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  • Obaseki signs N342bn 2024 Edo Appropriation Bill into law

    Obaseki signs N342bn 2024 Edo Appropriation Bill into law

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Friday, signed the state’s 2024 Appropriation Bill, pegged at N342bn into law after the bill was passed by the Edo State House of Assembly.

    Signing the bill at the Government House, Obaseki commended the State Assembly for their collaboration, noting that the greater part of the budget will be used for capital projects to drive further development in the State.

    He said, “A fourth night ago, I came to the House to present the last budget in the life of this administration which we termed, ‘Finishing well budget’ and proposed an appropriation of N342 billion.

    “I want to thank the House who worked tirelessly to ensure we achieved this today. I am aware of the diligent work in ensuring that the bill is signed and passed into law today in good record time before the end of the financial year.

    “The greater percentage of this budget is going to be used for capital projects affecting our people in the State, and less than 50 percent will go for running of government and recurrent expenditure. We appreciate you for the progressive stand taken in this budget.”

    Obaseki continued: “I want to assure you that this government is going to be prudent and disciplined in terms of financial behavior. As a government, we ensure we fulfill and meet all our financial obligations. We meet our commitments as and when due. That is why we are able to pay salaries and benefits of staff on time.

    Read Also: Shaibu: there’s tension between Obaseki and I

    “From what we have seen from this appropriation law, we are going to complete all priority projects we embarked on. No government can complete the entire work in the life of any State or Country; it’s a continuous process. But for those things we set out to do, we will surely complete them and not leave any abandoned projects.”

    The governor added, “We are aware of the challenges and difficulties our citizens are facing and are working hard to complete our capital projects. We need to support the weakest in society by providing a soft landing for those who need help to sustain themselves, feed and for small businesses that need capital or support to help keep their livelihood.”

    On his part, the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Blessing Agbebaku, said, “Your Excellency, you presented your budget some time ago which you tagged ‘budget of finishing well’. We are here today to present the finished work of the budget to you. We have all party members here both the PDP, Labour and APC. It’s a total agreement on the budget.

    “This budget captured all spheres of administration of this State; it captured both the young, old, poor, rich, vulnerable and everybody in the State and also captured all the projects that intend to be executed in various constituencies.”

  • APC zonal organising secretary Agbomhere knocks Obaseki

    APC zonal organising secretary Agbomhere knocks Obaseki

    The Southsouth Zonal Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Blessing Agbomhere has carpeted the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki for destroying the state’s economy.

    He described the social and economic life in Edo State as “hopeless, chaotic and stale with a dire need for innovative and purpose-driven leadership”.

    Agbomhere, who has declared his intention to vie for the APC ticket next year, said the administration of Obaseki and his Deputy Philip Shaibu is a classical example of “two  who are fighting amongst themselves as a result of the distribution of their bounty.”

    In a statement, Agbomhere said the tragic state of affairs in Edo State was worrisome and a fallout of the “uncoordinated and vision-less leadership provided by Governor Obaseki and his deputy, Shaibu in the past seven and a half years”.

    He accused the governor and his deputy of biting the hand that fed them by betraying former Governor, Adams Oshiomhole and orchestrating a departure from the APC through which they were elected in their first term in office to the lack-lustre and drab Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which was currently “battling with a crisis of direction and cohesion.”

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    The statement said: “Having realised their folly, the outgoing governor and his deputy are now warming themselves back to the astute and pragmatic former governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole whose administration put Edo state on the pedestal of economic progress and infrastructural transformations during his two terms in office from 2008 to 2016.

    “From giving former governor, Oshiomhole a belated award to appearing uninvited to occasions where he is present, Governor Obaseki and his deputy are now visibly trying to exploit the massive popularity of Oshiomhole and the All Progressives Congress in the state for their ulterior motive.”

    He urged the people of the state not to fall for the antics of the governor who he said had failed to provide them with the basic necessities of life but to ensure the return of the APC to Osadebey House, promising that if given the opportunity to be governor, the state would witness the rekindling of the massive growth and development sparked by the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole Administration.

  • APC chief Agbomhere knocks Obaseki, accuses governor of destroying Edo economy

    APC chief Agbomhere knocks Obaseki, accuses governor of destroying Edo economy

    The south-south zonal organising secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Blessing Agbomhere has carpeted the governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki for destroying the state’s economy.

