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Tag: Mr Godwin Obaseki

  • Obaseki mulls reforestation programme with PRESCO Plc, others

    …as company lauds growing investor confidence in Edo

     

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that his administration is committed to a comprehensive reforestation programme through collaboration with PRESCO Nig. Plc. and similar companies in the state.

    According to the governor, the reforestation programme was conceived to correct the degradation and depletion of trees in forest reserves across the state.

    Obaseki who disclosed this at the Pre-Annual General Meeting Cocktail Dinner organised by PRESCO Plc. at Obaretin Estate, in the state, explained that the reforestation programme has become necessary as an audit of forest reserves in the state showed that the reserves have been depleted.

    Read Also:Lassa fever: Edo urges residents to sustain prevention efforts

    He noted that his administration’s strategy will ensure that the depleted parts of the forest reserves are put to profitable use through partnership with companies that are ready to work with the state to cultivate oil palm and other economic trees.

    “In our private conversation with the chairman of PRESCO Plc. I have received his assurance and we will be working with them on a reforestation programme in the state,” Obaseki said.

    He explained that 50 years ago, Nigeria was the number one oil palm producing country in the world, noting that the state and nation want to restore that lost glory.

    The Chairman of Presco Plc., Mr Pierre Vandebeeck commended the governor and his team for finding time to attend the company’s Pre-AGM Cocktail Dinner and lauded the growing investor confidence in the state resulting from the ease of doing business in all parts of the state.

    “We enjoy working in your state because you have created the enabling environment for us to do business here. We are proud of you and pledge to continue to support your administration to enable you succeed in transforming the state.”

     

  • Market women, NURTW laud Obaseki’s achievements 

    …hail removal of thugs from markets, parks

    Market women and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Edo State have staged solidarity walks in support of the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

    The leader of the Market Women Association, Madam Blackie Ogiamien, in their separate march, told the governor “We are here to express our appreciation to your leadership style. As keen followers of your administration, we salute you for your various initiatives which includes the promotion of cleanliness through the weekly sanitation introduced by your administration.

    Read Also:Edo berates BEDC over poor supply of electricity to residents

    “Many persons have attested to the restoration of law and order in the state capital. This has improved the free flow of human and vehicular traffic especially around markets. In the beginning it seemed like child’s play but today, we have seen the result.”

    Ogiamien maintained that “As mothers, wives and workers, your prompt payment of workers is quite commendable as it encourages workers to plan ahead and meet the demands of their families.

    “We market women commend you for demobilising street urchins and thugs or ‘agberos’ who were terrorizing our markets and making trading almost impossible. We commend you for restoring sanity in this area as we the market women now have peace and are able to do our business without any harassment.”

    She appealed to the governor not to allow for the return of thugs in the state, recalling the harrowing experiences they had in the hands of the thugs while they held sway.

    In his response, Governor Obaseki expressed his appreciation to the women for their support, and explained: “With the support of members of my administration, we stopped ticketing through which different groups were extorting market women. I never knew that my pronouncement would go far and restore sanity in the city, which has improved the total revenue collected by the local government monthly.”

    In a separate event, the Chairman, Edo State Chapter of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mr Odion Olaye, who led other members of the union on a solidarity walk to the Government House in Benin City, commended the governor for what he called “the good work Obaseki has done within a short time in office,” and assured that members of the union are behind him.

    “We are here to pass a vote of confidence on you as the governor of Edo State, because of the good work you are doing for us in the state. It is only those who are blind that will not see the good work you are doing. You are building roads; we are seeing the projects and our members are happy with you. We appreciate the good work you are doing with the Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA), the vigilante group and the Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) programme.

    He urged those peddling falsehood to distract the governor to desist from the act and maintained that the governor deserved to be praised.

    In his remark, the governor expressed appreciation to members of the union for their support and assured that his administration is determined to make life more meaningful for the average Edo person.

    “My vision is to transform the economy and make the state viable for businesses to thrive. I have engaged contractors to rehabilitate and reconstruct roads across the 18 local government areas of the state.”

