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Tag: Mr Godwin Obaseki

  • Edo to unveil new security architecture by December 1

    Edo to unveil new security architecture by December 1

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said that a new security arrangement that will enhance the operation of the police and other security agencies in the state will be launched by December 1.

    Obaseki disclosed this on Thursday while briefing the press shortly after an inspection of facilities at the State Command of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), in Benin City.

    He said the state government was already putting finishing touches to the new security arrangement and the tour of the facilities at the state command was part of the process.

    The governor noted that consultations were ongoing with various security agencies and relevant stakeholders in the state ahead of the official unveiling of the framework by December 1.

    He equally revealed that the new arrangement will factor in the creation of a Security Trust Fund and create a neighbourhood watch to be backed by law.

    According to the governor, the state is currently receiving and reviewing proposals from security experts on appropriate technologies that will enhance the efficiency of intelligence gathering and policing.

    The Edo Commissioner of Police, Mr. Johnson Kokumo described the synergy between the Police and the Edo State government as perfect. Kokumo assured that the smooth working relationship will lead to drastic reduction of the crime rate in the state and engender effective police service delivery.

  • Obaseki to PDP: You are ignorant on security matters

    Obaseki to PDP: You are ignorant on security matters

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was ignorant on issues of providing security in the state.

    Governor Obaseki who was responding to accusation by the PDP that his refusal to spend part of security votes to relevant agencies was responsible for crime waves in the state said ‘We don’t listen to ignorant talk.’

    Obaseki spoke Thursday when he visited the Edo State Police Command to inspect available facilities with a view to know how much support to provide for the take – off of the new security architecture.

    He said the new security architecture would be unveiled on December 1 and a bill was being prepared to give legal backing to the Security Trust Fund launched by his predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    Governor Obaseki stated that the need to improve the operational capability of the police in the state led to the deployment of a new Commissioner of Police, Babatunde Kakumo.

    Obaseki said his administration have been reviewing several proposals to know which equipment and technology to procure for the security of the state.

    His words, “We have always placed high priority on security. You have witnessed the security situation in Edo. We are working on a new security architecture in the state and we have done quite a bit of work and we expect that by December 1, the new security architecture will be unveiled.

    “What do you expect of the PDP who do not know anything. They are ignorance, they ran the state down.  You saw the turnout at the Alaghodaro Investment Summit. Underlining all of the conversation is that we should give assurance to people who want to come and invest in this state that their lives and investment will be safe.

    “The Security Trust Fund was not backed by law. Under the new arrangement, we are having law in place to back the Security Trust Fund. As part of the review, we are looking at the law establishing the Neighbourhood Watch.”

    Kakumo described the synergy between the state government and the police as perfect.

    He stated that the support provided by Governor Obaseki has led to better service delivery to the people of the state.

     

  • Ijaw warns Obaseki against arresting Edo monarch

    Ijaw warns Obaseki against arresting Edo monarch

    An Ijaw religious group, the Order of Egbesu Brotherhood (OEB), has warned of consequences if the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, failed to withdraw his order to arrest the King of Olodiama Kingdom, HRM Godwin Oguyenbo.

    The brotherhood in a statement, Thursday, said the Ijaw would consider any attempt to arrest the monarch as a desecration and abuse of its traditional stool.

    The statement, which was signed by the Coordinator of OEB, Mr. Bodmass Kemepadei, said the governor was only acting the scripts of the Oba of Benin, who earlier declared the coronation of Oguyenbo as unlawful.

    “We wish to inform the governor that we are aware that he is only carrying out the directive of the Oba of Benin. We are, therefore, surprised why on earth an Ijaw affair will be giving the Bini people a sleepless night to the extent that they had to usurp the state power against us”, the OEB said.

    The foremost Ijaw traditional religious group faulted Obaseki’s claim that the ijaw community in the area was nonexistent, describing it as a clear display of sheer ignorance.

    The group said the ijaw people had proved with historical fact that they were the aborigines of those lands adding that the second-class treatment they suffered in the hands of the Benin Kingdom.