    He described the social and economic life in Edo state as “hopeless, chaotic and stale with a dire need for innovative and purpose-driven leadership.”

    Agbomhere, who declared his intention to vie for the APC ticket next year, said the administration of Obaseki and his deputy Philip Shuaibu is a classic example of “two thieves who are fighting amongst themselves as a result of the distribution of their ill-gotten bounty.”

    In a statement, Agbomhere said the tragic state of affairs in Edo state was worrisome and a fallout of the “uncoordinated and vision-less leadership provided by Governor Obaseki and his deputy, Shuaibu in the past seven and a half years.”

    He accused the governor and his deputy of biting the hand that fed them by betraying former governor, Adams Oshiomhole and orchestrating a departure from the APC through which they were elected in their first term in office to the lacklustre and drab Peoples Democratic Party which was currently “battling with a crisis of direction and cohesion.”

    Read Also: Obaseki’s CPS resigns in protest five months after appointment

    The statement said: “Having realised their folly, the outgoing governor and his deputy are now warming themselves back to the astute and pragmatic former governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole whose administration put Edo state on the pedestal of economic progress and infrastructural transformations during his two terms in office from 2008 to 2016.

    “From giving former governor, Oshiomhole a belated award to appearing uninvited on occasions where he is present, Governor Obaseki and his deputy are now visibly trying to exploit the massive popularity of Oshiomhole and the All Progressives Congress in the state for their ulterior motive.”

    He urged the people of the state not to fall for the antics of the governor who he said had failed to provide them with the necessities of life but to ensure the return of the APC to Osadebey House, promising that if allowed to be governor, the state would witness the rekindling of the massive growth and development sparked by the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole administration.

  • Obaseki hails academy’s impact on public service

    Obaseki hails academy’s impact on public service

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has said the John Odigie-Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) is making positive impact on the civil and public service in Edo since its 2022 establishment.

    Obaseki, at an open house for reporters, social media influencers and online content creators yesterday, said the Imuwahen Ajoonu-led JOOPSA has changed the way the operations of public service.

    He said: “Ajoonu has changed the way the civil and public service operates, and that was what we sought when we put up the academy.

    “JOOPSA has also made the digitisation of government activities easier, as civil servants can now function within a system that promotes continuous learning and development, due to the training they have been given at JOOPSA.

    “The state will definitely benefit from the impact of JOOPSA in the near future, as we focus on strengthening our institutions, through capacity building.”

    Read Also: Obaseki builds 565 roads

    Ajoonu said the academy is committed to a conducive learning environment, cutting edge curriculum, and a faculty made up of subject matter experts. She noted that JOOPSA has a transformative impact on civil and public service training, while ushering in a new era of excellence under Obaseki’s visionary leadership.

    She said: “The academy has quickly become knowledge and skills’ hub for public servants. Till date, JOOPSA has successfully trained 7,040 participants, aligning with its mission to shape a skilled and innovative public service workforce.

    “The strategic partnerships with industry experts, including collaborations with institutions like Nexford University, the Project Management Institute of Nigeria, and Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI), have helped the academy scale its operations effectively.”

  • Edo 2024: I am right man to be governor – Obaseki’s anointed aspirant

    Edo 2024: I am right man to be governor – Obaseki’s anointed aspirant

    Asue Ighodalo, the anointed governorship aspirant of the Governor Godwin Obaseki, has stated that he is the best person to succeed Obaseki on November 12, 2024.

    Ighodalo is one the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirants for the next year Edo governorship election. 

    He also claimed that he was nobody’s candidate for the crucial race, adding that he is ready to bring his experience of serving as chairman of various companies in Nigeria to bear, upon his being elected and inaugurated.

    Ighodalo spoke on December 11, when he visited the secretariat of Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), at No. 20, Ogbesasa Street, off Sokponba Road, Benin.

    He noted that he worked with Edo state’s former governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, between 2008 and 2016, while also doing the same for Obaseki.

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    Ighodalo, an indigene of Ewohimi in Edo Central Senatorial District, who is the Chairman of Alaghodaro Summit, stressed that he wanted to make the Southsouth state strong economically.

