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  • Obaseki, Singaporean President, others examine barriers to smart city initiative

    TheObaseki, Singaporean President, others examine barriers to smart city initiative, the President of Singapore, Halimah Yacob, Minister of National Development and Second Minister for Finance, Singapore, Lawrence Wong; with over one hundred representatives of national and municipal governments as well as leading private sector players in cities development, at the weekend began deliberations on how to eliminate challenges to sustainable cities at the World Cities Summit in Singapore.

    The meeting of experts organisers say, “is an exclusive platform for government leaders and industry experts to address livable and sustainable city challenges, share integrated urban solutions and forge new partnerships.”

    Jointly organised by Singapore’s Centre for Livable Cities and Urban Redevelopment Authority, the biennial summit, features the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize; the annual World Cities Summit Mayors Forum; and World Cities Summit Young Leaders Symposium.

    Read Also:Obaseki, Automotive Council, others commit to Benin Auto park devt

    In his contributions at the global summit, Obaseki made a case for smarter cities that would rely on information and communication technology (ICT) for the efficient management of cities’ assets and resources.

    The governor’s smart city proposition, according to experts“ is an urban center that uses different types of electronic data collection sensors to supply information which is used to manage assets and resources efficiently.

    “This includes data collected from citizens, devices, and assets that is processed and analysed to monitor and manage traffic and transportation systems, power plants, water supply networks, waste management, law enforcement, information systems, schools, libraries, hospitals, and other community services.

    “The smart city concept integrates information and communication technology (ICT), and various physical devices connected to the network (the Internet of Things (IoT) to optimise the efficiency of city operations and services and connect to citizens. Smart city technology allows city officials to interact directly with both community and city infrastructure and to monitor what is happening in the city and how the city is evolving.”

    Organisers explained that the “World Cities Summit Mayors Forum is an annual by-invitation-only global event for city leaders to discuss pressing urban issues and share best practices with one another.

    “The peer-to-peer platform invites mayors and senior leaders from international organisations and the industry to exchange experiences in developing integrated urban solutions, building economic and environmental resilience, engaging with communities and sustaining a high quality of life in urban regions. Participants will hear from each other on innovations and changes they are implementing in their cities, and how these are managed.”

    Obaseki will showcase the impact of the revamped Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA) in the state, the agency’s civil but firm approach to traffic management after months of training and the positive reception and feedbacks from road-users months after its revamp.

    He will also showcase the work of the Edo State Geographic Information Service Agency (EGIS), the Ministry for Physical Planning and Urban Development and the Land Bureau that are working together in generating land data for development, easing transfer of land titles and in obtaining Certificate of Occupancy as well as the simplification and speedy issuance of approvals for businesses amongst others.

    The Edo State delegation has the Managing Director of the Edo Geographic Information Service Agency, Architect Frank Evbuomwan, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Edorodion Oye Erimona, the chairmen of Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha and Egor local government areas.

    The Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize Lecture & Forum, a major feature of the Summit, recognises outstanding international initiatives for city excellence by outstanding individuals and organisations who have contributed urban initiatives, policies or projects which epitomise foresight, good governance or innovation in overcoming the challenges faced by cities.

    The organisers further said that the Lecture and forum discussions will focus on four key pillars that are instrumental to the success of every city and its quality of urban life – livability, vibrancy, sustainability and quality of life.

    The World Cities Summit Young Leaders Symposium is an annual gathering of a select group of change-makers from diverse sectors who shape the global urban agenda where the decisions that leaders make today will impact more than half of the world’s population. The World Cities Summit Young Leaders Symposium provides a platform for discourse on pressing urban issues and to launch initiatives to tackle the challenges of urbanisation such as planning for urbanisation and preparing cities to be inclusive by creating better access to opportunities such as affordable housing, sustainable transportation, accessible education and meaningful employment.

    With participants drawn from Europe, North and Latin America, Middle East, Asia and Africa and the Oceania, the summit will also feature a series of high-level plenary sessions which provide strategic insights from senior city and organisational leaders on the interplay of leadership and governance and the latest debate on livability and sustainability. The Plenary sessions will be complemented by thematic tracks for in-depth discussion of specific urban issues.

  • Ex-minister Adamu Ciroma dies at 84

    Former  Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Adamu Ciroma is dead.

    The Minister of Finace (1999-2003) during the first term of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidency, according to family sources, died in a Turkish hospital in Abuja yesterday after a protracted illness. He was 84.

    The late Ciroma, also a minister under President Shehu Shagari in the Second Republic, was a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    In 1979, Ciroma was one of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) presidential aspirants.

    He came third in the primary, behind Shehu Shagari and Maitama Sule.

    Ciroma was briefly the secretary of the NPN before serving at various times as Minister for Industries, Agriculture and Finance.

