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Tag: Obaseki

  • Obaseki assures of more FG programmes in Edo

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has urged Edo people to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 16 Presidential election, assuring that the state stands to benefit more programmes and projects from the APC-led Federal Government.

    President Buhari is seeking reelection for second term in the February 16, 2019 presidential election.

    Obaseki noted that while the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, was in the state to launch the TraderMoni loan, 52,000 traders across the various markets in the state have registered for the scheme, which will qualify them for a soft loan of N10,000 to boost their businesses.

    While addressing journalists at the Benin Airport, after the departure of the Vice President, the governor said the visit of Vice President Osinbajo to Edo State has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the wellbeing of Edo people and residents.

    According to him, “The Vice President’s visit was to launch the TraderMoni scheme for traders in the state. As at today, we have 52,000 traders who have registered for TraderMoni across our markets.”

    He said Prof. Osinbajo used the opportunity of the visit to meet with Christian leaders in the state as well as attend the Edo Youths Leadership Summit 2019, where he encouraged youths to imbibe good character, integrity and hard work to get to the peak of their chosen careers.

  • Osinbajo, Obaseki, Kachikwu task youths to drive inclusive devt

    Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has urged youths to imbibe the virtues of diligence and hard work, noting that the South-South Innovation Hub presents opportunities to contribute to societal growth through innovation.

    Prof. Osinbajo gave the admonition at the Edo Youth Leadership Summit 2019, tagged Imagine, which held at SIO Event Center, in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki also called on youth to be productive and take charge in defining a new narrative for development through the use of technology as provided for in the Edo Innovation Hub, which houses the South-South Innovation Hub.

    Speaking on the need for youths to be innovative and diligent, Osinbajo said the path to failure and success are the same across the globe, urging participants at the event to be of good character, work hard and be committed to legitimate dreams.

    “No matter how talented and well-connected or your status or the wealth of your parents, you will soon discover that the difference between failure and success is character, hard work and diligence, which are all you need to achieve success in life,” the vice president added.

    Osinbajo noted that these are fundamental principles of success as lack thereof makes it extremely difficult to succeed in life.

    He commended the organisers of the Summit, noting that participants must ensure they put into practice the lessons from the Summit to make headway in life.

    Governor Obaseki on his part, reiterated the need for integrity, transparency and hard work to succeed.

    “Life is about certain core values and if you don’t have such values you will be limited in life. As a government, we want to refer to the values of transparency, integrity and hard work as no system will survive without these core values.”

    Obaseki thanked the Vice President for setting up the South-South Innovation Hub, as it has helped transform the lives of the youths in the state.

    Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, said the focus of the President Muhammadu Buhari led-administration is to reduce corruption in the country.

    He said the Federal Government has shown that political position is for service and not for self agrandisement.

  • Bendel Insurance: Fans hail Obaseki, Shaibu for team’s return to NPFL

    Fans of Bendel Insurance Football Club have hailed Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, for initiating reforms which spurred the club’s resurgence and eventual return to Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), after 11 years.

    Bendel Insurance gained promotion to the elite league after an excellent outing with three wins at the Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 8 Playoffs, which held in Aba.

    A cross-section of fans of the club, who spoke with journalists, hailed Governor Obaseki’s clear vision for the club which brought about the impressive outings during the NNL season as well as during the playoffs.

    Mr. Ovbiosa Charles, said the club’s promotion came  as remarkable as it is emotional for anyone who knew the club in its heydays, noting “I sincerely thank the Edo State Government for responding speedily to the cries of our people for the return of Bendel Insurance to the NPFL.”

    “This promotion has been long overdue. Bendel Insurance is one of the first set of clubs to play in the Nigerian topflight division in the 1970s. So, I was wondering where we got it all wrong that the club had to be in relegation for 11 years. For spearheading the campaign that returned the team to the professional league, Governor Obaseki and his team have done us proud,” Ovbiosa added.

    Another fan, Mr. Barnabas Efosa, hailed Governor Obaseki for his role in returning the club to its past glory, noting that the impressive performance of the team after its rebranding by the governor, showed that the state government really does have good plans for sports development in the state.

    He said it would be delightful to watch the team take on opponents in the topflight division at the home ground in Benin City.