    Edo, as the heart beat of the nation, according to the governorship aspirant, should have infrastructure as good roads, pipe-borne water, good hospitals, and good schools, among others, while disclosing that it was a tough decision for him to leave the private sector for politics.

    He said: “I am the best man for the job. I am here to serve the state. I hear people saying I am someone’s candidate, but I can tell you that I am nobody’s candidate. All I will do is to bring my experience to bear, having been chairman of several top companies.

    “I am coming from a comfort zone. I have the ability to do things for many more people, having done for fewer people in the corporate world.

    “All of the experience and connections I have had all over the years will be brought to bear. I am committed and convinced that I can do it.

    “I pledge to give youths the opportunity to serve in my government, because the youths have talents to build the state. Be assured that I am fully committed to uplift our state.”

    Ighodalo urged members of the divided PDP in Edo to unite behind him, but he was silent on if he had reached the National Vice Chairman, Southsouth of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, the immediate Edo Chairman of PDP, who is leading the Legacy Coalition, and confronting Obaseki and his supporters.

  • Obaseki builds 565 roads

    Obaseki builds 565 roads

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has said his government this year completed the building of 565 roads, covering a total distance of 737.37 kilometres.

    The governor, speaking to reporters in Benin City, said the government, under the streams of the Edo State Employment and Expenditure for Result (SEEFOR), also constructed 300 roads, spanning 212 kilometres across the state.

    He said his government had begun repairs on Benin-Sapele, Benin-Agbor and Iruekpen-Sabongida-Ora roads to ameliorate the sufferings of motorists and other road users.

    Said he: “Over the past year, we have successfully completed the construction of 565 roads, covering a total distance of 737.37 kilometres.

    Read Also: Obaseki calls for decentralisation of nation’s security architecture to combat crime

    “Under the various streams of the Edo State Employment and Expenditure for Result (SEEFOR), we undertook the construction of 300 roads, spanning 212 kilometres across the state.

    “Notable projects include the construction of PZ-Ehioghae-Okabere-Oka Market Road, which links Sapele Road and Upper Sakponba; the Irhirhi-Aruogba-Obazagbon-Ogheghe Road; Ugbor-Amagba Road; St. Saviour Road; Benin-Abraka Road with spurs; the dualisation of the TV and Ehaekpen road, and rehabilitation of failed sections on various roads.”

    Obaseki added: “In Edo North, we have successfully completed the construction of Afokpella-Ogriga-Okugbe road with Awuyemi Spur, as well as the rehabilitation of the Secretariat Road in Igarra and several internal roads. In Edo Central, we constructed the Ekpoma-Iruekpen Road and the Idumebo-Ihumudumu Royal Market Road, among other impactful developments.”

  • I am not in competition with Obaseki, says Shuaib

    I am not in competition with Obaseki, says Shuaib

    The deputy governor of Edo state, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has stated that he is not in competition with Governor Godwin Obaseki on the payment of the hospital bill of the attacked players and officials of Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side, Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure.

    Representatives of Obaseki, comprising high-ranking officials from his administration and personal aides, visited an undisclosed hospital to meet with the players and officials. 

    The team’s bus had been attacked by armed robbers on the Ore-Benin Expressway while en route to Benin for a scheduled NPFL Match 13 against Bendel Insurance.

    Shaibu also separately visited the attacked players and officials in the hospital, and later in their undisclosed hotel.

    A ball boy was shot, while the players and other officials were highly traumatised and disoriented after the attack.

    The sports-loving Obaseki provided the much-needed succour and support for the players and officials, while he offered to foot the bill of the medical treatment of all the persons involved in the unfortunate incident, with Shaibu also doing the same things.

    Read Also: NSF: Shuaibu upbeat as Edo begins 30-day countdown

    Edo deputy governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebomhiana Musa, said on Sunday evening: “Our attention has been drawn to the fact that His Excellency, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has directed that the medical bill of the injured Ball Boy and Kit Manager of Sunshine Stars FC of Akure be paid by Edo State government. 

    “Consequently, the state’s Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. (Comrade) Philip Shaibu, has withdrawn his earlier promise to pay the medical bill. He, however, said the cash gift he gave the players, when he visited them in their hotel on Saturday, remains.

    “The office of Governor and Deputy Governor are one. We are not in any way in competition.”

