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Tag: Philip Shaibu

  • Shaibu lays foundation for 300-capacity CBT Centre

    Edo State Acting Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has laid the foundation for a 300-capacity Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre, being constructed by the Ovia South West Local Government Area (LGA), in Iguobazuwa, headquarters of the council area.

    Addressing journalists after the ground-breaking ceremony, Shaibu said the centre will bring succor to students residing in the area, who are faced with the task of travelling long distances to sit for Computer-Based Tests, including the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME).

    Shaibu commended the council chairman for the effort, noting that the step will complement efforts by the state government to reposition local councils for sustainability.

    The acting governor, who was on a working visit to Ovia South West LGA, visited the Odionwere of Iguobazuwa, Pa Solomon Omokaro, where he assured of the state government’s drive to attract more infrastructural projects to the council.

    Read Also: Why Edo is renovating Ogbemudia Stadium, by Shaibu

    Shaibu noted that the construction of roads in the council, which is reputed for its agrarian prowess will allow for easy evacuation of farm produce to the city centres and open the council to more economic activities.

    While inspecting ongoing construction work at Arosa Road, Shaibu charged contractors handling the project on timely completion before the rains set in. He expressed satisfaction with the progress of work at Imasabenwen Road, assuring that asphalt work will soon be completed on the road.

    “The people are happy with the present state of the road. The rehabilitation of the road has brought progress to this area,” he added.

    Shaibu also inspected the Revenue House, Marriage Registry, Army accommodation, Council Hall and Legislative Building, all in the council area.

    Earlier, Chairman, Ovia South West LGA, Hon. Destiny Enabulele, said he has aligned his administration’s objectives with that of the state government, noting, “I have executed over 30 different projects in this council. Some have been completed while others are ongoing. Some of the projects include the construction of modern markets, renovation of schools and rehabilitation of borehole projects.”

    Enabulele added that the CBT centre would be completed in two months, assuring that it would reduce the risk associated with frequent, long-distance journeys embarked on by students residing in the area.

  • Shaibu advocates more budgetary allocation for military

    Edo State Acting Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, has called for more budgetary allocation for the Nigerian military to enable it effectively combat the security challenges confronting the country.

    The acting governor made the submission during a courtesy visit by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai, to the Government House, in Benin City, on Monday.

    He noted that the Nigerian Army has restored hope to Nigerians as a result of their role in sustaining peace and stability in the country, noting that their effort has contributed immensely to the peace enjoyed across the South-South.

    “Thank you for what you have done in the North-East and we also appreciate you for the peace in the South-South.

    “Your leadership has ensured a cordial relationship between the Army and civilians. You have reinforced the rules of engagement in our system and it has given us a good image in  the international community,” he said.

    On budgetary provision for the Army, the acting governor urged members of the National Assembly to increase funding for the military to enable them discharge their duties effectively.

    Read Also: Edo agog as Shaibu leads Buhari’s victory celebration

    “Edo State Government joins in the appeal to members of the National Assembly to increase the military budget so they can effectively deal with the security issues confronting the country,” he noted.

    He assured that the state government will contribute to ensuring a successful burial ceremony for late Gen. David Ejoor, who served as the sole administrator of old Bendel State (now Edo and Delta States).

    Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Yusuf Buratai, said he is on a visit to the state to deliver an inaugural lecture at the Center for Security Affairs, in Igbinedion University, Okada.

    He said he will also pay a condolence visit to the family of late Gen. David Ejoor, who served as Chief of Staff, Nigerian Army, between January 1971 to January 1975, adding, “The loss of late Gen. Ejoor is a sad moment not only for Edo and Delta states or the Army but for Nigeria. We request the full participation of the Edo State Government to ensure a successful burial.”

    Buratai noted that he will use the opportunity to tour some military formations and units in the South-South region to review their general administration and operational capabilities.

     

  • ‘Edo is investing in Primary Healthcare to address basic health needs’

    Edo State Acting Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, has said the state government’s focus on the primary healthcare sector is aimed at meeting basic health needs and relieving pressure on tertiary healthcare institutions in the state.