    Ciroma was born on November 20, 1934 in Potiskum, Yobe State. He graduated from the University of Ibadan and served in different capacities in the Public Service.  He was appointed to the Board of the Central Bank of Nigeria in 1970 where he served as a Director before his appointment as the Governor in 1975.

    His remains were buried in Abuja yesterday.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senate President Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Governors, All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Aiwaju Bola Tinubu, among others reacted to Ciroma’s passing.

    In a statement by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President extended sincere condolences to the Ciroma family, the government and people of Yobe State on the passing of the elder statesman.

    The President described Ciroma as a political leader and Federal cabinet minister for Industries, Agriculture and Finance, at various points in his remarkable life, will be long remembered for his remarkable service and dedication to the country’s unity, progress and stability.

    President Buhari also affirmed that he will be honoured for his contributions in promoting democracy in Nigeria and his legacies should be a constant reminder to politicians who wish to work for the good of their communities and our great country.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki described the late politician’s death as monumental loss to the country.

    In a statement, Saraki said: “Although death is painful, but it gladdens my heart that late Ciroma lived a worthy and successful life,” Saraki said.

    “As a public servant, the late Ciroma’s integrity was unparalleled, as a politician, he was unblemished and as a journalist, he was among the finest breed.”

    “Indeed there is no word or adjective that will be enough to describe late Ciroma, considering his invaluable contributions to the development of the country.

    “We have lost a detribalised Nigerian, bridge builder and a strong pillar for nation’s unity. He will surely be remembered for his forthrightness and integrity. We shall miss him greatly”.

    House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara expressed sadness over the demise of an “icon of transparency and an epitome of integrity who lived an incorruptible life.

    “Indeed we lost a great man, a patriot, leader par excellence and  a shining star.  Malam Adamu Ciroma was one of the few surviving close associates of the late Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello and he remained a consistent advocate for the struggle to see Nigeria achieve the dreams of her founding fathers”.

    “He was an intellectual genius and highly cosmopolitan public servant who exhibited high sense of patriotism, passion and enthusiasm for the progress and development of the country while serving as first indigenous Editor and Managing Director of New Nigerian Newspaper, CBN Governor and Minister of various portfolios in different administrations in Nigeria.”

    Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele described Ciroma as a very good man who was still of immense service to the apex bank. He said Ciroma was a firm believer in the sanctity and independence of the CBN.

    “While we mourn the loss of a very good man, an astute central banker and a patriot, we also celebrate his remarkable life and contribution to the banking industry in Nigeria,” the CBN said.

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said the country has lost one of its finenest elder statesman, a bridge builder and a leader who lived a simple and humble life.

    “The late Mallam Ciroma was a quintessential civil servant and politician who served Nigeria in various capacities in the first and second republics as well as the military regimes and the fourth republic.

    “The late elder statesman was a man of great intellect vision and politician who was a strong pillar that continues to support the unity and stability of Nigeria.

    “The late elder statesman would be remembered for his political doggedness, commitment to national unity and selfless service to his father land. Nigeria has lost one of its finenest elder statesman, a bridge builder and a leader who lived a simple and humble life. He needs no thumb stone to remind us of his legacies. Yet the best remembrance is for those he has left behind to live up what he stood for.

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki said: “I am saddened by the loss of elder statesman, Adamu Ciroma, whose passing was announced today at an Abuja hospital.

    “Ciroma was a respected leader, who rose to serve Nigeria meritoriously when the occasion demanded. This can be gleaned from the number of public service offices he held and the panache with which he dispensed his roles.

    “I hereby extend my condolences to the government and people of Yobe State, his hometown, Potiskum, and his immediate family. I pray that God gives them the fortitude to bear the loss,” he said.

    Obaseki noted that “Ciroma’s role as one of the architects of modern Nigeria cannot be controverted,” calling on youths to emulate his commitment to the Nigerian project.

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola described Cirom as principled, recalling his famlus statement in the heat of the June 12, 1993 election annulment crisis, that Ciroma said the late Chief Moshood Abiola won the election “fatr and square.”

    In a statement by his Media Adviser Sola Fasure, Aregbesola said: “The death of Mallam Adams Ciroma came to me with a rude shock.

    “This was a highly respectable and influential politician and a reputable voice from the North.  He had been around since after the independence, taking part in major decisions that had shaped the country both in trying moment and in peace.

    “He had witnessed Nigeria’s political development from the First Republic to the present democracy and participated in all, which made him one of the most highly experienced and informed politicians living in the country until his exit on Thursday. History will be kind to him”, adding:

    “There is no denying the fact that the nation will in some days and years to come miss the experience and interventionist roles of this man of immense wisdom and political knowledge.”

    Former Anambnra State Governor Peter Obi, described Ciroma as an elder statesman “that served the country creditably as the Governor of the Central bank and the Minister of Finance. While urging  the younger ones to emulate his spirit of service, he prayed for the repose of his soul.”

