₦airaland Forum

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has called on Nigerians to have a change of attitude by demanding probity from their leaders if the country is ever going to record meaningful progress in the fight against corruption.

Obaseki made the submission at the one-day Roundtable on Behavioural Insights and Policy Making in Nigeria towards the Fight Against Corruption, organised by the African Network for Environmental and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), in conjunction with the UKAID and ActionAid Nigeria, in Abuja.

The governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Taiwo Akerele, said, “the greatest threat to the elimination of corruption is the weak demand for accountability by the citizens. If the demand is weak, the supply will even be weaker.”

He called for a change in mechanisms for the elimination of corruption and corrupt practices in Sub-Saharan Africa and noted that his administration has continued to make appreciable progress in the fight against corruption, by strengthening the state’s public procurement institutions.

He added that the state government has embraced open data and open governance since 2013, and has domesticated the Fiscal Responsibility and the Public Finance Management laws.

Obaseki said the state publishes contracts worth N10m and above through various media channels and has developed a performance evaluation metrics to ensure value for money in all contracts. He added that Edo State audited financial statement is published within the first quarter after the end of every financial year.

Obaseki told participants that having the enabling laws and institutions are good and encouraging, but stressed that their objectives would only be realised if citizens work towards changing their behaviour towards corrupt people and embracing only those who are honest and hardworking.

Participants at the event include civil society groups, members of the academia, development partners, representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), office of the Vice President, Rule of Law Advisor, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), among others.


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A cross-section of participants at the one-day Roundtable on Behavioural Insights and Policy Making in Nigeria towards the Fight Against Corruption, organised by the African Network for Environmental and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), in conjunction with the UKAID and ActionAid Nigeria, in Abuja.

China's $60bn Investment In Africa: FG, Obaseki, Chinese Investors Heighten Transaction Consultations On Benin River Port, Industrial Park, Others

Edo State is well on its way to clinch a chunk of the $60 billion penciled down as financial support by the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, for the African continent, announced at the ongoing 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in China.

In his keynote speech, Xi Jinping said that in the next three years China would float eight major initiatives with African countries, to realise a closer China-Africa community of shared destiny. He noted that the fields of interest for China include industry, investment, trade, infrastructure, health, culture, environmental protection and security.

Governor Godwin Obaseki with representatives of the federal government in Beijing on Monday, engaged representatives of the Chinese government and top-guns of the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Limited in China, in what followers of the investment collaboration with the Asian country, say, is the last lap of talks to secure final investment decisions and commence full scale development of the Benin River Port project, the Benin Industrial Park and the Modular Refinery.

On the Edo State Government's side are governor Obaseki with some of his aides; the Director-General of Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Yewande Sadiku, Acting Director General of Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF), Secretariat, Alhaji Abdullateef Shittu, amongst others.

The project is expected to open the state for foreign trade and boost local production, leveraging the state's strategic location to attract investment and grow manpower.

Before leaving for China, Obaseki had approved the release of N700 million for the Benin Refinery project, which the state government is executing in partnership with a Chinese consortium.

With the initial investment capital approved, experts conversant with the project, say the state government is well placed to seal the deals for the projects so that development work can commence in earnest.

The governor said that the investment drive is to steer the state away from dependence on oil and set it on the path of prosperity anchored on a solid industrial base.

According to him, "We are excited about the Modular Refinery project and are certain that with our Chinese partners, we will begin work on the project in no distant time.

The project is going to transform the state's economy and position us as a hub for fabrication of refinery parts with the setting up of SIPS fabrication yard to groom local capacity in that sector."

The Chinese government also made commitment to establish the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in China. The country fully supports the goal of basically achieving food security before 2030 as proposed by African countries, and will provide one billion yuan (146.3 million US dollars) in emergency humanitarian aid to disaster-affected African countries.

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Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (3rd left); Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Business Bureau and Private Property Protection, Ikponmwosa Osayande (left); Yewande Sadiku, Director General, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) (4th left); Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ICMG Securities Limited, Michael Osime (4th right); Acting Director General, Nigerian Governors' Forum Secretariat, Alhaji Abdullateef Shittu (right); Jason wang of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Ltd (3rd right); at the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) holding in China.

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Edo State Agency for the Control of Aids (EDOSACA), in collaboration with Ogbona Elites Forum and other partners have concluded a 3-day medical outreach programme in Ogbona, Fugar in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State.