    “As we await the completion of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, I can’t wait to see Bendel Insurance play on home ground. For allowing the deputy governor to spearhead the rebranding of the team, Governor Obaseki has proven to us that he is a leader who is interested in things that will benefit the people.”

    Peter Odion, a sports analysist said the return of Bendel Insurance to the professional football league will put Edo State back on the spotlight in sports and boost the state’s economy, as it will attract more investors, sponsors and development.

  • Obaseki inaugurates Advisory Committee for Health Improvement Programme

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has inaugurated the Edo Healthcare Improvement Programme (HIP) Advisory and Steering Committee, charging members to ensure sustainability of the programme.

    Speaking during the inauguration of the committee at Government House in Benin City, the state capital, the governor said, “Our emphasis is on the sustainability of the programme because we want to have a healthcare system that goes on forever within the limits of financial, social and environmental resources.”

    He charged members of the Advisory and Steering Committee to come up with modalities on how the challenges confronting the state’s health sector could be tackled, drawing from their professional expertise.

    “We have so many issues to deal with in our healthcare system, which include the payment for healthcare services, data gathering mechanism, getting Universal Health Coverage and health regulations,” he noted.

    He said the Edo HIP Programme should be structured in such a way that would allow for diversity and flexibility to accommodate all persons irrespective of status, level of income and location.

    Read Also: Obaseki celebrates with Godwin Abbe at 70

    He also charged the committee to come up with modalities to get people to key into the programme and improve access to qualitative healthcare.

    “Healthcare is not cheap because medical equipment is expensive. So, if we need quality healthcare service, we have to get people to pay for it.”

    The Edo HIP Advisory and Steering Committee is made up of three sub-committees, namely; Primary Health Care Advisory Committee, chaired by Dr. Julie Erhabor; the Secondary Health Care Advisory Committee, chaired by Dr. Patrick Okundia, and the Health Financing Advisory Committee, chaired by Dr Alex Okoh.

    Responding on behalf of the Edo-HIP Advisory and Steering Committee members, Dr. Erhabor thanked the governor for the opportunity given them to serve.

    She also assured of the committee members’ commitment to live up to the confidence reposed in them.

  • 2019: Obaseki mobilises support for Buhari

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has called on Nigerians to sustain the achievements and progress recorded by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in the last four years with their votes.

    Obaseki spoke at the Cathedral Church of St. John, Diocese of Sabongida-Ora Anglican Communion, Owan West Local Government yesterday.

    The governor said a vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) would enable the President continue his work of developing the nation.

    “We must understand that Nigeria faces major challenges, but we are on course as we have done quite a lot of work in the last four years.

    “We need to sustain the work we are doing by voting for APC to ensure that the development continues,” he said.

    The governor said the demographic growth of the population of the nation was alarming with the attendant challenges.

    He, however, said the President was equal to the task in creating opportunities and empowering people.

    Obaseki said his administration was investing in basic education, primary health care and agriculture to attract industries to the state.

    “I want to assure the people that I will make life possible for the people.”

    In his sermon, “Our Year of Divine Expansion,” Rev. Augustine Ohilebo, Bishop of Diocese of Sabongida-Ora, said Christians would not enjoy God’s blessings without personal relationship with Him.

    “If you are outside the camp of God, you are prone to danger. Sin hinders your relationship with God and limits your expansion.

    “For you to experience divine expansion, you need to get in contact with God,” he admonished Christians.

    Reading from Isaiah Chapter 1, Verse 18, he urged Christians to repent from their wicked ways and trust the Lord for His provisions in 2019.

    “To experience divine expansion, you should enlarge your capacity in service to God; attendance to church, paying of tithes, prayers and giving to the work of God.

    He also said the country would not divide, saying “anyone or group of persons who want the Nigeria to divide will not succeed.’’

  • Three arrested for collecting revenue on Christmas day

    Three persons have been arrested for illegal collection of revenue on Christmas day.

    Commercial drivers had complained that they were beaten and forced to pay money on a day declared as public holiday when no government officials were not on duty.

    The three persons were said to have been collecting money from commercial drivers at the Obakhavbaye Central Park.

    Senior Special Assistant to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Security and Surveillance, Comrade Emmanuel Orukpe, who confirmed the arrest, said the Governor ordered the arrest of the syndicate.