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said his world view was largely influenced by early contacts and mentorship that he received from the late Ciroma.

    He said: “A lot of what I have turned out to be in life today was as a result of the early contacts and mentorship that I had with Adamu Ciroma, who graciously offered me vacation job in my formative years”, Atiku said.

    Atiku said Ciroma’s honesty and patriotism were among his greatest virtues, adding that the deceased had left behind untainted public service record for which he would always be remembered.

    Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed grief over the passing of the former Finance Minister and a chieftain of the party.

    In a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP said the country has lost one of its finest; an incontrovertible patriot who spent his life making inestimable sacrifices for the unity and development of our dear country.

    The PDP said, “Mallam Ciroma lived as a committed citizen; an astute administrator and highly disciplined politician, who  discharged all responsibilities vested in him with unequaled forthrightness and loyalty to the nation.

    “On the political sphere, this great Nigerian will be remembered for his roles in ensuring the stability and growth of our nation, and particularly, the roles he played in the formation and growth of the PDP. He played a leading role in Group of 34 eminent Nigerians, otherwise called the G34, that formed the PDP.

    “He was an embodiment of the ideals and visions of our great party in our pursuit of a prosperous nation where unity, equality and justice prevail.

     

     

  • Obaseki: The technocrat on the saddle in Edo adds another year

    Governor Godwin Obaseki’s emergence as the new political leader in Edo State, was the product of a deliberate and intense search for someone who is conversant with the issues of development; inclusive socio-economic growth anchored on industrialisation, and someone who can enthrone a sturdy and sane political order; people-centred and reforms-oriented governance propelled by the Rule of Law.

    Rare as the combination seemed, the lot fell on the investment banker cum politician given his flair for clear-cut strategies in delivering on assigned tasks and a knack for best practice.

    With an illustrious career built in boardrooms and solidified in shopping for Nigeria-bound investments across the globe, Obaseki comes off as the result-focused industrialist, who goes into investment negotiations with clinical finesse, armed to the teeth with raw data and guarantees as well as a deep understanding of the sanctity of contracts.

    A team player

    On assumption of duty, the governor assembled a team of mainly technocrats with clear tasks and performance evaluation framework that will measure periodically, input, output and outcomes.

    Obaseki’s solutions ecosystem

    His close aides attest to his systems approach and orientation to issues and problems, which begins with defining a problem, designing and developing system solutions, with attendant models for evaluation.

    The designed and tested solutions are set in legislation templates and transmitted as bills for enduring laws, to the legislature.

    Development experts contend that the lack of depth and policy short-termism account in part, for policy failures in developing countries.

    Governor Obaseki would rather create a network of related issues to a problem and proffer myriad of sustainable solution options for tackling the problems.

    Creating an ecosystem of sustainable solution options to problems cannot happen in one day, which explains his disposition to engagement with experts and other stakeholders, to ensure everyone is on the same page.

    Alaghodaro investment summit

    Obaseki’s predisposition to development models anchored on well researched ideas gave birth to the first edition of the Alaghodaro Investment Summit, which brought together subject matter experts who converged on Benin City from November 10-12, 2017, to chart a better future for Edo people and residents in the state, with the theme, “Envisioning the Future.”

    The three-day investment summit took the place of a one-year anniversary funfair that would have cost the state millions of naira, at a time the country was struggling to come out of a recession.

    The governor assembled local and international investors and business leaders, bankers, policymakers, lawyers, the academia, industry experts and members of the diplomatic community for a three-day idea incubation session, covering agriculture, manufacturing, culture and tourism, civil service reforms, forest regeneration, education and healthcare.

    A prudent manager of men and resources

    Governor Obaseki took over the reins of power at a time the Nigerian economy was neck-deep in the worst recession the nation has witnessed in decades.

    His expertise in the frugal application of scarce resources was called to task. At a time most states in the country, including the supposed rich states, were owing salaries, the Edo State government under his watch was up to date in salary payment. Civil servants received their salaries regularly before the end of each month.

    From the early days as the Chairman, State Economic Team, under former governor Adams Oshiomhole, Obaseki had developed an acute understanding of the developmental needs of Edo State, perfected which holes to plug for the state’s economic resurgence and when duty called, he wasted no time in providing a clear direction for his team.

    He sounded a note of warning to all government officials, including civil servants, that there would be no room for frivolous spending of the state’s resources.

    Specifically, the governor migrated revenue collection from analogue to digital platform to ensure transparency in the revenue collection process, embarked on the reform of the education, health, sports, justice sectors and began the retooling and retraining of civil servants.

    He has been nicknamed the ‘Wake and See Governor’ by Edo people and residents in the state, who are overwhelmed by the ease with which developmental projects spring up in their neighbourhoods.

    Investment/ industrialisation drive

    From his close study of the state, he understands that the state possessed several strategic assets that make it an investor’s delight.