Speaking in Ogbona, Chairman, Etsako Local Government Area, John Osi Akhigbe, commended EDOSACA, Ogbona Elites Forum and other partners for the medical outreach which complements the Governor Godwin Obaseki led-administration's effort at repositioning the health sector in the state.

He said the council's focus on primary healthcare is to improve the wellbeing of people in the council area, noting that his administration is doing everything to reduce maternal mortality.

"We are bringing development to the people at the grassroots and I will support any programme that will bring development to the people."

Executive Director, EDOSACA, Flora Oyakhilome said that the agency worked to ensure the success of the outreach programme and provided support on HIV/AIDS testing.

"We are here to sensitise and counsel the people to know their HIV/AIDS status and anyone who tests positive will be directed to the nearest facility. They will be counselled and enrolled for free Anti-Retroviral Drugs (ARV) treatment.”

President, Ogbona Elites Forum, Mr. Gilbert Erelumhe, expressed appreciation to the partners for bringing medical care to the people and putting a smile on their faces.

"We have embarked on several programmes to improve the lives of our people but this is the first time we are embarking on medical outreach to identify challenges facing the people's health and doing everything possible to address it. This provides them with treatment and surgery is performed on critical cases as we have experts on ground".

A beneficiary, Chief Lamai Aloysius, thanked the organisers for the programme, noting "I had issues with my eyes and I came here and I was given glasses, after series of checks."

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The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has urged youth to remain committed in their quest to add value to the society, noting that the ‘Not too Young to Lead’ campaign should motivate more youth to become entrepreneurs.

Obaseki who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Special Duties, Hon. Mika Amanokha, made the submission when he received members of Today’s Youth Organisation in Benin City, Edo State.

He commended youths for spear-heading the ‘Not too Young to Lead” campaign, adding that the youth should take the advocacy to other spheres of the society, and not restrict the campaign to the realm of politics.

The governor said, “if we all focus on politics and political offices, at what point do we begin to build business leaders? At what point do you begin to build careers? ‘Not too Young to Lead’ should be all encompassing, as leadership is not just about political offices.

“You do not only become a leader by being a political office holder. If we narrow this advocacy to politics and political office alone, we will miss the point because political office holders do not make up 10 percent of the Nigerian population.”

He tasked them to begin to look at successful businessmen and women and draw inspiration from how they started their ventures. He asked: "At what age did they start building their own businesses? What are the factors limiting young people from building such businesses today? What can be done to eradicate these factors?”

Obaseki noted, “If we centre our advocacy around these questions and get answers; young people with their energy, enthusiasm, innovations and resilience will become leaders in the economy, technology, arts, agriculture and so much more.”

Obaseki urged youth with interest in holding political office to participate actively and ensured that they are counted in decision making process at the grassroots, and assured that “this administration will remain youth-friendly with a very significant number of young people as Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants.

National Coordinator, Today’s Youths Organisation, Mr. Joseph C. Brown, commended the state government for its youth-friendly policies and the support for the group’s youth skills acquisition programme.

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Some of the children at God’s Own Orphanage, off Siluko Road, in Benin City, Edo State.

Missing Child At Christ Embassy: Edo Govt Evacuates Children From God’s Own Orphanage In Benin

...three other undocumented children found at facility

The Edo State Government has evacuated 15 children from God’s Own Orphanage, in Benin City, pending conclusion of ongoing investigation of the case of a child that was allegedly stolen at Christ Embassy, Oregun, Lagos and found at the orphanage in Benin.

The four-year-old, identified as Elo Ogidi, was said to have been stolen during a church service at Christ Embassy in Oregun, in July and was found last Friday in God’s Own Orphanage when policemen raided the facility after a tip-off.

Speaking after sealing off the centre, located at 25 Davies Street, off 2nd Dr. Garrick Layout, off Siluko Road, Benin City, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Magdalene Ohenhen, noted that management of the centre did not follow due process in admitting Elo into the home.

During the operation, the commissioner and her team also discovered that the orphanage had three other children who were not documented with the ministry as required by law.

Ohenhen said, “there are rules and regulations guiding the operations of orphanages, but the management of God’s Own Orphanage did not abide by these rules which is why we have shut it.

“The procedure is that before you accept a child into an orphanage in the state, the operator of the home must inform the state government through the state’s Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.”

