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  • Alaghodaro Summit: Obaseki celebrates women, say female appointees spearheading Edo’s progress

    •Mrs Obaseki lists empowerment programmes

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has disclosed how he created more roles for women to find expression in his government, assuring that they will continue to be given priority due to their sterling performance.

    The governor said this at the Edo Women’s Summit held at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) Sports Complex, in Ugbowo, Benin City, as part of activities to mark the second-year anniversary of the administration.

    He said: “Women will have priority in my administration.  I am proud of the women who have been given opportunity to serve in my administration; they are achieving a lot of successes and making progress in their endeavours.

    He described women in the Edo chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as faithful followers and urged them to continue to support the party.

    According to him, “When I found out that I did not have the number of women I wanted as commissioners, I created opportunities for more of them to join my government and I am very proud of what the women working with me are doing.

    “Whether it is the Attorney General, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe; the woman who is building 1,400 houses for the very first time almost in the last 16 years in Edo State, Isoken Omo, in Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA) or the amazon of a woman, who is changing education in Edo State, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe. I could go on and on. All the remarkable changes we are making in my government are being spearheaded by women and I thank all of you.”

    Wife of the Edo Governor, Mrs Betsy Obaseki, said the state has evidence of robust engagement with women, listing the projects being executed by her office to include Centre for Women Development, Betsy’s Angels Shelter, Edo Youth Academy, Betsy Obaseki After School Club, Edo Women for Agriculture and Enterprise, Market-Moni, among others.

    Mrs. Obaseki said when women are empowered they would be able to contribute to nation building, noting that women were strong forces to reckon with.

    She commended women of the state for supporting the Governor Obaseki-led administration, assuring that the administration was committed to their welfare and progress.

    She also commended the Bank of Industry for its support in ensuring the growth of small and medium scale businesses in the state.

    “My office is collaborating with BOI in the trader and market moni programme which will be rolled out across the state.

    “We are targeting to have 50,000 beneficiaries in the financial inclusion scheme in the state.

    The first lady presented awards to 36 outstanding women from the 18 local government areas under the Community Mobiliser Award category and also presented the Civil Service Emeritus Award to the retiring Head of service of Edo, Mrs Gladys Idahor.

    In her speech, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Magdalene Ohenhen, said the Obaseki-led administration was addressing the gender gap in the state via appointment of women in political and administrative positions.

  • Edo remodels 20 Primary Health Centres

    As part of plans to boost health care delivery in the state under its Healthcare Improvement Programme (Edo-HIP), the Edo State Government has remodelled 20 primary health care centres across the state. The 20 remodelled PHCs undid the Edo-HIP is the first step towards ensuring that 200 PHCs are built in the 192 wards in the state.

    Areas where PHCs are receiving facelifts are Sasaro Primary Healthcare Centre in Akoko Edo Local Government Area; Uwelu PHC, in Egor LGA; Ugbekpe PHC in Etsako Central LGA; Ewoyi PHC in Esan North East LGA; Ukpenu PHC in Esan West LGA; Eguare PHC in Igueben LGA; Ofumengbein PHC in Ovia South West LGA and Iyakhara PHC in Owan East LGA amongst others.

    The renovated health centres are equipped with solar-powered electricity, boreholes and laboratories to ensure rural dwellers have access to quality healthcare. To boost morale of the health workers ahead of the opening of the renovated health centres, the state government has pencilled 1,700 health workers to be trained under the Edo-HIP. Already, 174 health workers have been trained.

    Speaking while inspecting progress work at the health centres, Governor Godwin Obaseki explained that his administration focused on improving primary health care in the state is to train and retrain health workers for effective management of the health care system.

    Governor Obaseki stated that the Edo-HIP makes provision for rehabilitating the physical infrastructure in the PHCs through which electricity and water supply will be provided including the use of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) tools to capture patients’ data as well as a system to administer drugs and bill patients.

    Obaseki said his administration’s plan also include putting in place an all-encompassing health insurance programme to improve access to affordable health care in the rural areas.

    He assured that quality healthcare services would get to the doorsteps of all Edo residents no matter how far flung their locations to the urban areas are.

    His words, “We intend to have at least one primary health care center in each local government area which will help us study the workability of the programme before rolling out the proposed 200 primary health care centres across the state. When that is achieved, it means we will have one primary healthcare centre per ward.

    “Our target is to have 500 functional primary healthcare centres at the end of our administration that will be fitted with e-patient software, reliable sources of power and water, drugs, computers and furniture amongst other facilities.”

