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Obaseki Approves N21.3m Contributory Pension Pay-out To Families Of Deceased Govt Workers

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has presented a cheque of N21 million to the families of 10 deceased workers of the Edo State Government, as their benefit in the Life Insurance Policy of the State Contributory Pension Scheme.

Presenting the cheques to beneficiaries of deceased staff of the Edo State government, Governor Obaseki said families of every Edo State worker registered under the contributory pension scheme will not be abandoned as their benefits will be made available to them.

“We want to demonstrate to families of the deceased, civil and public servants as well as the people of Edo State that the government will never abandon them because their family member died in active service,” the governor said.

He said the scheme is less than two years old but that didn't hinder beneficiaries from receiving some amount of money due to their enrolment into the pension scheme, noting “I hope now that our Labour Union is convinced that the presentation of cheques to families of deceased state workers is real. This is the second batch of beneficiaries in the state. Edo State government under my stewardship will never deceive Edo workers as we hold them in high esteem and it is our goal that workers get their full due.”

The governor expressed hope that Edo State workers will work with his administration to develop similar arrangements to own their own homes under a new home ownership arrangement.

“I am hopeful that by next year we will finalise our Health Insurance scheme so that workers don't need to think about the cost of health care,” he said.

Obaseki called on the people of the state to repose trust in his administration as every action taken will be for their benefit, to whom the administration pledged to serve.

Chairman, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State chapter, Comrade Emmanuel Ademoku, thanked the governor for rolling out the pension scheme as against the old order, which made it difficult for families of deceased workers to access their pension and gratuity as at when due.

“We are happy about the contributory pension scheme as we now know the benefits of the scheme. We are grateful to the governor for the peace and harmony in the state, as labour has not gone on strike in the last two years under the Obaseki-led administration. This is a pass mark for the government," he said.



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L-R: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (left), with the next-of-kin to one of the deceased state government employees Odunuga Monisola, during the presentation of cheques by the governor to beneficiaries, at Government House, Benin city, on Monday, October 29, 2018

Obaseki Celebrates Triumphant Edo Students As State Shines In Seplat Pearls Quiz Competition

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has congratulated the Edo State contingent to the Seplat Pearls Quiz Competition for outclassing their peers and showing the indomitable Edo spirit by clinching the first and third positions in the contest.

Two schools from Edo State namely; Presentation National High School, Benin City and University Preparatory Secondary School, Benin City, came first and third respectively in the quiz competition organised by Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, in conjunction with joint venture partners, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).

The governor, in a statement, commended the students for their gallantry and show of enviable intellect which he said goes to confirm the well-known fact that Edo State retains the fountain of knowledge from where Nigerians drink.

According to him, “I am most elated with the performance of the Edo contingent at the Seplat Pearls quiz competition, as they have shown what we stand for in Edo: sound, undiluted intellectual prowess that conquers when positively charged. That Edo occupies the top ranks at the competition means a lot to us, especially at a time like this, when we need role models for our youth.

“The students from Presentation National High School, Benin and University Preparatory Secondary School, Benin, are a shining light to the new generation of Edo youth by showing that they are not pushovers in intellect. I congratulate them and their schools for such a convincing outing for Edo State at the competition.”

He said the state government will continue to invest in education to sustain and even surpass gains in the education sector, noting that the knowledge economy has come to stay and the state is being prepped to take a huge chunk of the opportunities therein.

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The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has pledged the sum of N25 million to the Justice Esohe Ikponmwen Scholarship Programme to train female lawyers in the state.

The governor stated this at the 1st Public Lecture of the Faculty of Law, Benson Idahosa University, held at the institution in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

The Lecture was entitled “The Art and Essentials of Judgement Writing: A Critical Appraisal of the Judgement of Pontius Pilate" and was delivered by the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Esohe Ikponmwen.

Obaseki said the Board of Trustees of Ikponmwen Foundation would come up with modalities on how the female beneficiaries would be selected as well as the higher institutions they would attend.

He said Justice Ikponmwen has stood out as a prolific judicial officer and her tenure as the Chief Judge of the State has helped to strengthen the judiciary in the state.

“We appreciate the strides you have made and the aura you have brought to the state judiciary system,” he said.

