The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Mr Godwin Obaseki

  • Stolen artefacts: Oba of Benin, Obaseki to build world-class Museum

    Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the state government is working with the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, to build a world-class Royal Museum, to hold stolen artefacts being recovered by the Benin Kingdom.

    Obaseki disclosed this when he hosted Prof. Nicholas Thomas of Cambridge University and Prof. Mrs. Annie Coombes of the University of London, both experts in Benin History, to a dinner, at the Government House in Benin City, Edo State.

    The governor said the state government plans to work with the monarch to build the museum in the Oba’s Palace in Benin City, and counter the arguments of art collectors, who are still in possession of stolen artefacts from the Benin Kingdom and have maintained that the safety of the artifacts is not guaranteed if they are returned to the ancient Kingdom.

    According to Obaseki, “The decision to establish a world-class museum at the Oba’s Palace, one of the safest places in the world, will encourage curators across Europe and in other parts of the world, to be confident and support the advocacy for the safe return of stolen artefacts of Benin Kingdom.”

    He expressed appreciation to Prof. Nicholas Thomas and Prof. Annie Coombes, for their advocacy for the safe return of artefacts of the Benin Kingdom looted during the 1897 invasion.

    He said, “We hope your experience in Benin City will encourage you to sustain the advocacy for the return of our stolen artefacts. When the artefacts are returned, they will assist generations yet unborn to understand who they are, as a people and how they have dominated this environment in the past.”

    In his remarks, Prof. Nicholas Thomas, said his experience in Benin City was exciting as the visit gave him the opportunity to see first-hand, the place where the historic stolen artefacts are fashioned in Igun Street.

    Prof Thomas said, “True knowledge about artworks is not in University museums but lies in the makers, creators, communities where these works are created.” He noted that the advocacy for the safe return of the stolen artefacts of the Benin Kingdom will be sustained until the artworks are safely returned.

    Read Also: We want stolen Benin artefacts returned – Obaseki

     

  • 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

  • Obaseki unveils plan to facilitate steady power supply

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has revealed the state government’s plans to strategically develop industrial layouts away from residential areas to ensure proportionate power supply to help actualize the state’s developmental plans.

    Obaseki disclosed this during an interview with journalists in Benin City, Edo State capital.

    According to him, “We have developed plans to help overcome the challenges of power distribution to industries, residential buildings and other users. This includes building areas of use that is, developing industrial parks, housing estates and other clusters that can be directly connected to generating plants.”

    He said, “When these plans are fully achieved, the state would have steady power supply to support businesses and other users. With time, Benin City and other towns in the state will be better planned and segregated so that industrial use of power can be separated from domestic use.”

    “When this is done, the structural challenges along the chain of generation and distribution will then be reorganised and steady power supply will then be guaranteed,” he said.

    He explained that steady power supply cannot be achieved overnight until the structural impediments are addressed, noting, “Even if the issue of generation of power is addressed, efforts must be made to address issues mitigating distribution and transmission.”

    Obaseki said, “As long as we have determined people like the developers of Edo Azura Independent Power Plant (IPP), Edo state and Nigeria can become self-sufficient in power supply. As long as there is power generation, we will find a way to get it to users.

    “If we have people who know what they are doing like the developers of Edo Azura IPP, we will overcome issues of power supply. In terms of generation, I believe, given the resources available, hydro, thermal and green energy; we can generate all the electricity to power the state and country.”

    Read Also:

  • Obaseki begins restructuring of Edo Mgt. Institute

    …appoints new Acting Rector

     

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has announced the appointment of Prof. Abiodun Falodun, as the Acting Rector of the Edo State Institute of Technology and Management, Usen.

    In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie Esq., Obaseki said, “The appointment of Prof. Falodun takes immediate effect, while the outgoing Rector, Patience Omosigho Edoimioya, is to handover the administration of the institute and its property to the new rector.”

    Prof. Falodun, a Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, until his appointment, was the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, at the University of Benin, Benin City.

    Prof. Falodun had his bachelor and Postgraduate education in Pharmacy at the University of Benin. A Fulbright scholar, he has held several academic and administrative positions at the University of Benin, as well as, post-doctoral research positions in the United States, Japan, China, Germany, and many other countries. He is a renowned researcher in natural product chemistry.

    Meanwhile, as part of ongoing plans to streamline the state’s policy on forestry and structure the State’s Forestry Commission, Governor Obaseki has approved the constitution of a 16-member Advisory Committee on Forestry.

