₦airaland Forum

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*Edo, reference point for good governance - Osinbajo*

*...lauds Obaseki's reenactment of Ogbemudia's devt’al strides*

The Vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has said that Edo State in the last decade, has retained her status as a reference point with regard to good governance in the country.
Osinbajo gave the commendation at a State Dinner held in his honour at the Edo Government House in Benin City, as part of his 2-day visit to the state.

He expressed satisfaction with the efforts of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led adminstration in reenacting the developmental strides recorded in the administration of the late Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia.

The Vice President assured of the federal government's readiness to support Edo State in her effort to bring development to the people.

He said the various projects which informed his visit to the state, would boost the Edo economy, especially the federal government's South-South Innovation Hub.

In his remark, Obaseki expressed his appreciation to the Vice President for his continued support for the state, noting that the several initiatives of the Office of the Vice President have provided jobs for Edo youths.

"The N-Power and N-Build programmes have remained major sources of encouragement for the state in her journey to greatness," the governor said.

The Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Phillip Shaibu, solicited for more support from the federal government to enable the state government benefit more from the initiatives of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

Obaseki at the dinner, announced full scholarship to Miss Obakpolor Esosa, a Senior Secondary School 1 student of Idia College, in Benin City, due to the depth of her presentation on the Menace of Human Trafficking.

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*PHOTO CAPTION*


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Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (4th right); Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (3rd right); wife of the Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki (2nd right); Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu (4th left); wife of the deputy governor, Mrs. Maryann Shaibu (3rd left); National Chairman, All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun (right); former Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (second left), and wife of the former governor, Mrs. Lara Oshiomhole, at the Dinner organised by Edo State Government in honour of the Vice President, in Government House, Benin City.

*Osinbajo Commends Private Sector-led Economic Expansion in Edo*
…lauds Obaseki on 1800-unit Emotan Gardens project
…project marks paradigm shift in housing delivery - Obaseki
... VP's visits indicative of growing economy - Oshiomhole

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday in Edo State, commended the private sector-led economic expansion in Edo State under Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Prof. Osinbajo gave the commendation at the groundbreaking ceremony of the 1800 housing-unit Emotan Gardens, in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

He said, "It is good to see the great and dynamic work the governor is doing. I was in Auchi recently to commission the Edo Fertiliser and Chemical Company Ltd. I was in this local government for the Benin Industrial Park. I commend the governor and MIXTA Africa for this excellent idea."

He lauded the governor's investment drive and the increased participation of the private sector in the state's economy.

Chairman, Board of Directors, MIXTA Africa, Eddy Eguavoen, said that the firm was excited about the partnership with the Edo State Government on the project, noting that from his experience with other governments across Africa, Edo State government’s support for the private sector is unparallel.

According to him, "Our experience has been remarkable. I want to assure Nigerians and those in the diaspora that this project will be delivered with the quality and standards that MIXTA Africa is known for."

Governor Obaseki said that the project is the realisation of his campaign to turn the state into an economic hub, noting that the project is in line with the pledge to revive the state's economy.

He said, "I promised to create 200,000 jobs in the first instance, and some of them were to be in agriculture and construction, among others.

"We realised that housing is also key. Hence, we have re-enacted the Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA) law and set up a new management. This project is a reflection of the new direction."
Noting that the state has proven that much can be achieved with the private sector, he said, "I am happy that we have proven that it can be done.

Obaseki added, "This building was put up in record time. I assure you that 80 per cent of materials used for this project was manufactured in Edo State. They will be used for the entire project.

"We are starting a new paradigm. We expect that the houses will sell from between N3 million to N12 million. We are praticalising policies being enunciated in Abuja."

Former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, noted that the Vice President's visits to Edo State indicate that the Edo economy is on track with Obaseki as governor.

Oshiomhole maintained that the VP's visits, the third since Obaseki assumed office, have always been to commission or kick-start economic projects that will propel growth and development and not for tea party.

"These visits confirm that Obaseki is building on the foundation I have laid for the growth and development of the state.

"I am happy because those that have doubt about our governor now know that we have a credible and a performing governor who is building on our development."
Oshiomhole added that the governor had assured that he would concentrate on the economy and create jobs for Edo youths, noting "this he has been doing, and has attracted private investors to the state".

The Vice President also launched the South-South Innovation Hub at the Edo Innovates facility. He also attended the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Clinic, where he and the governor had a chat with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and beneficiaries of the Federal Government's Social Investment Programme (SIP).


PHOTO CAPTION:

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L-R: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu; and Executive Chairman, Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA), Ms Isoken Omo, during the ground-breaking ceremony of the 1800 housing-unit Emotan Gardens project in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Edo State, on Thursday, June 14, 2018.


