The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Mr Godwin Obaseki

  • June 12: Obaseki hails sacrifice of Abiola, CSOs, others

    …Lauds FG on declaration

     

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has hailed the Federal Government’s decision to recognise the presumed winner of the 1993 presidential election, the late Chief Moshood Abiola, noting that the gesture restores hope in democratic ideals.

    In a statement, the governor said that the declaration is a turning point in Nigeria’s history as it recognises the yearnings of Nigerians for democratic society, which the struggle of Chief MKO Abiola and other civil society organisations symbolizes.

    According to him, “On behalf of the good people of Edo State, I salute the wisdom and courage of President Muhammadu Buhari, in recognising and declaring June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day to honour Chief Moshood Abiola, the presumed winner of the 1993 presidential elections.

    Read Also:Buhari apologises over June 12 poll annulment

    “The president’s declaration is a watershed in our political history, an answer to the yearnings of millions of Nigerians and honour for the sacrifices of the actors, who fought tirelessly for the actualization of his mandate and the return of power to the people.

    “I join millions of Nigerians to celebrate this day and wish all lovers of democracy a Happy Democracy Day.”

    He expressed appreciation to the president for the step taken in recognising the import of the day and struggles of pro-democracy groups, noting, “The sacrifices made by actors in the polity to sustain the ideals of democracy are responsible for the growth and development we have today.”

  • Obaseki unveils plan to build houses for Judges 

    …Trains 300 Stenographers

     

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has disclosed that his administration has commenced work on the design and development of houses for judges beginning with judges of the Appeal Court and the Federal High Court in the state.

    Obaseki said this while declaring open the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Benin Branch, 2018 Law Week and the official commissioning of the NBA Bar House in Benin City, on Monday.

    He explained that the phased housing project will commence with the first five units for Appeal Court judges and judges of the Federal High Court, assuring that more units will be constructed as his administration plans to develop a colony for judges in the state.

    “The real investment has to be in the people, system and the process. I have decided to relocate the Ministry of Justice to the new Block C in the state secretariat complex and will be fully furnished, computerised with an e-library to make the work place conducive for our judicial workers,” he said.

    The governor noted that his administration has hired 300 stenographers who are currently undergoing training.

    Read Also:Obaseki advocates Bottom–up approach to governance

    “Court recorders are being procured and by the time the new court building is completed, they will be installed,” he said.

    Obaseki said the goal and focus of his administration is to make the state the judicial hub of the region.

    “In the past 19 months we have made tremendous progress in taking the state to an enviable height. Our administration has made appreciable impact in the lives of our people by insisting on the rule of law”.

    The governor noted that his administration has created a sense of social security, stability, order and a sense of purpose which were made possible because of fear of sanctions.

    “The judicial system has helped in restoring law and order in the state. It has also helped to drive our reforms,” he said.

    The Chief Judge of Edo State, Hon. Justice Esohe Ikponmwen, commended the Edo State branch of the NBA for the success recorded during the 2018 Law Week.

    The Chief Judge, who was represented at the occasion by Hon. Justice Ada Ehigiamusoe, said: “The various topics treated will go a long way to further stabillise and enhance the development and growth of the nation and the law profession”.

    Delivering the keynote address titled The Role of Law in Economic Development and National Security, Dele Adesina (SAN), said the greatest threat to the survival of Nigeria as a nation is security and solving the security problem will mean solving the economic problem.

  • Preparation in top gear as VP Osinbajo visits Edo

    …To kick-start Tech Hub, 1800 housing Estate, others

     

    Contractors handling the construction of the Benin Technology Hub and the preliminary work at the site of the 1800 housing-unit Emotan Estate are working round the clock to deliver the projects on schedule, preparatory to the visit of Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to Edo State.

    The Vice President’s June 14th visit will see him commission the first Benin Innovation Hub, that will host over 25 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies for training of both young and old Edo people and residents on various ICT-based skills.

    During an unscheduled visit to the remodeling work at the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE), in Benin City, which is being converted to the tech hub, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, said he was pleased with the pace of work at the site.