    The OEB said: “The ijaws deemed it necessary to have a monarch that would be significant for the growth and development of the people and lands. Besides this is not the first time the Kingdom is having a King.

    “We also deduce that though it is the voice of Obaseki, but the words of the royal father of Benin Kingdom is behind the order of arrest issued, simply because they want to annex Olodiama kingdom into Benin Kingdom, because of the oil and seaport sited there.

    “We therefore call on Obaseki to desist from actions that are capable of causing acrimony between Binis and Ijaws. Obaseki as the administrative head of the state should rather be concerned about moves that will bring peace.

    “He should not brew another crisis in the face of the already-existing tension created by militants groups. The Ijaws are not at war with binis, but we are also not afraid to defend our territory if the need arises.

    “We have been living in peace and we would continue to maintain it, but obaseki should thread with caution, let him stop beating the drums of war. The governor should not allow himself to be used as a tool of instigating violence and causing unrest. He has no right to order for the arrest of a well-recognised King who has flouted no law”.

    The group called on the Federal Government to call Obaseki to order to avert a possible inter-tribal war in the state.

    It urged the government to stop security agencies from carrying out the order of the governor and look for other means of resolving the issue.

    “Arresting an Ijaw king is a sacrilege and will be resisted by Ijaws.We restate once again that Ijaws are committed to peace. This, we have displayed by supporting federal government peace effort. But we will not accept any action aimed at desecrating our sacred institutions”.

  • Edo, UNITAR sign MoU on capacity devt, education reform

    Edo, UNITAR sign MoU on capacity devt, education reform

    The Edo State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to improve workers’ capacity to deliver quality service.

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, who signed for the state government at Government House in Benin City, said the training would equip Edo civil servants with new knowledge and skills for optimal performance.

    He added that the MoU entails a series of relevant and focused trainings for all civil servants in the state.

    “We have set up a training facility for civil servants; we have also bought computers and other teaching aids. We believe that with the signing of this agreement, we have put in place the necessary framework for building the capacity of our civil servants, by leveraging on the contacts and reach of UNITAR,” Obaseki said.

    He added that, “we will agree on the curricula for the key programmes before the end of the year, develop them and design a time table for the commencement of the training programme in the first month of 2018.”

    Obaseki further explained that the collaboration with the United Nations body would also focus on monitoring and evaluation for efficient systems in the state’s education sector.

    “We are re-enacting our basic education system and we are doing a complete review of the system which will require training and re-training of teachers, education inspectors, and all cadre of stakeholders. This collaboration will give us tremendous leverage to help strengthen our basic education system,” he said.

    He added that the state would also leverage on the partnership to train administrators and teachers at the Benin Technical College.

    Earlier, the Country Representative of UNITAR, Dr Larry Boms, said that the partnership on capacity building would enable Edo civil servants drive government policies effectively, and assured that UNITAR would pull more resources from its partner countries in the European Union.

    He added that other states in the country and countries in the West African region would benefit from the international training centre which will be domiciled in Edo State.

  • Obaseki targets 100,000-hectare oil palm plantation in 3 years

    Obaseki targets 100,000-hectare oil palm plantation in 3 years

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the goal of his administration is to have 100,000 hectares of oil palm plantation in the state within the next three years.

    He made this known when he received officials of the Plantation Owners Forum of Nigeria (POFON), led by the Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Ibru, who paid a courtesy visit to the governor, at Government House, in Benin City, Edo State.

    Obaseki told his guests that he has visited some countries in Asia, precisely Indonesia and Malaysia in a bid to re-define the oil palm industry in the state.

    “We are endowed as a state and we pride ourselves as one of the leading oil palm production states in Nigeria, where investors are showing significant interest. You will recall that one of the workshops we had on agriculture emphasised the need for an Oil Palm Road Map, which we have been working on,” the governor said.

    He explained that in the state, oil palm is prolific in Ovia, Orhionmwon and Uhunmwode local government areas, and stressed that Edo State has in excess of 500,000 hectares of land available.

    “We are aware of the activities of land grabbers but as a government, we have set up a committee that is currently reviewing the trends in land allocation in the state and will address the issue.”

    Mr. Ibru congratulated the governor on his victories on many fronts in the course of ascending the position of governor of the state.