According to Ohenhen, God’s Own Orphanage “has three other children who were admitted into the home without the knowledge of the state government.”

Noting that the owner of God’s Own Orphanage didn’t inform government before admitting Elo, she said, “the home did not inform us about the child who was reported missing in a church in Lagos, before accommodating the child in the home.”

She noted that the children in the orphanage numbering about 15 are being moved to a safer centre, where they will be under the custody of the Edo State Government, pending when investigation on the activities of the home is concluded.

Source: http://thebellng.com/missing-child-at-christ-embassy-edo-govt-evacuates-children-from-gods-own-orphanage-in-benin/

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Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Mrs. Magdalene Ohenhen (middle); Permanent Secretary, in the Ministry, Mrs. Stella-Maris Imasuen (left); and the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics in the Ministry, Mrs. Flora Enarhome (right), at God’s Own Orphanage, off Siluko Road, in Benin City, Edo State.

Edo SACA, Ogbona Elites Forum Partner On Medical Outreach With Cloud-Enabled Technomed Machines, Others

The Edo State Agency for the Control of Aids (EDO SACA), in partnership with Ogbona Elites Forum, has concluded plans to assemble a team of experts on a medical outreach to Ogbona community, in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State.

In a statement, Vice President, Ogbona Elites Forum, Ikhane Bernard Kasim, noted that the medical outreach holds from September 1 to 3 and will complement the state government's effort on healthcare delivery. He added that the team of experts consist of acute medical consultants, geriatricians, cardiologists and a stroke physician.

Ikhane said the team will "be donating some medical equipment to the Community Health Center and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Comprehensive Health Center, Ogbona, (Chief M.C.K. Orbih Comprehensive Health Center, Ogbona).

He noted that the equipment include: "ECG machines, along with other new devices, that can detect atrial fibrillation and hence reduce the incidence of stroke. These are the newest machines in the market and they are cloud-enabled."

The Executive Director, Edo State Agency for the Control of Aids (EDOSACA), Flora Oyakhilome, urged Edo people to take advantage of the medical outreach.

Ikhane explained "the ECGs will be read in real time by a cardiologist in the United Kingdom who will do the analysis and send down the results immediately. We expect to carry out about 10,000 tests with the cloud-enabled Technomed machines. We will also be donating a powerful solar generator with a hybrid rack system which is also a new technology that produces portable water.
"The team made up of seven foreign, 30 home-based medical doctors and eight nurses will be accompanied by directors and technicians of the supporting companies who will install the machines and ensure they work," he added.

Obaseki Hails Stella Anukam On New Role As African Union Court Judge, Urges Edo Youths To Emulate Strides

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has congratulated Justice Stella Isibhakhomen Anukam, on her new role as African Union Court Judge, urging youths to emulate her exemplary strides and commitment to service.

The governor, in a statement, said that Justice Anukam’s election as one of the Judges of the African Union Court on Human and People’s Rights deserves commendation, as she would serve as a beacon of hope to young Edo people, especially young girls, who need credible mentors in the public space.

Justice Stella Isibhakhomen Anukam (nee Eremionkhale) was among the three new judges elected to the African Court in July and was sworn-in on August 27, in Arusha, Tanzania.

According to Obaseki, “On behalf of the government and people of Edo State, I congratulate Justice Anukam on her new role. She has shown once again that we have many illustrious sons and daughters that have proved themselves in their various fields of endeavor.

“Her ascension to the role of a judge at the African Court is of immense benefit to us, as a people with a thriving youth population that is seeking role models across different career paths. While battling issues such as human trafficking and illegal migration and other social ills, icons such as Justice Anukam helps to point our young people, especially young girls, to the right path with the assurance that if they do work hard, they are sure to reach the peak of their careers.”

Obaseki hailed her contribution to upholding human rights and other engagements in Nigeria.

He urged Justice Anukam to uphold human rights and rights of African peoples, charging her to leave an indelible mark at the African Court during her tenure as a judge.

Justice Anukam, before her election was the Director, International and Comparative Law, Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja. She holds an L.L.B degree from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), in 1984 and B.L in 1985. She is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in Nigeria and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators.

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Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (left); and African Union Court Judge, Justice Stella Isibhakhomen Anukam, after her election at the 31st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union, in Nouakchott, Mauritania.