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L-R: Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs Betsy Obaseki; National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie- Oyegun; and former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, at the ground-breaking ceremony of the 1800 housing-unit Emotan Gardens project in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Edo State, on Thursday, June 14, 2018.


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R-L: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Enogie of Ukhiri, His Royal Highness, Ambassador Osayande Aigbe, Executive Chairman, Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA), Ms. Isoken Omo, during the ground-breaking ceremony of the 1800 housing-unit Emotan Gardens project in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Edo State, on Thursday, June 14, 2018.

*Edo Govt raises alarm over adulterated kerosene, as one dies in fire explosion*

The Edo State Government has raised alarm over the supply of adulterated kerosene to users of the product.

Commissioner for Youth and Special Duties, Mika Amanokha, raised the alarm in Benin City after a report of a fire incident in Evbuotubu Market, on Tuesday, which was put under control by officials of the Edo State Fire Service.

Amanokha urged the federal government agencies that supervise the distribution of kerosene to mop up the fake product from the market.

He explained that the victim of the fire incident, who deals in kerosene in the market, lit a match stick to demonstrate that the kerosene she was selling was genuine.

"Unfortunately, the product was adulterated as the experiment produced an explosion which killed her," Amanokha said.

He added that the timely intervention of officials of the Edo Fire Service brought the fire under control.

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*Obaseki’s effort to revamp College of Agriculture Iguoriakhi on course*

Our attention has been drawn to the concerns raised over the ongoing revamp of the College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi, the latest being the worry expressed by Usifo Sebastian Ebhuomhan.

While Ebhuomhan’s faith in Governor Godwin Obaseki’s capacity to steer our collective destiny to prosperity is commendable, his analysis of the issues underlying the institute’s overhaul, merely scratched the surface.

To begin, after 18 months as governor of Edo State, most Edo people and residents in the state, who have kept steps with Obaseki’s style of governing, would attest to his inclination towards rigorous research, as the only basis for decision making, not emotions, no matter how compelling.

So far, all the decisions that have been implemented by the state government in the institute are the outcome of an investigative panel that was set up to dig deep into the affairs of the institute, after an unscheduled visit by the governor exposed the derelict state of the institute.

The Obaseki administration is not one to be swayed by emotion-laden chorus, no matter how amplified, more so, when the hard and cold facts show a dysfunctional institute where the government was paying lecturers who chose when to go to work, exploited students and did not bat an eyelid over the status of the students whose certificates suffered credibility crisis in the labour market and could not participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme for several years, not to add the fact that the staff of the institute outnumbered the students.

Governance, for Obaseki, is about taking tough decisions that will engender sustainable growth and development for the largest number of people possible.

Understandably, tough and reform-oriented decisions are not always popular in the short term but they recruit millions of followers when the gains start kicking in.

Edo youths deserve an institute of agriculture that can compete with its peers anywhere in the world, and parents who toil to send their children to educational institutions in the state, do not deserve anything less.

We will not accept anything short of the best standard obtainable in the industry and we will not run an agricultural institute that lacks the capacity to impact market-oriented knowledge and skills.

We will not take the familiar and easy route, though popular, but fraught with failure, in a matter that is as important as the future of our children.

Today, we are happy to report that the students of the institute currently undergoing internship in world class agricultural companies across the state are for the first time, enjoying quality hands-on field training that will clearly put them ahead of their peers in the labour market, on graduation.

Mr Ebhuomhan also expressed fears over Governor Obaseki's commitment to create 200,000 jobs, which the governor promised Edo people.

Ebhuomhan need not worry, we will exceed the 200,000 jobs target. For clarification, our strategy for creating these jobs includes creating the enabling environment for industries and private companies to thrive in the state and create decent direct and indirect jobs and as at today, thousands of such jobs have been created. By the time we roll out our statistics of jobs, much of these quibbling will be silenced.

If Mr. Evbhuomhan has been following global trends on job creation, he would appreciate the efforts of Governor Obaseki to reposition the respective government agencies that are supervising the influx of companies into Edo State.

While the state government will employ new staff into the civil service, as is now being done with the recent vacancy advertisements by the Civil Service Commission, published in the VANGUARD Newspaper, page 8; OBSERVER Newspaper, page 19, NATION Newspaper page 32 on May 15th this year, most of the jobs will be created by the private companies.

As you may be aware, construction has commenced in the 1800 Emotan Garden estate on Upper Sokponba Road in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area.

The first phase of the project is expected to be delivered in 12 months and already, the governor has secured a deal with steel and ceramic manufacturing companies in the state to supply their products to the developers of the estate.

