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Tag: Obaseki

  • You have my support, Oba of Benin tells Obaseki

    You have my support, Oba of Benin tells Obaseki

    THE Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has assured Edo state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki of the palace’s support, praising the governor for the inauguration of the Committee on the Gelegele project. He spoke at the state Government House after having a close-door meeting with Governor Obaseki. Oba Ewuare II said they discussed issues of mutual cooperation and that the Benin Palace was ready to partner the state government for the development of the state.

    The Benin monarch said he was passionate about the establishment of the proposed Export Free Processing Zone in Gelegele, Ovia North East Local Government Area. The Benin monarch explained that instead of Gelegele Seaport, he chose to focus on� Export Free Zone because he was so advised by experts, adding that he and governor Obaseki also discussed roads that will link up with the Export Free Zone and the Gelegele Seaport among other things.

    According to him, “I am passionate about the Export Free Processing Zone. That is what the Federal Government will easily accept. The Gelegele seaport will be tied to the Export Free Processing Zone project for the evacuation of proceeds”. The Oba said the governor is not just a politician. He is a technocrat as he was described. He should match his words with action as he is always done. On his part, Governor Obaseki informed the monarch that he has made difficult but necessary decision in the last 70 days of his administration.

    Governor Obaseki said he dealt with the issue of financial and and fiscal responsibility by producing a budget proposal that will take the state out of the current economic challenges. Obaseki said he has secured several investors confidence in China to come and invest in different sectors. He said he would soon send a bill criminalizing activities of Community Development Associations in the state to the state House of Assembly, The governor noted that without proper land administration, his administration would not able to create the 200,000 jobs it promised. His words, “In the last 70 days, we have been able to take difficult and necessary decision. “We are dealing with issue of financial and fiscal responsibility. We look at the future and current situation we are facing and we produce a budget we believe will take us out of economic challenges.”

  • Obaseki: Striking balance between politics and governance?

    Obaseki: Striking balance between politics and governance?

    There is disquiet in the Edo State All Progressive Congress (APC). Observers are watching with keen interest how Governor Godwin Obaseki will pilot the affairs of the party as the new leader of the party. His actions in the past two months have however, shown that it is no longer business as usual in terms of governance.

    His body language from the first day he assumed office was a message to political associates as he shunned many who had stormed the government house to celebrate his electoral victory.

    Obaseki had promised to separate party politics from governance. He said he would focus on governance because government has to work for politics to succeed. “Initially, We will emphasize more governance. Let us put in place a governance structure so that our political structure can survive and endure”.

    The question on the lips of many is how far can Obaseki strike a balance between providing political leadership and good governance? How many feet will he be ready to chop off like his predecessor did? Can he go against some party leaders who are perceived as demi-gods in the state?

    As his administration got close to 100 days, several actions have been taken that has endeared Obaseki to the people and showed that the governor is serious about not mixing governance with politics. On his first day in office, Obaseki shunned family members and political associates who had visited government house for celebration. Many supporters who had hoped for immediate appointment were disappointed as they were turned back at the gate.

    Not many believed Obaseki would be true to his words when he said that he would stop all illegal levies and taxes being paid by market women and commercial drivers as well as the operation of private tax collectors on behalf of the state and local government. Some aides said Obaseki believed that it was wrong to allow non-state actors to collect government revenue. The decision to sack private revenue collectors came as a shock as revenue agents were party chieftains and regarded as untouchable.

    Besides, former Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s efforts to stop illegal levies and taxes, trading on the walkways, activities of thugs did not achieve much results. As at the time Oshiomhole left power, traders and commercial drivers groaned daily as they were made to pay all kinds of levies that ended up in private pockets.

    Commercial bus drivers were supposed to pay official taxes of N400 daily, which is broken down to N200 for the state government and N200 to local government coffers while traders in various markets were supposed to pay about N200 daily, including environmental fees. But, commercials drivers were made pay between N1000 and N3000 daily, excluding payment for feeding of the park chairmen and Secretaries while traders paid over N1000 daily to different thugs whereas only N60 was remitted to the local government coffers.

    The management of Okomu Oil Plc in Ovia South West local government and other companies had complained about the multiple levies its suppliers are subjected to pay to the revenue collectors. Clashes between revenue agents were recorded in 2014 and 2015 each time  the state government attempted to stop them. In fact, issues of alleged multiple taxation almost made the APC lost the September 28 governorship election.

    On January 1, Obaseki showed his mien when he delivered a new year package to thugs and private tax collectors. He announced a ban on all forms of revenue collection in the state and cancelled all revenue contracts local government entered into with privates tax collectors. Obaseki said only state and local government employees would be collecting levies or taxes.

    Obaseki’s action has been welcomed as a brave move. Traders now resist attempts by thugs to force them to pay. Commercial drivers have also stopped payment, unlike before when officials of the Road Transport Employers Association (RTEAN) would be claiming to be collecting union dues.

