors. Access to land is no longer a big deal in Edo State. We have very creative and industrious workforce; my administration is favorably disposition to supporting businesses; and our state is strategically located for  markets in all parts of the country.”

    He added, “We are committed to leveraging the competitive advantage we have in this sector to create jobs for our youths and create wealth for our people.

    The governor noted that “the takeaways from the conference will add a great deal of value to our agricultural roadmap in Edo State,” and pledged his administration’s continued support to private investors in the state.

    According to the governor, “Indonesia and Malaysia are currently the top two countries in the global oil palm industry, our collective aspiration is to sustain the tempo, expand our plantations, create more markets for our produce, come up with innovative ways of producing more at less cost.”

    Obaseki assured that more investors are set to come to Edo State to invest in the agricultural sector. “Our reforms are spurring investors’ interest and we have also communicated our high sense of hospitality, the creativity and industriousness of our youths and we are ready and open to business.”

     

     

     

  • FG lauds Obaseki for foresight in conducting school census

    Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Board (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, has commended Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, for the ongoing education reforms as well as the governor’s foresight in conducting a school census in the state to strengthen the education sector.

    Dr. Bobboyi made the submission in Benin City, during the monitoring of ongoing National Personnel Audit (NPA) of primary and secondary schools in the state being conducted by UBEC.

    Recall that the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) had conducted a similar exercise in public schools few months ago, comprising public primary and secondary schools from Kindergarten to Senior Secondary School (SS) 3. The current exercise by UBEC covers public and private schools across the country.

    Read Also:Obaseki, Indonesian, Malaysian envoys, brainstorm on poverty eradication

    In his remarks, Bobboyi said, “It is highly commendable that the state governor understands the essence of the exercise, having conducted a similar exercise to generate data from schools to aid planning. The exercise by UBEC will help map out primary and secondary schools across the state.”

    According to him, “The ongoing National Personnel Audit is being organised to collect data for planning. The exercise is being carried out in public and private schools. It also covers faith-based schools and is being conducted nation-wide. Through the exercise, UBEC will develop a geographical information system (GIS) for locations of the schools. This will be done in collaboration with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASDRA). The data generated will be useful for strategic planning in the basic education sub-sector.”

    Acting Chairman, Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and  Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic Education, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, said, “The state will continue to strengthen existing collaboration with UBEC as the state governor remains committed in his strategic vision to improve access to quality basic education in the state.”

    She commended the team of enumerators, noting, “The state government will be as responsive as possible in areas where there are challenges in the ongoing exercise.”

    Dr. Oviawe urged private school proprietors to collaborate with the enumerators who are going round to collect the data for the NPA, adding that the exercise is not intended to increase tax of private schools’ proprietors.

    Proprietor, Inomwan Foundation School, in Benin City,  Gen. (Rtd.) Godwin Abbe, commended the state governor for the initiative to reposition the basic education sector, noting, “Governor Godwin Obaseki’s ongoing reforms in the basic education sector have set a fantastic pace in repositioning the sector.”

  • Obaseki, Indonesian, Malaysian envoys, brainstorm on poverty eradication

    …seek removal of trade barriers in oil palm trade

     

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Tuesday joined the Ambassador of Indonesia to Germany Arif Havaz Oegroseno, Maritime Coordinating Minister of Indonesia, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Malaysian Ambassador to the Vatican, Tan Sri Bernard Gilgal Dompok, at an international conference on poverty eradication in Rome, Italy, to proffer solutions to the myriad of factors bedeviling  efforts to fully harness the gains in the agricultural sector to eradicate poverty in developing countries.

    According to Obaseki, there is a strong correlation between poor agricultural policies that inhibit growth and development and poverty, urging stakeholders to come together with broad minds and adopt policies that are not discriminatory.

    He showcased the growing confidence of investors in Edo State, which accounts for the expansion of plantations by Presco Plc, Okomu Oil Plc and other companies in the state.