By Crusoe Osagie

It has come to the attention of the Edo State Government that some residents in the Evbuotubu area of the state staged a protest in the early hours of Monday, August 27, 2018, to express dissatisfaction over the condition of some roads in their community.

While we recognise the right and freedom of all Edo people and residents to express their views, it is unacceptable to resort to violence and destruction of private and government property under any guise.

The state government, through its various functionaries at different fora, has acknowledged the state of the roads in the area and has pencilled down the roads for reconstruction.

Specifically, the Evbuotubu Road leads to the Benin River Port which has been scheduled for dualisation to accommodate the heavy vehicular traffic to and from the seaport on completion.

Only recently, the state government awarded contract for the construction of Ugbor-Amagba Road, to bring succuor to people in the area, kick-starting a series of award of road reconstruction projects.

Few days later, the state government, awarded contracts for the reconstruction of the over 25-kilometer roads from Saint Saviour (4.4kilometer) through Oba Community-Obazagbon Community-Obadoloivbiyeyi Community to Idogbo/Agbor Road Bypass (10.92 kilometer), both valued at N3.55bn; and the popular PZ- Ehioghae-Okabere-Oka Market Road, linking Sapele Road and Upper Sokponba Road (10.78 Kilometres), valued at N1.9bn.

Several other failed roads will receive the desired attention as the raining season gradually nears its end.

The Obaseki administration has demonstrated over time, its commitment to the needs of the people and prides itself as a people-powered government.

We will not renege on our mandate to bring quality governance to the door-post of all Edo people and residents, with the full cooperation of everyone.



By Crusoe Osagie


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

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Attack On Obaseki’s Convoy: Political Leaders From Edo Central Condemn Incident, Urge Support For Govt


...Back arrest, prosecution of perpetrators


…list 18.4km road projects in Edo central


Political leaders from Edo Central Senatorial District including commissioners in the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration have condemned the attack on the governor’s convoy by sponsored thugs, distancing the Esan people from such callous conduct.

The condemnation was contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment, Hon. Emmanuel Usoh; Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Mrs. Magdalene Ohenhen; Commissioner for Education, Hon. Emmanuel Agbale; Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Osagie Inegbedion; and Commissioner for Infrastructure, Hon. Osahon Amiolemen.

According to them, “On the 20th of August, 2018, His Excellency, the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, visited leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo Central Senatorial District, comprising; Esan Central, Esan North East, Esan South East, Esan West and Igueben Local Government Areas of Edo State. The visit was convened for leaders of the party to interact and review the progress report on governance by the Obaseki-led administration in the last one (1) year and half in the state.

They said, “To our dismay, and regrettably, some unscrupulous and misguided persons, acting on the instructions of their sponsors became unruly. We wish to state and in very clear terms too, that Esan people are not what was presented by the unguided youths in Irrua on Monday, August 20, 2018, whose sponsors are still stuck with the outlawed practice of engaging young unsuspecting youths to negotiate political offices.”

They described Esan people as “responsible, decent, hospitable, loving, hardworking and have achieved so much in all aspects of human endeavours. We therefore condemn in strong terms, the ugly incident perpetrated by these unscrupulous persons in the name and particularly, on behalf of Esan people at the party secretariat of the APC in Irrua on Monday, by throwing stones at the car/ convoy of the Governor of Edo State.

They explained that “infrastructural development of Edo State since Governor Godwin Obaseki assumed office is unprecedented, noting that the infrastructural projects so far initiated and completed, with some ongoing, in Esan Land include 21 roads with a total length of 18.4km through which 2,680 persons have been employed.”

The road projects, according to them, include asphalt overlay on the 1350-metre Ikinago Ujosanle Road, in Opoji, Esan Central Local Government Area for which 580 persons were employed; 960-metre Idumbhokale/Ekhomu Street, Eguare Irrua; 626-metre Eson Street, Eguare, Irrua and 600-metre Ohue Ogene Street, off Idumebo road, Irrua, in Esan Central.

“In Esan North East, the projects include asphalt overlay/drain construction/kerbs on the 600-metre Efadion College Road (Oyeribhor), for which 360 persons were recruited directly; 580-metre Deeper Life Bible Church Road, Uromi and 600 metres Bishop Ekpo Street, Uromi.