     

  • EdoJobs takes skills devt mandate to Uhunmwode, Orhionmwon LGAs

    … completes orientation programme for school leavers

     

    As part of efforts to actualise Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki’s skills development mandate, EdoJobs, the state’s platform for skills development and jobs creation, is carrying out a census of unemployed youths in Uhunmwode and Orhionmwon Local Government Areas, to identify skills gaps and capacity building need of the two local councils.

    Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Skills Development and Job Creation, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, who disclosed this in a chat with journalists, said that the census will help EdoJobs fashion training modules to fit the needs of the communities in the councils.

    According to her, “During the registration held on Wednesday July 11, Friday July 13 and on Monday July 16, there was massive turnout as many persons from all the wards in Uhunmwode and Orhionmwon Local Government Areas were registered on the EdoJobs database.”

    “The Special Assistants from all the wards supported the exercise by mobilising members of their communities for the exercise. With the registration, we will be able to identify the skills gap, train youths and match them with job opportunities.”

    She said there is an elaborate plan to revamp selected Skills Acquisition Centres in the communities in preparation for the train-to-hire programme.

    Meanwhile, EdoJobs has concluded plans to partner the technology company, Bits Global, to train 100 school leavers on in-demand technology skills.

    According to Dare, “As part of Governor Obaseki’s promise to create 200,000 jobs, we have entered into partnership with Bits Global to train 100 under-privileged school leavers on basic ICT skills.”

    She explained that the training will assist the school leavers develop early interest in exploring opportunities in Nigeria’s evolving technology eco-system.

    She added, “The beneficiaries praised Governor Obaseki for the initiative. Some of them never had an encounter with the computer prior to the orientation week.”

    The orientation week covered lessons on the importance of computing, Internet, MS PowerPoint, Basics of presentation, Typing, MS Word, among others.

    The participants were carefully selected from the community hosting the Edo Innovation Hub, “Edo Innovates.” The training is specifically designed for young school leavers of 16 – 24 years of age.

    EdoBits is a project set up by the Edo State Government, Butterfly Works, and EkoBits to reduce unemployment in Edo State and aid youth in acquiring internationally-certified training. It is licensed by an entity called We are Bits based in the Netherlands

  • Human trafficking: Obaseki’s initiatives attract Diaspora Ambassador

    … as NGO arrives Benin City for skills training, stakes N50,000 grant for each trainee

     

    Efforts by the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to rehabilitate and reintegrate victims of human trafficking and irregular migration have attracted support from indigenes of the state in the Diaspora, who are now committed to advancing the governor’s campaign and supporting the reintegration of returnees.

    Recall that Governor Obaseki few weeks ago was in Brussels, Belgium to seek the European Parliament’s partnership in building structures for robust Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and other forms of support from the European Union so as to strengthen the state government’s programme in rehabilitating and reintegrating the returnees, and upskill other youths in the state.

    Inspired by the governor’s spirited and sustained effort to stem the trend of human trafficking, Mrs. Queen Klopper, a Germany-based indigene of the state and Founder of Haven for Rehabilitation and Reintegration, a Non-Governmental Organisation, has thrown her weight behind the rehabilitation effort.

    Speaking with journalists yesterday in Benin City, she charged Edo indigenes resident in the state and in the Diaspora to support the efforts of the government, so that she can make a headway in its campaign against human trafficking.

    She said she was back in the country to contribute her own quota to the state government’s effort and has finalised arrangement to organise a skills acquisition training for 10 of the returnees on July 20.

    According to her, “I am based in Germany. I had a Foundation in Abuja, called Haven for Rehabilitation and Reintegration, which I started six years ago. I relocated to Germany but the fire to help others still burns in me. The Foundation has as its objectives to train youths on skills, prison visits to empower prisoners, and rural development, especially to empower rural women.”