The implication of this deal is that the steel and ceramic companies have a ready market of 1800 housing units to produce for. To achieve this, the companies will increase their operational scale by employing more people to be able to produce and meet market demand. This sort of development chain reaction is what Obaseki is about.

Meanwhile, that is just one of the many job creation strategies of the Obaseki administration. It is not politics, it is measurable and can be verified by anyone.

If there is anything the governor has in sufficient proportion, it is the capacity to frugally allocate scarce resources for the best outcomes possible. This cannot be controverted and has never been in dispute.

This capacity is today manifest in all spheres of our life in Edo, and has been re-echoed by World Bank experts, development actors and informed opinion and thought leaders in the education sector.

As part of the ongoing restructuring of the Agric college, a new curriculum as well as new faculties have been developed by the state government, an exercise that was carried out by over 10 professors drawn from various tertiary institutions in the country, with expertise in curriculum development.

The new international standard curriculum for the College is in compliance with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE)'s provisions for curriculum. This will qualify the restructured college’s programmes for accreditation.


Structurally, the college has been redesigned as a multi- campus institution with campuses spread across the three Senatorial Districts of the state, with the main campus in Iguoriakhi. Construction work is set to commence.

The New College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi, will give students and parents real value for their money with its new Information Technology-based curriculum and a rich educational resource center that will be linked to the world.

_Crusoe Osagie, Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy_


PHOTO CAPTION

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Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (left), during a tour of the College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi.


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Aerial view of the College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi.

*Ras Kimono: Obaseki commiserates with family, says artiste campaigned vigorously for better Nigeria*

The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has condoled with the family of the late reggae musician, Ukeleke Onwubuya, popularly known as Ras Kimono, whose passing was announced last Sunday.

According to Obaseki, “Ras Kimono campaigned vigorously for a better Nigeria through his unique music genre, rooted in reggae, which earned him the sobriquet, the Rub a Dub Master.”

He added that “Ras Kimono’s philosophical bent which dominated the theme of his songs, will continue to reverberate in the minds of millions of his fans across the world.”

The governor noted that the artiste “will be greatly missed by the Nigerian entertainment industry and all lovers of good music,” and wished his family the strength to bear the irreparable loss occasioned by his demise.

According to reports, Ras Kimono, a native of Onicha Olona, in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, slumped at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while waiting to board a flight to the United States of America, on Saturday night.

He was immediately rushed to a Lagos hospital where he died on Sunday morning.

_Follow Governor Obaseki on Social Media_
_Website: www.godwinobaseki.com_
_Facebook: fb.com/godwinobasekiofficial_
_Twitter: @governorobaseki_
_Instagram: @governorobaseki_

PHOTO CAPTION

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State

*World Environment Day: Scholars proffer plastic recycling option at Edo Poly Usen, laud Obaseki’s urban regeneration drive*

...school plants 700 economic trees


Environmentalists have called for polices at federal and state government levels that allow for innovative and participatory approaches to managing plastic pollution, urging for increased use of digital solutions to drive recycling.

They also hailed Governor Godwin Obaseki’s efforts at urban regeneration, noting that the state government’s recent recalibration of state actors in the environment sector as well as the building of new towns will impact positively on the state.

This was the resolution at a public lecture to mark the 2018 World Environment Day organised by the Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, also known as the Edo State Institute of Management and Technology, in Edo State.

The Rector of the Polytechnic, Prof. Abiodun Falodun, said that the public lecture was organised to raise awareness and join the rest of the world in marking the day, noting that the school intends to engage the key issues in environment management as they relate to plastic pollution and help educate the people.

Prof. Falodun, who was recently appointed by Governor Obaseki to reposition the school as a center of excellence in technology and innovation, said there is a plethora of gains in the effective plastic waste management as well as tree planting in our environment.

According to him, “the Edo State Government led by Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki wants this school to serve as a viable centre to drive his urban/regional development agenda. Hence, we want to set the pace by beautifying and preserving the environment.”

He called on state’s indigenes and residents to strive to keep the state clean and adhere to regulations on plastic disposal.

In a keynote lecture titled Fostering Participatory Model for Sustainable Management and Conservation of Plastic Wastes in Edo State, Nigeria, delivered by an environmentalist, Dr. Ekeoba Matthew Isikhuemen, he noted that there was need for a participatory approach to solving the menace of plastic pollution.

The keynote lecturer, who is a lecturer in the Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management at the University of Benin, said state and federal governments must work together to ensure that policies are synergised.

The event culminated in the planting of over 700 different economic trees in the school premises.


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*PHOTO CAPTION*

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Rector, Edo State Polytechnic Usen, Prof. Abiodun Falodun (right), during the flag off of the planting of over 700 different economic trees in the school premises, after a public lecture to mark the 2018 World Environment Day, in Usen, Edo State.