    The governor commended the organisers of the conference and reinforcing the nexus between agriculture, specifically, the plantation industry and poverty eradication with the conference themed: “Eradicating Poverty through the Agriculture and Plantation Industry to Empower Peace and Humanity.”

    Read Also:Poverty Eradication: Obaseki calls for global consensus on strategy

    The Indonesian delegation noted that the European Union’s discrimination against Indonesia’s crude palm oil (CPO) products has prompted the industry and government to synergise intensively with governments and communities in the European region.

    Coordinating Minister of Agriculture in Indonesia, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, explained that the Government of Indonesia is very transparent in addressing environmental issues associated with the development of oil palm plantations and CPO derivatives industries.

    He added that his country has adopted sustainable palm oil standards and adheres to certification schemes in export destination countries.

    Experts at the conference held inside the Auditorium of the Pontifical Urban University in the Vatican, Rome, shared experiences of their home countries and states, citing the roles of oil palm plantations and the agricultural sector in poverty reduction.

    The well-attended event, attracted policymakers, heads and representatives of governments, members of the diplomatic community, the academia and industry players.

     

     

  • World Bank visit: Obaseki anticipates more project funding partnerships

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has said that with the success of the visit of 10 Executive Directors of the World Bank to the state, his administration anticipates stronger and extensive partnership with the bank on development funding to accelerate growth in the state.

    Obaseki disclosed that, “the visit was a huge success. The World Bank Executive Directors saw the results of their partnership with Edo State across the broad spectrum of our partnership.

    “They took their time to appraise what they met on ground and it is safe to say that our relationship, which is anchored on development, has been further strengthened and more support is on the way.”

    The governor who hosted his guests to launch after a tour of the Edo-Azura 450 Power project, took the World Bank Executive Directors through the various social development and agricultural projects, including the Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP); Community and Social Development Programme (CSDP), FDAMA among others.

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

    He noted that “Edo State’s commitment to best practice in projects that have rekindled economic growth, empowering youths and women; reforms in the public sector and massive investment in infrastructure have earned her a place of pride in the bank’s relationship with development partners.”

    Obaseki said with the Edo-Azura power plant coming on stream, “we need to extend the benefits of this investment. Now that we have power, what are going to do with it. Power is the key to industrialisation and development. The next set of projects are those that have to rely on this key infrastructure we have created.”

    He added that “we will be looking at the Benin Industrial Park, building infrastructure to encourage and support manufacturers to come in. We are looking at innovation hubs; we want to use the factor an advantage of the 24/7 electricity to encourage technology groups and companies to be located in Edo State.”

    The Executive Director, Angola, Nigeria and South Africa sub-group, World Bank, Ms. Bongi Kunene, said that the institution was open to partnerships as long as they were in line with its focus.

    She also described the Azura-Edo power plant as a transformational project, which had the capacity to provide solutions.

    “The project is transformational. It gives us a scope of what we can do together. We are delighted to see solutions. We will want to commit ourselves to projects that make sense and are in line with our focus,” she said.

     

  • Edo begins recruitment of surveyors, architects, firemen, others

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki’s far-reaching revamp of the civil service and drive to reposition the state for optimal service delivery has thrown up vacancies in the building, maintenance, emergency services and agricultural sectors in the state.

    This is coming on the heels of the state government’s renewed commitment to inject new life in the civil service in pursuance of impactful infrastructural and social development projects in the state.

    The vacancies, according to a release by the Chairman, Edo State Civil Service Commission, Princess (Mrs.) Ekiuwa Inneh, are for engineers, surveyors, firemen, architects, veterinarians, forest officers, town planners, among others.

    The recruitment is an affirmation of a number of policy pronouncements made by the governor in recent times, particularly the setting up of ambulance service to facilitate the work of first responders in emergencies; setting up structure for management of the state’s forest assets; establishment of livestock farms and reviving the state’s real estate and agricultural sectors.