“In Esan South East, the projects are asphalt overlay on the 875-metre Otokimhi-Ugboha Road, for which 420 persons were engaged; drainage construction/laterite filling on the 875-metre Otokimhi-Ugboha Road; asphalt overlay with kerbs on the 990-metre Idumagho Road Okaigben, Ewohimi; and asphalt overlay/part drainage construction/kerbs on 1000-metres Ataga Road, in Ubiaja.”

The commissioners added that “in Esan West local council, we have the asphalt overlay/drainage construction with kerbs on the 805-metre Oxford Road, Idumebo, Ekpoma, for which 420 persons were engaged; asphalt overlay/kerbs on 550-metre GT Road, Ekpoma; asphalt overlay /drainage construction on 640-metre Eseigbe Street Behind Enojie's Palace, Ekpoma; and asphalt overlay/drainage construction/kerbs on 480 metres Agbi Street, Off Benin - Auchi Express Road.

“In Igueben Local Government Area, the projects are asphalt overlay on 800 metres Idumogo-Amahor Village Road, Amahor, for which 880 persons were engaged directly from the area; asphalt overlay/ drainage construction 750 metres, Okuta Road, Ebelle; asphalt overlay/ drainage construction 750 metres, Okuta Road, Ebelle; asphalt overlay on 1100 metres Palace Road, Igueben; and 1100 metres drainage constrction on Palace Road, Igueben.”

Other projects listed include the 1268-metre construction of concrete drain on Idumogo-Amahor Village Road; and 1120 metres Uhe Idumogbor Idumedo Link Road in Igueben.

They urged all Esan people to support the Obaseki administration which is committed to purposeful leadership through people-oriented reforms in all the critical sectors of the state, to ensure all Edo people and residents, actualise their dreams and aspirations.

The Edo State Government has warned owners of illegal structures under and within the statutory right of way of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in the state to remove such structures, as the government intends to enforce appropriate sanctions against defaulters.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Erimona Edorodion Oye, the state government warned that the actions of the defaulters amount to an act of ‘illegality’ which constitutes ‘environmental nuisance and threat to the lives and property of the violators and users of such space.”

According to him, the state “has observed with dismay the illegal development of structures under and within the Statutory Right of Way of the TCN or Electricity High Tension Transmission Line across the State.”

He continued, “the act of illegality has constituted serious environmental nuisance and threat to the lives and property of the violators and users of such space.”

“The state government condemns this act of violation and advises all owners of such illegal structures to with immediate effect remove them without delay.
“Failure to comply with the above directive, the Ministry will not hesitate to enforce appropriate sanctions against violators in line with Extant Planning Laws of the State, by removing all the illegal structures and recovering of the cost of carrying out such exercise,” Hon. Erimona added.

Chairman of the Edo State Civil Service Commission, Princess (Mrs.) Ekiuwa Inneh, has assured that the ongoing recruitment into the state’s civil service is being conducted in an open and transparent manner, to ensure that the best candidates are employed.

Princess Inneh, who said this in an interview with journalists, noted that the commission allowed for a neutral body to conduct the examination to ensure that there is no interference and undue pressure on the commission.

According to her, “We are in the process of recruiting now. We decided at the Commission to allow a neutral body conduct the examination. We listed the positions that are available and asked people to apply online. The test began from the moment you applied.”

Noting that the commission will recruit the best for the jobs being advertised, she said, “If you applied wrongly, of course, you have failed. There is nothing anybody can do about that. By the nature of such failed application, you are weeded out. If the application is successful, then fine. After that, then you need to ask if you applied for a position you are qualified for. If you did not, that’s up to you.”

She stressed that she has rebuffed pleas for interference in the recruitment process, noting, “We asked a neutral body to conduct that part of the recruitment for us. This is so that we can be free from pressure. People have been coming to me and I tell them there is nothing I can do. I don’t even have the database. I don’t have information about who has applied and who did not apply.

“Let everybody go and write the exam. I have been analysing the report of the exercise after the exams were conducted. The way to manage pressure is to allow a neutral body to conduct the test. It is a government body, anyway, not a consultant. Once you finish the test, the computer tells you to stop when the time is up.

She said that after the exams, if the commission is satisfied with the results, it can either call for another test to trim down the numbers or move to the interview stage, adding, “but at the moment, we are studying the results. If we are satisfied, we will call for interview. We will see everybody, check their credentials and be certain that we are recruiting the best into the civil service. That is what we do even for promotions.”