*Preparation in top gear as VP Osinbajo visits Edo, to kick-start Tech Hub, 1800 housing Estate, others*

… sets for SIP Town Hall meeting, visit to Edo-Azura Plant

Contractors handling the construction of the Benin Technology Hub and the preliminary work at the site of the 1800 housing-unit Emotan Estate are working round the clock to deliver the projects on schedule, preparatory to the visit of Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to Edo State.

The Vice President’s June 14th visit will see him commission the first Benin Innovation Hub, that will host over 25 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies for training of both young and old Edo people and residents on various ICT-based skills.

During an unscheduled visit to the remodeling work at the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE), in Benin City, which is being converted to the tech hub, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, said he was pleased with the pace of work at the site.

“The facility will be commissioned by the Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, and over 25 companies will use this innovation hub for different forms of training and certification,” the governor said.

He disclosed that his administration has received solicitation from major global technology companies that have indicated interest in the innovation hub.

Prof. Osinbajo will also perform the groundbreaking ceremony to kick-off the construction of 1800 housing-unit Emotan Estate, a joint venture project of the Edo State government and MIXTA Africa, located in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area.

The project according to Governor Obaseki, was conceived to boost the state’s housing stock and assured that on completion, the houses will be affordable.

Also on the itinerary of the Vice President is a facility visit to the 450 Mega Watts Edo-Azura Power project in the state, a project that has received positive reviews by the World Bank and its development partners as well as international and local actors in the power sector.

The Social Investment Programme (SIP) of the federal government will receive a boost during Prof. Osinbajo’s visit as the vice president would hold a town hall meeting with beneficiaries. He is also expected to host the South-South tech community, where five start-ups will be picked after they pitch their ideas to a team of investors.

He will also meet with the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) community in the state, as part of federal government's efforts at deepening the sector to boost economic growth.



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*PHOTO CAPTION:*

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L-R: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (right); on inspection tour of the ongoing reconstruction work at Institute of Continuing Education (ICE), being converted to a technology hub, in Benin City, Edo State.

*FG donates relief materials to IDPs in Edo, as Obaseki makes case for Libya returnees*

The National Logistics Committee on Distribution of Relief Materials has donated relief items to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) being accommodated in Edo State.

Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Azarema Abdulkadir, disclosed this when he led members of the committee on a courtesy visit to Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki at Government House, Benin City.

Noting that the donation marks the fifth round of distribution of relief materials to the IDPs in the state, he said the relief materials include; “10,653 bags of 50kg of rice; 33 cartons of 400mg tin of tomato paste; 1,232 cartons of 70mg of tomato paste; 210 pieces of five litre gallons of vegetable oil and 40 pieces of two litre bottles of vegetable oil.”

Other items are: “5,822 small cartons of Lucozade boost drinks; 993 cartons of Eva soap; 4 cartons of liquid soap; 11 cartons of tablet soap; 329 bales of second-hand clothes and 2,159 pieces of shoes.”

Abdulkadir expressed appreciation to state government and people for accommodating persons displaced by the ongoing insurgency in the North East, as the Federal Government continues to make efforts to restore peace in the region.

“The judicious distribution of the materials by officials in the camp would have tremendous impact on the lives of the IDPs,” he added.

Governor Godwin Obaseki, who lauded efforts of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government in providing succour to the IDPs, urged the committee to include returnees who are victims of human trafficking in their programme.

He said, “One of the challenges the state government is dealing with is the resettling and reintegration programme for 3,000 returnees who are victims of human trafficking. We are expecting about 6,000 others.”

Obaseki assured the committee that the state government will ensure equitable distribution of the relief materials to the IDPs.

He urged the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to also ensure that materials donated are properly stored to prevent damage.

_Follow Governor Obaseki on Social Media_
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_Instagram: @governorobaseki_

PHOTO CAPTION:

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Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (second right); Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq (right).; Assistant-Comptroller-General, Nigerian Customs Service, Azarema Abdulkadir (middle); Col. Francis N. Ekoyo (second left); and Garba Mohammed (left), during the courtesy visit by members of the National Logistics Committee on Distribution of Relief Materials, to the governor, at Government House, Benin City.

Obaseki’s Education reform: Edo Poly Usen holds public lecture, partners FIRN, UNIBEN on tree planting to mark Environment Day

Rector of the Edo Polytechnic, Usen, Prof. Abiodun Falodun, has said the institution is set to mark the World Environment Day with a public lecture and a tree planting initiative on Tuesday, June 5, in partnership with the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and the Forest Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN).

Governor Godwin Obaseki appointed Prof. Falodun recently as rector of the Polytechnic with a mandate to reposition the school as a center of excellence in technology education and innovation.

