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Tag: Mr Godwin Obaseki

  • Obaseki to Akeredolu: We will partner for mutual benefit

    Obaseki to Akeredolu: We will partner for mutual benefit

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said that the election of Rotimi Akeredolu as Governor of Ondo State would open door for partnership to develop dynamic, mutually beneficial relations.

    Obaseki said initiatives in the fields of security and economy would strengthen both states.

    In a congratulatory message to Akeredolu signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. John Mayaki, Obaseki described the outcome of the election as victory for the people of Ondo.

    Obaseki hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the security agencies and the people of Ondo state for the peaceful conduct of the election

    According to him, “I have followed your career for years and was excited to read about your political victory. You have always impressed me with your clear vision and ability to get the job done against the most formidable opposition.

    “I am delighted that you will continue to work for the good of the people of your state and the nation as you perform the duties of the Governor of Ondo state upon assumption of office.

    “I sincerely congratulate you and send my best wishes for your every success and wisdom in discharging the important and responsible duties of your new position.

    “I am confident that the trust placed in you by the citizens of Ondo state will inspire you to continue important efforts in promoting the unity of the state and the country, leading it on the path of development and prosperity.

    “I am very pleased that Edo and Ondo state are becoming increasingly close partners. I firmly believe that we will partner to develop dynamic, mutually beneficial relations, and that our joint initiatives in the fields of security and economy will strengthen both states.

    “I strongly hope that working together decisively and in the spirit of solidarity and unity, we will defend the interests and common values of our state and the nation”.

  • 2017 budget: Obaseki’s team to meet lawmakers

    2017 budget: Obaseki’s team to meet lawmakers

    Towards speedy passage of the 2017 budget proposal, the pre-budget team of the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, will next week meet with lawmakers in the State House of Assembly to discuss the  budget framework.

     

    Governor Obaseki began preparation of the 2017 budget before he was sworn-in and he is expected to present the budget before the lawmakers go for December break.

     

    Obaseki said the interaction with the lawmakers would help to facilitating understanding between the executive and the legislature as well as making crafting of bills efficient. 

     

    He spoke when he received the lawmakers who visited him at the Government House.

     

    Governor Obaseki assured the lawmakers that his administration would run ‘a very transparent government that also listens to the people.

     

    Describing his administration as dawn of a new era and a government the people yearned for, Governor Obaseki said the last eight was to recover the state politically and lay foundation for rapid transformation.

     

    Obaseki reiterated his desire to focus on human development and economic empowerment through job creation and rebuilding of public institutions.

     

    He noted that his policies would be as nice as they were pronounced if the institutional framework were not available.

     

    He said, “We have too many young men and women in our own estimate between half a million to 3 quarter of a million, between the ages of 15 to 30 who have nothing doing. We have to engage them and to engage them, we need to do several things and so, the last two days, you would have noticed that we are trying to understand the issues.”

     

    “We are going to create jobs. We promised a minimum of 200,000 jobs and to do that, we first have to understand our direction and the challenges we face in terms of unemployment. On Monday, we went to Benin Technical College which was established 40 years ago to champion technical and vocational training for young men and women. 

     

    “The key priority for us would be to ensure that we revamp and strengthen our civil service. That informed our visit yesterday to just have a firsthand understanding of how our civil servants work. Members of the house, we have a lot of work to do. In the last 40 years, not much have been done, particularly, in the physical environment in which our civil servants work, but more critically in training them and building their skill level.

     

    “We understand that we have to continue to invest in infrastructure despite very lean resources but we are very clear and resolute that working with you, and with the kind of support we enjoy from you, we will be able to overcome all these challenges we face.

     

    “Next week, we will be sending our first executive bill to you. It is critical and when the time is right, we will know publicly. Starting from next week, we will be sending the team, the pre-budget team to come and meet with the budget committee of the house to seat down and begin to discuss the framework for next year budget.”

     

    Also speaking, the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Justin Okonobo said they were in Government House for a familiarization visit to the Governor and pledged their readiness to work with Governor Obaseki. 

     

    The Speaker declared that they were ready to formulate laws that would be of benefit to the people of Edo State.

  • Obaseki expresses shock over dilapidated Benin Technical College

    Obaseki expresses shock over dilapidated Benin Technical College

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Tuesday expressed shock over the level of decayed infrastructure and technical facilities at the Benin Technical College.

    Obaseki who visited the school for the on-the-spot assessment of the condition of the school and the facilities said his administration would rebuild the college as part of his campaign promises to drive industrial revolution in the state.