…commiserates with Amegor family, Egor local council

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has described as very shocking, the news of the passing of Hon. Uyi Amegor, the former Vice Chairman of Egor Local Council.

“I am taken aback over the passing of Hon. Uyi Amegor, the Vice Chairman of Egor Local Government Area. I commiserate with his family, Edo South Leader of our party, Gentleman Amegor and the people of Egor local council over his passing.

“We lost Mr. Uyi Amegor at a critical moment of our development as a state, when he was working with the team at the local government to reposition local government administration. It is indeed a great loss to the people of Egor local council and the entire state,” the governor said.

He pledged that the Edo State Government and the entire APC family will stand by the Amegor family through their trying moments and prayed that God grants the family the fortitude to bear the huge loss.

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… says bill for Forestry Commission presented to Edo Assembly


The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that his administration is committed to partnering relevant stakeholders to curb deforestation, calling on communities to desist from converting land marked as forest reserve for private use.

The governor said this at the Stakeholder Workshop on Sustainable palm oil development in Edo State by Tropical Forest Alliance 2020 Africa Palm Oil Initiative (TFA2020 APOI) in Benin City, noting that a bill for the establishment of a Forestry Commission, has been sent to the State House of Assembly for legislation, as part of effort to stem the depletion of the state’s forest reserves.

He said, “We must do something about our forest to reclaim and preserve it from total depletion.”

He explained that on assuming office as governor, he was worried over the spate of illegal logging that occurred between the late 1990s and early 2000s, noting, “We inherited a very robust forestry sector from our colonial masters, but over the years, mismanagement has led to its depletion.”

Obaseki expressed optimism that at the end of the workshop, participants would proffer lasting solutions to issues relating to idle lands, indiscriminate transfer of reserved areas to private individuals, land management and use.

“What do we do about host communities where we have forest reserves and they engage in sales of forest assets, thereby resulting in deforestation?” He questioned.

He tasked participants to brainstorm on better ways of policing forest assets and called for capacity building for students of tertiary institutions to protect forest assets.

Obaseki identified oil palm as a veritable agro-product, which when fully utilised, will turn the economic fortune of the state around.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Security programme, Prince Joe Okogie, urged participants at the workshop to utilise the opportunity and come up with workable solutions for addressing the challenges of deforestation.

The representative of Proforest, Abraham Baffoe, noted that Tropical Forest Alliance (TFA) 2020 is a Private Public Partnership (PPP) that brings together government, the private sector and civil society organisations to eliminate deforestation from the supply chain in the production of palm oil, beef, soy, pulp and paper. He added that the participants were gathered to deliberate on tackling the challenges of deforestation, which is a global trend.

Baffoe said as a global challenge, deforestation relates to agricultural plantation development, subsistence farming, bushfire/wild fire, charcoal production, illegal and unsustainable logging and population and development pressure.

Speaking on the topic: “Sustainable, Responsible, Palm Oil Production by Nigerian Oil Palm Stakeholders,” the Managing Director of Okomu Oil Plc, Graham Hefer, charged stakeholders to be committed in ensuring that the objectives of TFA are realised.

He identified areas where stakeholders need to demonstrate more commitment to include: transparency, long term economic and financial viability, conservation of natural resources and biodiversity, responsible consideration of employees and local communities, responsible development of new plantations and commitment to continuous improvement.


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L-R: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Presco Plc., Mr. Felix Onwuchekwa Nwabuko; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; and his wife, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, at the Stakeholder Workshop on Sustainable palm oil development in Edo State by Tropical Forest Alliance 2020 Africa Palm Oil Initiative (TFA2020 APOI) in Benin City.

...urges pensioners who missed previous screening to participate

As part of ongoing efforts to clear pension arrears, the Edo State Government has called on pensioners in batch 45 to present themselves for physical and documentary verification exercise.

In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary/Chairman, Pension Bureau, Inih-ivibodohu D.S. Juwobor, the state government said, “the physical and documentary verification will hold at Imaguero Hall in Benin City, on Thursday, August 23 and Friday, August 24, from 9am.”

He urged pensioners in batches 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44 who failed to participate in the previous verification exercises, to take advantage of the scheduled screening exercise alongside those in batch 45.