    He had deployed this skill in brokering for investment for the globally-acclaimed, record-setting 450MW capacity Edo Azura Independent Power Project (IPP), among others.

    More so, the industrialisation plan pursued by the Edo State Government is quite grand and encompasses a wide range of strategically connected projects, namely; the Benin Industrial Park project that will host over 1000 companies; the 1800 housing-unit Emotan Garden project; the Benin River Port in Gelegele, which will serve as the gateway for  evacuating products manufactured in the industrial park; an auto assembly plant; a modular refinery and pockets of innovation hubs that will be scattered across the state, amongst other projects. On completion, these projects will not only see to the rise of the state as an economic hub, but as a cynosure of all those seeking to make an industrial city from what used to be a largely civil servants’ state.

    The most intriguing part of Obaseki’s numerous conceptions, is the nexus between one project and the other. Edo State currently has a community of related projects, in which the main or bye product of one project is useful to the other project (s).

    To illustrate, the 1800 housing-unit Emotan Garden project will source cement, sand, steel, tiles from companies that are located in Edo State. The demand for these building materials will impact positively on the scale of these companies whose managers will hire more Edo youths to produce to scale and meet the demand of the housing estate.

    This interconnection has also been factored into the ongoing repositioning of the colleges of agriculture in the state, which will train young graduates for the numerous large scale farms in the state.

    In same way, the Benin River Port is the link to the international market for companies that will operate from the Benin Industrial Park.

     Education

    The governor’s penchant for technology-driven systems has also found expression in the state’s education sector, where tech-based teaching method has been adopted in public schools.

    The reigning Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) initiative, is winning hearts and minds of Edo people, most of whom have begun withdrawing their wards and pupils from private schools and moving them to public schools where information and communication technology tools such as minicomputers are now being used for teaching.

    Edo-BEST is a basic education reform blueprint that prioritises the deployment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools in teaching, as well as harmonises teaching and learning outcomes across locations and promotes interactive classroom management model, among others.

    Barely 18 months in office as the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has demonstrated that governance is about deep and strategic thinking, as well as the execution of people-centred projects that will enhance their wellbeing.

    Keen watchers of developments in Edo would agree that Governor Obaseki deserves accolades for the clearheaded leadership he has provided in Edo State, amid a very turbulent economy, particularly, as he adds another year today.

    Even though in his modesty, he is the last person to pay attention to accolades and praises, it would almost be a crime against nature to allow this day pass without wishing him a  very happy birthday.

    • Osagie is the Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy to the Edo State Governor.

  • How Obaseki leverages World Bank partnership to transform Edo

    The Governor Godwin Obaseki administration in Edo State is riding on the crest of a robust, sustainable partnership with the World Bank to transform the state. On the strength of the strategic alliance, successes so far recorded in the execution of major infrastructural and social development projects may have positioned Edo as the model for development financing. CHIKODI OKEREOCHA looks at how the state’s adherence to the bank’s rules guiding project execution endeared her to the Breton Woods institution.

    edo State is clearly not the highest recipient of crude oil revenue in the oil-rich Niger Delta region. It is also behind Lagos and Kano states, for instance, in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) figures. But by making transparency and accountability in the execution of developmental projects the hallmarks of the state’s administration, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki may have found an ingenious model for financing major infrastructural and social development projects via a strategic alliance with the World Bank.

    Already, successes so far recorded in project execution across the state, riding on the back of Obaseki’s brokered strategic alliance with the World Bank, are said to become the model for development financing at the national and sub-national levels. And this robust relationship with the Breton Woods institution and its development partners, which dates back nine years ago, according to observers, is hinged largely on the governor’s regime of strict adherence to rules and terms guiding the execution of developmental projects.

    Those conversant with the blossoming relationship also say that the Edo State Government’s credo on transparency, accountability and its preference for projects that can pull the largest number of people out of poverty, as against frivolous political projects, also warmed it to the heart of the World Bank, which has never hidden its commitment to supporting and encouraging countries and states whose financial books are open for transparency.

    According to World Bank’s Governance Global Practice, countries and states are encouraged “to build strong institutions and prosper by creating an environment that facilitates private sector growth, reduces poverty, delivers valuable services and earns the confidence of their citizens – a relationship of trust that is created when people participate in government decision-making and know their voices are heard.

    For many states and even countries, adhering to these World Bank terms is perhaps, a tall order. This is because project impacts must be measured, and contract terms such as cost cycle and funding are strictly adhered to, even as the financial books are open for transparency. These are governance principles that earned Edo the ears of the World Bank, which has been impressed with the number of people that have been moved out of poverty.

    The bank is no less impressed by the impacts of the state administration’s projects on the environment, the reduction in child and maternal mortality figures, gender mainstreaming amongst other considerations. The state has also been able to prudently apply its receipts, portfolios as well as technical support from the bank, which accounted in part, for the various erosion control and road projects.