    Orukpe stated Obaseki was furious when he received report of the activities of the syndicate who were forcefully collecting revenue illegally from commercial drivers at Obakhavbaye Motor Park.

    According to him: “The culprits who were led by one Igwe are being interrogated at the Oba Market Police Station.

    “We are using this medium to warn other groups involved in this act to desist from it.

    “The state government will not hesitate to deal decisively with individuals or groups collecting revenues illegally.

    “The state government has continued to receive worrisome reports from Obakhavbaye Motor Park on the activities of touts collecting revenue illegally.

    He added: “We are putting measures in place to check the activities of the touts, especially at the Obakhavbaye Motor Park.

    “Governor Godwin Obaseki’s stance against touts and illegal revenue collection is clear.”

  • Esan professionals laud Obaseki’s developmental strides

     

    Prominent professionals of Esan extraction have applauded the Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration for re-positioning Edo state for economic growth.

    A cross-section of the professionals, who aired their opinions on the developmental strides of the governor, said that they were impressed with Obaseki’s style of governance as well as the even spread of development across the state.

    One of them, Barr Ehis Osagiede, praised the governor for the quality of road projects in Edo Central senatorial zone, which he said had opened the area up for economic prosperity.

    Osagiede, in an open letter, commended Obaseki for the massive road reconstruction completed and ongoing in Edo Central Senatorial Zone.

    According to him: “Words are not enough to show how grateful we are as a people, as past administrations, especially the one which preceded yours had failed and totally neglected Esan land and did not give us a sense of belonging, so much so that this made us feel like outcast in  Edo state.”

    Commending Obaseki’s leadership style, Osagiede said: “Over the last few years, the governor has shown bi-partisanship and a great sense of understanding of the concept of equalitarianism, humanity, compassion, love and brotherhood.

    “I remember vividly writing on your Facebook wall, in November 2017, complaining bitterly of how deplorable our roads had become in Ekpoma, annexed with that complaint/plea were terrible images which could at best be described as atrocious.

    “And I recall your words of assurance in response to that post the roads were going to be fixed, just like a father would assure his son. You could have chosen to ignore my post, but I guess that is not in your person.”

    He added: “The feedback I get from the people of Ekpoma, a town where I lived the most of my life, attended my nursery, primary, secondary schools and University, is that it is being transformed, and truly getting back its status of a metropolis which I have always dreamt of and certainly that which Prof Ambrose Alli envisioned for it.

    “It would also interest you to know there is nothing that has gladdened my heart as much as getting these feedback from Ekpoma.”

    Osagiede’s letter is coming after political leaders representing Edo Central in Obaseki’s administration described infrastructural development of Edo State since his assumption of office as unprecedented.

    According to them: “Infrastructural projects initiated and completed, with some ongoing, in Esan Land include 21 roads with a total length of 18.4km through which 2,680 persons have been employed.”

    They listed the road projects to include asphalt overlay on the 1350-metre Ikinago Ujosanle Road, in Opoji, Esan Central Local Government Area for which 580 persons were employed; 960-metre Idumbhokale/Ekhomu Street, Eguare Irrua; 626-metre Eson Street, Eguare, Irrua and 600-metre Ohue Ogene Street, off Idumebo road, Irrua, in Esan Central.”

    In Esan North East, the political leaders listed: asphalt overlay/drain construction/kerbs on the 600-metre Efadion College road (Oyeribhor), for which 360 persons were recruited directly; 580-metre Deeper Life Bible Church Road, Uromi and 600 metres Bishop Ekpo Street, Uromi, among others in Esan South East, Esan West and Igueben Local Government Areas.

  • Xmas shopping: Edo residents shower encomiums on Obaseki over discount food

    As the curtain closes on the maiden Edo Agric and Food Market initiative by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration in Edo State, customers who thronged the market have applauded the initiative, thanking the government for the novel idea.

    The Edo Agric and Food Market is an initiative of the Ministry of Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties.

    The Fair provided a platform for farmers from the 18 local governments in the state to haul their harvest to the city center to sell at discounted prices during the festive season. The Fair held from December 10 to 20, at the Imaguero College Hall, in Benin City, the state capital.

