With gratitude to God for a fulfilled and exemplary life, the families of Obaseki, Ogbeide’Oyo and Osagie Ohangbon Ogbelaka announce the call to eternal glory of our beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather, Hon. Justice Andrews Otutu Obaseki JSC (Rtd.) CON, CFR, LL.D (Honoris Causa), BDSMA, FNIALS, the Obaseki of Benin Kingdom (1926-2017) which occurred on July 13, 2017.


Burial arrangement

Thursday August 17, 2017: Valedictory Session at the High Court Benin City. Time: 11am. Service of Songs at 134 Lagos Street/Idahosa Street Benin City. Time: 4pm.


Friday August 18, 2017: Funeral Service at St Peters Anglican Church Lagos Street, Benin City. Time: 10am.

Sunday August 20, 2017: Thanksgiving at St Peters Anglican Church Benin City. Time: 10am.


Signed: Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, Governor, Edo State and
Eghosa Obaseki for the family.

The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Monday paid an unscheduled inspection visit to the state radio and television stations, Edo Broadcasting Service and the Nigerian Observer, publishers of the Observer newspaper titles and hinted that the media outfits would be overhauled for optimal performance.

Speaking after inspecting the facilities at the Edo Broadcasting Service in Benin City, Obaseki said his administration has resolved to leverage on digital technology so that the media outfit can compete favourably with similar enterprises across the country.

“Clearly, we need to upgrade the technology of this media outfit to conform to the requirements of the digital era. We also need to upgrade the premises and the quality of people working here,” the governor said.

He explained that the radio and television stations did very well in ages preceding the digital era, but stressed that the digital age demands continuous scaling up to meet present day quality of service delivery.

Obaseki who was taken round by the Assistant General Manager (AGM) Engineering, Mrs. Ameze Osagie, assured that his administration would reclaim the portion of EBS land taken over by private developers to ensure there is enough land space for effective operation of the media outfit.

“We have laws in place, for those who have taken government land around this area, we need to recover the land to enable us carry out the overhaul we are planning for the outfit,” he added.

A similar feeling of disappointment was expressed by the governor at the facilities of the Nigerian Observer, publishers of the Observer titles established by the late Brig.General Samuel Ogbemudia (rtd.) fifty years ago.

Obaseki said he was in consultation with media experts to come up with a clear roadmap on what to do with the newspaper company.

“I don’t know what we will end up doing with this organization right now because by the time it was set up in 1968, it served the need of that time. Today the media world has changed, technology has changed the operations of newspaper houses. This was a front line technology 50 years ago. But 50 years after, we should look at where the world is today,” he added.


PHOTO CAPTION

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State ( 2nd Left); Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie; Commissioner of Communication and Orientation, Hon. Paul Ohonbamu (3rd Left) and the DGM, Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS), Mr. Abu Osagie, during the governor's impromptu visit and inspection of the State's broadcasting outfit on Monday, August 14, 2017

There is no question about Obaseki’s commitment to the welfare of Edo people as he continues to make the difficult decisions to clear out entrenched behaviours that inhibit growth Crusoe Osagie writes

Lying adjacent to the University of Benin, Ekehuan Campus, is Garrick Memorial Secondary School (GMSS), a privately owned institution, which consists of rows of classroom blocks facing a vast open field. Regularly, especially on weekends, the open field hosts loud parties complemented with shrilling music. From burial ceremonies to wedding receptions to birthday celebrations, the catalogue of activities it hosts is endless.

But, on August 2, the Edo State Government released a press statement, signed by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon. Paul Ohonbamu, announcing the immediate ban of the use of public school premises, roads and other public places for social events. The rationale for the ban, the government said, was that the act is detrimental to the advancement of learning and the overall development of children who are forced to cope with the adverse after effect of this practice.

“By our ancestry as Edo people, we have always shown the example of public order and decency which others have emulated over the years and this administration is determined to make Edo a model of magnificence and beauty once again,” the release said. “Henceforth, any violation of this decision of government will be dealt with in accordance with extant laws.”

So, although the GMSS parties will continue considering that the school and its property are privately owned, the same will not be the case for its contemporaries that are owned by government.

A Ferocious Backlash

In a report published by the Vanguard Newspaper ten days after the ban was announced, it was alleged that a number of Edo people are not happy with the decision, after some scheduled burial and wedding ceremonies had to be disrupted as a result of the ban. The thrust of the Vanguard article was that the policy was targeted against the poor masses, “who may be unable to afford to hold such ceremonies in event centres, hotels and other private places.”

The article quoted a press release by the Benin Youth Congress (BYC) condemning the government’s decision.

One Osadolor Okonzuwa who issued a statement on behalf of BYC said: “The decision came too sudden for those who have made elaborate plans for marriages and burials of loved ones. Partying in houses, schools are age-long customs.”

He claimed that the policy is anti-poor, and a gross disservice to the mass of electorates who favoured the governor’s candidature.

“The saddest part is that youths who survive by installation of canopies and chairs will be out of business since event centres have fixed chairs and tables,” he claimed.

However, it is rather unfortunate that the likes of Okonzuwa whose view on this issue seems precariously shallow was given the privilege of responding on behalf of the masses.

It is sad that Okonzuwa and his cotravellers who claim to be defending the interest of the poor and downtrodden in their response to Obaseki’s policy could not wrap their minds around the fact that preserving the sanctity of these public schools is in fact an action towards the protection of the future of these poor people and their children.

These half-baked activists need to wake up to the very elementary fact that the only sure path out of poverty for these ordinary people is a sound education which is clearly imperilled by the acts which Obaseki has now moved to terminate.

Okonzuwa and his friends must remember that only the children of the poor attend public schools these days, and if Governor Obaseki takes a step to prevent the continued vandalism of these schools by banning partying in their premises, then it is a step invariably targeted at the wellbeing of the less privileged and not the other way round.

Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic Education, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe explained that the ban by the Edo State Government on the use of premises of public schools for social activities would check vandalism of government infrastructure, create an effective line of communication and strengthen the harmonious relationship between schools and communities where they are located.

“With such a measure in place, communities will take over ownership of the infrastructure as critical stakeholders and put the problem of vandalism behind them,” she said.

Law and Order for socio-economic advancement

Obaseki’s ban is not a surprising move, judging from the kinds of decisions he has set in motion since becoming the state governor. When he decided to sanitise Benin-City’s busiest spot, Ring Road, he was confronted with lots of criticism. “He should have built a motor garage for us first,” a taxi driver lamented to me recently in the ancient metropolis.