    The result of the bank’s technical support has also been visible in the areas of sanitation, water, agriculture and policy reforms in institutions spread across the state, designed to engender inclusive growth. And these are critical issues that underlie the World Bank’s partnership with various states and countries across the world.

    Some of the Bank-sponsored projects that stand out in the state include  erosion control projects under the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP), Edo State Employment and Expenditure for Result (SEEFOR), covering road projects; agriculture (FADAMMA); water, sanitation, and other forms of assistance, which the governor said have accelerated development in a number of rural communities in the state.

     

    The road to a model state

    During the visit of World Bank officials to the Government House, Benin City, the World Bank Executive Director for Angola, Nigeria and South Africa sub-groups, Ms Bongi Kunene, said that with the successes recorded in executing major infrastructural and social development projects in Edo State, the state has become a model for development financing at the sub-national level in developing countries.

    Ms Kunene said the Bretton Woods institution was impressed with the level of work done through its various projects as well as the partnership that birthed the Edo-Azura Power Project, for instance. She noted that Edo State was among the two sub-national governments that accessed its budget support instruments, stressing that the Bank was willing to “Partner the state on future projects, as long as the projects are in line with the Bank’s focus.”

    Ms Kunene specifically described the Edo-Azura Power Project as “Transformational.” “It gives us a scope of what we can do together. We are delighted to see solutions,” she declared. The Country Director of World Bank, Nigeria and Co-ordinating Director for Regional Integration Programme in West Africa, Rachid Benmessaoud, also earlier declared the Bank’s readiness to replicate the model and build more Azura projects in Nigeria and West Africa.

    Showcasing his administration’s achievements particularly in agriculture to his guests, Obaseki said one of his goals was to replace crude oil with oil palm. According to him, aggressive effort was being made to make Edo State the oil palm hub in the country and beyond.

    He, however, highlighted some of the challenges faced by his government, including illegal migration and human trafficking, explaining that 60 per cent of returnees to Nigeria are from Edo State.

    “Trafficking is high because the people are prepared to take the risk of embarking on the dangerous journey.

    “If they can turn such zeal to learning a skill and contribute their quota to development, the nation will be a better place for us all,” Obaseki said, pointing out, however, that in the state alone, about 3, 300 people have returned home after a painful experience in Libya and elsewhere.

    The governor added that his administration has been reintegrating them  into the society through a bouquet of initiatives including creating jobs, mentoring, technical and vocational education; skill development programme, amongst others.

     

    A partnership that works

    Tracing the relationship between him (from his days as the head of the planning team under former governor Adams Oshiomhole) Obaseki said: “We have gone through a learning curve with the World Bank, a journey which started over nine years ago and we want to drive this down to the local government councils so that every individual in the state will feel the impact of our government at all levels.”

    He explained that at the state level, several reforms of key institutions have changed work culture for better outcomes, adding: ”Our institutions are working at the state level and we want to work at strengthening the local councils.”

    The governor said his administration also plans to work with the World Bank in strengthening governance-support structures for optimal performance and deepen the deployment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the state.

    He maintained that what the state needs from the World Bank now is ‘More Knowledge and less Cash’ so that the state will optimise her resources for the benefit of all. He noted that the several visits of the World Bank officials lend credence to his administration’s “commitment to bringing development to the people,

    One of such high-profile visits was the recent visit of 11 World Bank executives, who were in the state for on-the-spot assessment of the bank-sponsored developmental projects in the state. That was in May this year.

    The visit of the bank’s 11 wise men and women to Edo State, according to observer, showed its unprecedented interest in the Edo economy.

     

    The 11 Executive Directors – considered to be an interestingly large delegation – took time to assess the performance of the state on key development indicators.

     

     

     

     

    They also reviewed activities to determine the feasibility of extending more support to some of the programmes funded by the bank in the state.

    In the World Bank delegation were the Executive Directors for Switzerland, France, Italy, Peru, Germany, South Africa (representing Angola, Nigeria and South Africa), Burkina Faso (representing Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa), Zimbabwe (representing Anglophone Sub-Saharan Africa), United Kingdom and Indonesia.

    Encouraged by this and other visits by the Bank, Obaseki assured that with the support of development partners, Edo State under his watch places high premium on the sanctity and the integrity of partnerships, contracts as well as an open and transparent process.

    “Development partners like the World Bank operate in an environment where stakeholders abide by rules governing the partnerships, and in which input, output and outcomes are measured from time to time. The World Bank will not take you seriously if all you do is to award ‘political contracts,” Obaseki added.

    Indeed, the World Bank’s interest in the development of the state, which has heightened in recent times, was a reflection of the state’s commitment to inclusive governance, ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity through the reform of critical public institutions that will support private sector growth.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Ease of doing business in Edo receives boost

    …resolves 194 cases, takes 13 to court    

    The Edo State Private Property Protection Taskforce headed by  former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, on Wednesday,  presented a positive outlook for economic and social activities in Edo State in its committee’s first year report.

