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Obaseki Directs Health Ministry To Curtail Yellow Fever Outbreak In Uhunmwode LGA

…Commissioner dispels strange illness rumour, says tests show 2 yellow fever cases

Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has directed the state Ministry of Health to curtail the outbreak of yellow fever in some communities in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of the state.

Obaseki gave the directive following media reports of the death of two persons in the area, after exhibiting symptoms such as vomiting, high fever and stomach pain.

Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie, said: “The Governor is disturbed by the development and has directed the Commissioner for Health, Dr. David Osifo, to deploy experts in the ministry to the communities affected by the illness.”

Osagie added that the governor has promised to mobilise additional resources, if the need arises, to support the ministry of health to enable it establish the cause of the illness and death of two persons in the area.

When contacted, Commissioner for Health, Dr. David Osifo, said: “We have deployed a team of experts to the communities and the result of the initial tests showed symptoms of cases of yellow fever.

"They tested negative to Lassa Fever. We are doing contact tracing and sensitising people in the communities to clean up their environment.”

Dismissing claim of a strange illness by journalists, Dr. Osifo, said “there is no such thing as a strange illness in Edo State. We have identified yellowness of the eyes and related symptoms, which led us to the conclusion that the illness is yellow fever. We are on top of the situation and will curb the spread of the disease as directed by the state governor.”

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has increased the number of roads earmarked for reconstruction across the state from 109 to 140, intensifying efforts to fill the infrastructure gap in the state.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said Governor Obaseki gave the approval for reconstruction work to be carried out on more major roads and streets, at the weekly State Executive Council meeting held in Government House, in Benin City, on Wednesday, November 21, 2018.

The reconstruction work is coming in the wake of an audit of roads across the state to ascertain the level of remedial work needed to bring the roads back to shape.

Osagie said the approval brings the number of roads affected from 109 to over 140, noting that Governor Obaseki is concerned about alleviating the hardship experienced in plying bad roads.

He noted, “We have put modalities in place to ensure contractors are mobilised to undertake this remedial work during the dry season, as promised. The work will be in line with the findings from the audit of roads earlier carried out.

“The plan is to ensure that reconstruction work is carried out on all parts of the state and that the affected roads are in good state. The state government is clear about instructions to contractors on the quality of work to be carried out.”

Reconstruction is ongoing at Boundary Road and Commercial Avenue, as well as Ogbelaka, Yoruba Street and Dumez Road, Ugbor-Amagba Road.

Others are parts of Government Reservation Area (GRA) in Benin City, including Etete and Adesuwa Road, as well as 1st and 2nd Ugbor and other roads in the axis.

Edo Central, work has reached appreciable stage in Mousco-Ukpenu Road, Ekpoma; Irrua - Uromi Road; Secretarial Road, Igueben; Union Bank Road, Igueben and Uwenlebo Road, Ekpoma, among several others, including those in Edo North Senatorial District.

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The Edo State Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Office has assured of promoting quality education in the state and has commenced construction of a block of six classrooms at Obarenren Community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking at an interactive session with leaders and members of the community, the State Focal Person for SDGs, Mrs. Ifueko Alufohai, said the initiative was geared towards meeting Goal 4 of the SDGs which focuses on promoting quality education.

Alufohai said the school building project would also include provision of staff room, six toilet facilities, a playground and perimeter fence.

She noted that community engagement became necessary to sensitise members of the community on the need to key into the project and take ownership.

“The focus for this year's SDGs’ activities is on Primary Heathcare and Primary Education. We were able to speak with the state governor and he has given approval for this project,” she said.

The focal person explained: “We decided to sensitise members of the community to enable them know what we are doing, why we are doing what we are doing. We want them to also know that it is their project.”

She commended the community for sustaining the water project provided by the office of the SDGs over eight years ago and the harmonious relationship between the SDGs Office, community and the contractor handling the school project.

She added that the school project would be delivered before the end of the year as teachers would be deployed to teach in the school through the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board.

The Spokesperson for the community, Mr. Omorodion Izevbuwa, commended the state government as well as the office of the SDGs for brining development closer to people in the community.

Izevbuwa said the community would do its bit to protect the school from vandals and called on the state government to deploy guards who will provide round-the-clock security for the school.

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Focal Person for Edo State Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Office, Mrs. Ifueko Alufohai (4th right), with leaders and members of Obarenren Community, after an interactive session with community leaders on the construction of a community school, in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.

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Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (2nd left); Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters and Community Affairs, Chief Osaro Idah (left), Enogie of Ehor, His Royal Highness, Dr. David Igiehon (2nd right); and Chief Alohan Nogheghase (right), at the inauguration of the Edo Food and Agriculture Cluster (EDO-FAC) and skills centre, in Ehor, Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Edo State, on Monday, November 19, 2018.