Prof. Falodun, speaking on programmes lined up to commemorate the World Environment Day, said that the school has concluded plans to hold a lecture titled Conservation and Management of Plastic Wastes/Pollutants: Participatory Approach to be delivered by Dr. Ekeoba Isikhuemen, an Environmental Conservator & Forest Rehabilitation Ecologist in the Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Agriculture, UNIBEN.

He said the programmes are being lined up as the polytechnic joins the rest of the word to mark the day, raise global awareness and take positive environmental action to protect nature and the planet Earth.

According to Prof. Falodun, “On assumption of duty, I initiated the Bring Back our Environment (BBE) committee, with the mandate to ensure restoration and beautification of the Edo State Polytechnic for conducive learning and research.

“The BBE in collaboration with the Department of Urban and Regional Planning of the Polytechnic also has the clear mandate to develop winning proposals to attract grants from funding agencies in making Edo State Polytechnic a Regional Centre for Physical and Urban Planning to drive Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration’s urban planning initiatives and policies.”

The lecture will be delivered with Prof. Abiodun Falodun as chair, and will be aimed at developing models for waste management in Edo State.

The event will also feature the planting of trees and beautification of Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, by staff and students of the Polytechnic, in line with the mandate and vision of Edo State Government.

Prof. Falodun said 500 seedlings were donated pro bono, to Edo State Polytechnic by the Forest Research Institute of Nigeria (Moist Forest Research Station), Ibadan and the Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin.

*Edo PDP lacks moral rectitude to pontificate on education reform*

A morally compromised and ineffectual Edo Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) need not speak when efforts to revamp institutions of higher learning in Edo State are discussed.

Edo people and residents have not forgotten what educational institutions, from primary, secondary to tertiary levels, looked like when they held sway. While some of the schools were set up as conduits to siphon public funds, others were grossly mismanaged, which explains why the federal government regulatory agencies denied them accreditation.

An unscheduled visit to the College of Agriculture in Iguoriakhi by Governor Godwin Obaseki and the report of the committee set up by the state government to audit the activities of the institution, revealed heartbreaking and irritating details of the institute, reopened by the Edo PDP.

But convinced that good leadership can turn the story of the institute around for the better, Governor Obaseki has since sent students of the institute, to the various world class agricultural institutes and companies in the state, namely; the Nigeria Institute of Rubber Research, Okomu Oil Palm Company Nigeria plc, Presco plc, amongst others, to learn the nuances of agriculture.

Until the closure of the institute, its graduates had difficulty securing jobs due to their poor training and terrible rating in the employment market.

Under the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Obaseki administration is consolidating on the red roof classroom building revolution of his predecessor, by embarking on teacher training and Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-based teaching for better learning outcomes.

Edo people know who the 'eaters of their yam' are and cannot be swayed by the cheap propaganda of the PDP.

Edo PDP refused to contribute the state government's counterpart fund to access the Universal Basic Education fund, which they would have used to reconstruct the dilapidated primary and junior secondary school buildings.

Edo PDP's ineptitude and knack for corruption denied Edo children standard basic education for over eight years.

The ongoing reform of educational institutions in Edo State is on course and no campaign of calumny by the Edo PDP can derail it.

Governor Obaseki is open to constructive criticisms from well-meaning Edo people on how to enhance the living standard of all Edo people, but the Edo PDP with its baggage of corruption cases lacks the moral rectitude to contribute to our collective development discourse.

Honest reform is strange to Edo PDP and beyond their comprehension because of their inherent nature to abuse standard procedures and processes.

Students of the College of Agriculture Iguoriakhi are thankful to Governor Obaseki for his intervention in the affairs of their institution that was notorious for abuse of procedures.

Only a few days ago, ten professors met to fine tune the new curriculum for the Edo State College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Iguoriakhi, which will now operate as a multi-campus institute of international standard.

Governor Obaseki will not compromise his vision for educational institutions in the state over the ranting of a dying Edo PDP, rejected by Edo people and ignorant of the nitty gritty of education reforms.

Crusoe Osagie
_Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy_

*World Bank Reps arrive Benin, meet Obaseki on new strategies to transform local govts*

Still basking in the euphoria of the success of the Edo-Azura Power project and other World Bank-support projects in Edo State, Senior Director, Governance Global Practice, of the bank, Debbie Wentzel, arrived Benin City, the state capital on Friday, to consolidate the existing development-focused relationship between the bank and the Governor Godwin Obaseki administration.

Welcoming his guests, Obaseki expressed his pleasure with the series of visits by senior officials of the World Bank to Benin City and their desire to be part of the ongoing transformation of the state.