But more than physical infrastructure, Obaseki believes that development starts from the mind, a function of mental gymnastics. If a people cannot think development, then no level of infrastructural progress can lift them out of the muddle of mediocrity.

“People from this side of the world have always believed in doing the wrong things. So, for me, he has done the right thing,” a Doctor of Communications at the University of Benin, Daniel Ekhareafor, noted. “It is the same with his decision to clear Ring Road. Do you know the level of crime in that place before now? What the man is trying to do is that we must have a saner society where people play according to the rules.”

Whether Obaseki’s “doing the right thing” will earn him favourable ratings is a political mystery, but there is no question about his commitment to the welfare of the state as he continues to clear out entrenched negative behaviours that inhibit development in societies.

For example, because a prominent person dies, some people will just decide to block major roads, pausing the flow of economic activity. This is what the Obaseki government is against. In a civilised society, there should be law and order. If you want to celebrate, rent a hall – there are actually cheap alternatives – or use a personal space, like a family compound. At least, be creative, so the wheels of Edo society can continue to function without unnecessary hiccups.

Osagie is the Special Adviser to Governor Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy

The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has announced plans by his administration to set up Export Processing Zones in the state.
He made the announcement yesterday when members of the Edo State Exporters Cluster, paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Benin City.
Obaseki decried the dominance of import trade in the nation’s economy and said that considering the low prices of crude oil in the international market, more investments should be in the non-oil sector.
“We promised to create 200,000 jobs and the jobs will come from the private sector. We are investing in infrastructure, especially electricity and we plan to locate industrial parks where business clusters would thrive. Our goal is to be an enabler for businesses to thrive and not invest in business ventures,’’ he said.
The governor assured the group that his administration would give them land where products such as cassava and yam would be processed for export and commended the well packaged products made by the cluster members.
He added that the planned Edo Business Bureau would be situated close to the NEPC, and would provide business information as well as fast-track business transactions in the state.
Earlier, the Edo Sate coordinator of the group, Ms Josephine Peters, said their visit was to solicit the state government’s support in the promotion of export business.
Peters further said the association was established by the Benin Zonal Office of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, in 2014, to identify and encourage value addition to products from the non-oil sector in the state for export purposes.


PHOTO CAPTION:
Co-ordinator, Edo State Exporters Cluster, Ms Josephine Rhone Peter showing Governor Godwin Obaseki some of the export products produced in Edo State during a meeting with the governor on August 8, 2017 at the Government House in Benin City

The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, yesterday saluted the doggedness and brilliance of the new graduates of the Nigerian Air Force, Airmen Training School Kaduna who are indigenes of the state.

Receiving the Aircraftmen (17A set) who paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Benin City, Obaseki charged them to see service to one’s fatherland as the greatest commitment anyone can make.

“I am happy to receive this young set of men and women from Edo State who have gone through rigorous trainings. You have shown us how tough and strong Edo men and women are. Your presence here today shows that our youths are courageous, brilliant and determined to succeed in life,” he added

The governor urged the Air Force men and women to keep the country as one as Edo people believe in them to keep the nation united.

“God will protect you in your chosen endeavour. Most of you did very well, we monitored you throughout the training and we are pleased you came out in flying colours. We have your data base and we are closely monitoring your progress. Our government will support you. Edo people are behind you and we know you will do well” Obaseki said.

Earlier, the leader of the team, Iboi David, congratulated the governor on his electoral victory and the subsequent affirmation by the courts. He thanked the governor for the great job he was doing in the state and said their training would not be complete without a visit to the governor.


PHOTO CAPTION:

David Iboi, one of the newly graduated soldiers of Edo State indigene from the Nigerian Air Force, Airmen Training School, Kaduna presenting an almanac of the NAF '17A Set to Governor Godwin Obaseki during their courtesy visit to the governor on August 8, 2017.

The Edo State Government has approved the temporary closure of the College of Agriculture Iguoriakhi, with immediate effect.

The closure notice signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq. explained that the action was in line with “the state government’s determination to reposition the college to achieve the goal and objectives for which it was established.”

The statement added that a team has been put in place to assist government in repositioning the college. The team is headed by Professor Anthony Durojaiye Ologhobo.

Other members are Prof. Sylvester Oboh and representatives of Presco Plc; Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc; Nigeria Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR); Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria; Rubber Estate of Nigeria and Leventis Farms Ltd. The committee will be inaugurated on Thursday, August 10, 2017 at the Office of the Governor.

The Governor of Edo Sate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has called for stronger ties between the church and government to fast-track efforts at the development of the country.
He made the call when the president of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Reverend Jeremiah Gado and some members of the church paid a courtesy visit to the governor at Government House in Benin City.
According to the governor, such partnership would ensure the development of a strong, peaceful and corruption free society as the cause of the present challenges the nation was grappling with, was bad leadership.
Obaseki explained that when there is crisis in the society, people fall back to the church, hence the need for the church to take specific steps with government in building a strong country that everyone will be proud of.
“The church has a role in ensuring stability in the society and partnership with the church is something we must strengthen’’ he said.
Earlier, Rev. Gado said he was on a pastoral visit to Edo and Delta states and disclosed plans by the church to extend social services to Edo people and requested for land from the governor to enable the church build schools and hospitals.
He added that the social projects would enhance the spiritual and physical well-being of members and a strategy for reaching out to people who are yet to accept the Christian faith.
He commended the developmental strides of the Obaseki-led administration especially in road construction and appealed to him to use his good office to speak for the oppressed, widows, orphans, voiceless, poor and improve on the lots of the teeming unemployed youths in the state.

PHOTO CAPTION :

Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Gado, President of Evangelical Church Winning All presenting a Bible to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, during a courtesy visit to the governor on August 8, 2017, at the Government House in Edo State.

The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that all the revenues collected by his administration as tax are used for the execution of capital projects across the state.

The governor made the disclosure while playing host to the President and Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Chief Cyril Ikemefuna Ede, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Benin City.

“Without fear of contradiction, not a kobo of tax money collected in Edo State is used for recurrent expenditure. All tax revenues are used for the execution of capital projects. What we are doing in the education sector such as refurbishing schools, road construction and other critical infrastructural projects are done with tax money,” he explained.

He further said that “As at the last count, only about 160,000 Edo citizens and corporate bodies pay approximately N2 billion monthly in the state out of a population of almost 4 million.”