    Obaseki has embarked on massive road rehabilitation through the Edo State Employment and Expenditure for Result (SEEFOR). Roads rehabilitated and reconstructed are Evbiemwen street, Ogbelaka street, Cooke Road, James Watt, Okhoro-Aghahowa street, Reuben Agho street, Aigalegbe street-Isihor from New Lagos and roads linking Oko Central and Upper Adesuwa. Obaseki has given the contractors January 31 deadline to complete the rehabilitation.

    The Government House mechanic workshop that used to be desolate is now a beehive of activities as Obaseki engaged the services female mechanics headed by Sandra Aguebor to repair and fix government vehicles. A visit to the workshop showed that government vehicles that have been abandoned over minor faults were being fixed.

    An action of Obaseki that shocked many APC supporters was the arrest and subsequent remand of the Youth Leader of the APC, Comrade Osakpamwan Eriyo and Oredo Ward 3 Vice Chairman, Sunday Osaguana. Obaseki did not directly order the arrest of the two APC chieftains but party supporters expected him to intervene and stop their arraignment.

    Last week, Comrade Eriyo, who doubles as the Chairman of RTEAN, and some executive members of the APC were sacked and replaced at a meeting of party leaders in Oredo local government. The Oredo APC leaders it said was to instill party discipline and and party supremacy.

    A social critic, Igbotako Nowinta, said time will tell if Obaseki would be able to do away with those he termed “political ‘leopards’ that have remained unchangeable and an albatross on the neck of the key political players since 2007?”

    His words: “Obaseki, who was part of the Oshiomhole administration, as the leader of the ‘Economic Team,’ and who is the greatest beneficiary of Oshiomhole’s political gifts, has banned the activities of the private tax collectors in the state.

    “Is this guy serious? Is he intelligent and tactical, given the fact that the crowd being controlled by the former private tax collectors played a significant role practically and financially in ensuring that he was elected?

    “It is being argued in many quarters that a man like Godwin Obaseki who came from the blues politically and is still facing a yet to be decided fate, courtesy the on-going tribunal matters will not have the courage or political will to force through his proposed tax reform? The idea to sanitize the tax regime in the state is laudable and long overdue. Can Obaseki do the impossiblea? Is he ready to fight very dirty early in the day, even to deal with those Adams Oshiomhole could not cut off politically?”

  • Edo: We’ll fulfil campaign promises – Obaseki

    Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Friday assured people of the state that his government would fulfil promises made during his electioneering campaigns.

    Obaseki, who stated this at the End of Year Ceremony of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo Council, noted that over 50 people had been arrested for contravening government`s ban on illegal taxation.

    Represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Taiwo Akerele, the governor said the government was dedicated to redeeming the promise of 200,000 jobs for youths in the state.

    He assured the citizens that the government would be transparent and accountable to the people.

    ‘’The NUJ has done much for Nigeria democracy. They have refused to be intimidated and harassed,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the governor as saying at the event.

    ‘’I want you to congratulate them (journalists) so far for supporting the Edo Government by ensuring that they get government`s sides on issues.

    “The government has a good relationship with the NUJ and this relationship will be sustained.

    “This year we are strengthening the civil service. We promised 200,000 jobs that is still much on course.

    “There will be open government and government will continue with projects started by previous government and I want to assure you that the APC will not derail.’’

  • 60 days of Obaseki in office

    60 days of Obaseki in office

    Two months into his administration, Governor Godwin Obaseki has won many hearts in Edo with his style, approach to governance and, most importantly, his pragmatism, writes his image maker John Mayaki.

    Prior to his election as Governor of Edo State, people had been fed so many stories about Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki that his true character would surely have met a stranger had some enterprising writer taken the time to write about the tarradiddles being told about him.

    Those of commendable intuition are privy to the origins of the lies which were circulated about his character. These lies, however, were still not enough to truncate the people’s confidence in him. They therefore voted him in, in spite of the fibs being satanically propagated about him because they believed he could uphold their mandate.

    Take for instance the odious whispers in the wind that he would be a lackey to a former governor, who was seen as his political godfather. So strong was the animosity towards Obaseki that the merchants of falsehoods at play were not reluctant to drag in former governor into their scheming.

    Even if Oshiomhole supported Obaseki to win the gubernatorial election in Edo State, was there a rule preventing him from identifying, based on his perception of the serious development the state needed, a right man for the job? Upon realising that Obaseki had the right character for the job, he nobly supported him, but as mischief chefs would interpret it, he was being a ‘godfather’ and also plotting how to be a puppeteer to Obaseki, his tool, once the latter assumed power.

