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Tag: Mr Godwin Obaseki

  • Obaseki set to fast-track accreditation of Edo College of Education Programmes

    Obaseki set to fast-track accreditation of Edo College of Education Programmes

    …new skills centers for Igueben, Ubiaja

     

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has promised to fast-track accreditation of programmes at Edo College of Education, Igueben, before the year runs out.

    The governor made the disclosure at Igueben, the administrative headquarters of the council, during his thank-you-tour of some local government areas in Edo Central senatorial district.

    Obaseki said, “My administration will support the Edo College of Education in Igueben, to get all its programmes accredited and ensure the execution of projects in the institution. We intend to reposition the school and ensure a smooth take-off of the institution and make it one of the best.”

    Governor Obaseki also pledged to set up a vocational centre to impart youth with skills needed to be employable, adding, “We have promised to create jobs for our youths and to prepare them for the employment opportunities that our government will provide. We will set up skills acquisition centre here in Igueben to train and provide them with the necessary skills they need for the jobs.”

    Obaseki said he could not have been governor today if not for the commitment, determination, courage of members of the party who made it possible. As such, he pledged to work with the party to transform the state. He solicited their support, stating that it will be difficult to achieve results if the party members fail to cooperate with his administration.

    “I rely on vital information from you to help govern the state. We have to meet regularly for you to hear from us what we are doing as a government while we listen to you to solve the challenges confronting you,” he said.

    He revealed that his administration has awarded contract for construction of Igu-Amahor road, noting that there was a brief delay because the contractor is waiting for the dry season to move to site.

    Earlier, the APC chairman in Igueben, Mr. Sunday Iredia, commended the governor’s achievements since assuming office, noting that the state has seen improvement in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and prudent management of the state’s funds. He appealed to the governor to address the deplorable state of some roads in the council.

    At Ubiaja in Esan South East, Obaseki promised an agricultural processing zone at Ilushin in addition to a vocational centre that will provide the necessary skills for the youths of the area, to prepare them for the jobs his administration will provide for them.

    He equally assured them that roads in the council area will not be forgotten, adding “I have stationed a contractor in Edo Central Senatorial District to ensure that a number of roads are constructed, we are only waiting for the dry season to commence work”.

    The APC chairman in Esan South East, Mr. Chris Aghughu, said he was delighted that Obaseki made history by appointing the first female commissioner from the area and his recent donations to Industrial Training Fund (ITF) trainees. He further urged the governor to reactivate Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS) Relay Station at Ivue, Uromi, so that they could follow his programmes on television.

    At Obaseki’s thank-you-tour at Uromi in Esan North East Local Government Area, calls were made on the party faithful to join hands with his administration to change the face of politics by making the people believe in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He assured the people that his administration will respect the supremacy of the party and work to transform the state for the people to have a better life.

    The governor, during the thank-your-tours, continued rewarding wards that performed best at the ballot during the governorship election that brought him to power.

    At Igueben, Ubiaja and Uromi, the governor received defectors from other political parties in the state to the APC fold. Among them are Dickson Idemudia and his supporters at Igueben and Alhaji Musa Isiwele at Uromi. Obaseki urged the new party members to work hard for the party and ensure that all those they left behind in their former parties are won over to the APC.

     

  • Osinbajo leads Dangote, others to Alaghodaro Investment Summit

    Osinbajo leads Dangote, others to Alaghodaro Investment Summit

    The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, is to lead industry titans including Africa’s richest man and President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, to the maiden edition of Alaghodaro Investment Summit, to be hosted by the Edo State Government, in Benin City, beginning on November 10.

    The three-day summit with the theme: “Envisioning the Future,” will explore opportunities for local and foreign direct investments in Edo State by highlighting the state’s competitive advantage across various sectors.

    Also expected at the investment summit are local and international business leaders and investors, bankers, financiers, industry experts, policymakers, the diplomatic community and the academia.

    The summit will showcase the reform that the Obaseki-led government has carried out in critical sectors of the economy such as the Private Property Protection Law that has sanitised land acquisition and use, the planned development of 58 tourist sites across the state that will unlock the tourism potential of the state and the incentives for investment in the agricultural sector through public private partnership, amongst other sectors.

    According to the Chairman of Alaghodaro 2017 organising committee,  Asue Ighodalo: “The world over, governments are looking beyond oil to alternative revenue sources in order to ensure sustainable development, and we must also get creative and take action today for our future and the future of our children.”

    Ighodalo said that the key areas of focus at the three-day event would include Law and Order, Civil Service Reform, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Transportation, Forest Regeneration and Conservation, Education, Healthcare and Arts and Culture.

    He further said that Alaghodaro Summit, is part of the response of the Edo State Government, under the leadership of Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to the imminent threat of an oil-dependent economy.

  • 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.

  • Anyaoku, Obaseki give conditions for Nigeria’s restructuring

    Anyaoku, Obaseki give conditions for Nigeria’s restructuring

    Former Secretary General of the Common Wealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, says that Nigeria will fare better if the on-going call to restructure the country into regions is adhered to.

    Anyaoku gave this view yesterday, shortly after paying a courtesy visit to Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, at Government House, Benin City.

    He said that Nigeria’s economy was more viable and rate of development faster when it operated a regional system of government.

    He described governor Obaseki as a visionary governor and Edo State is fortunate to have him.

    Responding, Obaseki said that given the cost of governance at the centre, restructuring is inevitable if Nigeria must make progress as a country.

    He extolled the leadership quality of Chief Anyaoku, stressing that the former top scribe of the Commonwealth stands for good governance and part of the generation that did the nation proud while in office. “He is an international personality who stands for good governance and diplomatic skills,” Obaseki said.

  • 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.

  • Catholic Congress: Obaseki tasks churches, leaders on compassion

    Catholic Congress: Obaseki tasks churches, leaders on compassion

    Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has tasked religious and political leaders to show more compassion to stem the wave of agitations across the country.

    He also noted that Nigerians would have to restructure their minds if they are to reap genuine benefits from any effort to tinker with the political structure of the country.

    Obaseki said this while delivering a goodwill message at the Grand finale of the first ever national Marian year declared in Nigeria and the third Marian Congress hosted by the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    The governor urged the church to play its role in uniting Nigeria, particularly as the country is faced with threats from divisive elements and interests, who propagate hate speech, separatist agitation, insurgency, and youth restiveness.

    Obaseki said that, as an oasis of peace, the Catholic Church needs to continually play the role of a uniting force in Nigeria, as well as speaking truth to power when the need arises.

    “We are grateful to God and the Church for the continuous work of restructuring our minds as a people. If we, as a nation, fully accept the message of our Lady of Fatima and are committed to her message of repentance, we would need less of political restructuring. If we add more of love and less of self, to our leadership, Nigeria would be more united and better developed”.

    The governor said his administration is committed to reforms in basic education and primary health care, adding, “We are focused on revamping vocational and technical education. These are commitments we share with the Catholic Church.”

    President, CBCN, Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama said the congress first held in 1954, adding that it was an opportunity to pray for the nation.

    According to him, “70 percent of Nigerians live below two-dollar per day. There is a lot of hunger and poverty in the land. I call on all of us, especially our leaders to entrust the country to God, who has the capacity to ensure that peace and unity transverse across the length and breadth of the nation.”