    Shaibu said this during a courtesy visit by a delegation of the Congolese Embassy led by the Congolese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Jacques Obinza, at the Government House, in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    The acting governor said any nation that wants to survive must invest in its people, noting, “We are taking our Primary healthcare seriously. We are experimenting with 20 Primary Healthcare Centres across the state. Our focus is to bring quality and affordable healthcare closer to the people. Success in this will mean a lot for the tertiary healthcare sector.”

    “We welcome you to our state and we are happy that you are here for a cause we believe in, which is bone marrow transplant. We are equally happy that our son is at the forefront, leading research on bone marrow transplant.”

    Read Also: Edo farmers get N5bn investment

    The acting governor assured the Congolese Ambassador of the state government’s readiness to collaborate with his country to drive development, noting, “We are building infrastructure to ensure we create the enabling environment to woo investors to the state. If we are able to collaborate and do exchange programmes, the African economy will certainly grow.”

    Ambassador Jacques Obinza said he is in the state to assess the facilities at the privately-managed sickle cell centre, CELLTEK Health Care Center, which has recorded successes in bone marrow transplant, so as finetune arrangement on collaboration and training, with a bid to ensuring a similar centre is established in Congo.

    Obinza said, “I am here to ensure improvement in the health sector of the Congo. I am here to visit the sickle cell centre in Benin City, to see the facilities on ground and possibly sign an agreement to train our people in bone marrow transplant.”

    Medical Director, CELLTEK, Prof. Godwin Bazuaye said the visit was a follow-up to his visit to the Congo where he delivered a paper on bone marrow transplant, which attracted the country’s interest in wanting to collaborate with Nigeria to assist them in establishing a sickle cell centre to treat bone marrow issues.

    Prof. Bazuaye said the first bone marrow transplant was done at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Nigeria in 2011 on a seven-year-old girl. He said the process was on for four years but stopped due to funding and logistics.

    “We have done six successful bone marrow transplants in CELLTEK in Benin City and have achieved 100 per cent success. We have patients from Ghana and two other African countries. We intend to make Edo State a hub of bone marrow transplant in Africa,” he added.

     

  • Edo boosts WASH programme in three LGAs

    Edo State Acting Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has presented keys of three Hilux Vans and three motorcycles to the chairmen of Orhionmwon, Uhunwonde and Owan West Local Government Areas, to strengthen the delivery capacity of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme in the councils.

    During the presentation of the vehicles and motorcycles, at Government House, in Benin City, Shaibu urged the local councils and other government officials to make judicious use of the vehicles and motorcycles for the benefit of their people.

    He noted, “These vehicles and motorcycles are meant for WASH unit coordinators in the various councils and it is strictly for monitoring WASH programmes in the various LGAs. The coordinator should know the importance as the vehicles are not ceremonial but meant for monitoring and reporting findings of the progress of the programmes to provide succour to the people.”

    Read Also: Obaseki harps on restoring Edo’s glory in sports development

    Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, Mrs. Akongie Usiriedo Oboh said the vehicles and motorcycles were procured through a collaboration between Edo State Government, European Union (EU) and UNICEF as part of efforts to provide water in rural areas and small towns in the state.

    She noted, “We have been able to provide sanitation and water facilities in Ovia South West, Etsako West, Orhionmwon, Uhunwonde and Owan West LGAs. We have been able to provide over 200 sanitation facilities, 60 water facilities in the two phases in the mentioned LGAs.”

    Chairman, Uhunwonde local council, Napoleon Agbama expressed appreciation to the acting governor for the vehicles and motorcycles, assuring that the councils will ensure they are put to proper use.

    Agbama added the chairmen of the benefitting councils

     

     

  • Edo SEEFOR Plus: Shaibu assures on opening more frontiers in rural areas

    Edo State Acting Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, has assured that the state government will not compromise on quality in road constructions across the state, as part of renewed drive to open more parts of the state to economic activities.

    Shaibu gave the assurance when he inspected road construction work in Kings Garden Road, Jattu, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

    Addressing journalists after inspecting the road construction, the acting governor said the work is being carried out through the Ministry of Infrastructure and the State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR) Plus, a new scheme wholly funded by the state government using the World Bank template to intensify road construction across the state.

    He said, “The Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration will ensure standard and quality work is done on the road to meet international standards.

    Shaibu added that the state government through the Ministry of Infrastructure has mandated the construction of standard drainage system for every road construction project.