    Shaibu also stated that he acted swiftly on the sad incident, because of the passion and love he had for football, and as someone who had been there before, thereby knowing the feelings of the players.

  • Obaseki calls for decentralisation of nation’s security architecture to combat crime

    Obaseki calls for decentralisation of nation’s security architecture to combat crime

    …launches Edo Command, Control Centre, Special Force Building, others

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Thursday, called for the decentralisation of the country’s security architecture to check crime and criminality.

    The governor said this during the Edo State Security Summit, held at the Government House, Benin City, with the theme, “Edo State Security Framework: Repositioning for the Future.”

    The governor also officially launched the State’s Command and Control Center, named after former Inspector General of Police and Chairman of Police Service Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase and Special Force Building, in Benin City.

    Obaseki said the government is partnering with security agencies, leveraging technology, and evolving a public safety system that is anchored on citizen participation, to tackle insecurity in the State

    He said, “Crime is local as well as security, and until we have a decentralisd legislative framework to allow component parts to take policing to a certain level and ensure active collaboration between the federal/central security agencies and local agencies, we will not succeed in fighting against criminality.

    “When we started collating data of crime incidents in the State between 2017 and 2020, there was a rise in crime and criminality in the State. But today, we have seen incidents of crime go down drastically. We thank all the security agencies for their collaborative efforts in reducing crime in the State by 47.7 percent between 2020 till date.”

    The governor who said he was proud of the reforms introduced by his administration in the last seven years, especially in the areas of security, said there is still so much to be done to reduce crime to the barest minimum in the State.

    “Collaboration with various security agencies has been the key to the reforms we have undertaken in Edo State. We have been collating data in the State using technology and walking into the future. Our goal is to use this data to check, investigate crime, and understand what is going on in various communities in the State.

    “Traditional leaders are so key to our security arrangements because, without them, it would have been difficult to get the level of intelligence and local participation and cooperation we have received.

    “As we go into the future, the emphasis must be on decentralising security because everybody knows who comes in and out of their communities. Once we can empower them to have some authority in making decisions to support security efforts, we will achieve a lot more success.

    “Looking ahead, we see that the future of security will be driven by technology and we will ensure that those that take charge are responsible and have control. The success today of our command and control center is a collaboration with NCC.”

    Read Also: Agric revolution will help Nigeria surmount insecurity, poverty – Shettima

    He further stated, “I thank the IGP for allowing the State to undertake major refurbishment of the police training school, Ogida in Benin City. We spent billions of naira improving the school because we realised that as a State, we didn’t have the capacity but relied on existing structures to help improve our security.

    “We have used the facilities for training men of the Edo State Vigilante Network (ESSVN). We have trained over 5,000 and as I speak another batch of 1,500 operatives are still undergoing training.”

    Earlier, the keynote speaker, Major Gen. Ohifeme Enemai (Rtd), said, “The strategy of security in Edo State must cover citizens, businesses, visitors, infrastructure and information amongst others. The security structure must be in place to drive the strategy for a safer and a secure State for all.

  • Obaseki hails Osimhen on Serie A Best Player award

    Obaseki hails Osimhen on Serie A Best Player award

    Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has congratulated Super Eagles and Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen, for becoming the first African to bag the Italian Footballers’ Association’s (AIC’s) footballer-of-the-year award.

    Obaseki yesterday celebrated the exploits of the superlative striker, noting that he had continued to make his state of origin (Edo) and Nigeria proud with his accomplishments, thereby putting Edo and the country on the global map for good.

    Edo governor said: “I heartily congratulate our own superstar, Victor Osimhen, for bagging the Italian Footballers’ Association (AIC) footballer-of-the-year award, becoming the first African to clinch the prestigious award.

    Read Also: Obaseki hails Edo-born Napoli striker, Osimhen, on AIC footballer-of-the-year award

     “Osimhen has continued to display the indefatigable Edo spirit of excellence and hard work, with his extraordinary brilliance, agility, resilience and outstanding performance on the pitch, solidifying his position as one of the best strikers in the world.

     “We are immensely proud of your accomplishments, as you continue to serve as a fine example to millions of Edo youths needing role models, as they journey through life, and are confident that you will continue to soar to greater heights in your football career. Congratulations champ!”