    Presenting the Report at the weekly Executive Council meeting, headed by Governor Godwin Obaseki, Mr. Arase, said a total 1970 cases were reported to the Private Property Protection Taskforce, that was inaugurated on May 30, 2017.

    “Out of the 1970 cases, the committee has successfully resolved 194 of them using the Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism,” Arase said.

    He added that the taskforce “is investigating 497 of the 1970 cases and set to take 13 of the cases to court.”

    Read Also: Edo monarchs at war over land

    The former police boss, who put the number of pending cases at 393, gave insight into the operations of the taskforce, which he said is gaining popularity across the country.

    The operations of the taskforce have sacked illegal youth groups that used to harass land owners and property developers across the state.

    The near elimination of their criminal activities has made land acquisition and administration easy, especially in Benin City, the state capital and other urban areas of the state.

    In his response, Governor Obaseki saluted the effort of the taskforce and assured of more support for its operations to eliminate all impediments to land ownership and administration.

    The taskforce according to the governor, was his administration’s response to the activities of the abolished Community Development Associations (CDAs) whose activities were retarding economic development in the state.

  • Battered Obaseki’s aide in critical condition

    Special Assistant to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Political Matters, Mrs. Maris Igbons, who was reportedly beaten last week by officials of Esan West local government area is currently in critical condition at a private hospital where she was admitted.

    Mrs. Igbons could not talk when journalists visited her at the hospital.

    A former Vice Chairman of Esan West, Mrs. Esther Eghaghe, said Igbons was beaten by the council officials who were out to collect revenue.

    Esther said Igbons had also complied with a directive from the council officials that she should shift her shop away from the road.

    She alleged that Igbons was beaten because she is not loyal to the Chairman of the local council, Patrick Aguinede.

    According to Esther, “Aguinede has been going about intimidating and harassing people in the name of collecting revenue. We expected him to bring all factions of the party together but he is fighting us because we remain loyal to Pius Omofuma.

    “That is why he is beating most of us. Igbons has already removed her shop but they still beat her up.”

    A sister to Igbons, who gave her name as Joyce described her ‘condition as bad’.

    “They beat her to a state of coma. She can not talk now and we are worried.”

    Head of Environment department, Mr. Anthony Ojeabulu, who led the team to Igbons shop, denied beating her.

    Anthony said it was Igbons that slapped him and tore his official uniform.

    He said Igbons ran to the hospital when she heard that policemen were looking for her for assault.

    Read Also: Trader held for allegedly sodomising boy

    Hon Aguinede on his part said he reigned from a meeting in Benin to learn about what happened.

    Aguinede said he asked the officials to report the matter to the police only for Mrs. Igbons to go to the hospital that she was beaten.

    He noted that as a Special Assistant to Governor Obaseki, Mrs. Igbons ought to show example by prompt payment of levies and obedient to local authorities.

    Aguinede said that battle against him by some members of the APC was because he discovered fraud masterminded by them.

    According to him, “As an aide to the Governor, she was supposed to be in the office as at the time she was found in her shop. She refused to pay her levies on grounds that she is an aide to Obaseki.

    “Omofuma is the person manipulating the whole thing. He has been using everything to discredit my person. Mr. Anthony was doing his normal routine work when the woman was said to have slapped him and tore his uniform.”

  • Obaseki to PDP: I will not compromise my vision for education

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has said he would not compromise his  vision for educational institutions in the state over what he termed ‘ranting of a dying Edo PDP’.

    Obaseki, who was reacting to condemnation by the People’s Democratic Party ( PDP) over the sacking of employees of the College of Agriculture, said students of the institution were thankful to him for intervening in the affairs of the institution that was notorious for abuse of procedures.

    The governor, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said an ineffectual party  should not speak when efforts to revamp institutions of higher learning were discussed.

    He noted that a report of the committee he set up to audit activities of the institution, revealed heartbreaking and irritating details.

    Obaseki said: “Edo people and residents have not forgotten what educational institutions, from primary, secondary to tertiary levels, looked like when they held sway. While some of the schools were set up as conduits to siphon public funds, others were grossly mismanaged, which explains why the federal government regulatory agencies denied them accreditation.

    “But convinced that good leadership can turn the story of the institute around for the better, Governor Obaseki has since sent students of the institute, to the various world class agricultural institutes and companies in the state, namely; the Nigeria Institute of Rubber Research, Okomu Oil Palm Company Nigeria plc, Presco plc, amongst others, to learn the nuances of agriculture.

    “The Obaseki administration is consolidating on the red roof classroom building revolution of his predecessor, by embarking on teacher training and Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-based teaching for better learning outcomes.”