The governor said: “We have gone through a learning curve with the World Bank, a journey which started over nine years ago and we want to drive this down to the local government councils so that every individual in the state will feel the impact of our government at all levels."

He explained that at the state level, several reforms of key institutions have changed work culture for better outcomes, and added: “Our institutions are working at the state level and we want to work at strengthening the local councils.”

The governor said that his administration also plans to work with the World Bank in strengthening governance-support structures for optimal performance and deepen the deployment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the state.

He maintained that what the state needs from the World Bank now is ‘More Knowledge and less Cash’ so that the state will optimise her resources for the benefit of all.

The World Bank Senior Director, Governance Global Practice, who led the bank’s delegation, said: "We are hoping to work with all the states in the country to support them improve their governance structures. We want to see how the states are working and how the World Bank can support them get better results.”

Wentzel added: "We will be looking at building states' transparency, economic recovery; revenue collection and creating an enabling environment where private sector can thrive better.”

Other members of the delegation were; Practice Manager, Hisham Waly; Lead Project Specialist, Chief Bayo Awosemusi; Senior Public Sector Specialist, Ikechukwu Nweje; Senior Operations Officer, John Paul Ngebeh; and Procurement Specialist, Sunday Osoba.

The meeting also featured sessions on the implementation of the State Employment and Expenditure For Results (SEEFOR) project which falls under Wentzel’s portfolio.

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*PHOTO CAPTION*

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R-L: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Senior Director, Governance Global Practice, World Bank, Mrs. Debbie Wetzel; Practice Manager, World Bank, Hisham Waly; at a meeting with the governor, at Government House, in Benin City.

*Edo LGAs get N2.97bn as April allocation, clears primary school teachers’ salaries with N1.11bn*

The Edo State Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC), has disclosed that a total of N2.97 billion accrued to the 18 Local Government Councils in the state from the Federation Account for the month of April.

Chairman, Oredo Local Government Council, Hon. Jenkins Osunde, said this while briefing journalists after the JAAC meeting presided over by the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, at Government House, in Benin City.

Osunde said that from the allocation, salaries for primary school teachers gulped N1.11 billion; N100 million was deducted for pension arrears while N264 million was set aside as Pension Fund for the local government councils. 

According to him, the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from the 18 local government councils increased from N187 million recorded in April to N206 million generated in May. 

Meanwhile, new executives of the Edo State Chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), has been constituted, with Hon. Osunde, as chairman.

Other members of the new ALGON executives include Comrade John Akhigbe, Chairman, Etsako Central Local Council, as Vice Chairman; Hon. Victor Emuakhagbon, Chairman,Esan South East Local Council, as Secretary; while the Chairman of Esan Central Local Government Council, Hon. Waziri Edokpa, serves as the body’s Treasurer.

*PHOTO CAPTION:*

Chairman, Oredo Local Government Council and Head, Edo State Chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Jenkins Osunde; (2nd right), with other council chairmen, addressing journalists, after the State Joint Account and Allocation Committee meeting (JAAC), at Government House, Benin City.

Obaseki, World Bank, step up consultation as Edo inches closer to bank's support window

...World Bank global director on governance arrives Benin City today

Edo State government will today, Friday, host the Senior Director, Governance Global Practice, at the World Bank, Debbie Wentzel, in continuation of the series of expert meetings and consultations between the World Bank and the state government to deepen the bank’s officials’ insights into the workings of the Obaseki-led government and pave way for a special support window from the bank.

Wentzel who will be accompanied by the bank’s Practice Manager, Hisham Waly, will be hosted to sessions to be led by Governor Godwin Obaseki.

The World Bank’s officials’ visit will build on previous discussions between Edo government and the Bretton Woods institution that has expressed its readiness to increase the tempo of its developmental activities in the state, after rating the Obaseki-led administration high on transparency, accountability and demonstrable commitment to the sanctity and integrity of development-based partnership.

According to the bank, “the meetings will provide the platform for the governor to share his perspectives on governance issues in Nigeria in general and Edo State in particular with a view to identifying possible areas of intervention by the bank, and to also discuss progress on the implementation of the State Employment and Expenditure For Results (SEEFOR) project which falls under Wentzel’s portfolio.”

The meetings will be followed by “visits to some project sites as well as interactive session with beneficiaries of the projects across sub-components on-site and their representatives.”

The Senior Director’s one-day visit is coming one week after the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mr. Rachid Benmassoud, paid a 2-day visit to Edo State.

Benmassoud was accompanied by senior specialists in various sector areas, such as institutional reforms, public works, gender, agriculture, water and sanitation.