The governor noted that his administration places a high premium on the state's judicial system, revealing that the state's 2019 budget for the judiciary would include packages to improve the welfare of judges.

“We are working to complete the new High Court Complex and will refurbish our magistrate courts. The 2019 budget will make provision for the building of befitting accommodation for retired and serving judges, review of health insurance packages for judges, among others," the governor said.

Delivering the lecture, Justice Ikponmwen said the record and trial in the case of Jesus Christ demonstrated apparent perversity and gross injustice from a case actuated by malice and bad blood.

"It was a desperate situation which was a travesty of justice, which needed to be overturned and of course this was done after Jesus Christ cried to His Father from the cross of calvary," she said.

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Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (middle); Guest Lecturer and Edo State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Esohe Ikponmwen (left) and Vice Chancellor, Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Prof. Sam Guobadia, at the 1st Public Lecture, at BIU, Benin City, Edo State.

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The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state government is committed to rolling back the effects of deforestation through mutually beneficial partnerships to regenerate forest covers that were depleted over the years.

The governor disclosed this at the commissioning of the 1200 trees plantation, an initiative by Association Bernadette Strebel World Peace, in Ehor Forest Reserve, Uhunmwode Local Government Area of the state.

Obaseki, who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Dame Omua Alonge Oni-Okpaku, said that the state government is encouraging Public Private Partnership (PPP) in environmental regeneration, which will provide room for more stakeholders to contribute to efforts at replenishing the state’s forest cover.

According to him “Our forest has been greatly devastated and there is an urgent need for massive reforestation and protection of the little available forest. Edo State Government has high potential for forest regeneration and this government is committed to the planting of tress to restore our lost forest reserves. As a government, we will not relent in fighting deforestation and its resultant effects with all the measures within our reach. We are more determined now than ever to bring back our forest.”

The governor said that one of the ways the state government is driving this programme is by encouraging Private Public Partnership (PPP) in forest regeneration, noting, “In furtherance of this, the state’s contribution towards the success of the One Million Trees project was the donation of 400ha of deforested land and the continuous supply of seedlings. Since the inception of the project, Edo State Government has not relented in the provision of seedlings. Some other NGOs are also part of this great initiative.”

He added: “Our state forest tree nurseries are established to facilitate supply of planting stock for forest plantation establishment. Most of the seedlings raised are usually distributed to schools, individuals and corporate bodies. Between last year and this year, 200,000 seedlings have been distributed of which One Million Trees project got 100,000 seedlings, 50,000 each for 2017 and 2018.

“I wish to applaud the initiative of the Association Bernadette Strebel World Peace. The laudable project of planting one million trees will restore and enrich the forest resources and the environment of Edo State.”



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Representative of Edo State Governor and Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Hon. Omoua Alonge Oni-Okpaku (2nd left); President of Association Bernadette Strebel World Peace (ABSWP) in Switzerland, Mrs. Bermadette Strebel (2nd right); and Project Manager for the Association, Dr. Festus Onogholo (right), at the commissioning of the 1,200-tree plantation, an initiative by the Association, in Ehor Forest Reserve, Uhunmwode Local Government Area of the state.

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The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has revealed that plans are underway to amend laws in the state to provide for stiffer measures aimed at curbing cultism.

The governor disclosed this when he played host to the new Commander, 107 Air Maritime Group of the Nigerian Air Force, Wing Commander Fatai Ayinla Ganiyu, at the Government House in Benin City, Edo State capital.

Obaseki said that his administration will not give room for thuggery in the state as the country prepares for the 2019 general elections, noting, “We are heading into election period and there are some bad habits that are trying to reoccur. As a government, we will not accept thuggery in our politics as we are going to take serious action against anybody or group of persons who perpetuate thuggery in any form.”

The governor said that the state government is concerned about the rising cult-related violence in the state, and assured that, “We are finalising amendment of our laws which will soon be sent to the Edo State House of Assembly to strengthen our law enforcement agencies to deal with cultism in the state.”

According to him, security is key to his administration as the state serves as "a transit route with people going through the state. For this, we must ensure lives and property are secured. The goal is to use our natural endowments to stimulate economic growth and activities as nobody will invest in a state with lax security.”