     

  • Obaseki breaks fast with Otaru of Auchi

    •Urges Muslim community on prayers for peaceful coexistence

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has highlighted the place of prayers in the peaceful coexistence of Nigerians and the nation’s aspiration to become a great country among the comity of nations.

    Obaseki, who was at the palace of the Otaru of Auchi, His Royal Highness (HRH) Aliru Momoh Ikelebe III, to break the Ramadan fast, in Auchi, on Friday, said the peaceful coexistence of Edo people and residents is the result of prayers and supplications of the people.

    The governor said he was in the palace to join the Muslim faithful to break the Ramadan fast in the spirit of their shared brotherhood.

    “We see ourselves as one and share in your sacrifices at this point in time. We have no doubt that your prayers, fasting and supplications are responsible for the peace we have continued to enjoy in Edo State and I urge you not to relent in your prayers,” he said.

    The governor said he is in the palace of the Otaru of Auchi, who is the leader of the Muslim community, to celebrate with Muslim faithful who are already in the middle of Ramadan fast.

    In his response, the Otaru thanked the governor and his entourage for coming to identify with the Muslim community, and described the visit as the first of its kind in the state.

    He commended the governor for his developmental stride in the state since assuming office.

    The royal father commended the governor for reviving the fertiliser plant in Auchi, as it has created jobs for the people of the area.

    “The fertiliser plant which was moribund and revived by your administration in Auchi is in full operation, producing bags of fertilisers on a daily basis and creating jobs for the people of the state.

    He urged the governor to attract more industries to the state to fast track the development of the state.

    “You are doing well in governance, I urge you to continue to bring development to our people,” he said.

  • Obaseki releases N1.5b for council workers pension

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has released N1.5 billion for the payment of arrears of local government pensioners.

    Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Jimoh Ijegbai spoke in Benin City at the weekend while addressing council pensioners.

    Ijegbai said the N1.5 billion released by the governor covers eight months arrears of 4,340 pensioners.

    “You will recall that on May 1, 2018, during the May Day celebration, the governor made a promise to release N1.5 billion to clear part of the local government pensioners’ arrears in the state. I am glad to announce to you that the money has been released for immediate payment.”

    He explained that after the announcement by the governor, a meeting with the pensioners was called and the screening of the pensioners commenced.

    “That screening has been completed and we are now ready to pay our pensioners their arrears.”

    The commissioner noted that the release by the governor is unprecedented in the history of Edo State, adding that since Obaseki assumed duty, he has not defaulted in the payment of monthly pension.

    “As at today, we pay N264 million monthly to offset pensioners’ entitlements in the state, and we will continue to pay until we clear the arrears,” he assured.

    President of Local Government Pensioners’ Association (Edo State), Frank Akinido, thanked the governor for keeping to his promise to pay pensioners their arrears.

    He assured the governor that the state local government pensioners are peace-loving citizens.

  • How Obaseki is retooling public education

    At a time all hope in public education is almost lost, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki seems to have found the solution to the multifarious problems that have held Nigeria’s education hostage according to this report by Crusoe Osagie

    Nigeria’s blighted growth and development are perhaps more manifest in the quality of its human capital, thanks to a crisis-ridden education sector that parades over-populated classrooms, outdated school curricular that are far flung from current reality, incessant labour strikes owing to poor wages and inadequate incentives; as well as policy inconsistency.

    The resulting mass out-flux of Nigerian students to Europe, North and South America and sister African countries, where education receives premium attention, explains the failing faith in Nigeria’s education, amplified by the poor global rating of her tertiary institutions.

    Over the years, while so much efforts have been made to discuss the crisis in Nigeria’s education sector, successive governments at the federal, state and local levels have demonstrated tokenistic disposition to overhauling the sector.

    Curiously, at a time hope for educational excellence in the country is on a free fall, some shine is emanating from Edo State.

     

    Reforms in the Basic Education sub-sector

     

    Setting the tone for what was to come, Governor Godwin Obaseki, shortly after assuming office, disrupted the rendezvous that had characterised the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), which civil servants saw as one of the cash cows of the state.

    The restructuring of the dysfunctional agency repositioned it to execute its core mandate of transforming learning and teaching outcomes in the state, with the employment of technology-savvy and result-oriented staff, who are the avante-garde of the ongoing change in the basic education sector.

    For the first time in the state’s recent history, training and retraining of teachers, promotion as well as the institutionalisation of teacher supervision and monitoring are receiving their deserved attention.

    Known for educational excellence in the days of former governors; Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia and Ambrose Alli, Edo State, under Governor Godwin Obaseki, is on its way to re-enacting the great strides that earned her accolades in the 1980s. The building blocks for the renaissance or returning to educational excellence are being laid.

    The latest in the series of basic education sector reforms, is Edo Supporting Teachers to Achieve Results (EDOSTAR), a component of Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EDOBEST).