    Due to Obaseki’s reserved demeanour, whisperers again erroneously prognosticated that his government would be hijacked by forceful politicians who understood politics and politicking. This was because, the rumours had it, he hitherto was politically naive. His deputy, Comrade Phillip Shaibu, and the current Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, were touted as those who would usurp Obaseki’s powers and battle it out with the governor for control. Some even postulated that Oshiomhole intentionally appointed Shaibu as Obaseki’s right-hand man so as to keep him in check. Grand laughable fabrications, all that.

    In the 60 days that Obaseki has functioned as governor, he has virtually exposed those lies as the mundane fabrications of over-imaginative minds. Such minds have been yanked from their lofty abodes in dreamland, and planted firmly in the reality of a developing Edo State.

    During his campaign, Obaseki promised to run the state like a business entity. As soon as he was in power, he organised a 3-day retreat to orientate stakeholders in the development of the state into his vision for a new Edo. From December 8, 2016 to December 10, 2016, he gathered administrators, permanent secretaries, politicians, policy makers, members of the civil society organizations, traditional rulers, religious leaders and former and serving officials of the state government to a strategy dialogue themed: “Setting the Agenda for the new Administration”.

    The dialogue was strategic. Obaseki, while declaring the event open, noted that the dialogue was to build a consensus of the policies and strategy expected to be implemented and pursued by his government. He revealed his administration’s commitment to precise, honest and thought-provoking dialogue. Indeed, the event was particularly designed to highlight the challenges facing Edo State and sort out ways to tackle them. Obaseki was also present at Randekhi Hotel, where he participated in the final day of the event. He was showed clearly that he was not given to dilly-dallying.

    If that was a statement on how he preferred to keep an eye on things, his 2017 budget for Edo state was indicative of how he orchestrates these things himself. A close analysis of the budget indicates the Governor’s commitment towards revamping the economy of the state. Agriculture, under this new budget will enjoy a new lease of life.

    No more will the people of Edo State be overzealous to export themselves. Ceteris Paribus, Edo may be exporting agricultural products to other states. N22.2bn and N22.3bn have been allocated to economic stimulation and infrastructure respectively. Together they total N44.5bn, which represents 30 per cent of the total budget. In an earlier article, I already outlined the potentials of this budget as you will again find below.

    Also worthy of note is the novel introduction of N7.5bn for investment promotion in the budget as well as the allocation of N14.72bn for what is classified as other economic growth enhancers, which represents a 144 per cent increase from the previous year’s figures. Edo is therefore set to produce far more than it consumes and the implication of this is that the State’s GDP per capita will, in due course, climb further up from its current fourth position nationally.

    Another economically lucrative spot the budget casts light upon is the tourism sector. The governor is of the belief that the most potent inhibitor and fastest killer of the tourism industry in any society is insecurity. An unsafe society or community, however immense and inestimable its tourist potentials are, can never attract tourists except those with terrorist intents. Hence, his plan to rejig the tourism sector in the state by working with security operatives in the state to improve on security.

    Having put to shame those who though a technocrat is not ideal to govern Edo State, Obaseki has dispelled idle talk of his lack of resolve. He has also indicated a high level of readiness to deploy new strategies as the times are changing. Once upon a time in Edo State, people were not technologically savvy. Now they are. Why not use technology to collect tax and save the government more money, he reasoned?

    During the 3-day strategic workshop, he dropped the hint that a situation whereby people collect revenue for the government cannot be sustained if that government is to be run like a business entity.

    He carefully explained that: “Our biggest problem is waste. If we can plan better and contain our waste, we will found out that we have more than enough at this point in time. We must intensify revenue collection and come out with strategies to ensure that we don’t impose more burden but make the process of revenue collection more efficient. The reason is simple. If we persist in this direction, one day this government will be routed by those people. The reason why we are the government is our ability and capacity to levy taxes and collect taxes.

    So if we have other people, other entities, who are competing with the government for its own role and the people are not recognized by the constitution, it is a matter of time that they will become more efficient than government and topple government. For me, it is a risk we cannot afford to take. I believe if the bulk of the revenue was coming into government, it is a different matter but all of us know they are not. However, in doing so, we will ensure that we do not displace the economy of those people as we will try and accommodate them.”

    On January 1, he announced a ban on private collection of revenue in the state. He pointed out that only officials of federal, state or local governments are constitutionally empowered to collect revenue on behalf of governments. Expectedly, the announcement has not gone down well with the contractors, who, last week, still rebelliously attempted to collect revenues and even prevented local government officials from doing the job.

    It is estimated that the contractors erstwhile vested with the responsibility of collecting levies from designated locations within the 18 local government areas of the state had thousands of young men in their ranks, who helped to collect the revenues.

    Obaseki called a meeting again and promised to draft 10,000 of these young fellows into the government work of collecting tax. However, manual tax collection would be outlawed. Only electronic means like POS and scratch cards would be used to collect taxes. The tax collectors would not go to the streets anymore. Their details and biometrics would be submitted by their contractors to the government and they would thereafter be registered on an internet portal so that people can pay taxes with dignity and absolutely no fear of being harassed.