    He stated that the college would train skilled technical manpower and create job when completed.
    Describing the present condition of the school as unacceptable, Governor Obaseki vowed to take what he termed very drastic measures in the next few weeks to rebuild the institution.

    His words, “We have to bring it up so that it becomes the basis for training technical manpower we need to drive our industrial revolution in the state.”

    “To create jobs, you have to have facilities and institutions where you train people on practical knowledge on how to create work and create things and that is why we felt that the first point of call should be to find out what happened to our technical college which is supposed to be the institution to train skilled technical man-power and I’m sure, you will agree with me, that this is pitiable. It’s really really sad.”

    “If you could see the quality of the infrastructure that was built 40 years ago, two of these institutions were donated by the Canadian Government to two African countries 40 years ago. If you look at the equivalent of this institution in Tanzania, it is producing highly qualified technical manpower in that country.”

    Governor Obaseki told the Principal of the School, Mrs Bose Imafidon, to submit the survey plan of the property through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education to the Governor’s Office.

    Places inspected are the technical session, Junior Secondary School and its extension, welding and technical workshop, which accommodates various machines and other equipment, Radio and Television, Electrical, Information and Communication workshops as well as staff quarters and the swimming pool, its pavilion and dressing room which were already over-grown by weeds.

  • Edo state: Obaseki, Shaibu sworn into office

    Edo state: Obaseki, Shaibu sworn into office

    Mr. Godwin Obaseki, winner of the September 28 governorship election, has been sworn-in as the Governor of Edo State.

    Obaseki took oath of office at about 12:45pm administered by the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Cromwell Idahosa.

    He was accompanied by his wife, Betsy.

    Earlier, Philip Shaibu was sworn-in as the Deputy Governor of the state.

    Former Governor Adams Oshiomhole personally drove his Jeep into the Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, venue of the even.

     

  • Huge crowd as Obaseki takes oath of office

    Huge crowd as Obaseki takes oath of office

    The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin was filled to capacity as the new governor of Edo state, Mr Godwin Obaseki, took the oath of office on Saturday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the main bowl of the stadium and the outer precincts were filled to capacity during the ceremony.

    Among the dignitaries at the occasion were the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, Gov. Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State, Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State and Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun.

    Also present were business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and the APC governorship candidate in Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu.

    The ceremony also had in attendance a former military head of state, Dr Yakubu Gowon, and ministers including that of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

    NAN reports that the inauguration ceremony was also graced by traditional rulers from across the three senatorial districts of the state as well as youths and market women who were all dressed in different attires.

    NAN also reports that Obaseki is taking over from Adams Oshiomhole who had served two terms of four years.

    Obaseki defeated the candidate of the PDP, Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu, in the Sept. 28 governorship poll in the state.

  • Tight security as Obaseki takes oath of office

    Tight security as Obaseki takes oath of office

    There was tight security within and around the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, where the new Governor of Edo state, Mr Godwin Obaseki will take his oath of office.

    The security personnel which were drawn from the Police, Army, Department of State Security and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, were positioned inside and around the venue.

    The News agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Stadium road and adjoining streets within the precinct of the stadium were also heavily guarded by security personnel.

    NAN also reports that apart from ensuring free-flow of traffic to and from the stadium by the police and men of the Federal Road Safety Corps, security personnel were also on hand to control movement of people into the stadium.

    It would be recalled that former governor of the state, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, whose government was inaugurated on Nov. 12, 2008, handed over to Obaseki last night in a brief ceremony in government house.

    The former labour leader, after his first inauguration in 2008, won a re-election as the governor for his second term in July 2012.

    NAN reports that the new governor, Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had on Sept, 28, won the governorship race by defeating the People Democratic Party (PDP), candidate, Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

     

  • Don’t fight Obaseki, Bishop tells Oshiomhole

    Don’t fight Obaseki, Bishop tells Oshiomhole

    Arch-Bishop of Benin Diocese, Bishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze, has told outgoing Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, to live up to his words not to interfere in the administration of his successor, Mr Godwin Obaseki.

    Bishop Akubeze said the people of the state do not want a divided state where political leaders are constantly fighting themselves.

    Akubeze spoke last night at a special thanksgiving mass to mark the end of Governor Oshiomhole’s tenure.

    He urged Oshiomhole to be active politically as he (Oshiomhole) still has a lot to offer the country. 

    Bishop Akubeze told Oshiomhole to continue to fight for the poor and forgive those that offended his administration.

