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Tag: Obaseki

  • Dickson, Obaseki meet for peace, unity in Niger Delta

    Dickson, Obaseki meet for peace, unity in Niger Delta

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson and his Edo State counterpart, Godwin Obaseki, met in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, at the weekend.

    They discussed regional security and economic integration for peace and unity in Niger Delta.

    A statement by Dickson’s Chief Press Secretary Mr. Francis Agbo said the governors met at the Government House, Yenagoa.

    The statement quoted Dickson as calling on Obaseki to mobilise resources in his state towards championing restructuring before 2019.

    Dickson said the report of All Progressives Congress (APC) on restructuring showed that all Nigerians, regardless of political and ethno-religious background, adopted a common position on restructuring.

    He said: “Edo State governor and I discussed a whole range of issues bordering on regional security and economic integration. Issues of peace and security are a necessary condition for development and building bridges of unity. We agreed that we need to do that more often and provide a conducive environment for investments to thrive.

    “The report of APC on restructuring shows that Nigerians, irrespective of political and religious differences, are convinced about the need to restructure and they have seen that restructuring has become a necessity.”

    Dickson hailed Obaseki for his developmental efforts, saying Bayelsa and Edo would work to ensure peace and stability.

    Describing Obaseki as a good friend and a brother, Dickson hoped the historic visit would herald subsequent meetings to discuss and promote mutual interests for the benefit of both states.

    Obaseki said the purpose of the visit was to dialogue with his Bayelsa counterpart on issues of security and strengthen bilateral economic relations.

    As chairman of Southsouth Governors’ Forum, he said Dickson had a role to play in the enthronement of peace and stability in the region and country.

    Obaseki said he would work with other stakeholders to take measures towards resuscitation of the BRACED Commission to harness economic opportunities in the region.

    He said: “I’m here today to discuss with the chairman of Southsouth Governors Forum on regional cooperation and other issues affecting our region, particularly economic, social and security matters.

    “I have received assurance from him that we will work as states within the region despite our political differences, and that in the next coming months we will undertake measures to further strengthen regional cooperation.

    “You know we have the BRACED Commission and we haven’t done too much with it. Working with him now, we will ensure that we resuscitate the commission and look for common understanding.

    “As regards the issue of the Edo Ijaw, we have invited His Excellency to visit and further enunciate the decisions we have taken today and to make all of them (the Ijaw), feel included in Edo State and be part of the economic growth, which we envisage will occur in the next few years.”

  • Video: Buhari, Obaseki meet over trafficking, illegal migration

    Video: Buhari, Obaseki meet over trafficking, illegal migration

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday held a closed-door meeting with the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The governor told State House correspondents at the end of the meeting that Edo State government would partner with Federal Government agencies to tackle human trafficking, illegal migration and modern slavery in the state.

    The governor said: “I discussed with the President two critical issues that bother us in Edo. One, is the issue of human trafficking and irregular migration.

    “As you know it is a problem with Edo which we have accepted and we have rolled out our strategies to deal with them and we want to work with the federal government and other agencies of government to end this scourge of human trafficking and modern slavery.

    [jwplayer qzIS8vnv]

    “It is against the ethos of humanity for us to accept what is going on with our young people today.

    “So, I came to see the President to explain what we are doing in Edo State and to solicit for more federal support for our actions.”

    The governor said his administration had a plan in place to rehabilitate and reintegrate returnee illegal migrants.

    He said already the state government had commenced monthly payment of stipend for the past three months to the last batch of the Libya returnees.

    Obaseki said the first set of the returnees brought back by International Organization for Migration (IOM) had benefitted from similar stipend.

    On the Benin-Auchi federal road, the governor said he received a pledge of support from the federal government.

    “We did not spend a lot of money but fortunately the federal government has responded to the issue of the Benin-Auchi federal road.

    “As I speak, the Minister of Works is now there inspecting the progress of that work, for those who have travelled on that road recently will see that the federal government has done something quite remarkable on that road,” he added.

    NAN

  • PDP urges Obaseki to restore deposed monarch

    PDP urges Obaseki to restore deposed monarch

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has urged Governor Godwin Obaseki to recalling the deposed monarch of Uromi in Esan North East Local Government, Anselm Aidenojie.