    A cross-section of customers expressed satisfaction with the Fair and called for a continuation of the initiative, commending the government for bridging the gap between farmers and consumers.

    Mr. Eghosa Solomon, who resides in Benin City, said that the Food and Agric Market is a novel way to mop up harvest in the Festive season and give farmers an opportunity to sell off their produce in a short while.

    According to him, “This is the first time I am witnessing this in Edo State. The Governor Godwin Obaseki- led government has shown to be very innovative. I commend them for bringing the discount market close to the people in the city and for the fact that they kept to the promise that there would be some discounts on the items. I understand this was because they defrayed the transport cost for the farmers to bring their produce here, from the 18 local government areas in the state.

    Mr. Ihinose Anderson, a farmer, applauded the state government for the initiative, noting that a lot of farmers would have run at a loss if they were not exposed to the opportunity of selling off their produce at a discount, directly to consumers.

    He said he would appreciate if the fair lasts a whole month next year to enable farmers make more money.

    “This bodes really well for us farmers in the state. It is a welcome development. At least now, we are certain that every Christmas we have a steady market to sell off our produce. This will encourage us to plant more come next year.”

    Mr. Agbonghae Blessing, who was elated at the initiative, said that the state government deserved commendation for easing the burden of shopping in the Yuletide season.

    According to him. “I got a lot of the things from this market at good prices. It is an initiative that should be encouraged. We thank the state government’s foresight on this particular project.”

  • NCDMB throws weight behind Benin Industrial, Enterprise Park

    The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Simbi Wabote, has thrown his weight behind the Benin Industrial and Enterprise Park (BIEP), assuring that the agency is concluding arrangements on investments from oil and gas firms to be hosted at the Park.

    This was disclosed when Governor Obaseki led a delegation to the board’s office in Abuja.

    Mr. Wabote said NCDMB will throw its full weight behind the initiative aimed at improving the nation’s economy and wooing more investors to the oil and gas sector of the economy.

    The Benin Industrial and Enterprise Park will be serviced by a dedicated gas pipeline with direct interconnection to natural gas trunk line and a direct gas sales agreement with reliable gas suppliers.

    The park is sponsored by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration in Edo State and Amaya Capital, a principal energy investment firm, with a commitment to ensure that the park kicks off next year as a private-sector led industrial park.

    The BIEP provides efficient and competitive infrastructure to international and local companies, and will be developed in phases on a 900-hectare site located along the Benin-Sapele Road. It has designated area for oil and gas service companies.

    Mr. Wabote said the agency has made budgetary provision for the Park in its 2019 budget, particularly for land acquisition.

    He said the board would also be willing to partner the Edo government to catalyse other sectors of the economy provided there would be a return on such investments.

    “There is a lot we can do in the gas corridor in Edo. We have to diversify from crude oil in order to change the thinking in the Niger Delta,” Mr. Wabote said.

    Governor Obaseki explained that the Benin Industrial and Enterprise Park would take advantage of “significant gas reserves within the state, being on the route of the core Escravos to Lagos gas trunk line with a capacity of approximately two billion cubic feet of gas per day.”

  • Edo 2020: We’ll deliver best Games ever, says Obaseki

    Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has assured Nigerians his administration will host the best National Sports Festival since the inception of the games in 1973.

    Obaseki made the promise at the National Stadium in Abuja on Sunday night, moments after Edo State was handed hosting rights to the 2020 edition of the festival.

    Edo State finished in third place behind Rivers State and winners, Delta State at the just concluded 2018 edition of the festival hosted by the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    An elated Governor Obaseki thanked the Federal Government for reposing confidence in Edo State by handing it hosting rights to the 2020 games.  The governor who embarked on an excursion into world history by drawing a comparison between the determination of his state to do everything possible to deliver a qualitative games, and the valiant British pilots whose sustained bombing of German lines and facilities during the Second World War, helped tilt the war in the Allies favour, said: “Ladies and Gentlemen, taking cue from the great British statesman, I and the people of Edo State assure you that the confidence reposed in us would be justified. There won’t come a time anyone will have cause to regret this momentous decision you have taken to hand us this hosting right.

    “Like the valiant British fighter pilots of World War II, we will take every step necessary, make every sacrifice needed, and climb every height necessary to deliver the best Games in the annals of the Sports Festival”.