The governor said his administration realised that “if you show the people what their tax revenues are used for, it will encourage more people to pay their taxes, which in turn will increase what is collected monthly in the state and more developmental projects will be executed.”

He said that all hands must be on deck to change the narrative of taxation and ensure the people don’t see tax as a burden, but a responsibility that they must carry out.

Obaseki, told his guests that his administration appreciates and understands the role of technology in tax administration and disclosed that “One of the mandates the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) is working on is to deploy technology in getting more people into our tax system.”

Earlier, the President and Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Chief Cyril Ikemefuna Ede commended the governor for the developmental strides that have been recorded within his short period in office.

He said CITN was in the state for the Mandatory Professional Training Programme (MPTP) which is usually held in various locations across the country and added that the institute would be ready to partner with the state in tax administration.


PHOTO CAPTION:

Chief Cyril Ikemefuna, President and Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) presenting a gift to Governor Godwin Obaseki during a courtesy visit to the Government House on August 8, 2017.

FG, WHO, Catholic body laud effort

The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, yesterday flagged off the distribution of 2. 6 million long lasting insecticidal nets with a call on households to ensure they sleep under the nets to eradicate malaria from the state.

The event tagged ‘Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) Replacement Campaign’, organised by the Edo State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Catholic Relief Service (C.R.S), attracted international and local stakeholders in the health sector, who lauded the Obaseki-led administration for putting health care on the front burner.

Assuring Edo people of “well articulated policies on public health issues”, the governor stressed that “a healthy society is a wealthy society” and advised that a proactive approach like sleeping under the nets was cheaper than treating the disease.

He further said that his administration has set a 100 per cent distribution target for the insecticidal nets, from the current 86 per cent.
In his words of commendation, the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, said Edo State has been in the fore front and continues to make giant strides in keeping up with malaria elimination intervention.

He added that the presence of Governor Obaseki at the event showed his resilience in the fight to eliminate malaria and improve the health of the people in the state.

The minister who was represented by Dr. Evelyn Ngige, Director of Public Health in the ministry, added that the state occupies a strategic position in the country and maintained that “If we succeed in the replacement of the LLINs in Edo State, it will translate to rapid scale up of our overall national coverage target.”

The minister assured that the federal government would continue to collaborate with Edo State to win the war against the disease and promote the use of modern technology to fast- track distribution of LLINs.

Also at the event, First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, who was installed as the Ambassador of the Roll Back Malaria campaign in the state noted that the LLINs was an effective way to control the spread of malaria by mosquitoes.

Drawing from her personal experience, she said she was taught by her parents early in life to always sleep under nets and that the practice kept her and her siblings free from malaria for the most parts of their childhood.

“From the time I started opening my eyes as a child, I have always slept under mosquito nets and I remember that my father at that time will go round all our beds where we slept as children to ensure that our nets were well tucked under the matresses. This did not only keep us free from malaria, it also created a strong bond between us and our father,” Mrs. Obaseki said.

The Edo State Coordinator, World Health Organisation (WHO), Ms Faith Ireye, noted that efforts by Obaseki’s administration in the health sector have ensured that young children and pregnant women have access to life saving prevention tool such as the LLINs.

She lamented that malaria remained a daily threat and noted that with commitments from governments such as the Edo State Government, private sector and communities working together with development partners, the disease would be eradicated from the country.

In his remark, Acting Country Representative of CRS in Nigeria, Dr. Emeka Anoje, said Edo government has demonstrated that it is a dependable and reliable partner in the campaign against malaria through the provision of operational funds to support planning and logistics of the distribution of the LLINs.

The Commissioner for Health, Edo State, Dr. David Osifo, said prevention was key to the reduction of the burden of malaria which accounts for approximately 11 per cent maternal mortality and 30 per cent mortality in children of less than five years.

He added that health officers would be at all the distribution points in the state to teach people how to use the nets that would last three years.



PHOTO CAPTIONS

IMG_8465: L-R: Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, his wife Mrs Betsy Obaseki and the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon Philip Shaibu at the flag-off of the distribution of insecticidal mosquito nets in Benin City on Friday.


IMG_8776: Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State distributing insecticidal mosquito nets in Benin City on Friday during the flag-off of the ‘Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINS) Replacement Campaign’

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has ordered the immediate investigation into the N283 million padded budget for the conduct of First School Leaving Certificate Examination in the state.

Obaseki vowed to unmask the people that sent the N283 million request for the recent primary school examination in the state, which was eventually conducted at the cost of N30 million.

The governor’s decision was taken at the weekly Executive Council Meeting held on Wednesday, August 9, 2017 in Benin City and was made known by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon. Paul Ohonbamu.

“A memo was sent to the governor for the conduct of the examination and N283 million was earmarked for the examination which eventually cost N30 million, and the governor is not comfortable with this. He has directed that those responsible for the disparity be identified and brought to book,” Ohonbamu said.

Other resolutions reached at the Executive Council meeting was the review of the law setting up the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to keep pace with current realities in the basic education sub-sector.

He explained that the Obaseki-led administration places high premium on basic education which is the foundation of the education system and was committed to reorganising it to deliver quality education to the state.

The commissioner further said that Council agreed that the distribution of treated mosquito nets be flagged off in the state on Friday, August 11, 2017, and urged all Special Assistants and Senior Special Assistants to participate in driving the exercise.


Photo Caption

L-R Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon. Paul Ohonbamu; Commissioner for Education, Dr. Christopher Adesotu and the Special Adviser on Basic Education, Dr. Joan Oviawe during a press briefing after EXCO meeting at Government House on Wednesday.

The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has made a case for the creation of more voting centres in the state to decongest existing centres in the state.


Obaseki made the request when he received the new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) posted by the National Electoral Commission to the state at the Government House in Benin City on Thursday.


The governor said that some Edo voters in the September 28 gubernatorial election complained that voting centres were located far from their homes while others complained that some of the centres were congested.


He maintained that the creation of more voting centres would encourage electorates to exercise their franchise in future elections as the issue of long queues that leads to time wastage would be minimised.


Speaking on the issue of the non-collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) he said that local government councils and state government agencies would be mobilized to fast track the distribution process to members of the public.


Earlier, the new INEC Edo REC, Mr. Obo Effanga said that the commission was working towards the creation of more voting centres in the state.


He explained that about 460, 000 PVCs were yet to be collected in the state and appealed to the governor to help mobilize the citizens to come forward for their cards.


He added that the voters’ registration process was on-going in the state and urged persons yet to register and those that have misplaced their PVCs to take advantage of the ongoing exercise.