    In a statement, Ogie said, “Members of the committee include: Dr. Felix Idumah, Chief Osayande Obaseki, Andrew Egbadon, Dr. Felix Onogholo, Hon. Omo Ezomo, Abu Julius Ekpeshie, Daniel Omobude, and Barr. Garrick Ede Blessing.”

    Others are: Christopher Omoregie, Prof. Esohe Obonor, Mr. Duke Osunbor, Hon. Samson Abu, Hon. Olajina Benjamin, Mr. Lucky Odeh, Mr. Oregbeme Anthony and Mr. Nimmo Bassey.

    Osarodion added that the swearing-in ceremony of the committee is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, April 4, 2018.

    Read Also: Obaseki appoints six new permanent secretaries

  • 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 appoints six new permanent secretaries

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has approved the appointment of six permanent secretaries in the state Civil Service.

    A statement signed by the Head of Service (HoS), Mrs. Gladys Idahor, said the state governor approved the appointment of Mrs. Oboh Akongie Usiriedo, Mrs. Imasuen S. I, and Ms. Enakhimion D. O. as permanent secretaries.

    Others are Engr. Enabulele Ferguson, Mr. Oigboke B. O., and Mr. Ogbebor R. O.

    Mrs. Idahor said the date for their swearing-in will be announced later.

  • Obaseki inaugurates committee, maps out strategies to combat malnutrition 

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has inaugurated the state’s Food and Nutrition Committee to develop sustainable strategies to tackle the problem of malnutrition in the state.

    Governor Obaseki, who inaugurated the committee at the Government House in Benin City, said, “The committee will assist the state government to identify and encourage the consumption of nutritious food in the state. Eating highly nutritious food goes a long way in ensuring that people not only get needed energy to work but also sustain good health to contribute to development.”

    “We are concerned about the health status and nutrition of our people, particularly among very young persons and old people. Therefore, setting up this committee is important,” he said.

    Explaining the role of nutrition in development, he said, “We are aware that there is a connection between healthy eating, preventive medicine, girl-child education, women empowerment and childhood development. And we don’t want to leave all of these issues to chance.”

    Obaseki said, the terms of reference for the committee include identifying the problems of nutrition in the state; coordinating efforts to improve nutrition and ensure adequate resource allocation towards addressing issues bothering on malnutrition.

    He noted, “The committee has the mandate to identify measures to be put in place by various stakeholders and institutions to tackle malnutrition in the state. They will also review strategies to tackle malnutrition and their impact on the society.”

    Obaseki called for synergy among various stakeholders in the food and nutrition sector to avoid duplicity of roles, as this will allow for optimal use of resources.

    Chairperson of the Committee and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs. Vera Obadan, said, “The initiative will put nutrition on the front burner, which is key to human development.”

    Obadan, who was represented by Vice Chairman of the committee and Vice Chancellor, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Prof. Ignatius Onimawo, said the bedrock of nutrition is breastfeeding, noting that the rate of breastfeeding in the country is low.

    She said the committee will embark on massive sensitisation campaign to educate mothers on the importance of breastfeeding which will ensure healthy childhood development.

     

  • Obaseki gives 48 hours turn-around ultimatum for approval of building plans

    … C of O approvals to be granted in 30 days

     

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has charged the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, to ensure a 48-hour turn-around time for approval of building plans in the state within the next two months.

    Obaseki gave the directive while speaking at a two-day workshop organised by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, themed: “Strengthening the Institutional Framework for Physical Development Management in Edo State, held in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    He also gave 12-month ultimatum to the Edo Geographical Information Agency, to ensure that Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) and Rights to Occupancy are issued to applicants within 30 days of application.

    Obaseki said the two-day workshop is organised to develop the expertise of stakeholders and strengthen the institutional framework for physical development and management. He said there was need to re-calibrate the management of the physical infrastructure to make room for well-coordinated urban development.

    Noting that development hadn’t been controlled for a long while in the state, he said, “This has contributed to raising a generation that lacks required knowledge on the importance of registering development plans. People need to be educated on the importance of registering their building plans. People just wake up and do what they like, and in the process turn cities into slums,” he said.

    Obaseki added, “The focus of this administration is to re-enact and rebuild the physical development and space of the state. There is need to explore the use of legal frameworks to reposition the Urban and Rural landscape of the state. This will assist us in capturing the needs of the people in the state without compromising standards.”

    He said his administration has developed well-thought-out plans hinged on six strategic pillars to include institutional reforms, environmental sustainability, culture and tourism among others, adding that the state intends to ensure sanity in urban development.

  • 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