The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Obaseki

  • Ize-Iyamu congratulates Obaseki

    Ize-Iyamu congratulates Obaseki

    Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 28 governorship election in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has congratulated Governor Godwin Obaseki on yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling which affirmed his election.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu, whose petition was dismissed for lack of merit, assured  Obaseki of his goodwill.

    In a statement issued in Benin City, Pastor Ize-Iyamu said the Supreme Court verdict has brought an end to his struggle for the office of the governor of Edo State.

    According to the statement, “I accept in good faith this decision of the highest court of our country, which affirms Mr Godwin Obaseki as the Governor of Edo State. I therefore congratulate Mr Godwin Obaseki and assure him of my goodwill.

    “I also want to use this opportunity to thank all our supporters and party men and women for their immense support for our struggle right from the time of the election to this day that it ended at the Supreme Court. Let me assure them of my acknowledgement of their various sacrifices and promise that I will always be there for them.

    “I thank all Edo people who have been part of our struggle all the way. In our various ways we should keep the fire burning in the quest for an Edo State of our dreams.”

     

  • Obaseki to commissioners: no room for corruption

    Obaseki to commissioners: no room for corruption

    Edo  State Governor Godwin Obaseki yesterday told his commissioner that they must have zero tolerance for corruption.

    He urged them to come up with innovative solutions to develop the state.

    Addressing the commissioners consisting 15 men and women at the Edo State Government House in Benin City after they were sworn-inyesterday, the governor said: “We expect that you live above board; your confirmation by the Edo House of Assembly goes to show that you were found worthy to serve the state. This is the time to build institutions; it is not a time to think about self, but to work for the common good of the people. Bring your experiences to bear and threat staff with respect and follow laid down rules.”

    The governor urged the commissioners to work towards increasing internally generated revenue.

    Obaseki urged them to be loyal, accountable and embrace the administration’s ICT initiative.

    Speaking for the commissioners, Mr Osagie Inegbedion appreciated the governor for the opportunity given them to serve, affirming also that they were committed to serve.

    The commissioners are: Hon. Yekini Idaiye (Akoko Edo), Hon. Ohonbamu Paul (Egor),  E. Agbale (Esan Central), Barr. Emmanuel Usoh (Esan North-East), Magdalene Ohenhen (Esan South-East) and Amiolemen Osahon (Esan West).

    Others are Hon. Joseph Ughioke (Etsako Central), Mr Mika Amonokha (Etsako East), Mrs. Mariam Abubakar (Etsako West), Osagie Inegbedion (Igueben), Erimona Oye (Ikpoba-Okha) Prof. Yinka Omoregbe (Oredo).

    Also sworn-in  are Mr Osaze Osemwegie-Ero (Orhionmwon), Hon.  Monday  Osaigbovo (Ovia North-East), Dr. Christopher Adesotu (Ovia South-West), Hon. Jimoh Ijegbai (Owan East), Hon. Okun Reginald (Owan West) and Dr David Osifo (Uhunmwode).

  • Alimikhena to Obaseki: Focus on development

    Alimikhena to Obaseki: Focus on development

    Senate Deputy Chief Whip  Francis Alimikhena has commended Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki for unveiling a new economic blue print for the state.

    He urged him to remain steadfast in his action and developmental activities. The senator from Edo North said the governor should not be distracted by praise singers and critics who are bent on faulting his actions or decisions. In a statement, Alimikhena said: “Godwin Obaseki has demostrated that he is a worthy successor and has no capacity in telling lies, but committed in building on the foundation already laid by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who had laid a leadership benchmark for political office holders in Nigeria.”

    Alimikhena, who described Obaseki as a game changer, added:  “Since inception, Obaseki has displayed dexterity and passion by involving opposition party members,traditional rulers, students, traders, non-governmental organisation and critical stakeholders, to collectively think of a way forward for the state.