PHOTO CAPTION:

Governor Godwin Obaseki welcoming Mr. Obo Effanga, the New Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, Edo State, to Government House on August 10, 2017.

Obaseki says Political Power is for uplifting the downtrodden


-Pays tribute to Deaconess Victoria Ojemudia


The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that political power is for uplifting the downtrodden in society and not for amassing wealth and oppressing the weak.

He said this on Thursday during the one year anniversary thanksgiving service organised by the Christians Prayer/Contact Committee for Godwin Obaseki at the Government House in Benin City.

At another event, Obaseki who attended the 90th birthday celebration of his aunt, Deaconess Victoria Ojemudia, described her as an encyclopaedia of the Obaseki family who can comfortably provide any one with useful information about the family.

Speaking further at the thanksgiving service, the governor said political power is about living a life of service to enhance the wellbeing of people especially the oppressed in the society.

“I don’t need to flaunt my power to show that I am the most powerful person in the state. Power is for correcting the anomalies in society and for making life better for the people,” he explained.

He said God never taught us to be wasteful in politics but to use political power to uplift the downtrodden in society, and stressed that “holding political positions does not mean that you should waste scarce resources but to judiciously use these resources to uplift the people.”

Reading from the Bible Book of Psalm, chapter 91, verses 1-6, Obaseki said thanksgiving should not be a day’s event but a way of life and expressed his gratitude to the Christians Prayer/Contact Committee for their role in his election.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Christians Prayer/Contact Committee for Godwin Obaseki, Pastor Eghosa Omuruyi, thanked God for answering their prayers and said that the group was inaugurated to mobilise all Christians for the party’s success at the last gubernatorial election.

Meanwhile, in his tribute to Deaconess Ojemudia, Obaseki described her as “a wonderful woman with a beautiful heart who does not conceive evil against anyone.” He said she affected his life positively as she has always prayed for him.





PHOTO CAPTION



Pastor Eghosa Omoruyi, Chairman, Christian Prayer/Contact Committee for Godwin Obaseki presenting a plaque to the governor during a Thanksgiving Service held at the Government House Chapel on August 10, 2017.

Obaseki assembles experts to reposition Agric sector

- targets top place in seed production, aquaculture, livestock

The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Thursday inaugurated a 15-man Governor’s Council on Agriculture to reposition the state’s agricultural sector.

The decision to assemble the team of agricultural experts was the outcome of a strategy session to revamp the College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi, located in the state.

According to the governor, the expanded Council would take a broad view of the state’s agricultural sector and outline strategies that would make the state the number one crop enterprise zone, specifically in, oil palm, tubers, cocoa, rice, vegetables, aquaculture and livestock amongst others.

The Council would also tackle the issue of dearth of manpower for modern agricultural activities by transforming the College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi into a world class institute that would deliver the desirable graduates to service the agricultural sector.

Obaseki urged the Council to break into sub-committees that would handle the referenced areas and meet quarterly to review their work.

He added that he expects the transformed College to be able to train between 2,000 to 5,000 capable students that would contribute to the development of the sector in the state, and assured that 200,000 hectares of land would be provided for the graduates to display their skills.

In their responses, the Managing Director of Presco Plc and Okomu Plc, Felix Nwabuko and Grahem Hefer, respectively thanked the governor for the steps taken so far to revamp the agricultural sector in the state and promised to deliver on the assigned tasks.


PHOTO CAPTION:


The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (8th left); The Secratary to the State Goverment, Osarodion Ogie (6th right); Hon. Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Monday Osaigbovo (5th right), other government officials and members of the newly inaugurated 'Governor's Council on Agriculture'

The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has inaugurated a seven-man committee of enquiry to investigate
the activities of Edo State Polytechnic, Usen.

He charged the committee to carefully scrutinize the financial books, admission process, quality of the training programmes, lecturers, administration, the ratio of students to lecturers and come up with resolutions that will guide his administration in repositioning the institution.

Inaugurating the committee yesterday in the Government House, Benin City, the governor expressed confidence in the wealth of experience of the committee members and stressed that the state was in dire need of technical manpower that will strengthen critical areas of the state’s development plan.

Other areas to be looked into include the mode of employment and promotion. He gave the committee six weeks to submit its report
Responding, the Committee Chairperson, Professor Rose Egonmwan, thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in them and assured him that the committee would work round the clock to carry out the assignment.



PHOTO CAPTION:

Prof. Rosemary Egonmwan, Chairman of the Committee of Enquiry on the Management of the Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, addressing Governor Godwin Obaseki during the inauguration of the committee.

Obaseki appoints Mr. Francis Evbuomwan as Managing Director Edo Geographic Information Services Agency

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has appointed Mr. Francis Osakpamwan Evbuomwan as the Managing Director of Edo State Geographic Information Services Agency with effect from August 1, 2017.
Mr. Evbuomwan’s appointment was contained in a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Osarodion Ogie Esq.
Mr. Francis Evbuomwan is the immediate past Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development in Edo State and a chartered architect, certified and registered with the Architects’ Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON).
The Edo Geographic Information Services Agency is a product of the ongoing reform in land administration by the Godwin Obaseki’s administration, designed to capture and store geographic data for urban planning and other socioeconomic purposes.

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said that his administration’s growth strategy designed to deliver institutional reform and economic revolution, rests squarely on the Rule of Law.

Obaseki stated this when he received the executive members of the National Industrial Court led by the President, Hon. Justice Babatunde Adejumo, who paid a courtesy visit to the Government House, Benin City, yesterday.

The governor told his guests that it was impossible to have real democracy or industrial/economic growth without the Rule of Law and hinted that apart from working to becoming an economic hub of the nation, his administration was committed to becoming a judicial hub also.

“As part of our strategy to make this state a judicial hub, it is in our interest to have the full complement of the judiciary structure in Edo State” Obaseki said, and explained that to attract investment and investors into the state, there must be peace and harmony.

“The Rule of Law is core to our strategy. We want to be a major economy in the country and we must do all within our power to attract investments and investors to the state, grow the economy and make it a major hub. We must make the state attractive both in financial and social terms, ensure the court system works and give a general sense that things work and are orderly in the state,” he said.

Earlier, the President of the court, Hon. Justice Babatunde Adejumo said the struggle to establish an industrial court in the state was nine years old and commended the Godwin Obaseki-led administration for seeing the wisdom in establishing the court in the state.

Adejumo said the court was in 28 states of the country and was ready to partner with the state and requested for a building that will house the court in the state.