  • Makinde, Mbah, Obaseki, Aliyu present Appropriation Bills to Assemblies

    Makinde, Mbah, Obaseki, Aliyu present Appropriation Bills to Assemblies

    • Oyo proposes N434b; Enugu, N521b; Edo, N325.3b; Sokoto, N270.1b 2024 budgets

    Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), and Ahmed Aliyu (Sokoto) yesterday presented the 2024 Appropriation Bills to the Houses of Assembly for perusal and passage into law.

    Makinde presented N434,221,765,938.79 budget proposal which comprises a Capital Expenditure of N222,337,320,199.85 and a Recurrent Expenditure of N211,884,445,728.95.

    The governor said next year’s budget proposal, christened: Budget of Economic Recovery, offers a chance for his administration to show its responsiveness to the current economic realities in the country.

    He said the Capital Expenditure is 2.4 per cent higher than the Recurrent Expenditure.

    Makinde explained that the budget proposal envisaged an increased Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N72 billion with an average of N6 billion monthly.

    A breakdown of the proposals showed that Education got the highest share of N90,664,994,252 (20.88 per cent), followed by Infrastructure, which got N74,316,325,706 (17.11 per cent); Health, with N40,998,197,758.30 (9.44 per cent); and Agriculture, with N15,848,707,310.80 (3.65 per cent).

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    In Enugu State, Governor Mbah presented a budget proposal of N521,561,386,000 to the House of Assembly yesterday in Enugu.

    The proposed budget, tagged: Budget of Disruptive Economic Growth, comprises a Recurrent Expenditure of N107,272,660,000, representing 20 per cent; and a Capital Expenditure of N414,334,120,000, representing 80 per cent of the total budget.

    Education got the lion’s share of N134.5 billion, representing 33 per cent of the total budget proposal.

    Mbah said through the revised budget, his administration had been able to make some appreciable progress in fulfilling its promises to Ndi Enugu in the last few months.

    He estimated that the total recurrent revenues in 2024 will amount to ¦ 383,789,000,000.00, as against the approved revised provision for 2023 of ¦ 143,571,592,917.

    Giving a breakdown of the projected revenues for 2024, Mbah said the state would generate N252,789,000,000 through Internally Generated Revenue (IGR); N60,000,000,000 through Statutory Revenue; N16,000,000,000 through Excess Crude and others; while N44,000,000,000 and N11,000,000,000 would be earned through Value Added Tax (VAT) and Opening Balance.

    In Edo State, Governor Obaseki presented a proposed budget of N325.3 billion, called: Home Run, Finishing Strong, to the 24-member House of Assembly in Benin, the state capital.

    The governor said the 2024 Appropriation Bill contains N178 billion for Capital Expenditure, and N146 billion for Recurrent Expenditure. He put the total projected revenue for 2024 at N303 billion. This consists of N55 billion for Statutory Allocation, Value Added Tax (VAT) of N38 billion, Capital Receipts of N40 billion, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N72 billion, and N10 billion from Grants, among others.

    Obaseki stressed that the focus areas for the 2024 fiscal year would include growth and employment enablers, such as trailer and transit parks, ICT infrastructure, Benin port projects, which would gulp N85 billion; Road and Transport Infrastructure, N62 billion; Health, N33 billion; Education, N32 billion; and Buildings, Physical Planning and Development Control, N21 billion.

    Other areas include Social Welfare/Benefits, N16 billion; Environment, N5 billion; Electricity, N7 billion; Agriculture, N6 billion; and Youth, Social Development and Gender, N6 billion.

    In Sokoto State, the House of Assembly yesterday passed for second reading the proposed 2024 Appropriation Bill of N270.1 billion.

    The request for this progression came from the Assembly Leader, Alhaji Bello Idris (APC, Gwadabawa North), after a thorough debate on the budget presented by Governor Ahmed Aliyu.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the governor presented the proposed 2024 budget to the state legislature last Friday.

    Aliyu said the proposed budget, tagged: Budget of Hope and Resilience for Infrastructural Development, consists of Personnel Costs of N46.9 billion; Overhead of N50.9 billion; and Capital Expenditure of N172.2 billion.

    The governor said Education got the largest allocation of N42.9 billion, followed by Health’s N31.2 billion; Works and Transport, N18.8 billion; and Agriculture, N10.3 billion.