    “The action of the governor in exploring the best brains and effective ultilization of the state human resource as his think tank, irrespective of political affiliations, religious or ethnicity has fostered greater unity and confidence among our people in various parts of the state.”

  • Obaseki: my plan for basic education

    Obaseki: my plan for basic education

    •Edo teachers kick against ceding primary schools’ control to local govts

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has said the core of his administration was to revamp the state’s basic education.

    The governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Taiwo Akerele, said this when he addressed some primary school teachers under the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT).

    He was reacting to a protest staged by the primary school teachers in front of the Edo Government House in Benin yesterday.

    Obaseki, who said the demands and request of the teachers were in line with government’s plans for basic education in the state assured that the sector would receive adequate funding.

    He said the appointment of a Special Adviser on Education was to show the present administration’s determination to remodel educational system in the state.

    Also the Acting Chairman of the State Basic Universal Education Board (SUBEB), Malam Alli Sule, said the government was trying to restructure the situation in the education sector.

    He solicited the teachers’ support to accomplish the task.

    Sule said if autonomy was granted to local governments, the funding of primary school teachers should be removed from their control.

    The Edo Chairman of NUT, Loggle Iyalomhe, said the protest was to kick against the perceived plan to allow full control of primary school funding to local government authorities by granting them autonomy.

    “We are saying no to Local Governments handling the funding of primary education.

    “We want the state government to do so because if the Local governments are in charge it will lead to the collapse of the sector.

    Iyalomhe said that the protest was nationwide, adding that it had been held in five states.

    He said the major agitation at the state level was sustained funding for primary education and payment of Leave Transport Grant (LTG) for 2015 to 2016.

    “The Federal Government can also embrace the first line charge policy where emoluments of primary school teachers would be deducted straight from the federal allocation and paid to the teachers,’’ he said.

  • ‘Obaseki is 60, not 58’

    ‘Obaseki is 60, not 58’

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki on Saturday celebrated his 60th birthday.

    His Chief Press Secretary Mr John Mayaki explained that the governor was born on July 1, 1957.

    Mayaki said: “The governor found that many people believed him to be 58 years old and while he is appreciative of the good wishes and sincere felicitations that have been accorded to him, he also wants to ensure that people do not quote him at that age and thereby distorting history.”

  • Obaseki on course

    SIR: It was Winston Churchill who said that anybody who has ever achieved relevance with the parameters for the measurement of achievement usually goes against the rung of individuals and of tradition. And I really must say that so far, the man in charge of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has begun to apply that principle in theory and in practice. The man has two ears and two eyes and a brain and knows how to use them all.

    Sometime ago, I had cause to draw the attention of the Oshiomhole administration to one of the oldest roads in Benin, Ibiwe, with craters resembling a miniature Grand Canyon. Instead of considering getting the attention of their principal to working that road, some of the governor’s aides sent me threats, asking me to go to my state and ‘complain’. But to my surprise, that same road was one of the first which Obaseki decided to refurbish. The man took time to go there and see things for himself before embarking on some measure of action.

    Some of the greatest things being said about Obaseki today is that he seems every inch of the technocrat he is said to be.  He has said that there is no free money in Edo, telling rabble rousers using television and radio to access government house that the party for the collection of largesse is over. Obaseki has banned Edo Omo-oniles, and recently took on certain individuals seen to be untouchables in Edo State. And therefore, the Ring Road in Benin City is beginning to be spick and span, and I guess Obaseki achieved this by moving the source of the generation of waste from the Oba Market axis to another location.

    I am happy with Obaseki, and most Edo people are, even though some may be a bit shy or political to say so. We have two prayers for him, and for Edo State and they are based on the projections and imagery of Edo State or Benin City in the next decade.

    One, we hope that these steps are not flukes, and that he sustains them to the very end.  We also hope that the other actors on the national stage would have the courage to take on even members of their party with the Obaseki example if the interest of the state and its people is at stake.

     

    • Bob MajiriOghene Etemiku,

    Benin City, Edo State.