“As soon as the state government gives us a building for the court and residence, we will hit the ground running to make our presence felt in the state”. He said.

“Our aim is to ensure harmonious industrial relations between the government and the employees. If the work place is not peaceful, the governor will not be able to perform. What determines the success of a state is the harmonious and peaceful industrial relations with the employees” he added.


PHOTO CAPTION:

Hon. Justice Babatunde Adejumo, President, National Industrial Court shaking hands with Governor Godwin Obaseki during a courtesy visit to the governor on Wednesday, 02 August 2017

The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has ordered the Ministry of Health to within seven days draft modalities for the implementation of the basic part of the State Agency for the Control of Aids (SACA) Law.
Obaseki gave the order when he received the executive members of the Edo State chapter of the Civil Society for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (CiSHAN), who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Benin City.
According to the governor, “it is worthless to enact a law without seeing to its full implementation” and so he mandated the Ministry of Health to forward to his office, modalities for the establishment of the SACA Board, as well as the constitution of the Governor's Council on HIV/AIDS.
Obaseki who commended members of the association for helping to curb the spread of the disease in the state, advised: “Do not relent despite the frustrations you face. We appreciate the work you are doing and we thank you for the lives you are saving”.
He assured of his administration’s readiness to collaborate more with the association especially in the area of eradicating the HIV/AIDS stigma and pledged that the “Ministry of Communication and Orientation would assist in publicising and educating our people on the various prevention methods.”
Earlier, the state coordinator of CiSHAN, Dr. Bright Oniovokukor, said the association worked closely with governments and other HIV/AIDS awareness creation partners to curb the spread of the disease.
Oniovokukor commended the efforts of the state government in signing the SACA bill into law and appealed for its full implementation.
He said the establishment of the EDOSACA Board and the constitution of the Governor’s Committee on AIDS as stipulated by the law, would go a long way in improving the state’s response rate to the disease.
“Donor agencies are gradually leaving and most private institutions in the state have not keyed into the HIV/AIDS response. The people remain ours and we must care for them, we know that implementation of the EDOSACA Act would be able to close this gap,’’ he added.

PHOTO CAPTION:
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, receiving the address presented by Dr. Bright Oniovokukor, the State Coordinator of the Civil Society on HIV/AIDS during a courtesy visit to the Edo State Governor at Government House, Benin City on Tuesday.

Our Government is Guided By God - Obaseki

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, says his administration is guided by God in providing people-oriented leadership that will deliver the dividends of democracy.

Obaseki said this when he received the General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church, Rev. Felix Meduoye, who paid a courtesy visit to the Government House in Benin City yesterday.

“We want to assure you that we are a government that believes in God. We have no doubt that it is by the grace of God that we are serving on the political pulpit and we are naturally committed to anything that concerns God and the people of God.

“We are very clear about what our missions are. God has put us here for a purpose, which is to help redefine the country. The country is evolving and people like us that you will not call traditional politicians are now in politics to serve. What we require and request from you is your continuous prayers,” Obaseki said.

He thanked the church, CAN and PFN for the roles they played after his victory at the Supreme Court and commended the church for its evangelism work across the country.

Earlier, Rev. Meduoye thanked the governor for receiving them and said: “Our Church believes and stands with civil governments. We recognize that we need civil governments and we believe that there is no governor except that which God himself has ordained and we are beginning to see your hands all over Edo State”.

He told the governor that the church would be holding an evangelical crusade in Benin City where the church major cardinal messages would be preached.



PHOTO CAPTION:

THE EDO STATE GOVERNOR, MR. GODWIN OBASEKI, RECEIVING A COPY OF THE HOLY BIBLE PRESENTED AS A GIFT TO HIM BY THE GENERAL OVERSEER OF FOURSQUARE GOSPEL CHURCH, REV. FELIX MEDUOYE, DURING A COURTESY VISIT TO THE GOVERNOR ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2 2017.

The Edo State Government yesterday announced the immediate ban on the use of all premises of public schools, roads and other public places for social events.
The ban was contained in a press statement signed by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon. Paul Ohonbamu.
The government explained that it frowns at the behavior and would not accept the practice in a civilized society as ours and would therefore not condone it forthwith.
The statement said: “By our ancestry as Edo people, we have always shown the example of public order and decency which others have emulated over the years and this administration is determined to make Edo a model of magnificence and beauty once again.”
The statement warned that “Henceforth, any violation of this decision of government will be dealt with in accordance with extant laws” and urged all agencies of government to enforce compliance.

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has assured of his administration’s determination to revamp public libraries and equip them with state-of-the-art facilities.
The governor disclosed this in Benin City when he received the Joint Implementation Team on Public and Secondary School Library System in Edo State on Tuesday at the Government House.
Obaseki said the team was saddled with the responsibility of overhauling public libraries in Edo State such that the state would become a reference point in standard library administration.
He said the drive to revamp public libraries was necessitated by the declining reading culture among students, especially at the basic education level.
The governor stressed that libraries can be used to create a sustainable learning environment that can strengthen the quality of human capital in the state and assured that a plan on the domestication of electronic library would be rolled out in the state.
Chairperson of the committee, Mrs. Grace Sanni, hinted that the committee’s recommendations include the need for government to employ professionals in the management of public libraries and the establishment of e-libraries in all the local government areas of the state.

PHOTO CAPTION
THE EDO STATE GOVERNOR, MR. GODWIN OBASEKI, RECEIVING THE REPORT OF THE JOINT IMPLEMENTATION TEAM ON PUBLIC LIBRARIES FROM THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMITTEE, MRS. GRACE SANNI, AT THE EDO STATE GOVERNMENT HOUSE ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 1 2017

Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his administration would rehabilitate the old roads connecting agrarian communities in the state to encourage investments in the agricultural sector.

The governor said this when he received a report presented by the Technical Committee on Infrastructural Development, set up to review the state of road network constructed when Edo was under the old Midwestern Region, at Government House in Benin City on Tuesday.

Obaseki lamented that most agrarian communities in the state were disconnected from the Trunk A roads constructed by the federal government, and this he noted has been hampering agricultural activities in the communities.

He said his administration would encourage investment in these communities by reconstructing the old road infrastructure linking the agrarian communities which would be expanded when necessary.

“When the colonial masters designed these roads we inherited, they connected communities because the communities were the economic nerve centers of the then Midwestern region. But with the construction of Trunk A roads, these communities were forcefully relocated and deprived of the huge commercial and economic activities they used to host,” he said.