    Explaining her motivation for the training, she said, “The condition of Libya returnees is no longer news. They were put through hard labour and torture. We heard about it on the news in Germany for days, as well as on social media. From there, I saw how Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, tried his best to rehabilitate them. They were given free accommodation, food and even monthly stipends, which is not easy.

    “I thought that it would be a good idea to contribute my quota to his very impressive campaign, given the limited resources. I felt if I could train just a few of these people with my personal funds, it will go a long way in helping the state.”

    She said the skills acquisition programme will last for two days and the module includes advanced beadmaking and aso-oke gele tying.

    “After this, some of them will be sent to Abuja for advanced training for two weeks. For the best of the set, who will proceed to Abuja for training, we plan a N50,000 grant and a kit for them to start-up. We hope that this will be about three to five people. The training will be in-depth,” she said.

    According to her, “We intend to sustain this programme and I call on more people to support the state government’s efforts to train these people.  We want to also train some of the young men among them on how to make tie and dye, which will last for a month. Tie and dye production is not very popular in Edo State; it is popular in the South West. But we want them to learn.”

     

     

  • Obaseki seeks CSOs’ support, monitoring of Edo BEST programme

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has called on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to join forces with the state government in deepening the impact of the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) programme by monitoring its implementation in local government areas across the state.

    Obaseki made the call during the courtesy visit by board members of Enibokun-Edoror Foundation, at Government House, in Benin City, Edo State.

    He urged the Enibokun-Edoror Foundation to support the programme by monitoring its implementation in Edo Central Senatorial District, to ensure efficiency and accountability.

    Read Also:Fayose’s fall is a signal to Wike, says Edo APC

    He said, “As an organisation, we would like you to assist us in monitoring schools in local government areas where Enibokun-Edoror Foundation operates to ensure that teachers are always present in schools to teach our children.”

    Explaining that his administration is keen on curbing human trafficking and irregular migration by providing access to qualitative basic education for citizens, he noted, “One of the ways we are curtailing human trafficking is to improve education particularly at the basic level, so as to instill confidence in our youth. This is why we launched the Edo-BEST programme.”

    The governor commended the Foundation for its various skills acquisition programmes, adding, “the state government would work with you to broaden the scope of the Foundation. When we see people like you, who are concerned about the situation of young people and ready to empower them with hands-on skills, we have no choice but to work with and support you.

    “We will visit your skills acquisition centres to see what you have on ground and areas where we can support you,” he added.

    President of Enibokun-Edoror Foundation, Mrs. Rosemary Edoror, commended governor Obaseki-led administration for its transformational leadership as well as the development of the state, especially in the area of road infrastructure.

    Edoror said the Foundation has members drawn from the five local council areas in Edo Central and is involved in youth empowerment and provision of financial assistance to indigent students and women.

    She added, “In our five skills acquisition centres, we train youths on fashion design, bead making, cosmetology and electrical repairs. The Foundation seeks support from the state government to purchase more training equipment which we enable us sustain our skills acquisition programme.”

  • Mandela Day: Obaseki salutes commitment to global peace, good governance

    The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has hailed the Nobel Peace Prize winner and former South African President, Nelson Mandela, for his commitment to global peace and good governance, charging world leaders to emulate his dedication to better human society.

    Obaseki who gave the charge on the occasion of the commemoration of the Nelson Mandela International Day, marked on July 18, each year by the United Nations, said Mandela remains one of the greatest gifts from the African continent to humanity.

    “A special day for the Nobel Peace Prize winner, who fought with all he had for the liberation of black South Africans from the shackles of apartheid and the enthronement of a rainbow nation of many colours, is a call on world leaders to take actions that will enhance the wellbeing of majority of the people we swore to serve,” the governor said.

    Read Also:UN celebrates Nelson Mandela day

    Obaseki added: “Mandela demonstrated his unshakable faith in one diverse and united South Africa at great personal cost, and led from the front to challenge obnoxious, divisive and retrogressive laws and tendencies in order to foster a community where peace reigns supreme.”