Obaseki commended the harmonious relationship between the state government and the Nigerian Air Force Command in Benin City, adding that his administration will continue to support the Command.

The new Commander, 107 Air Maritime Group, Nigerian Air Force, Wing Commander Fatai Ayinla Ganiyu expressed appreciation to the governor for his efforts at ensuring peace and security and promoting a conducive environment for businesses in the state.

“We are already assisting the government in the area of patrol to ensure the safety of lives and property,” Ganiyu said.

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Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (middle); Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq. (2nd right); Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Hon Yakubu Gowon (right); Commander, 107 Air Maritime Group of the Nigerian Air Force, Wing Commander Fatai Ayinla Ganiyu (2nd left); and Wing Commander O. G Alabi, during a courtesy visit by the Commander to the governor at Government House, Benin City, on Thursday, October 25, 2018

After four months in the saddle as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), any right thinking Nigerian that has followed the activities of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole closely, will agree that the former labour leader has brought with him, ill-fortune that spells doom for the APC, the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigeria’s fledgling democracy.

That he is a misfit for the current job he holds as the APC National Chairman has been sufficiently demonstrated by the outcomes of the last National and State Assemblies’ primary elections of the ruling party across the country, where many APC-controlled states are nursing injuries, losses and in some instances, outright annihilation, occasioned by the excesses, immoderation and intemperance of a national chairman that ought to earn the party, political capital.

From Zamfara to Rivers, Delta, Imo, Adamawa and Ogun, amongst several other states, Oshiomhole’s leprous hands have emasculated the ones boisterous APC.

In Edo State, it would have amounted to a show of shame if the Edo State APC led by Barrister Anslem Ojezua did not take proactive steps by conducting the state-wide primaries for the national and the state assembly primaries in the state on Thursday 4th of October 2018, a day before the ultimatum approved by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It was a long wait at the state secretariat of the APC for the arrival of the team from the national secretariat, in Abuja to conduct the elections.

It was gathered that the national chairman approved that three out of the five-man panel should proceed to Benin while the chairman and the secretary were held in Abuja for reasons best known to the National Working Committee.

Recall that INEC had directed that all parties must conclude their primaries by Saturday the 6th of October, a day that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APC set aside for their presidential primaries.

The Drama in Edo State

Having sensed that the national secretariat was not keen on conducting the state and National Assemblies’ primary elections in the state before the due date set by INEC, sources close to the party disclosed that the state EXCO decided to work with the three-man panel from Abuja led by the former Speaker and former Acting Governor of Cross River State, John Odey. It turned out that the primary elections were peacefully conducted and were devoid of any irregularities and indeed candidates emerged.

However, in the middle of the announcement of results, there was a phone call allegedly from the national chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, ordering that the elections be declared null and void.

Oshiomhole was said to have claimed that the panel that came to Edo State to conduct the exercise was an illegal panel.

A new team led by one Hajiya Farida Odangi Suleiman was dispatched to the state to conduct new state and national assemblies’ primary elections.

While lawyers are still said to be researching on the legality of the October 6th primaries in Edo State which coincided with the national convention of the APC in Abuja, it is noteworthy that the Farida Odangi-led committee had strict instructions from Abuja not to declare or announce the final results of the primaries in Benin, a decision that elicited suspicion over the motive for the cancellation/rescheduling of the elections in the state.

Analysts believe that the battle for the soul of the party in Edo by Oshiomhole is behind the series of crises in the state’s chapter of the party, and the resulting tension that is yet to abate.

Oshiomhole’s thuggish and self-centred leadership style leaves so much to be desired when juxtaposed with that of his predecessor, who was a decent, civilised and diplomatic leader. Chief John Odigie Oyegun brought on board, tact, experience and was alive to the sensibilities and viewpoints of all APC members. His leadership gave freedom to state chapters to operate within the ambit of the law, a condition which Oshiomhole enjoyed for eight years as Governor as against the stifling of the state chapters over which he has superintended in the last four months.

The refusal of the controversial Farida Odangi-led committee to declare results in Edo State led to a tale of woes as aspirants who won in the field in the 18 Local Government Area (LGAs) were substituted with various names at the discretion of the national chairman.