    It was gathered that the state government was keen on ensuring that professionals man the key offices that would be interfacing with the private sector, which is increasingly expanding since the governor’s unrelenting expression of commitment to industrialising the state.

    Nothing less than 42 vacancies in various disciplines are open and applicants are to apply through the state civil service commission.

    Recall that in his Workers’ Day speech, Governor Obaseki said that the state hasn’t sacked any worker since his administration took the reins; rather provision has been made to employ more.

    “This government is proud that it has not sacked any worker even those that were moribund in their functions. Rather, we have done so much to reabsorb, retrain and reassign these workers.

    “About 186 staff of the moribund Edo Line and Edo Courier have been redeployed to the Ministry of Infrastructure while we are working out ways of liquidating its debt of about N1.5bn. In a few weeks, the Civil Service Commission will advertise to recruit more civil servants to fill critical vacancies in the system,” he said at the Workers’ Day event.

  • Okpekpe Road Race drives sports devt, tourism in Edo – Obaseki

    …as event witnesses unprecedented participation

     

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state government’s sustained support for Okpekpe Road Race is integral to its commitment to drive sports development and boost tourism receipts in the state.

    The governor, who was among the VIP runners in Okpekpe, was joined by his wife, Mrs. Betsy, former Governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Minister of Youths and Sports, Bar. Solomon Dalung. The Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, competed as an elite runner.

    The event recorded unprecedented participation despite the heavy downpour, as Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes won the star prices.

    The governor said, “The state’s interest in sustaining the road race is part of the commitment to drive sports development and boost tourism.”

    He noted that government would continue to provide the needed support to ensure that the organisers maintain the set standards and continue to improve the race, adding, “We will continue to maintain infrastructure, security and other structures to ensure the success of the event in the future. This will also assist the organisers to improve the status of the event.”

    Obaseki stressed, “The state will continue to build on infrastructure to improve the life of the people in rural areas. We will leverage on the opportunity in hosting the race to promote the local culture of the people. The state’s tourism sector will benefit from this event, which will also open rural areas to tourists from across the globe.”

    Minister of Youths and Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung, urged sports enthusiasts and stakeholders to support government’s drive to promote sports development, noting, “Through the support of stakeholders, the country can be repositioned for long distance races. This can only be achieved through the support of private investors as government cannot achieve such feat alone.”

    Dalung said the outcome of the 6th edition of Okpekpe Road Race was tremendous, noting, “More sponsorship is needed to take the race to the next level. If we continue in this direction, future editions and more events will translate to more job opportunities for youths.”

    The former governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, expressed delight at the successful hosting of the 2018 edition of the race, noting, “The race has brought development to the people of Okpekpe town. The event has also improved the economic well-being of the people.”

    Commending the organisers of the event, Oshiomhole said, “The improvement recorded in hosting the event would assist the state government open the rural area for more development.”

    Representative of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), Norrie Williamson, described the organisation of the race, which is the only Silver Label Road Race in sub-Saharan Africa, as fantastic for the community. “The great atmosphere, organisation and excellent terrain all add to the fantastic hosting of the event,” he noted.

    Williamson further said that despite the weather, the enthusiasm displayed by participants goes to show that the event is a huge success.

    The traditional ruler of Okpekpe community, His Royal Highness, Apa Peter Osigbemeh, expressed appreciation to the state government and organisers for putting the community on the global map, noting “The race has brought unparalleled development to the people of the community.”

    For the male elite category, Kibet Alex of Kenyan came first with a time of 29.46. Another Kenyan, Simon Cheprot with 30.29, came second while the third position went to another Kenyan, Ronoh Timothy, at 30.39.

    In the female category, Ethiopian Yami Dera, won the star price with a time of 33.01. Kenyan Tuei Sandra came second running 33.33 while another Kenyan, Kipyokei Diara, ran a time of 34.24 to clinch the third position.