  • Edo Assembly clears Obaseki’s nominees

    Edo Assembly clears Obaseki’s nominees

    Edo State House of Assembly has cleared the 18 nominees sent to it by Governor Godwin Obaseki for appointment as commissioners.

    Those cleared were Yekini Idaiye (Akoko Edo), Ohonbamu Paul (Egor), E. Agbale (Esan Central), Emmanuel Usoh (Esan North-East), Magdalene Ohenhen (Esan South-East) Amiolemen Osahon (Esan West) Joseph Ughioke (Etsako Central), Mika Amonokha (Etsako East), Mariam Abubakarý (Etsako West) and Osagie Inegbedioný (Igueben).

    Others were Erimona Oye  (Ikpoba-Okha), Prof. Yinka Omoregbeý (Oredo) Osaze Osemwegie-Ero (Orhionmwon), Monday Osaigbovo (Ovia North-East), Christopher Adesotu (Ovia South-West), Jimoh Ijegbai (Owan East), Okun Reginald (Owan West) and David Osifo  (Uhunmwode).

    They were cleared ýeight days after their names were submitted.

    Majority Leader, Mr. Foly Ogedengbe, who submitted report of the House Committee on Rules Business and Government House said the nominees were screened and considered fit to become commissioners.

    Speaker Justin Okonoboh stated that those selected had the requisite qualifications to carry out the duties that would be assigned to them.

  • Obaseki outlaws birthday adverts, says ‘donate to charity’

    Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has advised against placing advertisements across the various media platforms to celebrate his 58th birthday on July 1st this year, urging friends and well-wishers, who may want to do so to donate the expenses to WeCare Trust.

    In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. John Mayaki, he expressed dismay over the growing population of helpless children in the state, stressing that it is his desire to ameliorate their pains.

    In particular reference, the statement recalled that WeCare Trust is a charity foundation owned by Iara Oshiomhole, wife of former Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, adding that it is the same foundation for which Governor Obaseki ran the 10km Okpekpe Road Race.

  • Obaseki submits Commissioner- nominees’ list to Assembly

    Obaseki submits Commissioner- nominees’ list to Assembly

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has sent the names of his commissioner-nominees to the House of Assembly for confirmation.

    This was contained in a letter Governor Obaseki sent to Speaker Justin Okonoboh and dated June 19.

    According to the letter, the 18 nominees are from each of the local government areas in the state.

    They are Yekini Idayi (Akoko-Edo), Paul Ohonbamu (Egor), Hon Christopher Adesotu (Ovia South West), Mrs. Magdalene Ohenhen(Esan South East), Emmanuel Usoh (Esan North East), Mr. Jimoh Ijegbai (Owan East), Mr. Joseph Ugheoke from Estako Central, Mariam Abubakar from Estako West, Mika Amanokhai from Estako East and Monday Osaigbovo from Ovia North East

    Others are Mr. Osazee Ero from Orhionmwon, David Osifo from Uhunmwode, E. Agbale(Esan Central), Mr. Osagie Inegbedion (Igueben), Prof. Yinka Omoregbe (Oredo), Reginald Okun, Edorodion O and Mr. A. Osahon.

    Okonoboh directed the nominees to send 30 copies of their curriculum vitae to the office of the Majority Leader, Hon Foly Ogedengbe.

     

  • Obaseki is unique, says ex-lawmaker

    A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon Razaq Bello-Osagie, has said that Governor Godwin Obaseki was delivering unique services in line with electoral promises.
    Osagie spoke with our reporter in Benin.
    He said Edo State has become an investment bank under Obaseki.
    Osagie stated that adversaries of Governor Obaseki have acknowledged the governor’s disposition to deliver across all sectors of the economy within a few months.
    He stated that the validation of Governor Obaseki’s election by the appellate court has reafirmed Edo people’s mandate freely given to a man of distinction with very intimidating pedigree and anticidents.
    Osagie said: “We have noticed very unique service delivery dispositions in virtually all sectors in just a few months.”