    The acting governor also inspected remediation work at the Ewu Gully Erosion site in Esan Central Local Government Area of the state.

    Ewu gully erosion remediation project is being executed by the state government and the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP).

     

     

  • Cultism: Shaibu orders partial shutdown of two schools in Benin

    Edo State Acting Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, has ordered the partial shutdown of Ihogbe College and Oba Akenzua Secondary School, to allow the state government, parents and a mentorship committee brainstorm and provide solutions to cult-related activities among students in the schools.

    During a meeting between the acting governor and parents of the students, held at the school premises on Monday, April 1, in Benin City, Shaibu said the schools would be shut a week earlier than the scheduled date for closure, with only those in Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3) and Junior Secondary School (JSS3) allowed into school, as others students have finished their exams.

    He said this would enable a mentorship committee set up to address clashes in the schools, come up with effective approaches to resolving the lingering issues and set the template to ensure the students imbibe acceptable social behaviours and good morals.

    He noted, “We cannot allow cultism in our secondary schools in Edo state. We have to stamp our authority in these two schools. We cannot allow rivalry and cult clashes among students. That is why we have to come in to deal with the issue of morals. Something went wrong and that is what we must correct. That is why we have set up the mentorship committee and closed the school to investigate the root cause of this incident and find solutions.”

    Read Also: Troops foil robbery attempt on Benin-Lagos expressway

    He added, “What is key is that these students need serious moral rearmament. We have to refocus their minds toward education.”

    Noting that there was a need to involve parents in addressing the lingering issues, Shaibu said, “We cannot do it without involving parents. The teacher will play his or her role; the government will play theirs, but the feedback and follow up from home is critical. That is why we have to bring the parents in.”

    Stressing that the situation in the school is not a lost cause, he said the students can still be guided aright with the right mentoring and support. “The good news is that the situation is not that bad to the extent that these children cannot be helped. The complaints from the teachers and all other things I saw are policy issues, which we will go back to the office and discuss. Don’t forget that the governor must endorse some of these decisions because they are going to be critical and we have to think through them before making any drastic decision. We are not going to leave any stone unturned,” he added.

    A motivational speaker, Pastor Kay Benson-Akhigbe, urged the students not to feel offended whenever their teachers correct them, noting that such corrections are meant to enable them lead better lives.

    Akhigbe urged the parents to ensure they guide their children and wards on appropriate morals and report deviant behaviours to teachers and members of the committee.

     

     

  • Obaseki rejects EFF award

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has rejected an award offered to him by the Edo State Football Federation.

    Governor Obaseki said he does not receive awards as a Governor and the one to be presented by the football body would not be an exception.

    Obaseki rejected the award at a party where he feted members of the Bendel Insurance Football Club for qualifying to the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) after 11 years relegation.

    The Edo Governor who urged the team to give account of themselves in the NPFL said the team lived up to the challenge thrown at them at the unveiling of the re-branded club in 2018.

    Bendel Insurance qualified to the NPFL after picking nine points at the Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 8 Playoffs.

    Obaseki announced N25m cash reward for the players and N5m for the supporters club

    Read Also: Obaseki meets contractors on revamp of 230 schools

    He challenged the team to win the Premier League in this season.

    His words, “I am happy for this new year’s present you have given me and the state. Nothing can be better than this. I asked you to do your best and be promoted to NPFL, that you have achieved. For this feat and victory, I will give you N25 million.”

    “The supporters’ club will get N5 million for doing a great job supporting the club all the way to victory. The team will get a new bus, while the supporters’ club will get one as well. Obaseki, who rejected award giving to him by the Edo State Football Federation, said, as governor, he doesn’t receive awards.

    “I don’t receive reward for now, your award can’t be an exception. I will not receive it but will only receive it from you when you win the Nigeria Premier League this season.”

    Edo Deputy Governor, Mr. Philip Shaibu, who was tasked with leading the team to victory informed the Governor that they have fulfilled the mandate he gave them.

    “You asked us to go to Aba to conquer and we went there and have achieved that feat by winning our three matches. We have gone around Benin City with the victorious boys and they have been appreciated by the people of the state,” Shaibu said.