    “The facility will be commissioned by the Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, and over 25 companies will use this innovation hub for different forms of training and certification,” the governor said.

    Read Also:FG donates relief materials to IDPs in Edo

    He disclosed that his administration has received solicitation from major global technology companies that have indicated interest in the innovation hub.

    Prof. Osinbajo will also perform the groundbreaking ceremony to kick-off the construction of 1800 housing-unit Emotan Estate, a joint venture project of the Edo State government and MIXTA Africa, located in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area.

    The project according to Governor Obaseki, was conceived to boost the state’s housing stock and assured that on completion, the houses will be affordable.

    Also on the itinerary of the Vice President is a facility visit to the 450 Mega Watts Edo-Azura Power project in the state, a project that has received positive reviews by the World Bank and its development partners as well as international and local actors in the power sector.

    The Social Investment Programme (SIP) of the federal government will receive a boost during Prof. Osinbajo’s visit as the vice president would hold a town hall meeting with beneficiaries. He is also expected to host the South-South tech community, where five start-ups will be picked after they pitch their ideas to a team of investors.

    He will also meet with the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) community in the state, as part of federal government’s efforts at deepening the sector to boost economic growth.

  • Obaseki plans special intervention fund for Uhunmwode LGA

    …schools, roads, hospitals, others to get facelift

     

    Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, says his administration has resolved to set aside special intervention fund that will be used for the development of infrastructure in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of the state.

    Obaseki said this at an interactive session with indigenes and residents of Uhunmwode Local Government Area, at the council’s headquarters in Ehor at the weekend, noting that the special fund will be expended in developing basic education, healthcare system, roads, and rural electrification.

    He explained, “I have decided to have in place a master plan for the development of Uhunmwode Local Council Area. Certain amount of money will be set aside as special intervention fund which will be used for the development of Uhunmwode LGA in the next three years.”

    He noted that the objectives of the master plan are to make the council area attractive for investors and assist the council’s administration improve its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) receipts to meet its financial obligations.

    According to him, “In the next six months, all the 90 primary schools in Uhunmwode LGA will be refurbished. Teachers will be assigned to teach in all these schools. The schools will be automatically integrated into the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EDO-Best) programme. We will introduce the school feeding programme across the state.”

    Read Also:Obaseki vows to recover funds from EDSOPADEC contractors

    Obaseki disclosed that, “We have commenced work on the designs for the old roads that will be reconstructed in the area. The reconstruction will be carried out in the next 18 months to link communities and open the area to more economic activities.”

    He said the state is working with the Federal Government on rural electrification which will be extended to Uhunmwode LGA, noting, “Since the area has the highest number of rural communities in the state without electricity, with our plan in place, we will change the narrative.”

    The governor assured the people that a security arrangement will be in place to protect life and property in the area, which will make the area more attractive to investors.

    On road construction, Obaseki explained that a committee will be set-up at the ward level with members drawn from the community to include religious and political leaders.

    “The state will work with the committee to ensure completion of the designs for roads, appointment of contractors and supervision of the contractors to meet deadlines project delivery.”

    The Enogie of Ehor, Chief David Igiehon, told the governor that Uhunmwode LGA has long suffered neglect and people in the area are desirous of development that will attract investors to the area.

  • Benin innovation hub to host over 25 ICT companies – Obaseki

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has disclosed that over 25 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies will be using the facility at the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE) as innovation hub on completion.

    Obaseki disclosed this during an inspection tour of the ongoing construction work at ICE facility in the state, ahead of the visit of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on June 14, 2018.

    He said he was pleased with the pace of work at the site, noting, “The facility will be commissioned by the Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, and over 25 companies will use this innovation hub for different forms of training and certification.”

    The governor said his administration has received solicitation from major global technology companies that have indicated interest in the innovation hub.

    “Those that will benefit from this facility are both the young and old residents in the state, as they will get industry-relevant skills and certification,” he added.

    Obaseki said his administration decided to create opportunities for Edo people and residents to acquire skills that are needed in the present day labour market.