    “We have a bill before Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), which will soon be passed into law to ensure rural people buy into our health insurance scheme. A team has been set up to work out the operational modalities for the programme.

    “The Edo-HIP is an extensive programme to revamp Primary Health Care across the state with a goal to locate at least one functional PHC center in each ward in the state, with the target set at 200 PHCs.

    Executive Secretary, Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), Dr. Mrs. Mbarie Imuwahen, said the plan is to make the PHC conducive for the people through the proviso. Of necessary infrastructure to improve the quality of service.

    According to her, “Work is ongoing in all the 20 pilot PHC centers. We have competed work on the PHC centers in Warake, Ofumwegbe, Uwelu, Ugbeke and Ukpenu, all in different LGAs. We have finished installation of the solar power system in Uwelu, Warake and Ofumwegbe PHCs. This will ensure that those working in the PHC have regular power to work. This is actually renovation work. We are fencing the premises, renovating failing structures and also providing the much-needed materials to boost the quality of healthcare.”

    Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health Centers, Dr. Aanu Fakunle, explained that the Edo-HIP includes various interventions targeted at the rehabilitation work at the PHCs to meet NPHCDA infrastructural standards for primary healthcare delivery; Provision of essential drugs and medical appliances in the PHC and provision of amenities such as 24-hours power and potable water supply.

    She said the objectives are to improve population health status and wellbeing of the good people of Edo State by improving access to, efficiency, and quality primary health care services in all centers.

  • Obaseki, others: death shocking

    Edo State Governor  Godwin Obaseki has described as shocking the death of Chief Tony Anenih.

    Governor Obaseki  said Chief Anenih’s contribution to the nation would be missed.

    Obaseki who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the people of the State are consoled by the fact that Chief Anenih lived a long and fruitful life.

    He said the demise of Chief Anenih is more saddened as it happened at a time the country is going into electioneering campaigns.

    Governor Obaseki said the state would mourn his demise and missed his fatherly role in bringing people together.

    Candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Ovia Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Dennis Idahosa, said Chief Anenih’s contribution to the country’s political development cannot be forgotten easily.

    Idahosa said Chief Anenih played fatherly role to all politicians in the state.

    Former President of the National Association of Nigeria Students, Comrade Jude Imagwe, said his heart is heavy with the passing of Chief Anenih.

    He said: “The wind is blowing and the root of an iroko has shaken. The lion has gone into sleep and the leopard is heading into the savannah. The san in his hour has poured out. My. heart is heavy but God is God.”

  • Obaseki hails COWLSO for bringing govt, the governed closer

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has said the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) and its activities are fantastic ideas that enable the government to reach the people at the grassroots and get another perspective of what is happening with them.

    Obaseki, spoke yesterday as the special guest of honour at the opening of the 18th National Women’s Conference organised by COWLSO at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The theme of this year’s conference is: Strengthening Our Collective Impact.

    The governor described COWLSO as a platform that connects the family with the government “as wives and children get together and are linked to where the husband/father works”.

    He noted that it is only members of your family, if you are a government official, who will tell you the truth about how the people feel about the government as they interact with other members of the public.

    Dignitaries at the event included the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tunji Bello, former Deputy Governors Mrs. Sarah Sosan, Adejoke Adefulire, Sinatu Ojikutu, as well as wives of the governors of Edo, Ogun and Oyo states, Olayinka Agunsoye, who represented Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Opral Benson, APC women leaders, Kemi Nelson and Okoya-Thomas, among others.

    Obaseki said: “COWLSO is, therefore, a very powerful network that you have created in Lagos State. I can tell you that other states envy you for this.”

    The governor hailed the committee for its activities, especially as they affect healthcare, the less privileged and vulnerable members of the society through donations, employment and empowerment programmes.

    He said: “You serve as an inspiration to a lot of us. Many states now copy what you are doing here and the idea has gone places.”

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who was represented by the Deputy Governor Dr. Idiat Adebule, said he was proud of the achievements of COWLSO, especially in giving hope to the less privileged and the vulnerable through donations.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Osun victory shows APC is preferred party – Obaseki

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said that the victory of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Osun State showed the APC is the preferred party in the country.

    Obaseki in his congratulatory message to governor-elect of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola said he was delighted at the hard-fought victory.

    Read Also:Suspected cultist nabbed in Edo State

    The Edo governor said, “Your victory provides a fillip to the growing profile of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the preferred political party in the country.