Hon. Damian Lawani of Etsako Central was replaced with Mr Ahmed Waziri; Hon. Kabiru Adjoto was replaced with Hon. Peter Akpatason; Hon. Emma Agbaje was replaced with Dele Oloruntoba, Hon. Justin Okonobo with Ephraim Aliovboese, Hon. Festus Edughele with Sunny Ojiezele, Hon. Ojo Asein with Mr Ohio Peter-Ezomo and attempt was made to also substitute Hon Osaigbovo Iyoha with Hon. Osaro Obaze, who never contested in the first place. This is an action a human rights activist based in Benin described as a rape on democracy and the peoples’ will.

One thing that is instructive in the whole Oshiomhole-orchestrated mess is that the Edo APC was proactive, took the right steps to save the face of the national leadership of the party to avoid the now popular Zamfara APC ill-fated scenario where for the first time since 1999, PDP may have a field day in a whole state without a fight from the ruling party.

While Edo State chapter of the APC has tried to manage the situation with equanimity because of the respect the leadership has for the national chairman of the party by calming frayed nerves even though some of the outright cases of “mandate stealing” have been taken to court by the aggrieved contestants, the situation is not the same in other states like Kaduna, Imo, Niger, Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Cross Rivers, Rivers, Bauchi, Zamfara and Ondo where there has been serious allegations of high handedness, manipulation of results, imposition of candidates, issuance of automatic tickets, personal vendetta, declarations of fake results and recklessness of panels set up by the national leadership of the party.

According to a source in the national secretariat of the party, some panel chairmen were constantly in touch with the national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, on the phone to take instructions on who to declare as the winner.

The same thing was observed in Edo State wherein the panel chairman Hajiya Farida Odangi was always on the phone with Oshiomhole and shouting ‘Yes sir,’ ‘No sir,’ ‘OK sir,’ ‘Thank you sir.’ The scenario has been described as highly shameful and unbecoming of a chairman, who has been sent to conduct an election on behalf of a ruling party in Nigeria.

The outcomes have been open protests and demonstrations at the national secretariat of the APC in Abuja and in some cases, open confrontation between panel members while some aggrieved persons have gotten court judgements against the NWC and the party.

There was a particular case of a result in Imo State which the national chairman described as jankara market result but later turned around to accept the same result.

Remember the Lagos State melodrama. While the panel chairman, Dr Clement Ebri was addressing a press conference rescheduling the primaries that were ongoing, he was overruled by the national chairman, yet the result of the annulled elections were accepted, which produced the gubernatorial candidate of the Lagos State APC.

According to a member of the National Working Committee of the party in the APC Secretariat, “we predicted that these kinds of outcomes will play out at some point, a situation wherein the national chairman constituted panels to conduct primaries, consisting of personal staff, cousins, other relatives and people without political address and pedigree. You should not expect a different or credible outcome.”

He added, “For instance, when we served under the former national chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, you will see credible names like former governors, former ministers, former ambassadors, political chieftains, ex-commissioners, industry captains and former senators been sent out to conduct primaries across the country, but this was not the case this time around as everything revolved around the national chairman and most of the panellists were from a particular part of Nigeria, a scenario that does not augur well for the party.”

Oshiomhole is a bull in a China shop. He lacks the political maturity and experience to provide the kind of leadership the APC needs at this time.

The 2019 general elections are too important to be left to chance and in the hands of a rabble-rouser, more so, with a reinvigorated PDP that has Atiku Ababakar as its presidential candidate. The time to ease Oshiomhole out of office as national chairman is now.

The Nigerian project as enunciated by the APC and being driven by President Buhari is too delicate to be exposed to the risks posed by Adams Oshiomhole’s indiscretion, recklessness and injudiciousness.

Mrs Justina Azughala is a freelance journalist based in Abuja


SOURCES:

https://leadership.ng/2018/10/25/who-will-save-nigeria-apc-buhari-from-oshiomhole/

http://thebellng.com/who-will-save-nigeria-apc-buhari-from-oshiomhole/

Edo Govt Revises 2018 Budget Upward On Paris Club, Other Receipts, Proposes N16.2bn Supplementary Spending

…prioritises education, agric, infrastructure

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has proposed a N16.2 billion Supplementary Budget for 2018 fiscal year, a 10.79 percent increase to the N150.093bn budget for the year.