Obaseki assured that the old roads would be given priority attention when the state commences road reconstruction and rehabilitation work in the dry season.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Engr. Erasmus Osahon, said the committee was set up in January to inspect all the old roads linking communities in the state.

Osahon listed the existing old roads as Benin-Lagos, Benin-Agbor, Benin-Akure-Sobe, Benin-Abraka, Benin-Auchi-Okene and Benin-Sapele.

He added that a common feature of the identified roads is the vast adjoining land suitable for agricultural purposes.

PHOTO CAPTION

ESGH-01: Erasmus Osahon, Chairman of the Technical Committee on Infrastructure, presenting the report on the reconstruction of old roads connecting agrarian communities in Edo State to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Tuesday at the Government House.

The 18 Local Government Councils in Edo State shared N2.95 billion for the month of July as against N2.18 billion disbursed in June by the state's Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC).

Speaking after the monthly meeting of the committee, presided over by the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, at the Government House in Benin City on Tuesday, the Head of Local Government Administration, Esan South East, Mr. Macauley Ehonor, said the July allocation increased by N770 million over the June allocation.

Ehonor explained that N1.45 billion of the N2. 95 billion July allocation was used for mandatory expenditures such as payment of primary school teachers' salaries, one per cent training fund, as well as five per cent payment for traditional rulers.

He added that the distributable sum left for the 18 LG councils was put at N1.49 billion, while the Paris Club Refund would be used to pay outstanding salaries of workers across the 18 Local Government Councils.

He further said that the electronic collection of taxes, levies and fixed rates in the entire Local Government Areas in the state commenced in July, and urged members of the public to comply with the directive.

PHOTO CAPTION
Head of Local Government Administration, Esan South East, Mr. Macauley Ehonor, speaking to newsmen at the end of the JAAC meeting presided over by Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, at Edo State Government House on Tuesday, August 1 2017

PHOTO CAPTION

L-R: Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State; Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry of the Republic of Singapore, Dr. Koh Poh Koon; and Honorary Consul - General of Republic of Singapore, Mr. Haresh Aswani, at an investment meeting between the Edo State Government and the Republic of Singapore in Lagos on Monday

Stage-managed Pensioners’ Protests Do not Worry Obaseki

The good people of Edo State should not to be hoodwinked by the stage-managed protests being organised by negative, anti-development elements in the state.
A statement from the office of the Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, yesterday hinted that the genuine pensioners are satisfied with the effort that Governor Godwin Obaseki has made to ensure that every pensioner in the State’s payroll is paid as and when due at the end of every month.
The statement warned the few bad eggs among pensioners to desist from being used as tools of propaganda in the hands of disruptive elements in the state.
It added that these corrupt individuals who are sponsoring the fake protests are threatened by the just and transparent system of governance being established by Governor Obaseki.
“These people are intimidated by the rising profile of Governor Obaseki on account of his astuteness in governance and the fact that he is reforming institutions within the state to plug holes in government and systematically end the mindless corruption that had characterized governance in the state before the All Progressives Congress (APC) took over as the ruling party.
“Good enough, these diversionary efforts will never be effective in deceiving the Edo people who are much more sophisticated than these puppet-masters can imagine.
“How possible is it that pensioners who they claim are dying of starvation and are bed ridden with various illnesses will purchase hundreds of red t-shirts and print sophisticated flex banners with huge sums of money just to drive the baseless and dishonest protest?

“It is being sponsored by anti-development elements who this government know too well but has chosen to ignore because lies and dishonesty always have short limbs and can never travel long distances but truth on the other hand is immutable and cannot be drowned by an ocean of falsehood”.
Governor Obaseki had earlier cautioned pensioners in the state over what he described as slander against his administration in spite of efforts being made to settle all their outstanding wages.

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said that violators of the state traffic law will be subjected to psychological evaluation to ascertain their level of sanity before prosecution by the relevant agencies of government.
Obaseki disclosed this when he received members of the Edo State chapter of the Catholic Counseling and Education Center (CCEC) who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Benin City.
The governor commended the center’s readiness to partner with his administration in re-positioning the traffic management system in the state and assured that the Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSMA) would train members of CCEC, who would partner with the 300 staffs of the traffic management agency.
He explained that the traffic officers who are familiar with the penalties for traffic violators would be deployed on the streets as soon as the agency is officially launched this month.
Obaseki said: “l am going to hand you over to my Chief of Staff who will make the appointment with the management of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency so that you can work with them and agree on areas you can assist the people who are currently undergoing training and, to come up with a plan for the center and the type of psychological test we are going to administer and how they are going to pay for it.”
He maintained that the state government would ensure that those found culpable are made to pay the necessary fines so it would serve as a deterrent to other violators.
In her remarks, the Deputy Executive Director of the organization, Sister Augustine Onwubiko, said they were at the Government House to lend their support to the campaign against traffic law violation in the state.
She said the organization was set up to contribute its quota to the development of the nation and added that it would help the state in the area of psychological assessment and cognitive restructuring.

PHOTO CAPTION:
Sister Augustine Onwubiko, Deputy Executive Director, Catholic Counseling & Education Center (CCEC) addressing Governor Godwin Obaseki during their courtesy visit to the governor where they pledged support for the Edo State Traffic Management system.

Obaseki tasks healthcare providers on quality service delivery.
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has tasked healthcare providers to deliver quality services to the people especially at the primary healthcare centers.
The governor gave the charge in Benin City on Thursday when he received the executive of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Edo State Chapter, at the Government House.

Obaseki who commended the association for its contributions to the uplift of the state, observed that the passion shown by the medical women was a demonstration of their commitment to contribute meaningfully to the development of the healthcare system in Edo State.

‘’l am delighted to see professionals who on their own volition want to give back to their people and assist in the development of their communities. l know the force of women and the extra work you put in as medical women,’’ he added.

He urged the group to partner with the state government in developing a policy framework that will be used to address some of the challenges militating against the primary healthcare system.

He explained that ‘’There are generic problems and challenges and if we do not address these challenges, whatsoever we are doing will not be sustained overtime. As a government, we have to fix the healthcare system, first by communicating our plans effectively because people equate healthcare with general hospitals.’’

Obaseki disclosed that the state government at a recent two-day health workshop, found out that the problems in the healthcare system could only be dealt with from the base through capacity building and assured that the state government would soon domesticate the Federal Government Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to give the people access to affordable healthcare.