    In the local male category, Emmanuel Gyang took the first position, while Gideon Goyet took the second position and Ismail Sodie came third. In the female category, Debora Pam won the star price, Rose Aknstro came second and Hudung Giang came third.

  • Obaseki proposes Livelihood Sustainability Programme for oil communities

    … as Committee on PIB meets oil communities

     

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has decried the poor state of affairs in oil producing communities and has proposed a Livelihood Sustainability Programme to address the developmental gaps in the communities.

    He made the proposition on Friday, in Benin City, while receiving members of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), who are in the state to meet with stakeholders in oil producing communities to assess the impact of oil exploration in the communities.

    Obaseki described the visit as timely, as the state was working on a bill that will deal with issues that affect oil producing communities in the state.

    He said the state was also embarking on an enumeration exercise to ascertain the impact of oil exploration activities on oil producing communities.

    “We want to have a tripartite arrangement involving communities, the state government and  oil companies so that the situation in which host communities are abandoned will no longer exist. We want to have a livelihood sustainability programme in the communities” he stressed.

    The governor added that, “The enumeration will involve a baseline study and an action plan that will guide the proper implementation of the tripartite arrangement.”

    He told his guests that the state is planning to utilise the energy sourced from some of the communities to power companies that will be located in the state.

    Earlier, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Tayo Alasoadura, said the visit was to allow oil producing communities in the state make input in the three petroleum-related bills in the National Assembly.

    “We are propagating three bills on oil exploration and the third bill is the Host Community Bill which is the most important because it is the oil-bearing community that gets degraded in the long-run.

    “So we want inputs from the committee before we hold the public hearing in Abuja later in the year,” he said.

     

  • Edo agog as participants arrive Benin for Okpekpe Road Race

    …Obaseki restates commitment to successful outing

     

    With a few hours to the commencement of the 2018 edition of Okpekpe Road Race scheduled for Saturday, May 12, enthusiasm is at a fever pitch in Edo State, host of the first 10-kilometer International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) silver label road race in Nigeria.

    Social and economic activities have witnessed positive spike from the Benin Airport, through the ancient city and to the communities hosting the event,  as  participants, including Elite and local athletes, sports journalists, sponsors, supporters of the event and dealers in souvenirs arrive the state for the event.

    Investigation showed that hotels in Benin City are fully booked and late comers are resorting to smaller lodging facilities in the city while operators of outdoor bars, taxis, guest houses and relaxation spots are counting their gains.

    The Okpekpe international 10km road race, currently in its sixth year, is the only road race recognised by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) in Nigeria.

    The number of endorsements by corporate organisations has raised the profile of the event, the latest being the Nigerian Breweries Plc.

    The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, on Friday restated his administration’s commitment to a successful race and assured participants of adequate security.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the governor’s assurance is coming after he had earlier encouraged Edo indigenes and other Nigerians to register and compete in the 10km Road Race because of the inherent benefit of building an army of home-grown long-distance runners to represent the country in similar competitions within the country and overseas.

    Obaseki noted that much as the state is happy to play host to athletes from East African countries and other parts of the world, the competition also presents an opportunity for Edo indigenes to prove their mettle and strive to clinch the top prize.

    “As Nigerians, we are known to never give in easily in contests. So, this competition presents another opportunity for us to put up a challenge and compete to win the top prizes,” the governor said.

    According to him, “Edo State is blessed with planes and conditions that can groom people for long-distance races. Highlands such as Somorika Hills can groom athletes to favourably compete in this competition. It even presents a good training ground for many others who would like to participate.

    He added, “The Okpekpe road race is one of our emerging sports and tourism assets and we need to tap from this unique opportunity to build grassroots sports and project ourselves as a welcoming and sports-loving people.”

    Describing the backing of Nigerian Breweries as a big boost, spokesman for the race, Dare Esan was quoted as saying that the company is “coming in as a Friend of the Race. It is a massive boost for the image of the race to have a pioneer brewing company support an event in which history will be made on May 12, 2018.”