Development experts who have been following the World Bank's relationship with the Obaseki administration say Benmassoud’s visit was predicated on Edo State government’s impressive deployment of funding, technical and other assistance of the World Bank, which was attested to recently, by 11 Executive Directors of the World Bank, who were in the state recently, for on-the-spot assessment of the bank-sponsored developmental projects in the state.

Obaseki said Debbie Wentzel’s visit will deepen talks and insights of the bank on the developmental aspiration of Edo State, to enable the bank customise its developmental products to suit the peculiar needs of the state.

He assured the state government would expand ongoing development conversation with the bank on support for the state's education and health sectors; rural development, job creation, gender issues and infrastructural development amongst others.

“The several visits of the World Bank officials lend credence to our commitment to bringing development to our people in the state, with the support of our partners,” the governor said.

He maintained that Edo State under his watch places high premium on the sanctity and the integrity of partnerships, contracts as well as an open and transparent process.

“Development partners like the World Bank, operate in an environment where stakeholders abide by rules governing the partnerships, and in which input, output and outcomes are measured from time to time. The World Bank will not take you seriously if all you do is to award ‘political contracts," he added.

Some of the bank-sponsored projects such as erosion control projects under the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP), Edo State Employment and Expenditure for Result (SEEFOR), covering road projects; agriculture (FADAMMA); water, sanitation and review policy.



PHOTO CAPTION:

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State

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Obaseki hosts Presidential Council on Enabling Business Environment, to review impact of reforms

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, will on Monday, June 4, host the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), on a one-day Regional Stakeholders’ Forum, billed to take place in Benin City, Edo State capital.

Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Investment Promotion, Mr. Kelvin Uwaibi, in a statement, said the Forum, which will play host to stakeholders in the business community, will take place at Randekhi Hotel, and assess the successes recorded in implementing the framework to improve the ease of doing business.

Uwaibi noted that the forum is themed: Ease of Doing Business Reforms Expected Impact on Small Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs).

He said, the event is taking place as the state government continues to improve its business environment to attract investors through far-reaching reforms, especially in removing obstacles inhibiting access to land, credit, power and other support structures.

According to Uwaibi, “the state has in place an investment promotion office that ensures businesses are given required assistance to succeed. The office works to action the state government's plans on industrialisation, which have continued to attract proposals from private investors, who are indicating interest to partner with the state.

Edo State has maintained appreciable progress in attracting investors in digital technology, skills development and industrial goods sectors, as relevant structures required for the take-off of technology are being put in place by the state government.

Recall that the state government converted the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE) in Benin City, to a tech hub, which is the first in a series of projects to equip youths in the state with skills to grow a technology ecosystem. The state government is working with leading companies in the technology sector, like Microsoft, Cisco and Tech4Dev, among others.

It has continued to grow a pool of skilled youth population through several empowerment programmes, supportive policies, and an investors’ support structures to stimulate wealth creation and economic growth.

Obaseki’s devt architecture stimulates economic growth, boosts investor confidence – Aganbi

The Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Akogate Ventures, Mr. Felix Aganbi, has said Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki’s development architecture has continued to stimulate  economic growth and boost the confidence of local investors in the state.

Aganbi, who operates an integrated water factory in the state, disclosed this to journalists in Benin City, Edo State capital.

Aganbi said, “The governor, who came into power with much expectation from the people in relation to his background and experience in the private sector, has not failed in delivering on his mandate.

“He has remained professional in his engagements with the private sector. He has been able to prove that individuals from the private sector can come into governance and make a difference."

He commended the governor for bringing a new breath of life to governance, adding, "We have seen how he has brought professionalism into public administration. He has been able to show us that if we do the right thing, we will get the support of most people.

“Obaseki has shaped how government should bring great value to the people. I have great respect for the Governor for what he is doing and what he has achieved.”

Noting that infrastructural and industrial projects are becoming the hallmarks of the administration, he said, "We are seeing the roads that are being constructed, how new areas are springing up with the governor’s developmental strides. The effort on the Benin Industrial Park will, for instance, improve the human capital development indices in the state. All these have given the people a sense of belonging, and the conviction that power truly resides with the people.”

He added, “Those of us who have investment in the state are benefitting from developmental strides recorded in the state. As more investors locate  their businesses in the state, the market for our product also expands.”

*Agric, empowerment, private sector devt top Edo's collaboration with World Bank - Obaseki*

...as Edo govt targets accelerated growth

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the new development deal being pursued by his administration with the World Bank will accelerate the state's growth following the adoption of key socio-economic drivers.

Obaseki said after hours of strategy meetings with officials of the World Bank, during their visit to the state last week, "The World Bank has gained deeper understanding of the issues in the state from the insights provided by the Edo State government."

He explained that specific interventions were identified at the expert meeting while clear timelines were discussed.