    EDOSTAR is a Teacher Professional Development Training that is building the capacity of teachers in the use of digital technologies in classrooms as well as new classroom management techniques.

    According to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic Education and Acting Chairman, Edo SUBEB, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, the teacher training programme will equip teachers with knowledge and skills in deploying new technologies in the classroom, noting that over 2000 teachers and Headmasters/Headmistresses participating in the exercise will receive computer tablets and smart phones.

    “Edo BEST is about imagining the education of tomorrow and starting it today. Governor Obaseki is committed to a holistic change in our basic education sub-sector. On the first day of training, we realised that the training was oversubscribed. Over 3000 teachers showed up. It was a herculean task to send some away because we have a set limit we can accommodate for this training. We will have more trainings as we expand Edo BEST to other schools,” she said.

    Two weeks ago, caches of textbooks were received by the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board, for onward distribution to public schools. Earlier, mathematical sets were distributed to public schools in the state.

     

    School Census

     

    To ascertain the number of schools, population of teachers, students, available infrastructure and the location of schools across the state, a census has been carried out by the Obaseki administration. As the findings of the ambitious project are being awaited, the state government has said that the data gathered from the census will guide critical policy undertakings in the sector such as the construction of new schools, deployment of teachers, chairs and tables, laboratories, libraries and other resources.

     

    Renewed faith in Technical education

     

    After years of neglect, Governor Obaseki has put technical education on the front burner owing largely to skills set obtainable from technical schools. The governor plans to re-skill Edo youths at the old Benin Technical College, that is undergoing revamp. On completion, the new Benin Science and Technical College will serve as a skills hub for vocational and technical training.

    Earlier this month, the Edo State governor assured a delegation of the European parliament who paid him a courtesy visit that the Benin Science and Technical College will be near completion before the end of the year.

    “The Benin Science and Technical College is a work in progress and we anticipated that it would be near completion before the end of the year. When the project is completed, it will enable victims of human trafficking and others acquire technical and vocational skills which will offer them hope,” he told his guests.

    Obaseki maintained that the state government embarked on the reconstruction and expansion work at the college which would also serve as a vocational centre in the state to engage youths on vocational skills and discourage them from illegal migration.

    According to the governor, the college, on completion, will supply technical manpower to the Benin Industrial Park, the planned Benin Modular Refinery and other enterprises that require technical and vocational manpower.

     

    Tertiary education

     

    The impact of the aggressive repositioning of Edo State’s education sector is more visible in the tertiary education sub-sector as the government has rolled out a new multi-campus architecture for institutions of higher learning in the state.

    Work on the merging of the Colleges of Agriculture in Iguoriakhi and Agenebode will be completed soon. The new institution will have specialised schools offering courses in the various areas of agriculture. According to Obaseki, the new institute will provide trained manpower in the agricultural broad spectrum “given the role of agriculture in advancing the economy of the country, and considering the status of the state as an agrarian state.

    The governor disclosed that a team is currently working on a new curriculum to ensure that graduates of the institute are trained to become successful agripreneurs.

    The state government is passionate about teacher training.

    During a visit to the old College of Education in Abudu, Orhionmwon Local Governemt Area, Obaseki said: the state is to operate the Tayo Akpata University of Education, Ekiadolor, as well as multi-campus College of Education with sites in Igueben, Abudu and Auchi.

    “While the Abudu campus is to serve as Special Training Centre for teachers at the Basic Education level, the campus at Igueben will focus on training teachers for technical and secondary education.”

    He said the state government has concluded arrangement to remodel the college in Abudu, noting, “After revamping this institution, it will serve as a centre for training and certification of new sets of teachers for the basic level of education. This will prepare the teachers to adopt modern teaching methods at that level of education.”

    The State governor has read the riot act to Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma to turn around its fortunes in four years’ tim.

    The governor recently gave the management of the state-owned university, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, a four-year deadline to become the best university in Nigeria. He assured the university’s management of his administration’s support for the university to raise its profile and bring back the institution’s glorious days.

    The sustained tempo of activities at the Edo State University Iyamho, earned it the first position among state-owned universities and  3rd place among universities in Nigeria, in the first ever open educational resources ranking by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in conjunction with a national expert group and external experts.

    The new status of Edo State University Iyamho as a centre for academic excellence, barely two years after its creation, is indeed good news from the state.

    Those familiar with the workings of the Obaseki-led government, say the Iyamho varsity is the  model for every educational institution in the state, in the mind of the governor.

    A politician, who would not want his name in print, said “Edo State is set to witness a dramatic revamp of all its educational institutions, from basic to tertiary levels.”

    With the success story of the Edo State University Iyamho and the ongoing reforms in the basic education sector, the stage looks set for the re-enactment of the state’s glorious old days, (then Bendel), when it ranked number one in educational excellence in the region.