     

  • Obaseki inaugurates APC Campaign Council in Edo North

    …urges grassroots mobilisation for 2019 elections, party’s triumph

    Edo State Governor, Mr.  Godwin Obaseki, has called on chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo North Senatorial District of the state, to mobilise voters in the area to vote for the party’s candidates in the 2019 general elections.

    Obaseki made the call while inaugurating the Edo North APC Campaign Council in Jattu, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

    Commending members of the APC for their commitment to the vision of the party and for voting for the APC in past elections; the 2015 general elections and the gubernatorial election in 2016, he urged them to campaign vigorously for the party to ensure victory for all APC candidates in the 2019 general elections.

    The governor said his administration’s approach to both governance and politics would be bottom-to-top, and charged the campaign council to take the campaigns to every nook and cranny of the district.

    Read Also: Obaseki offers space for local drug production

    “Our target is that for every four APC votes we should have one opposition vote; to achieve this target, we need to embark on house-to-house campaign. We will ensure that the party wins at least 80 per cent of the total number of votes in the 2019 general elections.

    The governor explained that his administration has already started executing projects in all the wards of the state, and called on party leaders to avail his office of areas that need urgent attention for prompt response.

    Speaking on behalf of the campaign council, the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, promised that the team would deliver on the target set by the governor and reaffirmed that Edo North has always been for the APC.

    Obaseki later met with party supporters who gathered at the residence of the deputy governor where he promised more development for the area.

  • Governors to declare state of emergency on education

    Towards reviving the educational sector across the country, the National Economic Council (NEC) is putting finishing touches to declare state of emergency in education in all the states of the federation.
    The NEC, which comprises of the 36 state governors, will take a final decision on the proposed state of emergency in its next meeting.
    Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the NEC meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, said that the Council received interim report from its Ad-hoc committee on the revival of education in Nigeria.
    According to him, the committee recommended that all state governors should declare a state of emergency on education.
    The areas to be focused on, he said, included technical education, basic education, promoting adult literacy,  and out of school children.

    Read Also: Girl-child education brings long term prosperity

    He said “It will be implemented so that we have a systematic growth in the education sector.
    “It is not going to be one of those documents that will be kept aside. It will be implemented to the letter.
    “The state of emergency should go beyond lip service.” he added

  • Flooding: Edo, ECOWAS re-strategise on disaster management

    … as Obaseki charges councils on sensitisation

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the state is partnering with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Early Warning Mechanism for Nigeria to strengthen strategies for effective flood management and other related disasters.

    Obaseki, who was represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, disclosed this while declaring open a two-day Planning Workshop for State Governments on Flood Emergency Management themed: Building Flood Resistant Communities, at the Government House in Benin City, Edo State.

    He said the workshop was holding at a time the state is battling flooding as predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the National Hydrological Agency for 2018.

    Assuring that the workshop would assist in developing effective preventive strategies to manage flood disasters, he said, “There is no doubt that there is a great possibility of altering the pervading circumstance of flood disaster for the better, through concerted efforts such as this nature.

    “Owing to what has been experienced in the past and very recently, there is the need for a shift in old beliefs and approaches. We must have robust plans about how to mitigate the effects of natural disasters on us and our environment; even when we cannot do much about stopping such natural occurrences.”

    Obaseki urged participants to take advantage of the workshop to fashion out the best management strategies, adding that the resolution from the workshop would further strengthen established action plan on managing flood and other related hazards in the state.’

    Read Also: Edo shuts 10 illegal burrow pits

    The governor tasked local government chairmen and community leaders to take the workshop seriously as it would assist them in sensitising the people on the importance of adopting practices to safeguard the environment.

    Head, Taskforce ECOWAS Early Warning Mechanism for Nigeria, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the workshop is necessary to ensure that the incident of 2012 does not re-occur, noting that the workshop will help build capacities for resilience in communities at risk of flooding.

    “The main objective of this initiative is to enhance the response capacity of member states to security threats as a way to boost our conflict prevention architecture,” he said.

    Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Dame Omua Alonge Oni-Okpaku, said the stakeholders’ workshop is laudable and expressed confidence that at the end of the sessions, the state will be better prepared to manage flooding.

    Edo State Chairman of Red Cross Society, Mr.  Festus Alenkhe commended the organisers and maintained that there was need for stakeholders to discuss and fashion effective disaster management strategies.