    For those who would not comply, 20 squads of policemen had been deployed and were on standby to heed any calls reporting a breach of this law. Hotlines were released for people to report defaulters. The police would be on ground to arrest the situation.

    If any mulish sceptic still was not convinced of Obaseki’s potency in government, his relegation of politics into the background in Edo was a home run socio-politically.

    Since Obaseki became governor, partisan altercations have gone out of fashion. Save for the governorship election tribunal that is billed to restart this week, political stories and news have virtually disappeared from Edo. Suddenly the once volatile politically clime in Edo has given way to calm.

    Obaseki had earlier indicated his eagerness to shun politics so that he will be able to concentrate on actualising his electoral promises. To him, excessive dwelling on politics could distract him from the more important tasks in the state. If he delivers on his electoral mandate, automatically, the party will be glorified.

    It was even gathered that Obaseki asked politicians, who daily paraded the government house in the past not to visit him as he had no business to do with them for now. No wonder a sombre atmosphere now pervades the Edo government house these days with few VIPs around.

    Obaseki’s civil mien has not gone unnoticed by many in Edo State. His urbane, humane and humble disposition is quite unlike what politics is used to. He, on Christmas day, dressed as Santa Claus with the Deputy Governor and visited IDPs in Edo State too, while encouraging people to join in taking care of them.

    A governorship term comprises four years – in 60 days, Obaseki, has, no doubt, continued to lay on the foundations initiated by ex-governor Adams Oshiomhole for peaceful governance in Edo State with firm statements of authority that has somehow been understood and adhered to by the people.

  • Obaseki: how commissioners will emerge in Edo

    Obaseki: how commissioners will emerge in Edo

    Since Governor Godwin Obaseki took over the reins of power on November 12, residents of Edo State have been waiting anxiously to see what the new administration would do differently. He has asked for six weeks to undertake a study of the structure of governance, to determine how to proceed. But his pronouncements have indicated the areas that may become his priorities. OSAGIE OTABOR reports. 

    Who will make up the cabinet of Governor Godwin Obaseki? Will they be able to carry out the policies of the new technocrat governor who is not a typical politician? These are some of the questions currently agitating the minds of many residents of Edo State. Since November 12 when he assumed office as the new helmsman, Governor Godwin Obaseki has kept political supporters guessing, on what shape his cabinet will take. He has only named a few political appointees, with the promise that the remaining members of his cabinet will emerge after six weeks. In the interim, he has been working with Permanent Secretaries and the idea is for him to understand the structure of governance, to evolve ways of reducing the cost of governance.

    Supporters and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been waiting anxiously to find out who gets appointed into the various vacant cabinet positions. In the meantime, Obaseki has tried to spell out specific deliverables that he expects political appointees to achieve.

    Speaking recently during the swearing-in ceremony of the Secretary to the Government, Osarodion Ogie, Obaseki said the first six weeks would enable him understand the processes and the system in government with a view to meeting the high expectations of the people.

    His words: “We will tackle the challenges ahead of us. We are cognizant of what is going on around us. Government has to work for politics to succeed. Initially, we will emphasize more governance. Let us put in place a governance structure, so that our political structure can survive and endure. For the next six weeks, we are going to work with the Permanent Secretaries to understand the structures of government; so that we can make governance much more efficient. We cannot afford the high cost of governance we run today. The money is not there. We can restructure how we work. We can get more from the people we already have.”

    Obaseki’s dream is to position the state as the number one economy in the country, with first class institutions capable of nurturing enduring policies and deliver on infrastructure that would be better than what is available in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This would be achieved by generating more revenues internally, without putting unbearable tax burden on the people.

    Three weeks into his administration, he put together a strategic dialogue team led by Professor Julius Ihonvbere. Other 149 members of the team were Permanent Secretaries, technocrats, traditional chiefs, politicians and members of the civil society. They had a three-day intensive strategy dialogue, to raise implementable plans for the administration.

    The dialogue took place under the theme, “Setting Agenda for the New Administration” and it was centred on six thematic areas, namely: Economic Revolution, Culture and Tourism, Environmental Sustainabilty, Welfare Enhancement, Infrastructure Development and Institutional Reform.

    Addressing participants at the meeting, the governor said he would use another six weeks to study the six thematic areas before commissioners and other political appointments would be made. This, he said, was to enable political appointees have ideas on the specifics of what his administration set out to achieve.

    Obaseki informed the participants that his administration would be built around adequate data gathering, careful planning, enforcement, implementation and execution; even as he vowed to evaluate those he would give responsibility, no matter how powerful they are.

    He said: “I want to make it abundantly clear the government under my leadership will not indulge in frivolities; neither will we play to the gallery. Let me assure you that your reports will be comprehensively looked into, studied with actionable projects and programmes extracted for implementation.