Obaseki Inaugurates Agric Cluster, Skills Centre In Ehor, Pledges To Address Devt Challenges

...as centre employs 25 indigenes

The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has inaugurated the Edo Food and Agriculture Cluster (EDO-FAC) and skills centre in Ehor, Uhunmwode Local Government Area, pledging to address development challenges in the LGA.

The cluster is expected to serve as aggregation ground for farmers to interface with buyers of their produce.

Obaseki while inaugurating the cluster, decried the level of poverty in Uhunmwode Local Government Area and promised to change the development narrative to discourage youth in the area from falling prey to the scheming of human traffickers.

He said his administration believes in the youth and pledged that more will be done to improve the economy of the council, adding that the initiative will encourage youths to stay back and contribute their quota to the development of the area.

The governor said, “As farmers, you make money from your various farms. We will assist you embrace modern way of farming, so you can make more money using technology. We will assist you by creating good roads to transport your produce to this center where buyers will come to buy your farm produce.”

“We will enumerate you to know your present locations and what you are producing. This will enable us help you to expand your farm while using the latest technology to improve your yield and connect you with labourers that will work on your farms,” he added.

The centre, according to him, apart from being a place for agricultural produce, will train youths in wielding, use of computer, shoe making, adding, “We will teach people how to process food and set up a cold room to preserve food.”

Obaseki said the center is one amongst the various centers his administration will set up across the state and will have 24-hour electricity supply.

“We want to take development to our people wherever they are. Next year, we will put more money in our budget to enable us build houses in Ehor to encourage people to live here.”

The Chairman of Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Hon. Agbama Napoleon, commended the governor for keeping to his promise to inaugurate the cluster and skills centre.

He added, “Our people are all coming to register here to be part of the development. We assure you as a local government council, we will continue to support you.”

The Enogie of Ehor, His Royal Highness, David Igiehon, expressed appreciation to governor Obaseki for all he is doing for the people of Ehor. He called attention to the lack of potable water, good roads and electricity, which he said, if addressed, will deepen development in area.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Skills Development and Job Creation, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, said the state government has engaged 70 youths in the area, with 25 indigenes engaged as staff for the center and will also act as enumerators for the project.



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Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (2nd left); and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Skills Development and Job Creation, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare (left), at the inauguration of the Edo Food and Agriculture Cluster (EDO-FAC) and skills centre, in Ehor, Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Edo State, on Monday, November 19, 2018.

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…LGAs to manage one cooperative each

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has concluded plans to unveil 21 smallholder farmers' cooperatives across the state, which will benefit from innovative models and funding from the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL).

The governor disclosed this when he launched the Farm Aggregation Model for Smallholder Agriculture based on Technology (FAM-SMART) at Ossiomo Industrial Park in Benin City, Edo State.

He said his administration intends to achieve its promise to create 200,000 jobs for Edo people through initiatives such as FAM-SMART, noting, “We have prepared ourselves as a government, waiting for opportunities of this nature. We had certain challenges which you have now taken care of, particularly on how to manage these geo-cooperatives of smallholders into clusters, how to provide the technology and the mechanisation, all of these you brought in one package.”

“Before the end of the year, we want to have a workshop with NIRSAL and launch 21 geo-cooperatives across the state. I will call on local government chairmen across the 18 local government areas to establish one geo-cooperative each in their local government areas. The state government would have three, one in each of the three senatorial districts,” he added.

Obaseki assured that land would be provided, as farmers would be motivated and trained and linked to off-takers.

He said the geo-cooperatives would be adequately funded, adding, “We are very happy and excited with this pilot, which demonstrates that by using technology, financing and putting the whole value chain together, we can compete with others across the world.

“I want to assure you that you have a partner in Edo State Government and we understand what you are trying to achieve and ready to commit resources to working with you to make sure we achieve food sufficiency and provide raw materials for the industries we are trying to attract into the state.”

The Managing Director, NIRSAL, Aliyu Abdulhameed, said FAM-SMART is rural-based, market-led and technology-driven system of primary agriculture production designed by NIRSAL for smallholder farmers that relies on three principles, adding that “Agriculture in the Ossiomo Industrial Park encompasses the pre-upstream and upstream. This has created lots of economic activities in the form of direct and indirect jobs.”


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L-R: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Managing Director, Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), Mr. Aliyu Abdulhameed; Country Head, Agriseed Company Nigeria Limited, Dr. Tunde Faturoti; and the Managing Director, Scagric Investment Limited, Mr. Samil Asha; at the launching of NIRSAL’s FAM SMART programme for rural communities, at Ossiomo Industrial Park, Benin City, Edo State.

Second Batch Of PUWOV Members Undergoes Intelligence Gathering, Other Trainings At Police College

In a concerted effort to instil professionalism and discipline in the operations of the Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) in Edo State, another batch of the organisation’s officials is undergoing training at the Police Training School in Ogida, Benin City, the state capital.

The training is coming barely two weeks after the first detachment of 100 PUWOV members began training, which includes courses on intelligence gathering, relations with security agencies, managing sensitive security information and general security training.