    Ex-Governor Adams Oshiomhole, on November 9, 2016, deposed the traditional ruler pursuant to Section 28 (i & ii) of the Traditional Rulers & Chiefs Law, 1979, after the expiration of  a seven-day suspension given to him.

    Aidonojie was first suspended in October 2016 for allegedly assaulting Betty Okoebor during the September 28 governorship election.

    He was also accused of travelling without permission, and for refusing to answer a query given to him.

    Archbishop of Catholic Benin Diocese Obiora Akubeze had asked Oshiomhole to forgive those who offended him during a thanksgiving to mark the end of his tenure.

    Speaking yesterday at a town hall meeting in Uromi, state Chairman of PDP Chief Dan Orbih said Obaseki must stop playing politics with the traditional institution of Uromi.

    He said it was wrong for indigenes to support a party that deposed their king.

    Orbih urged the people not to remain in All Progressives Congress (APC) when their monarch’s deposition is yet to be lifted.

  • Edo goes after cannabis farmers

    Edo goes after cannabis farmers

    … to set up Forestry Commission

     

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said the state government will set up a Drug Control Committee in partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to control the cultivation and abuse of Cannabis in the state.

    The governor, said this when he received the Edo State Commander of NDLEA, Mr. Wakawa Buba, who was on a working visit to the governor at the Government House, Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    Obaseki expressed displeasure over Edo State being listed among the highest Cannabis producing states in Nigeria, noting that his administration will provide support to the NDLEA to stem the tide.

    He said, “Edo State Government identifies with your effort to reduce the demand and supply of Cannabis. We will support your effort through sensitisation, counselling, prosecution and rehabilitation of drug addicts, through the state’s ministries of Health, Women Affairs and Social Development.”

    Obaseki said that the state government will set up a Forestry Commission, where forest guards will be recruited to check the cultivation of cannabis in forests across the state.

    The Edo State Commander, NDLEA, Mr. Wakawa Buba, said the setting up of Drug Control Committee by the state government will complement the effort of the agency in controlling the cultivation and abuse of cannabis.

    Buba added that the partnership with the state government will enable NDLEA combat drug cartels and assist youths overcome drug abuse and other related vices in society.

    He also appealed to the state government to support the agency in procuring operational vehicles, construction of a standard cottage at the Drug Rehabilitation Centre and reconstruction of the state’s command office fence.

    The commander regretted that most government forest reserves in the state have been converted to Cannabis colonies.

    The implications of Cannabis cultivation include threat to food security, deforestation and the recruitment of school-age children as workers in Cannabis farms among others.

  • No agreement to establish cattle colony in Edo – Obaseki

    No agreement to establish cattle colony in Edo – Obaseki

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has described as outright falsehood, the claim by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, that the Edo State government has approved land for the establishment of a cattle colony in the state.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie, said in a statement issued on Monday in Benin City, that the claim is a barefaced and brazen lie concocted and fabricated by the PDP.

    “Our attention has been drawn to another set of lies by the dying Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has approved land for the establishment of cattle colonies in Edo State.

    “We wish to categorically state that the Godwin Obaseki-led government has not entered into any agreement for cattle colonies in any part of Edo State.

    “The claim is the PDP’s concoction, fabrication, and the aim of the dying party, peopled by rogues and bandits, is to attempt to smear the rising profile and image of the Obaseki administration,” Osagie said.

    He noted that the “PDP’s resort to outright falsehood as a tactic for redeeming its irredeemable image, demonstrates the party’s lack of capacity to engage in intellectual and ideological contestations.

    “Only a hopeless party like the PDP tells such barefaced, blatant and brazen lies because it has no issues to bring to the table. It is also not true that the Edo State Government is not doing anything about the activities of the Fulani herdsmen in Edo North.

    “The security challenges we face today in Nigeria’s North East region originated with the PDP.”

    He explained that “every educated Nigerian knows that the nation’s security apparatus are controlled by the federal government and it will amount to sheer mischief to blame Governor Obaseki for the nation’s security challenges.”

    He assured that the Edo State Government was working assiduously to attend to all the needs of Edo people and residents in the state including the protection of lives and properties and will not be distracted by the false and bogus claims of the bandits who ruined Edo State when they were in power.