    “Through our efforts at running a transparent, accountable and prudent government, we should be able to cut wastefulness and untargeted expenditure to free up resources to enable the implementation of most of the projects identified.

    “We will intensify our revenue collection efforts and this is the strategy that we will pursue with a human face to make tax liability friendly.

    “Our promise is that we will desist from a situation where contractors or service providers define governance and policies in this state. When we came in eight years ago, we saw that government policies were done at the whims of contractors, because they wanted to promote their business interests. But that has to stop.”

    During the presentation of the 2017 budget proposals to the Edo State House of Assembly, Obaseki said the budget was wrapped around the six thematic areas that the strategic dialogue team was asked to proffer solutions on.

    Nevertheless, it appears that Obaseki’s focus in 2017 is on three key areas, namely: social welfare, institutional revolution and industrialization. A pointer to this fact was when he paid an unscheduled visit to the now moribund Benin Technical College, the School of Health Technology, the School of Nursing and Midwifery and the civil service secretariat located along Sapele Road within the capital.

    In all of his visits, Obaseki expressed dismay at the level of decayed infrastructures and promised to urgently tackle them within the shortest possible time.

  • Ex-NYSC DG begs Obaseki to reinstate deposed monarch

    Ex-NYSC DG begs Obaseki to reinstate deposed monarch

    A former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Dr. John Abhuere, has urged Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki to reinstate the Onojie of Uromi, HRH Anslem Eidenogie II.
    The Onojie was deposed by former Governor Adams Oshiomhole for allegedly assaulting Ms Betty Okoebor and disobeying constituted authorities.
    Dr. Abhuere, who spoke on behalf of the Association for the Protection of Edo Cultural Values, urged the governor to forgive the dethroned monarch in the interest of peace, harmony and development of the state.
    The former NYSC chief noted that the deposition of the Onojie was a sad chapter in the history of traditional institution in the state.
    Abhuere said the deposition was capable of creating disharmony and inter-group tension and suspicion.
    He said: “We know that the Onojie may have made mistakes and wronged the last administration, headed by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, but that would not be enough for outright dethronement, given the political circumstances of the time and the emotional attachment of Edo residents to their monarch.
    “While the purpose of the dethronement remains unclear, you will recall that the issues that led to the altercation between the government and the Onojie were political. From indications, they were not unintended to slight the government. However, it is not our responsibility to delve into the main issue that played up in the circumstance.
    “I plead with the governor to temper justice with mercy and recall the dethroned Onojie. This will enhance our cultural sanctity and common heritage.
    “In Esan land, kingship is highly cherished and revered. It is hereditary, the undisputed right of the king’s first son. The hereditary culture is so deep, entrenched and so highly valued.”

  • Ex-NYSC DG begs Obaseki to reverse monarch’s deposition

    A former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Dr. John Abhuere, has appealed to Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, to reverse the deposition of the Onojie of Uromi, HRH Anslem Eidenogie 11.

    The monarch was deposed by former Governor Adams Oshiomhole for allegedly assaulting one Betty Okoebor and disobeying constituted authorities.

    Abhuere, who spoke on behalf of the Association for the Protection of Edo Cultural Values, urged the governor to forgive the dethroned traditional ruler in the interest of peace, harmony and development of Edo State.

    The former NYSC DG said the deposition of the Onojie represented a sad chapter on the history of traditional system in the state.

    Abhuere noted that the deposition was capable of creating disharmony and inter groups’ tension and suspicion in the state.

    He said, “Yes, we know that the Onojie may have made mistakes and offended the last administration headed by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. But that would not be enough for outright dethronement given the political circumstances of the time and the emotional attachment of Edo people to their monarch.

    “While the purpose of the dethronement remains blur and unclear. You will recall that the issues that led to the altercation between the government and the Onojie was political and from indications was not unintended to slight the government.

    “However, it is not our responsibility to delve into the main issue that played up in question, I am pleading with the governor to temper justice with mercy and recall the dethroned Onojie to enhance our cultural sanctity and common heritage.

    “In Esan land, kingship is highly cherished and revered. It is hereditary, the undisputed right of the king’s first son. The hereditary culture is so deep, entrenched and highly valued.”

  • Obaseki sacks private tax collectors

    Obaseki sacks private tax collectors

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has announced the sack of private tax collectors for the state and local governments.

    The governor said only government employees would now collect taxes and levies.

    In a broadcast to Edo State residents to mark the New Year, Obaseki said the laws of Nigeria vested the responsibility for collecting taxes exclusively in the three tiers of government: federal, state and local governments.

    The governor also assured visitors and residents of their safety.

    He announced the prohibition of private tax collectors across the state.

    Obaseki terminated all contracts empowering some individuals to collect taxes on behalf of state or local government.

    The governor advised the residents to report anyone or group collecting taxes or levies.