In her remarks, the President of the association, Dr. Anthonia Inibokun Njoku commended the governor for his developmental strides, adding that the association was confident that he would bring the desired change in the state.

She noted that the association’s mandate includes improving the health status of the populace especially women and children who are the vulnerable groups in the society.

Dr. Njoku explained that the association was also charged with advocacy work, health talks, screening exercises and medical outreaches.

The health expert said the state chapter of MWAN has a rich resource of female doctors and dentists with about 300 members and sought the assistance of the state government in providing vehicles to reach out to more people and a women’s clinic with screening facilities.



PHOTO CAPTION:

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, listening to Dr. Anthonia Inibokun Njoku, President of Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Edo State Chapter, during a courtesy visit to Government House, Benin City.

Obaseki family visits Benin Monarch over burial plans for Late Justice Otutu Obaseki
The Obaseki family has paid a visit to the Palace of His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin to announce the death and burial arrangement for the late Obaseki of Benin Kingdom and the head of Obaseki family in Benin and the diaspora, Hon. Justice Andrew Otutu Obaseki (Retired) BSMA, CFR.
Elder George Obaseki, the immediate younger brother of the deceased led members of the Obaseki family to the Benin Royal Palace to inform the Monarch of the passing unto glory of their father.
The Esogban of Benin Kingdom Chief David Edebiri introduced members of the Obaseki family to Oba Ewuare 11, including the governor of Edo State Mr. Godwin Obaseki, as they took turns to pay homage to the Benin Monarch.
The family said there was an announcement in the media regarding the burial arrangement for their father which was put out in error as the family was not part of that arrangement.
They told the Oba that their visit was to inform him of the correct burial date and arrangement for a successful burial ceremony beginning on August 7, 2017.
In his response the Oba of Benin extolled the leadership qualities of the late Justice Andrew Obaseki, his contributions to the judiciary, Edo State and Nigeria.
He thanked God and the ancestors for extending the late Andrew Obaseki’s time to see governor Obaseki fulfill his destiny as he died barely a day after the Supreme Court judgment gave victory to Godwin Obaseki over the governorship tussle.
The Monarch prayed for God and the ancestors to give the Obaseki family the fortitude to bear the loss, and give the governor good health to effectively deliver his mandate to Edo people.

The Edo State Governor Mr. Godwin Obaseki has inaugurated a committee to design the framework for a world class health insurance scheme (Edo Health Insurance Scheme) that will be the pride of Edo people and the African continent.
The committee with members drawn from a wide spectrum of the society is headed by Professor Danesi Mustapha, a consultant for the World Health Organization.
Obaseki said the inauguration of the committee was crucial to the desired reform in the state health sector and added that one of the critical elements of his administration is to ensure universal coverage for the scheme.
The governor said his administration was determined to create a healthcare industry that would be the envy of all in the country with a clear focus on affordable and accessible healthcare for the mass of the citizens of the state.
“As an administration, we are determined to establish our own health insurance scheme because of its benefits. We hope that the health mechanism we will put in place will address the healthcare challenges of our people. They must be encouraged to invest more in the system as it will raise the standard of healthcare in the state,” Obaseki said.
He explained that since his administration came into office, several reforms have since commenced following a workshop held in the state and chaired by the Honorable Minister for Health, State, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, which has helped the state articulate the future of the health sector.
“We realized that it was not a cheap venture as we tried to move away from the past, where we unrealistically expected the government to fund every aspect of healthcare industry. Government will spend the bulk of its healthcare budget in strengthening the primary healthcare system in the state,” he assured and called on the committee to put in place a compulsory and affordable health insurance scheme.
“This will enable us pull resources together from both the formal and informal sectors to complement government and private sector resources to fund the scheme on a sustainable basis. The initial phase of implementation of the scheme will commence with both the informal and formal sector. The plan should address the health need of everybody. The challenge for your committee is to have a viable scheme from day one,” the governor told the committee.
The first task for the committee according to the governor is to examine the Edo State Contributory health insurance document that will mid-wife the Edo State Insurance Scheme.
Responding, the chairman of the committee Prof. Danesi Mustapha thanked the governor for the opportunity given to them to serve and promised that the committee would put in their best to deliver the assigned task to the best of their abilities.

PHOTO CAPTION:
CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON CONTRIBUTORY HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME, PROF. DANESI MUSTAPHA, PLEDGING HIS COMMITTEE'S READINESS TO DELIVER ON THE MANDATE GIVEN THEM BY EDO STATE GOVERNOR - MR GODWIN OBASEKI - AT THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE IN BENIN CITY YESTERDAY.

Governor Gowon Obaseki of Edo State has assured of his administration’s readiness to partner with the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) to boost palm crops production in Edo State.

The governor made this disclosure in Benin City on Wednesday when he received the management team of the institute, which paid him a courtesy visit in Government House.
The governor who commended the institute for its commitment and support in ensuring that palm crops production receives a boost in the state, noted that the institute has transformed the agriculture sector.

He expressed the state government’s interest in strengthening the relationship with the institute which aligns with the vision of his government. “We want oil palm to be our own crude oil and therefore, we will partner and work closely with you”.

Obaseki added that the state had identified agriculture as one of the areas it has competitive advantage and assured that everything would be done to optimize and get full value in sectors it has strength.

He revealed that the state would enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the institute to harness its expertise and leverage on its location in the state despite its status as a federal government agency.
He appealed to the institute to help strengthen the capacity of the state College of Agriculture, lguoriakhi as such synergy would help the state government train middle level manpower for palm crop production.
In his remarks, the Acting Executive Director of NIFOR, Dr. Napoleon Aisueni said the institute was prepared to carry out its mandate of ensuring adequate research in the production of oil, coconut, raffia and rate palms and sustain its status as an international center of excellence in crop production, processing and improved technological know-how.

He however said that NIFOR was grappling with infrastructural challenges and appealed to the state government for assistance.

The Edo State Government will commence the training of teachers who will be hired to teach Edo Language as well as its history in public schools in the state from August this year.

Governor Godwin Obaseki announced this when he received the report of the selected academics in Edo/Benin History from the University of Benin and other universities at Government House in Benin yesterday.



Obaseki said it was imperative that the state, as an ethnic group has a common language that will be used as a means of communication.



He commended his predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, for initiating the teaching of Edo Language in schools, adding that the Oba of Benin’s Palace was in support of the initiative.



Obaseki said the teachers, after their training would be deployed to selected public schools in the state. He added that a linguistic laboratory would be built in the proposed Tayo Akpata University of Education in the state to support the initiative while teachers would be motivated to learn and teach the language.