The governor, who disclosed this after the Weekly State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting held at the Government House, in Benin City, said that the Supplementary Budget will be forwarded to the State House of Assembly for passage.

The Supplementary budget will be channelled to education, agriculture, among others, which is expected to build human capital and create wealth for the state and the people.

Noting that the revision is a demonstration of the state’s commitment to open governance and transparency, he said, “The revised/supplementary 2018 Budget shows a budget seize of N166.293bn from the initial size of N150.093bn. This represents a 10.79 per cent increase.”

According to him, “In the course of the 2018 fiscal year, Mr. President approved the disbursement of the final tranche of refunds from Paris/London club of borrowers to States and Local Governments (Edo State’s share of this refund amounts to N5bn). Mr. President further approved the application of a portion of this refund to clear the arrears of State Government’s cash contribution for Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Grants, resulting in a N3bn UBEC grant in favour of Edo State.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the course of this fiscal year, approved the disbursement of concessional loans (under the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme, CAC), to qualifying states. Edo State met all qualifying criteria and thus received N5bn from the CBN under CACs. The foregoing developments were not anticipated at the time the 2018 budget proposal was approved by Executive Council in 2017.”

Noting that the state recorded impressive showing in the fiscal year in the area of budget performance, he said, “As of August 2018, the state government achieved over 80 per cent budget performance on capital expenditure; this achievement is record-breaking. In order to sustain this stellar performance, revisions to some current and capital expenditure envelops are being proposed. The revisions are in consonance with the actual expenditure run rates of affected Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs).”

Obaseki added, “The proposed revised/supplementary budget has been prepared in line with section 36 of Edo State’s Public Financial Management and Fiscal Responsibility Law (2018).”

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has made a strong case for more roles for women in politics and governance, arguing that a society that doesn’t open up the space for women to contribute to nation building harnesses only half of its potential.

Obaseki made the submission while declaring open the 2018 Annual National Women Conference organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), with the theme,Strengthening Our Collective Impact, held in Lagos State.

The governor noted that “if only one segment of the society is allowed to actively participate in politics, the society cannot realise its full potential. Our country stands to benefit a lot more when both segments of the society play active role in political development.”

He described the gathering as fantastic and a powerful network with capacity to provide a common ground that connects government and the people.

“The gathering is powerful because it serves as another opportunity for government to reach its people, interact and get a fresh perspective on what is happening around. What you have is a very powerful network and a lot of us from other states are quite envious of what you have done,” he said.

Obaseki maintained that “What is also significant is not just that you get together, and you have conferences but between your conferences, you take time out, gather resources and intervene in society. I have seen your activities particularly in the area of health care and in other areas, affecting the most vulnerable in the society.”

He continued, “You serve as an inspiration to a lot of us. Many states are now copying what you are doing. I recall last year, the governor of Jigawa State did say that as soon as he gets back home, he will ensure that he institutes this sort of initiative. This idea you have incubated in Lagos State has gone places.”

He said he has informed the First Lady of Edo State to begin the process of organising a similar event in Edo State.

Governor Obaseki has at several fora advocated for 40 per cent affirmative action on women participation in politics, putting action to his advocacy by appointing Ms. Efosa Uyigue, as Special Adviser on Gender Issues and 18 other assistants on gender issues, whose roles include coordinating women participation in governance.

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The Edo State government's job creation arm, EdoJobs, has collaborated with Edo Development Organisation (EDO) to mentor youth in the state, with a charge to be open to ideas and knowledge to enable them to excel in their chosen enterprise.

The one-day session which was held at Edo Innovation Hub in Benin City, was tagged Inspire Edo 2018.

Inspire Edo 2018, according to the Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Governor on Skills Development and Job Creation, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, EoJobs, is a career development event that offers rare insights into the path of some of Edo State's Great outliers.

Training assistant to EdoJobs, Mr Olaniye Omole, explained that "the aim of the programme is to show Edo youth that there is a pathway to success and for them to appreciate the value of working with mentors as they strive to actualise their dream of becoming entrepreneurs.

He added: "Aside registration and job creation, EdoJobs is linking youth who are Edo indigenes to mentors who are also successful Edo indigenes based in and outside the state.