    He said: “I must mention that one issue that continues to agitate Edo people is the lawless activities of some individuals who persist in harassing and extorting innocent citizens under the guise of collecting taxes and levies.

    “All arrangements to collect taxes or levies entered into by any state or local government agency in Edo State ceases to be valid with effect from today.”

    The governor set up a seven-man committee, headed by Gregory Ero, for the development of Gelegele seaport as a foremost economic and industrial hub in Nigeria.

  • 2016: Our exciting, ugly experiences, by Aregbesola, Obaseki, Ayade, Lalong, others

    2016: Our exciting, ugly experiences, by Aregbesola, Obaseki, Ayade, Lalong, others

    EVERY day, week, month and even year, has its uniqueness  which people who live through them remember for good or bad. Some unique events linger in the memory for ever, stirring up emotion in the individual.

    Those who lost their limbs or their loved ones to the Southern Kaduna killings this year, for instance or those who became jobless on account of the economic recession, or got a job in spite of it. The list is endless.

    Niger State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Muhammed Ketso, ticks off his most memorable moment in 2016 as the day his hometown, Ketso, was overrun by flood released from the Shiroro Dam over River Niger.

    The flood swept away everything on its path: houses, farmlands. Officials estimate that the losses were in millions of naira.

    He said: “This type of flooding has become persistent owing to the inability of the Federal Government to establish a Hydro Electric Power Producing Development Commission (HYPPADEC) to take care of communities downstream of River Niger.

    “By divine intervention, no life was lost and that makes the day a day of sadness and joy for me.”

    Challenging! That is how Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State described the outgoing year.

    Faced by a huge cut in revenue allocation from the central purse, the state government has been battling hard to meet its financial obligations but Aregbesola said he has tried to use “creative measures to manage the resources of the state to sustain development in a recession, building and commissioning schools and roads  as well as running Social Protection Programmes.”

    He added: “Our experience in 2016 is like squeezing water from stone. But glory be to God that I was able to avoid labour unrest through innovative engagement of workers in the allocation of the limited revenue of government by creating a revenue apportionment committee involving all relevant stakeholders under the leadership of a trustworthy veteran labour leader, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu.

    “I am also full of joy for bringing President Muhammadu Buhari to commission a state of the art 3,000 capacity Osogbo Government High School, Osogbo, a testament to our commitment to education and ensuring a future of hope in creating a new person that will be socially responsible and motivated.

    “Other achievements that gladden my heart are our ability as government to guarantee security through effective maintenance of law and order; successfully sustaining the world acclaimed Osun School Feeding Programme – O’Meals – which is now adopted nationally by the Federal Government; and ending the year with the payment of arrears of modulated salaries and pensions.

    “These are the memorable things that happened in the year. It was like turning adversity to opportunity for development and greatness, through innovations and sacrifices. We are eternally grateful to our allies in making these achievements possible, the people in their various occupations, social and economic classes; workers in the public and private sectors, students, security operatives, progressive politicians, market women and men, transport workers and owners, teachers, traders, farmers, religious leaders and traditional rulers andchiefs.”

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, said the coronation of Oba Ewuare II as the 40th Oba of Benin, which coincided with his electoral victory and inauguration as the 5th Governor of Edo State, made his 2016.

    Obaseki said the coronation provided the opportunity to show the world the rich tradition and culture of the Edo civilisation during the coronation of his Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Eware II.

    Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. John Mayaki, Obaseki said: “This generational display of splendour and culture fortuitously coincided with my victory  and inauguration as the 5th Governor of Edo State. Both events, with their promises of a new beginning, are historic as they are auspicious because they both came into office in an atmosphere of great expectations.

    “For Obaseki in particular, it came as something of pride not only to witness the milestone in the Great Benin Kingdom, but as a major participant. We’ve never been more hopeful about Edo State and the progressive government and virile traditional institution as we are experiencing. And this hope, Edo people will sustain under our new Oba and our new governor.”

    Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State picks the visit of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo to the state and the release of N5billion to the state by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for agricultural development as the standout events for him in the outgoing year.

    Obiano spoke to The Nation through his Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr James Eze.

    For Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State and many other citizens, peace is the major thing that makes the outgoing year remarkable and exciting.

    Special Adviser to Governor Lalong on Media and publicity, Dan Manjang said: “If the people said the outgoing year should be taken as a year of total peace, they are right because, it had been 13 years of violent crisis in the state and every citizen of the state has hoped and prayed for a permanent peace. The much expected lasting peace was made possible in 2016.

    “But then, the credit must go to a governor who made that promise during his campaign and did all he could to fulfill that promise. So, as the year 2016 will go down as the year of absolute peace on the plateau, Gov Lalong should be taken as the ‘man of peace’ by citizens of Nigeria and the world over.”