    “The facility will help our people get remedial, short and long-term trainings and will enhance marketability.”

    He assured that the roads leading to the facility have also been captured for reconstruction as part of the refurbishment plan.

  • Ongoing reforms will drive job creation – Obaseki

    …to revive Agbede Farm

     

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that ongoing reforms in basic education, health and agricultural sectors would create more jobs and wealth for youths in the state.

    Obaseki said this when he visited the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Etsako West Local Government Area, Edo State, Alhaji Akokhia Abubakar.

    According to the governor, “Reforms in basic education, health and agricultural sectors will continue to attract investors to the state. This will, in turn, create more job opportunities for youths. We are working with investors to revive the Agbede Farm, which will create jobs for our people.”

    The governor added that the state government will continue to embark on reforms that will make life more meaningful for the people, especially youths and discourage them from embarking on illegal migration or become prey for human traffickers.

    Read Also:World Bank Reps in Edo, meet Obaseki on strategies to transform LGs

    He said the state will not relent in the fight against human trafficking which caused the illegal migration of at least 10,000 persons from the state, in the past one year.

    The governor who also visited Alhaji Usman Shaghadi, a state leader of the APC, and lauded Alhaji Shaghadi for his contributions to the growth and stability in the state chapter of the APC.

    He noted, “We appreciate your contributions to the growth of the party, especially the role you played during the local government elections and the state congress, which has been adjudged peaceful by independent observers.”

    The APC Chairman, Etsako West Local Government Area, Alhaji Abubakar, expressed appreciation to the governor for the visit, and assured that the people in the local government area will continue to support his reforms to make the state better for all.

    Similarly, Shaghadi commended the governor for the peace being enjoyed in the state, adding, “security has greatly improved in Edo State. We appreciate your effort, approach to handling security issues and your style of leadership, which has improved security across the state.”

  • Obaseki assures of support structures for Art, Culture sector

    …lauds ‘Journey of An African Monarch’ exhibitor

     

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has assured artists, curators, collectors and art enthusiasts of his administration’s support for the art and culture sector through a mix of market-oriented policies, promotion of Edo arts and crafts in the international market as well as the construction of a new museum in the state for the kingdom’s prized artworks.

    Obaseki said this at a photo exhibition in Benin City, with the theme: “Journey of An African Monarch,” organised by Mr. Omoregie Osakpolor.

    According to the governor, “Edo State has continued to produce some of the finest artists in the industry and I urge our youths to take advantage of the enabling environment we are creating for them to express themselves.”

    The organiser said the exhibition showcased a photography series reenacting the great Benin kingdom’s coronation rites of the 40th Oba, Oba Ewuare Ogidigan II.

    “The series which tells the two-week coronation story of the Omo n’Oba n’Edo, Oba Ewuare II’s ascension to the throne of the King of the ancient Benin kingdom, goes beyond just a collection of pictures, but also the reenactment of the Benin traditional rites of the coronation of the Oba and rich cultural heritage of the Edo people.”

    He expressed his gratitude to the governor for identifying with the exhibition, and noted that the governor’s endorsement of the event will raise its profile.

    Osakpolor explained that “the exhibition having witnessed a huge success in Lagos and Abuja, will be running in Benin at Ben Osawe Art Centre, till June 3.

    He expressed his thanks to God for the success of the exhibition, which he said is “his first exhibition amongst other projects he has achieved in recent times.

    Osakpolor is a documentary photographer and 2017 nominee for the Edwin George Prize for Photography at The Future Africa Awards.

  • Obaseki seeks proactive engagement to check tobacco consumption

    …cautions on second-hand smoke exposure

     

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has called for synergy and partnerships among relevant stakeholders to check the consumption and reduce the health and other associated risks, especially cardiovascular diseases.

    The governor said this in commemoration of the World No Tobacco Day marked by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other organs to raise awareness and check the consumption of tobacco.

    The governor proposed that collaborations should be built among health workers, civil society organisations and relevant Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to raise awareness and sensitise the people on the dangers of tobacco consumption.