    “I have unwavering faith in your pedigree as an astute and experienced administrator and manager, to consolidate on the foundation laid by the outgoing governor, His Excellency, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and take Osun State to greater heights”.

  • Obaseki stops 10% Administration of Estate Fee

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has stopped persons applying for Letters of Administration from paying 10 per cent value of the property in advance.

    The payment used to be a condition for the issuance of Letters of Administration.

    Obaseki, through an Executive Order, has thus altered Order 53, Rule 11, Paragraph 21 of the Second Schedule of Edo State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2012.

    Obaseki noted that the Executive Order No: 1 of 2018, with August 1 commencement date, is a response to the plight of beneficiaries and next-of-kin of deceased and retired workers, who cannot collect their entitlements because they cannot pay the 10 per cent value of their entitlements, as condition for issuance of Letters of Administration.

    The Executive Order said: “Whereas, Order 53 Rule 11 and Paragraph 21 of the Second Schedule of the Edo State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2012 made it mandatory for persons applying for Letters of Administration to pay 10 per cent of the total value of the Property as a condition for the issuance of Letters of Administration.

    “Whereas my attention has been drawn to the plight of many applicants who as beneficiaries and or next-of-kin of deceased Government Workers/Pensioners are unable to process and obtain Letters of Administration to collect their entitlements.

    “Now, therefore, I, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, Governor of Edo State, in exercise of the authority vested by the Constitution and other laws enabling me in that behalf, do hereby order and direct as follows:

    “Deduction of the 10 per cent Administration of Estate Fee at source and remittance of same to the Probate Registry by the relevant organ of Government is hereby approved to alleviate the suffering and stress encountered by beneficiaries and relatives of deceased Government workers/pensioners.

    “This Order shall be enforced and complied with by all persons, Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Edo State concerned with or empowered to administer all matters relating to this order.

  • APC leaders condemn attack on Obaseki

    Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Edo Central Senatorial district have condemned attack on Gov Godwin Obaseki by some youths believed to have been hired thugs.

    A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), report quoted the leaders who spoke in separate interviews in Benin yesterday as describing the action as embarrassing and should be condemned by lovers of democracy.

    The governor was attacked on August 18 by some alleged youths of the party over allegation that the governor had imposed a Senatorial candidate on the district ahead of the 2019 elections.

    Edo Central Senatorial district which is home to Esan speaking people of Edo State is made up of five Local Government Areas of Igueben, Esan South East, Esan North East, Esan West and Esan Central.

    Obaseki was at Irrua, headquarters of Esan Central, to meet with APC leaders to discuss issues surrounding the nomination of candidates when some youths stormed the venue with placards.

    The youths wore t-shirts inscribed with “the Esan Youth Movement’’ chanting invectives demanding for no imposition of candidates.

    The youths, who later physically assaulted the governor, pelted him with sachet water and stones, as he (Obaseki) made to leave venue of the meeting.

    However, the leaders, Mr Victor Eboigbe and Theophilus Okoh, described the attack as barbaric and uncivilised, noting that leaders of the party in the district would not support such action.

    The duo said the leaders and youths would not support such action against a performing governor like Obaseki, adding that punitive actions would be taken against those behind the attack after investigation had been concluded.

    He said that Esan leaders were united ahead of the 2019 general elections, and assured that no candidate would be imposed on the people.

    According to him, I do not believe the people responsible for the attack are members of the APC. No APC youth will behave like that to our governor. What they did was barbaric, uncivilised and we will get to the bottom of it.

    “I don’t care what they protest about. Esan leaders and youths do not support them. It is not correct that no leader tried to call the youths to order.

    “I believe that the reason some of them joined in the attack was because in the past, they did it and got what they wanted.’’

    On his part, Okoh, said that information available indicated that some of the youths arrested were from Delta.

    “Those alleging that Esan leaders masterminded the attack are just being mischievous. I know that investigation into the matter is going on and those behind it will be exposed,’’ he stated.

  • Police arrest suspected attackers of Obaseki

    The police in Edo State have arrested five persons suspected to have been involved in the attack on Governor Godwin Obaseki in Irrua, headquarters of  Esan Central Local Government Area.

    Obaseki was at a meeting with APC leaders from Edo Central to discuss party matters when youths wearing t-shirts inscribed with Esan Youth Movement stormed the venue with placards.

    They were chanting no imposition of candidates.

    What peeved Obaseki was that no APC leader from the zone stood up to quell them.

    As Obaseki was leaving the venue, youths demanded for audience but he rebuffed them, making them to pelt his convoy with stones and sachet water.