Coordinator, PUWOV, Mukhtar Yusuf-Osagie, in a chat with journalists, said that the state government has deployed another batch of PUWOV members to the school to undergo the same training modules.

According to him, “We are very impressed with the kind of training that members of PUWOV are getting. In a matter of weeks, members of the public are going to testify to the change that we are instilling in them. They are going to be more courteous and engage very professionally with members of the public.”

He noted that the training programme is part of government’s drive to add more than 5000 new members of the PUWOV scheme, stating, “the scheme is going to complement the work of security agencies in the state. We are going to be helping in intelligence gathering and other related security functions so as to combat crime and other social nuisance in the state.”

He said the training includes courses on intelligence gathering, relations with security agencies, managing sensitive security information and general security training, noting, “We are confident that after this, the team will be well positioned to carry out the mandate given to them by government.”

Recall that Yusuf-Osagie earlier said that the Governor Obaseki led-administration plans to reposition the scheme through manpower training to equip the volunteers in the scheme with the right skills and attitude to deliver on their duties.

The volunteers, he added, would be deployed to gather intelligence in their local areas, noting that 250 volunteers were recruited into PUWOV in 2017 to assist in restoring law and order in the state.

The state government has reached an agreement with the Nigeria Police Force to provide requisite training on community policing to the volunteers to prepare them to discharge their tasks effectively and help fight crime in the society.


PHOTOS:
Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) officials undergoing training at the Police Training School in Ogida, Benin City, Edo State.

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The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has extolled the exemplary life and outstanding contributions of late Hon. Josiah Ohiochoya Ohiwerei, to the development of Edo State and in propagating the Christian faith.

Obaseki disclosed this during a commendation service held in honour of late Ohiwerei at St James Anglican Church, in Benin City, Edo State, on Friday. Late Ohiwerei died at age 89.

Obaseki said late Ohiwerei who was from a respected and illustrious family, lived a life worthy of emulation, urging the children to ensure they keep the legacy of their father.

He noted, “He was a good man and came from a very illustrious family. He served his people and God well in his lifetime. We are here today in appreciation of what he did for the state. He lived a life worth emulating.”

Eldest son of the late Ohiwerei and President, Heritage Evangelism Network, Rev. Oje Ohiwerei, thanked the governor for gracing his father's commendation service despite his busy schedule.

"The Ohiwerei family is grateful to the governor and government of Edo Sate for honouring our late father, and we pray that the good Lord will continue to guide the governor's steps in his task to improve the well being of all Edo people and residents," Rev. Ohiwerei said.

While delivering a sermon at the commendation service titled, ‘You will be remembered,’ Venerable Peter Ayeni who read from the Bible book of John 11:25-26, urged members of the congregation to live a life worth emulating so that when they die, they will not only be remembered here on earth for their service to humanity but also remembered in heaven.


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R-L: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie; and members of Ohiwerei family at a commendation service held in honour of late Hon. Josiah Ohiochoya Ohiwerei, at St James Anglican Church, in Benin City, Edo State, on Friday, November 16, 2018.

Favor99:

The article said they BEGAN the work. It means there not finished or even halfway finished.
They just started. They're not going to finish contracting 100 roads in 10 minutes.
Its positive, because he is going to reconstruct over 100 roads.
I can't believe I have to explain this
But yes haters everywhere

Thank you for explaining to the few that read without inner effort to comprehend.

The federal government has commended the giant strides of the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, in the education sector, specifically the policy options that have created over 7,000 digital teachers across the state and the high school attendance rate in the state.

Minister of Education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu, gave the commendation on Monday at the 2018 Alaghodaro Summit in Benin City, the Edo State, capital, an event organised to mark the second-year anniversary of the Obaseki-led administration.

Adamu who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, restated the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration’s commitment to sustaining the funding of the basic education sub-sector through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

He commended the giant strides of the Edo State Government and the appreciable impact made in the basic education sector in the last two years.

Adamu said that of the about 10 million out-of-school children in the country, Edo State has one of the lowest of that number.

"We should not forget the challenges facing the basic education sub-sector in Nigeria with over 10 million out-of-school children. Edo State has one of the lowest numbers of out-of-school children in Nigeria," he said.

The minister said the success made so far by the Obaseki-led administration is commendable and holds a great promise of moving the education sector to a greater height.

He assured that the federal government would continue to support Edo and other state governments in meeting their basic education obligations.

Adamu called on state governments to access their counterpart funds through UBEC as the federal government has made huge amount of money available to develop the basic education sub-sector in all the states.

The minister urged state governments to access and utilise the funds to transform the nation’s basic education sector.

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L-R: Representative of the Minister of Education and Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; his wife, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, at the 2018 Edo Summit, part of activities to celebrate Governor Obaseki’s second-year anniversary, at Edo Hotel, Benin City, Edo State, on Monday, November 12, 2018.

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