    The business communities on the plateau and youths who needed jobs will tell you the best thing that happened to the state in 2016 was the creation of numerous jobs by Governor Lalong through the revival of moribund industries in the state which obviously create hundred of jobs to the youths.

    The civil servants will take the payment of inherited 11 months of salary arrears to them and pensioners as the most exciting event in the state in 2016. This is because, using the recent London-Paris loan refund, Gov Lalong cleared all salaries and pension arrears before Christmas. As at December 25th, no single worker or pensioner of the state is owed any kobo by the state government, said Mr. Manjang.

    For Cross River governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, the outgoing year is good. Mr. Christian Ita, Chief Press Secretary to Cross River Governor Ben Ayade, said: “I really cannot think of any bad moment, because despite the recession, the state is paying salaries regularly and even ahead of time. So all is well in the state.

    “We have not had any terrible experience this year, but we have had a very good one, which is the Supreme Court ruling that affirmed Prof. Ben Ayade as governor of Cross River State. That took away the distraction and tension that was around.

    “So I can say the Supreme Court judgment is the highpoint, because it was a bit of a distraction. Now that has been set aside, we can move forward.”

    Agba Akin Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oloye Lekan Alabi states his unique experience of in the outgoing year thus: “Even though I have received several awards in and outside Nigeria, the ‘Recognition Award’ given to me on Friday, December 9, 2016 by the Oyo State Council for Arts and Culture stands out, thus making the presentation to me, my most unique experience in 2016.

    “Without being immodest, I march in front, with other patriots, for the sustenance and advancement of our time-honoured tradition and culture. God created all the races and tribes of the world, and He gave them all their varying traditions and cultures. Culture is an umbrella under which you have the mother-tongue, food, dress, music, names, philosophy, belief, etc.

    “It, therefore, behoves each race/tribe, be it Yoruba, Ibo, Junkum, Scot, Arab, English, Jew, Chinese, Italian, French, German Greek etc to cherish, sustain and promote their traditions and culture. In summary, I thank, once again, the Oyo State Council for Arts and Culture, for the award which is a propeller for me to strive harder for culture appreciation, and The Nation newspaper for a platform to indicate my most unique experience in 2016.”

    For Jennifer Nkeiruka Okorie, her emerging as Miss Global Ambassador in Nigeria is the high point of her journey through  the year, coming  a year after she was crowned  Miss Goodluck Southeast.

    But March 4, 2016 is a date Anambra State top politician Chief Joe Ifediobi wishes never came. On that day, Ifediobi, lost his 33-year-old daughter Ekwutosi, leaving a six month old son.

    Businessman Modestus Umenzekwe is one of those who were at the receiving end of the economic recession, by his own account. He said his business was hard hit in the year, making it difficult for him to assist those who depend on him for succour.

    Celebrities are not left out. Musicians: Kenny Saint Brown, Adewale Ayuba, Wale Thompson and Music producer Femi Lasode, among others, also relive their most memorable events of the year.

    Kenny Saint Brown (musician) says: “My unique experience this year is the fact that I was able to create my own platform after a long while. The beginning of the year 2016 was rough for me, so also was the middle of the year.

    “But towards the end of the year, everything picked up momentum and November and December have been most amazing for me. I had an event in November at Victoria Island. The concert was an all-female gospel concert which has now become very popular.

    “And we will be having it every year now. It has turned into a big brand for me now. Also I am part of the Lagos State end of the year music fiesta; I performed two days ago, and will perform again before the year ends. So it’s been a great year for me. As regards next year, it’s going to be music, music and music.”

    Adewale Ayuba (musician): “My most unique experience is that God has been with me throughout . I was able to create digitalised fuji music. I tried to bring fuji back to the dance hall and during this year, I finally achieved that.

    “But to achieve that, I had to open a new digital studio and even an analogue studio. I eventually got both. I had to do both together. Fuji music comes from analogue. I had to create the digital but without the analogue, I couldn’t do that.

    “I thank God that He made me to achieve that. Also, I had a single released from the digital fuji studio entitled Bonsue Fuji from Africa.

    “Next year, we will do another single before we eventually put everything together to make an album. I also thank God because I was also able to keep in touch with God. I got closer and closer to God and I dedicated myself more to Him. I depended more on God.”

    Wale Thompson (musician): “Taking my music to Canada was not something that I expected to do in 2016. I was not expecting to travel out of the country this year. I was busy promoting my music when I got a call from Canada. So I had to put myself together and off I went to Canada. The show in Canada was fantastic.

    “In 2017, I’m looking forward to promoting my music and also hoping that more calls come from promoters abroad.”

    Femi Lasode (film/music producer): “I had many unique experiences because God has been kind to me. I was able to travel to America after a long time. I travelled to America where I attended a global business conference. There, I delivered a paper on the international distribution of Nollywood movies. The theme of the conference was ‘Advancement in Globalisation’, which was in line with my  PhD thesis, which is the impact of globalisation on the distribution of Nigerian movies.