    He said POFON members own the majority of privately-owned oil palm and rubber plantations in Nigeria including those situated within Edo State.

    He explained that their goal is to protect the existing investments of members and attract new investors into the country.

    Ibru added that the body was at the Government House to deliberate on availability and access to land for oil palm development in the state, land use charge and security of existing investments.

     

     

  • Edo partners AGPMPN to fast-track implementation of health policies 

    Edo partners AGPMPN to fast-track implementation of health policies 

    The Edo State Government is set to partner with the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN) to accelerate the implementation of health policies in the state.

     

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, said this when he received officials of the Edo State Chapter of AGPMPN, led by the chairman, Dr. Nosa Ehigie, at Government House, in Benin.

     

    According to Obaseki, the state government is working on the domestication of the National Health Act and a state health insurance scheme, for which he would need the support of the private medical practitioners.

     

    “I see the health care system as one, in which government is a key player. We have embarked on a lot of initiatives in our health care system and we see the private medical practitioners as a pillar in this project,” he said, adding that the state would be collaborating with the association in the areas of health investment and human capital development.

     

    Earlier, the State Chairman of AGPMPN commended the governor for the on-going reforms in the state’s health sector.

     

    Dr. Ehigie said the association was ready to partner with the state government in the implementation of its proposed health insurance scheme, immunisation activities and in eradicating quacks from the profession in the state.

  • Edo to establish job incubation centres in new Industrial Parks

    Edo to establish job incubation centres in new Industrial Parks

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his administration is set to establish several job incubation centres in the state to upgrade the skills of job seekers to meet the needs of the present day labour market.

    Obaseki said this at the Edojobs fair organised by the state government as part of activities to mark the governor’s one-year anniversar y in office, in Benin City on Wednesday.

    He said the job incubation centres would be located within the industrial parks/estates, which his administration is setting up in the state.

    “We want to create several job incubation centres/hubs, where job seekers will be trained and employed by the companies that will be located in the several industrial parks, to be established in the state. The groundbreaking of the first major industrial park in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area will be done on Saturday, and on completion, will house over 200 companies on a 600-hectare land,” the governor said.

    “We have also commenced the design of an industrial park and incubation centre on the premises of the Benin Technical College, which will house technology and data companies. The third industrial centre will be located at Ikpoba Hill area of the state and we have concluded plans to partner with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to build  a 2MW hydro plant that will produce electricity from Ikpoba River dam to power the industrial estate to be located in the area,” he explained.

    Obaseki said that his administration would not relent in formulating the necessary policies and programmes that would empower youths to fit into the emerging economy that his administration is creating.

    “We have the potential to create all we want as we have the base materials, so we have to prepare our youths to fit into these new jobs we intend to create via training,” he said.

    He added that his administration would also key into the emerging employment opportunies in agriculture, housing, education and health sectors to create jobs for the youths.

    Earlier, the Coordinator of the Edo Job Summit, which featured the job fair, Mrs Ukinebo Dara, described the job fair as a success as many companies have indicated interest to employ about 100 trainees.

  • Obaseki to revamp College of Agriculture , Edo State Polytechnic

    Obaseki to revamp College of Agriculture , Edo State Polytechnic

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured the people of Ovia South West Local Government Area of the state that the College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi and Edo State Polytechnic Usen, will be revamped to enable it produce employable graduates.

    Obaseki gave the assurance at Ovia South West Local Government Council during the last leg of his thank-you-tour of the 18 Local Government Areas to appreciate party members for their votes and support.

    He said the College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi, was closed earlier because it was not worthy of being a school of agriculture due to its poor standard.

    “I shut down the school to enable me invest money and bring it up to standard. I will revamp the school so that the graduates will be employable.”

    He said he is in talks with Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) and PRESCO Plc., to join hands with his administration to revamp the school, help train students and provide them with employment.

    “I will provide allowance to the 261 students in the school and send them to farms for industrial training,” he promised.

    The governor said he was poised to revamp the Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, to bequeath it with a conducive environment to train employable graduates.

    He promised to visit the school, after receiving the report of the committee set up to look at the overall management of the school.