    “No amount of misinformation by the ailing PDP will sway Edo people and residents in the state, who witnessed the criminal activities of the PDP while the party was in power. Edo people are very intelligent who can sense a lie from a distance.

    “The PDP lacks the credibility to speak on any issue in Edo State. Rogues and looters cannot suddenly turn advocates of good governance. PDP cannot give what it does not have.”

  • Obaseki: poll will not distract Edo’s development agenda

    The focus on implementation of the development agenda for Edo State will not be shifted by 2019 elections, Governor Godwin Obaseki has said.

    The governor, who spoke at the weekend at the beginning of a three-day retreat organised for executive council (exco) members of his administration in Abuja, said: “Although this year is going to be a short one, because of politicking for National Assembly and presidential primaries, this should not stop us from our promises to the people.”

    He said ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) must keep to the implementation of their strategic plans meant to bring socio-economic development to the state.

    Obaseki said as a people-driven administration, politicking and other distractions could not be taken as an excuse if citizens were to benefit from the dividends of democracy.

    He said his resolve to fulfil his promises to the people made him to sign the 2018 budget on January 21.

    The governor said the retreat, the second after the inaugural one in Lagos six months ago, would provide an enabling environment for exco members to compare notes and proffer solution to achieve development agenda.

    He said in a bid to accommodate more infrastructural and agricultural projects, the budget estimate, which the executive initially put the ceiling at N146 billion, was increased to N150 billion by the House of Assembly.

    Obaseki said his administration had set a target of at least 95 per cent performance level for the budget.

    “In six months, we will have a review. We will look at where we are and where we are going, our strength and weaknesses, and if we need to re- calibrate our objectives,” he said.

  • Prayers instrumental to our success – Obaseki

    Prayers instrumental to our success – Obaseki

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that prayers offered by religious leaders in the state are instrumental to the success recorded so far by his administration.

    The governor made the remarks in a goodwill message at the 60th birthday celebration for Apostle (Mrs.) Deb’rah Eunice Gordon-Osagiede, General Overseer, Spirit and Life Bible Church/President Godhead Prayer Ministry.

    According to Obaseki, “Edo people will continue to experience the impact of the blessings upon the state through our socio-economic policies to make life better.

    “We are assured of God’s mighty hands upon the state as the state continues to host spiritual programmes where prayers are offered for the development of the state and in support of government programmes.”

    Obaseki added, “Recently, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) held programmes in the state and prayed for the progress, growth and development of the state and since then, we have seen pointers to the prayers.”

    He congratulated Apostle Eunice Gordon-Osagiede on her 60th birthday and expressed appreciation for the support of the clergy for his administration, nothing, “We are here to celebrate a great woman of God whose prayers for Edo State has been instrumental in the growth of the state and her people.”

    Obaseki said spiritual leaders in the state should not relent in seeking God’s favour for the state, nothing, “Don’t doubt the hands of God in the affairs of state because God has decided to extend his blessings to us.”

    “All the successes achieved in the state as regard socio-economic growth are assurances that the hand of God is upon us. The peace and progress we enjoy even as we prepare for the local government polls are all because of the prayers of great men and women of God like Apostle Gordon-Osagiede, who continues to pray for peace and progress in the state,” he said.

  • Obaseki mourns Dahiru Musdapher

    Obaseki mourns Dahiru Musdapher

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has commiserated with the family of the late former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, the people of Jigawa State and Nigerians, over the death of the former CJN.

    Obaseki noted that Justice Musdapher’s death is a great loss to his family and the nation at large.

    While praying the Almighty Allah to grant his soul eternal rest, the governor said that “the late Jurist will be remembered for his life-long contributions to the nation’s judiciary which have been referenced by eminent Nigerians since the news of his death broke.”

    He said Justice Musdapher’s commitment to hard work saw him rise through the judiciary ranks, beginning with a laudable practice in the bar, his appointment as the Attorney General of old Kaduna State, a Judge in the Kano State Judiciary and his rise to the position of the Chief Judge of the state before he was promoted to the position of the Justice of the Court of Appeal.

    He was elevated as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and retired five years ago as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

    Obaseki consoled the family to “find comfort in the good and exemplary life of Justice Musdapher,” which he described as “a model for Nigerians aspiring to attain similar height in life.”