    Read Also:Obaseki’s devt architecture stimulates economic growth – Aganbi

    “Much as tobacco companies are in legitimate business and have adopted health messaging to call attention to the associated risks of use of their products. As a government, we want to ensure that the people are better served with information on the cardiovascular dangers associated with its usage. Efforts should be made to sensitise people on the dangers of second-hand smoking, which also exposes people to similar dangers faced by active smokers.”

    He said the state government is pursing health policies such as the state-wide health insurance scheme, increasing the number of primary healthcare centers and improving the investment climate to attract investors, including private healthcare firms.

    He said that this year’s theme for the day, ‘Tobacco and Heart Disease,’ provides a platform to interrogate the implications of tobacco use and cardiovascular conditions, noting that stakeholders are being mobilised to spread the word on the dangers of tobacco consumption and the imperative to reduce its use.

    According to the World Health Organisation, “World No Tobacco Day 2018 will focus on the impact tobacco has on the cardiovascular health of people worldwide. Tobacco use is an important risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.

    Despite the known harms of tobacco to heart health and the availability of solutions to reduce related death and disease, knowledge among large sections of the public that tobacco is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease is low.”

  • Obaseki swears-in Oni-Okpaku as Environment Commissioner 

    …says govt in a hurry to transform sector

     

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has sworn-in Omoua Alonge Oni-Okpaku as the Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability in the state, following her confirmation by members of the Edo State House of Assembly.

    Speaking at the event that took place at the Government House, shortly before the weekly Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, Obaseki charged the new commissioner to adopt best practice in the management of the environment as his “administration is in a hurry to address challenges in the sector.”

    He urged the environment commissioner to bring her wealth of experience to make the desired positive change in the ministry, and advised her to eschew acts that could derail the progress that has been recorded in the sector.

    Read Also:Democracy Day: Obaseki lauds Edo people for unflinching support

    The governor assured that he was optimistic about the capacity of the new commissioner to transform the sector, considering her background in the sector, and maintained that “We did not feel it was right that Owan West Local Government Area was not represented in our cabinet.”

    He warned: “Your coming to join us is for service and not for self-enrichment.”

    In her remark, Oni-Okpaku pledged her loyalty to the government and assured that she would live up to the confidence reposed in her.

    She said the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability under her watch, would engage youths in the protection and preservation of the environment, in line with the state government’s Keep Edo Clean Project and other programmes.

    Recall that governor Obaseki forwarded the name of Omoua Alonge Oni-Okpaku as commissioner nominee to the Edo State House of Assembly for confirmation recently, following the sack of the former Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Mr. Reginald Okun.

  • Obaseki’s devt architecture stimulates economic growth – Aganbi

    The Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Akogate Ventures, Mr. Felix Aganbi, has said Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki’s development architecture has continued to stimulate  economic growth and boost the confidence of local investors in the state.

    Aganbi, who operates an integrated water factory in the state, disclosed this to journalists in Benin City, Edo State capital.

    Aganbi said, “The governor, who came into power with much expectation from the people in relation to his background and experience in the private sector, has not failed in delivering on his mandate.

    Read Also:Democracy Day: Obaseki lauds Edo people for unflinching support

    “He has remained professional in his engagements with the private sector. He has been able to prove that individuals from the private sector can come into governance and make a difference.”

    He commended the governor for bringing a new breath of life to governance, adding, “We have seen how he has brought professionalism into public administration. He has been able to show us that if we do the right thing, we will get the support of most people.

    “Obaseki has shaped how government should bring great value to the people. I have great respect for the Governor for what he is doing and what he has achieved.”

    Noting that infrastructural and industrial projects are becoming the hallmarks of the administration, he said, “We are seeing the roads that are being constructed, how new areas are springing up with the governor’s developmental strides. The effort on the Benin Industrial Park will, for instance, improve the human capital development indices in the state. All these have given the people a sense of belonging, and the conviction that power truly resides with the people.”

    He added, “Those of us who have investment in the state are benefitting from developmental strides recorded in the state. As more investors locate  their businesses in the state, the market for our product also expands.”