    He urged leaders to use the Nelson Mandela International Day to reflect and draw up a checklist of workable solutions to pressing problems facing humanity, namely; health challenges, global security, food security, climate change, infrastructural deficit amongst others.

    According to the United Nations, “Nelson Mandela devoted his life to the service of humanity — as a human rights lawyer, a prisoner of conscience, an international peacemaker and the first democratically elected president of a free South Africa.”

    The UN explained that “in recognition of the former South African President’s contribution to the culture of peace and freedom, UN General Assembly declared July 18 Nelson Mandela International Day.

    “Resolution A/RES/64/13 recognises Mandela’s values and his dedication to the service of humanity in: conflict resolution; race relations; promotion and protection of human rights; reconciliation; gender equality and the rights of children and other vulnerable groups; the fight against poverty; the promotion of social justice.

    “The resolution acknowledges his contribution to the struggle for democracy internationally and the promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world.”

    The organisation urged everyone to mark Nelson Mandela International Day “by making a difference in their communities as everyone has the ability and the responsibility to change the world for the better.

    “Mandela Day is an occasion for all to take action and inspire change. Nelson Mandela International Day 2018 marks 100 years since the birth of Nelson Mandela (18 July 1918).

    The Nelson Mandela Foundation is dedicating this year’s Mandela Day to Action Against Poverty, honouring Nelson Mandela’s leadership and devotion to fighting poverty and promoting social justice for all.”

     

  • Obaseki condemns killings of policemen in Edo

    …commiserates with their families, Police hierarchy

     

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has condemned the ambush and killing of four policemen by assailants, while on routine patrol in Sabongidda Ora, Owan West Local Government Area of the state, at the weekend.

    Obaseki said the ugly incident is being investigated to ascertain the motive of the killers while assuring that efforts to arrest them was ongoing.

    “I commiserate with the Inspector-General of Police, the Edo State Police Command, and the families of the dead. Our administration will work with the security agencies to apprehend the criminals and bring them to justice,” he said.

    Read Also:Breaking: Robbers kill, set four policemen ablaze in Edo

    The governor stressed that the unprovoked attacks on men and women of the police force and sister security agencies is unacceptable and assured that the state’s security architecture will create roles for communities and local groups as well as the organised private sector to support security agencies in eradicating crimes across the state.

    According to media reports, the four policemen who were attached to the Sabongidda -Ora Divisional Police Headquarters were on Saturday evening killed and burnt in their patrol van by unknown persons.

    The police officers were killed at a road block at Uzebba-Aviosi junction along Ifon road, Sabongidda-Ora, the reports said.

  • Obaseki urges global action on population growth

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has called on world leaders to take decisive action to ensure development efforts meet and surpass the pace of population growth, to reduce inequality and engender inclusive growth across the world.

    Obaseki, who said this in commemoration of the World Population Day, marked every July 11, noted that growing population shouldn’t be seen as a curse, but a challenge for developing countries to articulate innovative pathways that will drive inclusive and sustainable development.

    Read Also:Discordant tunes over Nigeria’s rising population

    According to him, “The World Population Day reminds us of the need to be circumspect in a number of policy issues, especially as it affects population growth and its implications for economic development and social cohesion. On a day like this, it is imperative to make the case for planned parenthood and family planning so as to ensure that the world’s population doesn’t become untamable.

    Noting that this year’s theme for the day, Family Planning is Human Right, makes it imperative for families to determine the size and spacing of their children, he said it behoves government to provide structures for individuals to dream and actualise their dreams.

    “Due to its economic implications, growing population has been a double blessing for developing countries, such that many are still grappling to articulate policies to manage the growth and the attendant socio-political as well as economic fallouts of a bulging population.

    “However, we cannot wish away the import of human life. Hence, even as the debate and policy actions are tweaked to contain population growth, governments and world leaders should take critical actions to ensure that development meets needs of people, in such a way that they would be assured of support structures to carve out their destinies and live happy, fulfilled lives.”

    The governor said that the state government has undertaken a number of development initiatives to help in delivery of affordable, accessible healthcare, quality basic education and expand the space for wealth creation so as to deepen inclusive growth and development.