“We will invest in the training of teachers to teach the language and we will motivate them to do so because they will teach the language alongside other subjects,” Obaseki said, and urged parents to encourage their children especially those in secondary school to take interest in learning the language.



He commended members of the committee for their recommendations and said that they were the right set of persons for the job.



Earlier, Professor Victor Omozuwa, who led other members at the report presentation ceremony, said the committee was set up on June 5, this year, to find out ways of reviving the teaching and learning of Edo language in the state.



He listed the recommendations of the committee as: Training and recruitment of teachers to teach the language and to commence teaching of the language in Edo South Senatorial District; motivation of students studying the language in institutions of higher learning by providing them with employment after graduation; massive public enlightenment programme, organisation of essay and drama competitions in Edo language sponsored by the state government and provision of scholarships to students who want to study the language in the university amongst others.




PHOTO CAPTION
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, handing over the Ogba Zoo remediation report to Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Osarodion Ogie.

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, yesterday in Benin City inaugurated twelve new Permanent Secretaries with a charge that any government official that engages in acts of corruption will be dismissed and tried in court.

Obaseki stressed that his administration has zero tolerance for corruption and disclosed that the new permanent secretaries (seven males and five females) were selected strictly on merit.

“You were all selected based on the result of the examination you wrote which was conducted by the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON). I personally went through the marked scripts and selected the best results. I interviewed all those selected and from the interview I found you worthy of this appointment.

“You were appointed based on merit, none of you lobbied for this position. Nobody influenced your appointments, so you owe it to your God, yourselves and the Edo people as well and be ready to serve the state. We expect you to be absolutely loyal, dedicated and abide by the oath you took,” the governor said.

He revealed that he had commenced investigation into a situation where a memo was sent to him to approve the sum of 280 million naira for an exercise that was eventually carried out for 30 million naira.

He lamented that “with that amount of haemorrhage no system can survive” and assured that for his administration to experience economic growth and fulfil the promises made to Edo people, the civil service will be institutionalised.

“Without institutionalizing the Civil Service, you can’t achieve growth. People will come and go but institutions will remain. It is important we build institutions because without a strong institution like the civil service, our administration will not deliver quality services to the people of Edo State. We promise to do all within our powers to return professionalism to the state civil service for the administration to achieve her goals,” he added.

On training, the governor explained that his administration has embraced technology to raise the profile of the civil service to world class and has renovated the former Festival Hall, equipped with 80 computers and internet facility that will be used to train civil servants in Edo State.

“We are working on international partnerships that will bring people to train our civil servants and equip them with the necessary tools needed to face modern day challenges,” he added.

Responding on behalf of the newly inaugurated permanent secretaries, Dr. Asogun Izielen thanked the governor for the confidence the state reposed in them by appointing them and pledged their loyalty, commitment and dedication and support for the vision and drive of the Godwin Obaseki-led administration

Permanent Secretaries inaugurated were Dr. Asogun Izielen; Mrs. Aziegbemhin Priscillia Emosioluame; Ms. Idugboe Helen Adesuwa; Mrs Obahiagbon Ruth Enoma; Rev. Uhunmwangho Samuel Obazee; Pastor Abode Christopher Oikhena; Ms. Bazuaye Itohan Emma; Mr. Iyekekpolor Michael; Mr. Aigbirio Samuel; Mr. Juwobor Inih-Ivibodohu Dennis Saylor; Mrs. Olatunji Juliana Idawhekpei; and Mr. Igberaese George.



PHOTO CAPTION:



R-L Pastor Abode Christopher Oikhena,

Rev Uhunmwanghon Samuel Obazee,

Ms. Obahiagbon Ruth Enoma,

Ms Idugboe Helene Adesuwa

Mrs. Aziegbemhin Prescillia Emosioluame


Dr. Asogun Izielen

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has promised outstanding trainees in the digital marketing and skills development workshops organised by his administration start-up funds as well as other forms of support.

According to the governor, this will help them kick-start their businesses and in turn transfer their skills to other youths to boost employment creation in the state.

Obaseki, who was represented by the Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Cooperative and Employment Barr. Emmanuel Usoh at the Workshop for Youth Empowerment on Digital Marketing and Skills Development in Benin City yesterday, with the theme: “Diversifying the Nigerian Economy: Enabling Youth through Digital Skill Training,” urged the trainees to make the best of the opportunity.

The governor disclosed that “the Bank of Industry (BOI); Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other development partners give us grants to empower these participants which will help create jobs. Training is endless and I urge you all to take the workshop seriously as the training you receive here today will equip you and place you in a better position digitally to rule the world.”

He emphasised that his administration places huge premium on digital technology and assured that he would create the platform for the trainees to actualize their dreams.

He further called on the 2,100 participants who were selected from the over 150,000 job seekers in the Edo jobs portal to make use of the opportunity created by the workshop to better their lives and create jobs for others.

“It is a great opportunity to talk to you and encourage you to do what is necessary to create wealth for yourselves. In doing this you must plan, prepare and participate fully in this training. Edo State is blessed and strategically located, and at the centre of economic activities, with the capacity to become the economic hub of the nation” Obaseki said.

He stressed that Edo people are intelligent, creative, smart and are good people who are business-oriented and can use their potentials to make the state great, adding “We have a government well positioned to ensure that every Edo man or woman has the potential to create wealth and contribute to the development of the State.”

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, said the training which was designed for about 250, 000 youths, was ongoing across the country.

Orelope, who was represented by her Press Secretary, Tunde Oyasanya, said one of the cardinal goals of the SDGs was to ensure that youths are empowered to reduce poverty and joblessness in the country.

The Director of Information and Communication Technology, Edo State, Yuwa Naps, said the ultimate goal for the training was to make digital entrepreneur out of the participants. “This will be followed by a three weeks online training for them. We are planning to invest in the exceptional participants among them and grow them into entrepreneurs that we will closely monitor” she said.

A Google certified trainer Elijah Otor said the participants were being trained on Digital Skill 101 which is an orientation course and an introduction to the programme.
He said they were not expected to understand all the things taught in just a day.


CAPTION
DSC-0682: The Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Cooperative and Employment, Barrister Emmanuel Usoh, addressing some participants at a two-day Workshop on Digital Marketing and Skills Development organized by the Edo State Government in collaboration with the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at Imaguero Grammar School Benin City, Edo State on Monday 24th July, 2017.