"We want to profile the youth who will participate in the programme and link them to persons who can mentor them to improve their business ideas."

The head of Edo Development Organisation, Mr Osaretin Guobadia, said "Inspire Edo" is a platform where successful Edo indigenes in the diaspora and within Nigeria can inspire Edo youth who are interested in entrepreneurship so that they can start adding value to the state.

"Inspire Edo is our pilot programme, we want our upcoming entrepreneurs to have a glimpse of what other Edo indigenes are doing or have done to gain knowledge and experience from them.

"We want the professionals to inspire Edo youth to reach their goals; we want to create a bridge between where they are now and where they want to be."

He noted that getting finance to execute a business idea is not as challenging as getting a sellable business plan that can be financed.

One of the panelists at the event urged Edo youth to always seek knowledge and spend less time on social media unless they are using the platform for business or acquiring knowledge.

"Edo youth are intelligent people because we find them doing well and holding top positions across the world.

"We want them to believe in themselves, set goals for themselves and also improve themselves so that they can face the challenges in the business world", she said.

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A cross-section of youth during a one-day mentoring session tagged Inspire Edo 2018, held at Edo Innovation Hub in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

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Obaseki Vows To Sustain Poverty Eradication Policies, As USAID Project Lifts 11,904 Households In Edo

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state government, through her people-oriented policies, has ensured that the people lead better lives and are exposed to more opportunities to develop themselves and grow the economy, noting that such poverty reduction policies will continue to receive priority attention in the state.

Obaseki disclosed this at the end of the Sustainable Mechanism for Improving Livelihood and Household Empowerment (SMILE) project dissemination meeting, held at Government House, Benin City, Edo State.

The governor who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, said his administration has resolved “to make poverty history in the state," adding that "The journey to make poverty history actually started in 2008 and this administration has consolidated on the promise. All we are going to do for our people is to create the enabling environment for them to create wealth.

“That exactly is what we are doing with the SMILE project. We will continue to do that. That is the way forward. The only way our promise can be tangible is when we have that collaboration and understanding, and I want to thank SMILE for that collaboration,” Obaseki added.

He commended USAID, Catholic Relief Services and other partners for their commitment in ensuring that the project achieved its goal, adding that the state government is open to partnership as part of the resolve to eradicate poverty in the state.

SMILE, a five-year project implemented in five states, including Edo, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, is jointly funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Action Aid Nigeria and Catholic Relief Services.

The Chief of Party for the SMILE project, Dr. Emeka Anoje, said over 11, 904 households in Edo State benefitted from the project which was implemented in collaboration with the state government.

Dr. Anoje noted that the SMILE project was meant to build capacity of local government welfare department and civil society groups, with a view to empowering the most vulnerable in the benefiting communities.

He added that the programme was carried out in eight local government areas of the state, noting that “SMILE successfully provided support to 46,173 vulnerable children who were drawn from about 11, 904 households.”

According to him, SMILE also supported agricultural value chain, vocational skills training, child protection services as well as nutrition and food security services, among others in the communities.

“The intervention of the project included: improve access to HIV care services and a range of households’ economic strengthening activities, which comprise unconditional cash transfer targeting over 5,000 households in Edo State with each household getting a lumpsum of N20,000.

“We also piloted an adolescent girl’s programme which was aimed at reducing the risk of HIV transmission among adolescent girls through education and psychosocial empowerment, improve parental relationship and structure HIV prevention messaging,” he added.

A beneficiary of the project, Mrs. Mercy Ogiria from Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, hailed the coordinators of SMILE, adding that she is happy that the project has changed her life for good.

Ogiria said she benefitted from the conditional cash transfer, noting that “I was giving N20,000 twice which I added to my business. My neighbours at a point in time were wondering where I got money to expand my business. Before then, I was laughed at for running a small business.”

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L-R: State Project Coordinator, ActionAid Nigeria, Charles Durojaye; Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Governor, Kingsley Ehigiamusor; Sustainable Mechanism for Improving Livelihood and Household Empowerment (SMILE) Chief of Party, Dr. Emeka Anoje; representative of Edo State Governor and Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu; and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Stella-Maris Imasuen, cutting the cake at the SMILE project dissemination meeting, in Benin City, Edo State.