Juwobor said that affected pensioners are expected to “come to the venue of the verification exercise on the scheduled date with: Pension Authority; Retirement Letter; Letter of First Appointment; Pension Identification Card; Biometric Slip and Bank details, including bank name and Account Number.”

“Pensioners who were screened in the earlier batches of 43 and 44 but did not receive payments through their banks should report at the Pension Bureau, Office of the Head of Service, with print out of their Pension Account Bank Statements covering June to August, 2018 for considerations,” he added.

According to him, “At the conclusion of the verification exercise, the outstanding pension arrears of those screened will be credited into the pension account of each pensioner after necessary documentation by relevant agencies involved in the payment process."

The Edo State Government has disclosed plans to partner landlords in the state capital, Benin City, on a greenery project, describing the move as part of efforts on environmental sustainability.

Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Dame Omoua Alonge Oni-Okpaku, who said this in a chat with journalists, noted that the project will be driven through a social and behavioural change template that will encourage the landlords to plant and maintain trees in front of their houses.

According to her, “There is a big drive at enhancing the beauty of our state. We are looking at parks and gardens. We are also looking at building what the old Edo was in a modern form.

“Governor Godwin Obaseki’s drive is to create a beautiful Edo, a state where people can come in contact with tradition and with a feel of it, in the 21st century.

She said, “we are looking at building up our parks, ring road, and intend to get our landscaping right. In the greenery project, we will commence an awareness campaign to appeal to people to plant flowers in front of their houses.”

The Commissioner explained that the state government will support the people in achieving the greenery project, adding, “If everybody does their bit, it would become easier for government to work on areas that are not owned by individuals.”

She explained that the state government will roll out a clean-up initiative, noting that the state government is trying to get dustbins in vehicles to for the control and collection of plastic wastes.

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Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (right); and the State Chairman, National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, Comrade Isaiah Okungbowa, during the courtesy visit by the executive members of the Union to the governor, at Government House, Benin City.

- Photo 2 -
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (2nd right); Chairman, Edo State Chapter, National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, Comrade Isaiah Okungbowa (2nd left); Secretary of the Union, Bayo Oladipupo (right); and Provost, Segun Olowolayemo (left), during the courtesy visit by the executive members of the Union to the governor, at Government House, Benin City.

…as Edo aims to become textile Hub

The Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that fruitful negotiations are ongoing to attract Vlisco, one of West Africa’s largest textile companies to set up at Benin Industrial Park (BIP), as the state plans to reposition the state as a textile hub in the country.

He stated this when he received the executive members of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, Edo State Chapter, led by the chairman, Comrade Isaiah Okungbowa, who were in Government House on a courtesy visit.

The Benin Industrial Park is a landmark industrial complex being developed by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration close to Benin City, that is set to stimulate large scale industrialisation and create wealth for Edo people and residents. The park, which is expected to cover 996 hectares of land, will host textile, agro-processing, equipment manufacturing and other industries.

The governor said his administration is focused on building the manufacturing hub, which will be sited in a secure environment, where there will be stable electricity supply, water, and other basic needs to enhance the ease of doing business and allow members of the union to work 24 hours a day to allow for mass production.

Noting that the state is keen on becoming a textile hub, he said, “We are negotiating to attract one of the largest textile companies (Vlisco Textile) to Edo State to reside at the industrial park, in Iyanomo, to make the state a textile hub in Nigeria.”

"We want to develop the state and create wealth for Edo people by increasing economic activity in the state. We want to ensure our state is developed and promote an environment that attracts investors to contribute to the development of the state,” he added.

He assured that his administration will make it a policy to allow the union sew uniforms of students in the state to deepen government’s partnership with members of the union.

Earlier, leader of the delegation, Comrade Isaiah Okungbowa thanked the governor for his continued support for them, stressing that they will continue to play their role in supporting the administration.

He commended the governor for his drive to create 200,000 jobs for the people of the state and expressed the readiness of the union to partner with his administration.

He appealed for the establishment of a cottage fashion industry, which can be managed by the union.

- Photo 1 -
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (middle); Chairman, Edo State Chapter, National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, Comrade Isaiah Okungbowa (2nd left); Secretary of the Union, Bayo Oladipupo (2nd right); Chairperson of the Union, Eunice Edo (right); and Provost, Segun Olowolayemo (left) during the courtesy visit by the executive members of the Union to the governor, at Government House, Benin City.