    The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Edo State Chapter, Anselm Ojezua, thanked the people of Ovia South West for the warm reception given to the governor. He urged them to continue to support the Obaseki-led administration to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people in the state.

    The chairman of APC in the council area, Mr. Peter Ajayi, congratulated the governor and the party for the victory recorded in the last governorship election in the state.

    He urged the governor to carefully treat the report of the committee set up to look at the administrative and financial management of the Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, to enable the administration re-position the school for greater heights.

    He appealed to the governor to repair some roads in the area, including Iguelaho, Iguekahen, Iguerahon, Madagbayo, Gbelebu, Usen-Ulorin-Ajegunle and Ugogui roads

    Receiving some decampees from other parties led by a former Chairman of the Council and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Aighobahi Monday, Governor Obaseki said APC is not a party that discriminates, urging them to join hands to lift the party to greater heights.

  • Obaseki receives 84 Libya returnees, pledges stipends

    Obaseki receives 84 Libya returnees, pledges stipends

    …Edo Govt plans training, stipend packages

     The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, on Tuesday received 84 Libya returnees in Benin City.

     Obaseki assured the returnees, comprising sixty males and twenty-four females, that his administration would place them on a monthly stipend for three months while they undergo various vocational training.

     “You should see your current situation as a passing phase in the journey of life,” the governor said and added that his administration would ensure that they are receive vocational training while those interested in pursuing higher education would be trained.

      “You are back to where you came from and you will be taken care of. For the next three months, we will put you on a special stipend,” Obaseki said.

     He explained that the goal of government is to make them ambassadors that will sensitise other youth about the risks associated with illegal migration.

     “You will not wish what you went through for even your enemies. So we will make you ambassadors, to share your harrowing experience with others. We are not out to judge you, we will not judge you. We are all humans and make mistakes. Anybody can be deceived. I want to welcome you back home.”

    Some returnees including Miss Blessing Sunday from Ovia North East Local Government Area and Miss Rosemary Oboh pleaded with the governor to employ her father and also expressed their appreciation to the governor for the warm reception accorded them.

    “It was wrong for us to sneak out of our country. We did it because we thought we would be able to achieve something. We love you for welcoming us back home as a father, a leader and a governor. May your reign be long as governor,” Oboh said.

     Earlier, the Attorney General of the State and Chairman Task force on Anti- Human Trafficking, Professor Yinka Omorogbe informed the returnees that her team was willing to receive all Edo indigenes back home because they were precious to the state.

  • Edo to rebuild Edo College, reclaim land

    Edo to rebuild Edo College, reclaim land

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured the old students of the state’s premier secondary school, Edo College Benin City, that their alma-mater will be re-built.

    Obaseki gave the assurance on Monday when members of Edo College Old Boys Association (ECOBA) led by their president worldwide, Dr. Reuben Osahon, paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    He assured that his administration would play its part as proprietor of the school, by reviewing its masterplan to determine the infrastructural requirement of the school.

    The governor acknowledged the impact the school has made on the lives of Edo people and hailed various stakeholders that have contributed to its growth, as it celebrates 80 years of existence.

     To address the challenges facing the school, he said that officials of the state ministries of education, physical planning and urban development, would work with other stakeholders to review the design and master plan of the school and refresh it.

    On the encroachment on the college land, Obaseki said the survey plan of the school need to be re-established as encroachers will have themselves to blame as all the school’s land will be re-claimed.

    “Government paid compensation on that land when it was acquired years ago, no community or individual has the right to violate government interest in that land. We are going to re-claim the land belonging to Edo College and it will be fenced,” he stressed.

    He urged the old students to assist the government in the area of human resources and curriculum development for the school.

    Earlier, ECOBA president worldwide, Dr. Reuben Osahon, commended the governor for his achievements in less than a year, his leadership style and creativity in dealing with different problems confronting the state.

    He informed the governor that their visit was to intimate him of plans to celebrate 80 years of the school’s existence, saying: “The College is the product of the vision of Oba Eweka II, although it was followed up by Oba Akenzua II during whose reign it was established on 1st of February 1937.