    A police source said those arrested have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigative Department (SCID) in Benin City.

    A top government official said the government would not take the action lightly, especially with APC leaders from the zone.

    The official noted that  initial findings showed those arrested  were not members of APC in the state.

    He said the youth were out to disrupt a meeting they were not invited to.

    According to him, ”as I speak with you, some of the persons involved in the act have been arrested while searchlight have been beamed on others.

    “What they did is highly condemnable, especially against the background that they were not members of the party. They were hired thugs who only wore a branded top inscribed with Esan Youths Movement.

    “It was even more worrisome in the sense that while the attack was taking place, leaders in the senatorial district present at the meeting, could not call the boys to order,” he said.

    State APC Chairman Anselm Ojezua, who was present, said  “every criminal act will have repercussions. Police will carry out thorough investigation and prosecute accordingly”.

    Special Adviser to Governor Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr  Crusoe Osagie, said the attackers were hired thugs.

    It was gathered APC leaders from Esanland will today (Friday) meet with Obaseki to apologise and dissociate themselves from the attack.

     

     

  • Obaseki sends Edo primary school teachers to Canada

    Four outstanding teachers championing Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) Programme across the state have clinched an all-expense paid trip to Canada.

    They will attend and showcase public education reforms by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration at the 27th edition of the Edo National Association Worldwide (ENAW) convention.

    The teachers are Idehen Ejiye Isaiah, of Eguare Primary School, Ujiogba, in Esan West Local Government Area (LGA); Erhabor Osasumwen Priscillia of Aisologun-Akenzua Primary School, in Ikpoba-Okha LGA; Ogboko Edoghogho Yvonne of Okogbo Primary School, Okogbo, in Orhionmwon LGA and Noragbon Enogie Osaru, Headteacher, Emotan Primary School, Oredo LGA.

    The trip, according to the Special Adviser to the governor on Basic Education and Chairman-designate, Edo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, is a form of motivation for them to showcase reforms by the administration to Edo people in the diaspora.

    “SUBEB created an online portal two weeks ago, asking teachers in Edo State to apply or nominate someone for the all-expense paid trip to Toronto, Canada.

    “The criteria included that they should tell us about themselves and why they think they are the best for the trip. At the end, we got 89 entries. After screening we came up with the semi-final list. Those picked were made to face a panel.

    ‘’One Headmistress, Noragbon and three teachers finally got the slot to represent Edo State in Canada after the final selection. Their passports were processed on Wednesday,” Dr. Osa Oviawe said.

    In a message to the teachers, the SUBEB boss explained that the trip will be a mixture of educational and sightseeing experiences, as the teachers will meet Edo people, key government functionaries, and visit schools in Canada.

    She said: “You are going to Toronto on the governor’s entourage to attend the annual convention of Edo people in diaspora. By God’s grace, we will aim to leave by August 29. So, prepare yourself.

    ‘’After the convention, you will stay behind and visit schools in Toronto and surrounding areas. If there is time, we will visit Ottawa, which is the Canadian capital.

    ”We will do a tour of the Canadian parliament and visit the residence of the governor general of the country. The governor general is the symbolic head of state of Canada, representing the Queen of England. If there is time, we may also visit Montreal, the French speaking part of Canada. Part of the visit  to schools will be to observe their open day among other events.”

    She said the teachers would talk about Edo-BEST to the Edo in diaspora, and urged them to be honest about their experiences in the programme.

    Obaseki will lead the delegation, which will showcase a bouquet of programmes, projects and reforms, including the 1800-unit Emotan Gardens, Edo-BEST, the new security architecture, and aggressive industrialisation drive.

  • Obaseki commiserates with family

    Edo Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has commiserated with Ghana and family of Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations and celebrated diplomat, over his passing away at the age of 80.

    In a statement on yesterday in Benin, Obaseki said Annan was a shining light of the African continent, who, strode like a colossus in the diplomatic community and worked tirelessly for a peaceful and fair world.

    “I received the news of the passing away of Kofi Annan with a heavy heart. He lived a noble, courageous life and was an example of excellence in public service.

    “From his humble beginning in Ghana, Annan grew to conquer the world, displaying an expert understanding of the complexities of the world and working to entrench the respect for human rights in the UN system. I commend his impact on global peace,” Obaseki said.

    The governor urged youths to toe the path of the statesman and global icon, noting that the virtues portrayed by Annan while he lived, would not only stand young people out, but also set them on the path of success in their chosen careers.