    “I gave them the abstract of my PhD work. That was a unique experience for me. Before then, I had not travelled to America in about 10 years. That conference gave me the opportunity. Also in 2017, I am looking forward to being involved in tourism thrust or programme.

    “Whatever programme they are involved in, I will be involved in it one way or another. Tourism is a hidden jewel which will be a good earner for this country. That will be my goal in 2017.”

    Funmi Ajila (fashion designer): “My unique experience this year was the clothing of 5,000 children within a month. And that was achieved between me and my friends and colleagues in the industry.

    “After being in the industry for three decades, I can tell what clothing means to an individual. We had gone beyond the wearing of clothes; it was about covering the body for the children at the five IDP camps; we went to in Abuja and sent some to in Maiduguri.

    “They needed clothes to cover the body. It was a time to clothe people who are not celebrities but are celebrities in their own rights, people who in later life may become celebrities. Covering the body from the hazards of the environment had become a total necessity to people in the camp and I’m glad that we were able to meet that need to a great extent.

    “More importantly also, this year has been good to us as a designer’s body. A division of the World Bank came knocking on our doors recently. Little did we know that we were being watched from afar. They came all the way from Washington DC and they came to ask us about our challenges as fashion designers in Nigeria. They told us that they want to partake and assist us in the different areas that we may be having challenges. We thank God for that. We know that next year will be greater for us as fashion designers because as it is now again, there is much to be done.”

    Princess Bunmi Jegede (business woman): “For me, my unique experience this year has been the way President Muhammadu Buhari has been carrying on with the affairs of the country. True, we know that things have been tough but we still need to have patience with this government. Despite the recession, we have been able to learn from our past mistakes. Now, we know that we Nigerians caused our present problems.

    “The President is trying to make us repent and retrace our footsteps. So we need to be patient with the government. We can see that President Buhari means well for the nation. The situation definitely is tough for many people right now but the victory is just around the corner. Once we encourage him and he gets it right, we will all begin to enjoy this country.

    “I thank God, business may not have been fantastic, but I know God is taking this country to a good place very soon.”

    Ayo Balogun (musician): “My unique experience this year is  that I was involved in many celebrations this year. This year, I worked harder, I was healthy and I give thanks to God for that. I was able to get more and more engagements throughout the year despite the recession. My genre of music was able to get more and more attention and is still making waves.

    “My colleagues were also able to enjoy patronage, and during the year, we got more and more people coming into the industry. That also means that there are more upcoming juju musicians in town now. I am proud of that, and again, the 70th year celebration of King Sunny Ade brought us together and we were out celebrating and enjoying ourselves. As a musicians body, we will keep moving to greater heights in 2017.”

    Bashorun Dele Momodu (publisher): “My unique experiences were my involvement in Ghanaian politics. Earlier this year, Sky Ghana asked me what my experience was on President Mahama’s tenure in office, I simply innocently replied that I was amazed by the work he had done in the last four years. It went viral on the internet. And people said he had paid me to campaign for him. But it wasn’t so. But that gingered me into doing a story on him in Ovation. We eventually circulated this all around Ghana, a major project undertaken by Ovation magazine this year. So many people liked what we did and of course some other people did not.

    “Others wondered what a Nigerian was doing in Ghanaian politics. But then, we have always been supporting the presidency in Ghana, at least the last four governments. I am proud that we were able to do that work. He may have lost the election, but I know that in future, Ghanaians will be proud of his contributions in all the development areas that we featured in Ovation magazine.”

  • Obaseki, deputy play Santa Claus at IDPs’ Christmas party

    Obaseki, deputy play Santa Claus at IDPs’ Christmas party

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, yesterday played Santa Claus (Father Christmas) during a party organised for internally displaced persons (IDPs) hosted by the governor’s wife, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki.
    It was after Obaseki and Shaibu distributed gifts to the children they unveiled themselves.
    The IDPs were stunned.
    To the admiration and excitement of the IDPs, Obaseki and Shaibu danced with them in their Santa Claus costumes.
    The event afforded the children the opportunity to engage in fun-sports, such as bouncing castle, merry-go-round, coconut ride, electric train, mountain climber, giant water slide, swimming pool, giant shark attack, aeroplane rocking ride, dolly coin machine, princess castle, superman castle, children boogie bike, octopus and inflatable football.
    Assorted foods and drinks were available for everyone at the camp.
    Obaseki told the IDPs his administration would look for partners to support them because the government could not handle their situation alone.
    The governor promised that the state will continue to support them.
    The governor’s wife, who distributed food to the IDPs, said she organised the event because she believed life is about sharing resources with those in need.
    The camp’s Coordinator Pastor Solomon Folunso said the party made the children forgot their suffering.
    He called for more books, food and health care facilities for IDPs.