  • Obaseki: building of refinery to begin in three months’ time

    Obaseki: building of refinery to begin in three months’ time

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has said the building of 5,500 barrels-per-day (bpd) capacity Edo Modular Refinery will begin in the next three months to create jobs, train youths and guarantee availability of petroleum products.

    He spoke at the weekend at All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) mega rally at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.

    Obaseki noted that the project was one of the offshoots of his recent business trip to China.

    He said: “You can recall that I was in China recently. I went there to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with companies.

    “We have signed an agreement for the building of the first modular refinery in this country. It will be located in Ikpoba Okha Local Government. Construction will start in three months’ time.

    “A 12-month timeline has been set for the first phase of the project, after approvals by the relevant regulatory authorities.”

    The governor said the project was geared towards fulfilling his promise of creating 200,000 jobs, adding that one of the biggest industrial parks in the country would be built in the state.

    Obaseki signed an MoU with a Chinese consortium comprising Peiyang Chemical Equipment Company of China (PCC), a world leading modular refinery company; Sinopec International Petroleum Service Corporation (SIPS), a subsidiary of Sinopec, the top chemical giant and African Infrastructure Partners (AIP), a Nigerian infrastructure company.

    He hailed the local content component of the deal, which he noted would ensure indigenes were trained in welding, refinery operation and fabrication work, to enable them participate in the building of the refinery and its operation.

  • Obaseki, SINOPEC seal 5,500bpd Edo modular refinery deal

    Edo State  Governor,  Godwin Obaseki, yesterday in China, expanded the portfolio of foreign investments in the state, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Chinese consortium (SINOPEC) for a 5,500 barrel per day (bpd) modular refinery in the state.

    The event is coming after a similar MoU was signed with China Harbour Engineering Company Limited in Beijing, for the development of the Gelegele Seapor also in Edo State.

    The Chinese consortium that will handle the modular refinery, is made up of Peiyang Chemical Equipment Company of China (PCC), a world leading modular refinery company;  Sinopec International Petroleum Service Corporation (SIPS), which is a subsidiary of Sinopec, the top Chemical giant in the world and  African Infrastructure Partners (AIP), a Nigerian Infrastructural company.

    The first phase of the project is expected to be ready in twelve months after all the necessary approvals are granted by the regulatory authorities.

    The MoU signing took place at SINOPEC headquarters in Beijing, China, and was witnessed by officials of the Nigerian Embassy, as well as staff of   SIPS Nigeria, a major local fabrication company, with a branch in Benin City.

    In his speech at the event, Obaseki, expressed delight at the local content component of the deal, which will ensure that Edo citizens are trained in welding, refinery operation and fabrication works, to enable them participate in the construction of the refinery as well as in its operation, post-commissioning.

    He gave assurance that building the refinery will provide jobs for several unemployed Edo youths, including the Libya returnees of Edo State extration..

    Obaseki said the modular refinery will solve the problem of inadequate petroleum products in the country and will turn Edo State to the preferred source of petroleum products, considering the gateway status of the state to other parts of the country.

    He expressed deep appreciation to the management of PCC and SIPS, saying that with their support, Edo State is well on its way to becoming a hub of skilled manpower for the oil and gas industry and give boost to Nigeria’s local content policy.

    He said with the Federal Government’s support, communities in the Niger Delta can set up modular refineries, saying this would keep the SIPS  fabrication yard busy, as it could be engaged in handling the fabrication jobs of upcoming modular refineries in the Niger Delta Region.

    He pledged his administration’s support to assist and secure all regulatory approvals from the appropriate authorities, such as the Ministry of Petroleum Resources for others willing to build modular refineries.

    The Consortium said it is committed to delivering phase 1 of the project within 12 months of receiving the required regulatory approvals.

    In addition, PCC also agreed to finance the Demonstration modular refinery up to 70 per cent, thereby assisting in scaling the financing hurdle that has militated against the development of modular refineries in Nigeria.

    The project will be executed in two phases; phase 1 consists of 500bpd demonstration refinery, while  phase 2 consists of a 5,000bpd capacity refinery. The PCC will also serve as the operations and management partner, that will manage the refinery before its eventual transfer to the local investors.

    The demonstration refinery will serve as proof of concept and would train the indigenes in the management of the refinery.