    Apparently referring to the deposition of the Ojuromi of Uromi, Zaiki Edenojie II, the Catholic Priest noted that power ‘is most efficiently used to forgive than to impose sanction.’

    He said Nigerians must continue to fight corruption with good conviction so as not to depeened the gap between the rich and the poor.

    His words: “We are suffering because those who God has blessed, refuse to spread the wealth. If blessings of God are well distributed, there will be less suffering”

    Bishop Akubeze advised Obaseki not to try to be like Oshiomhole but to do things his own way because his loyalty is to the people.

    Akubeze urged Obaskei to increase private sector investment in the state as well as create employment.

    He warned him to resist the temptation of working only in areas where he won elections.

  • Obaseki: Oshiomhole hands-over Friday

    Obaseki: Oshiomhole hands-over Friday

    Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole will on Friday hand-over power to the Governor-elect, Mr Godwin Obaseki.

    Obaseki and his Deputy, Mr Philip Shaibu will, however, be sworn-in on Saturday at the Dr Samuel Ogbemudia stadium by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Cromwell Idahosa.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the  Edo University, Iyamho, Oshiomhole confirmed he will hand over on Friday.

    He said God has answered his prayers to finish well and to finish strong.

    Several flagship projects of the Oshiomhole administration including the new 200-bed Central Hospital, 6-lane Siluko road; Samuel Ogbemudia College, reclaimed Queen Edo gully erosion site, the Ugbegun-Ujiogba-Ebudin-Igueben-Ewohinmi road, Edo University, Iyamho, Second East Circular road and schools have been inaugurated since on Monday.

    Obaseki polled 319,483 votes to defeat Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the Peoples Democratic Party who got 253,173 votes.

  • Tribunal orders substituted service on Obaseki, APC

    Tribunal orders substituted service on Obaseki, APC

    The Edo State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Benin City has granted an order for the People’s Democratic Party and the Young Democratic Party to serve court processes on the All Progressive Congress and governor-elect, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, through substituted service.

     

    By this order, the court processes would be assumed served once they are pasted on the walls, or gate of the Edo APC secretariat and the residence of Obaseki.

     

    The tribunal granted the order following a motion exparte filed separately by Counsels to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the YDP.

     

    Lead Counsel to Pastor Ize-Iyamu and the PDP, Kingsley Obamogie, said the motion exparte was filed in pursuant of the First Schedule, Paragraph 47 of the Electoral Act as amended.

     

    Obamogie told the tribunal that the Edo APC secretariat along the Airport road has been shut down since October 20, 2016.

     

    He said the shutting down was to frustrate attempt to serve court processes on them.

     

    Obamogie urged the tribunal to grant the motion because it has become impossible to serve Obaseki and to enable them make progress in the petition.

     

    Ugo Nwafor, Counsel to YDP and its candidate, Nurudeen Inwanfero, in the motion sought the tribunal leave to serve the APC and Obaseki by substituted service.

     

    In his ruling, Chairman of the tribunal, Justice A.T.Badamasi granted the motion saying it was in line with the Electoral Act as amended and section 6(5) of the Federal High Court procedural rules.

  • Declare me winner, Ize-Iyamu tells tribunal

    Declare me winner, Ize-Iyamu tells tribunal

    The People’s Democratic Party and its governorship candidate in the September 28 governorship polls in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has filed a petition against the outcome of the election.

     

    In the petition, Pastor Ize-Iyamu is asking the tribunal to declare him winner of the election.

     

    Candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, was declared winner of the election after polling 319,483 votes against 253,173 votes garnered by Pastor Ize-Iyamu.

     

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu beat the deadline by filing the petition at about 4:45pm even though party supporters and reporters had waited at the tribunal since 12noon.

     

    He was accompanied by the state party leaders and supporters. 

     

    State Chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, said they filed the petition within the stipulated time as defined by the Electoral Laws.

     

    Chief Orbih said they presented what he termed ‘a very good case’ before the tribunal.

     

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu said they are asking the tribunal to declare him winner of the election.

     

    His words, “We just filed and in the next few days, you will begin to get brief about what is at stake. We are asking the court to declare us as the rightful winner of the election. 

     

    “Edo people know who won the election. We are law abiding despite the injustice. I thank Edo people for their patience despite their anger against the results announced by INEC. 

     

    “Throughout the campaigns, our people kept asking us if we were ready to defend the votes they are going to give to us. We assured them and they came out to vote for us. Democracy will not thrive if you allow people to allocate votes. Our case is a strong one and by the time sitting will start, Edo people will be amazed at the impunity to win at all cost.”