    He added that the state government will not relent in its efforts in industrialising the state, attracting investments to open up new vistas for economic expansion and deepen reforms to ensure that people have opportunities to express themselves and earn decent wages.

  • Obaseki deploys Quality Assurance personnel to public primary schools

    …Okays mentoring for teachers, daily review of teachers’ activities

     

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has approved the deployment of Quality Assurance personnel to public primary schools across the state.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic Education and Acting Chairman, Edo SUBEB, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, disclosed this on Tuesday in Benin City, the state capital.

    She explained that the decision is in line with the state government’s strategy to strengthen the inspectorate arm of the primary education sub-sector for better monitoring of the impact of the ongoing reform in the sector.

    Read Also:INEC seeks support of Obaseki in voters’ mobilization

    “The deployment follows the revamp of the Inspectorate Division. Qualified and outstanding teachers already in the public school system are being recruited and trained for this role and deployed on a ratio of one quality assurance staff to 10 schools,” the governor’s aide said.

    On the specific roles of the Quality Assurance personnel, Dr. Osa Oviawe said, “They are to visit schools every day and send their reports to SUBEB on a daily basis using their digital devices. The Quality Assurance personnel will monitor teachers on their teaching as well as take inventory of teaching aid and equipment in the schools, including what works and what is broken.”

    The Edo SUBEB Acting chairman, further said that “As part of Governor Obaseki’s Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) initiative, a new role has been created in the sector, called Learning and Development Officers. These people will be trained to become Edo-BEST trainers and mentors of teachers.”

    According to her, “Once the Quality Assurance team visits a school and identify areas of improvement, the Learning and Development Officer will visit the school and provide ongoing training and support to teachers.

    “A third group of staff is the Social Mobilisation Officers. They are to work with the community, the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) and the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) to ensure that there is good synergy between the school and community.

    “All these staff will be assigned 10 schools each that they will to visit on a daily basis and provide support. The Social Mobilisation Officers will be responsible for sensitisation on Child sexual abuse, enforcement of the Child Rights Law and related issues.”

     

  • Edo MDAs meet, brainstorm on priorities

    Consequent upon the inauguration of ward development committees in Uhunmwode Local Government Area by the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, relevant government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are meeting with the committees to brainstorm and agree on development projects for the council.

    The committees, set up few weeks ago by the governor, is a non-partisan platform that aggregates interest of the various wards in the local government and prioritises sustainable projects and initiative for rapid development in collaboration with government agencies. A brainchild of Governor Obaseki, the committees’ work is being spearheaded by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Chief Osaro Idah.

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    Each ward development committee includes two women, two youth, a traditional ruler, one retired or serving teacher and nurse, one member of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), a member of an opposition party and a religious leader.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic Education and Acting Chairman, Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, said that a team comprising officials and representatives of key MDAs, including Ministry of Infrastructure, SUBEB, Edojobs, Post-Primary Education Board, among others, would continue engagement with the ward committees and a meeting has already been scheduled to reach a consensus on priority projects.

    According to her, “After Governor Obaseki inaugurated the committees, we have been in touch and are working to align the development imperatives to meet pressing demands. So, we will be meeting with the committees in Uhunmwode on Tuesday and Wednesday and that of Orhionmwon by Thursday and Friday.

    Chief Osaro Idah said, “It is important to emphasis that the committees are non-political in nature. We are going to be holding extensive discussions with them, surveying the environment and developing a shopping list and costing for projects.”

    Noting that the delegation will be working within existing development plans for the communities, he noted, “We intend to align the development needs of the wards with the MDAs’ strategic plans and also prioritise them according to the most pressing of needs. The initiatives are going to be rolled out in August.”

    Chief Idah added that the state government was committed to grassroots development, which inspired the setting up of the committees. Noting that the strategy will about coordinated and people-driven development in the grassroots, he urged members of the different wards to work with the committees and the state government in actualizing the different projects to be initiated.