"The meeting illuminated the subject matter and cleared grey areas. We also discussed some variables that are largely extraneous but could impact on our strategies.

"We had a lot of takeaways from the session and the World Bank experts are now going to link their interventions with existing World Bank support instruments.

"Over the next couple of weeks, the state government will work together with the World Bank to fine-tune intervention towards activating World Bank support along the three areas, which are: Job Creation through agriculture; Private Sector development; and curbing illegal migration through skills development," the governor disclosed.

He maintained that the state government team highlighted the creativity of Edo youths and their readiness to leverage on the empowerment initiatives of his administration, such as the technology hubs and agricultural programmes, amongst others.

"With our profile as an investment-friendly state, we are confident that more support growth instrument will be extended to us by the bank and other development partners," he added.

Obaseki noted that his administration is committed to reversing the trends fuelling illegal migration as it has claimed several lives of Edo youths in the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea.

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PHOTO CAPTION

IMG_001

R-L: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Rachid Benmessaoud; Country Manager, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Nigeria Office, Eme Essien, during a meeting between the governor and the World Bank team, at Government House in Benin City, on Thursday, May 24, 2018.

*Edo displaces 35 states on transparency, legislative engagement – EiE Research*

…leads in access to budget, user-friendly website

Reforms by Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, in opening up governance to public participation and access to state’s legislature’s activities have been applauded by independent researchers, who affirm that the state beat other 35 Nigerian states on different parameters for open governance.

In a statement on Thursday, in Benin City, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the accolades for transparency and accessibility show that Governor Obaseki’s collaboration with the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) on the deployment of Information and Communication Technology (ICTs) for open governance is yielding results.

The verdict was contained in a recent publication by Enough is Enough Nigeria titled Legislative Engagement: Why Are Our State Legislators Inaccessible? to identify states’ legislature with active website, members’ contact details online and budgets available online.

The non-governmental organisation (NGO) said, “The role of state legislators cannot be underestimated in national development. This makes it imperative for citizens to engage state lawmakers for optimal representation and maximum service delivery.”

From the published data, of Nigeria’s 36 states, only seven states have their annual budget published; four had members of their state assembly’s contact details online and five operated active websites. Edo ticked the three parameters that were measured.

Osagie said the state government’s commitment to e-governance would open the space for citizens to get involved in the governance process, noting that the improved rating for Edo state shows that the people are not only carried along by government but that the legislature allows for the input of their constituents in the legislative process, among others.

According to him, “Governor Obaseki will continued to maintain a healthy relationship with the legislators in the interest of the people to improve governance.

He added, “In February this year, the governor inspected the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities at the State Assembly complex, where he commended the foresight of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Kabiru Adjoto, in adopting technological solutions to improve legislative proceedings.

“As a government, we promise to continue to uphold these principles to give our people the opportunity to engage in the governance process. The governor will not relent in providing needed support to drive the adoption of improved communication technologies to enhance governance at all levels, including legislative proceedings at the State Assembly Complex,” Osagie added.


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PHOTO CAPTION

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State

*Obaseki rolls out investment windows for agribusiness investors in Edo*

…commits to infrastructure to fast-track bankable projects

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has unveiled windows for investment in the agricultural sector in the state, noting that a competent team has been set up to address investors’ queries and ensure a conducive environment for agribusiness.

Obaseki said the state will be focusing on investment in high value crops like oil palm, rubber, and cocoa; cassava, soybeans, fruits, and legumes.

The governor, who disclosed this in a chat with journalists, said that there are three teams in the state working to make investment in the agribusiness sector hassle-free.

Obaseki said the state has zeroed in on specific crops, where the state has comparative advantage, urging potential investors to request information on how their businesses can benefit from the master-plan being designed.

He explained that aside from going through the Special Adviser on Agriculture and the State Ministry of Agriculture, the state has set up a Private Partnership Office and a Business Bureau to attend to challenges confronting private investors as well as other agribusiness-related inquiries.

“In the area of agriculture, we have three teams working from different areas. First there is the special adviser on agriculture, Joe Okojie, who is a former commissioner for agriculture. Then there is the ministry of agriculture, with a commissioner and his team, and there is the Public Private Partnership office. We also have a business bureau so there are several points of entry where you can engage with us on the type of opportunities available,” he said.

He added that the state is “being mapped out to determine what commodities do well in Edo State. Fortunately, we have enough information and data, soil analysis, rainfall pattern, agronomic reports to help would-be investors have enough information to make enlightened decisions on what to do.”

Obaseki explained that the state is “currently finalising the master plan on agriculture with specific reference to oil palm. We have an institution from Indonesia that is working with us on this. Once it is completed, we would have identified the areas where we want to allocate land for oil palm. We would have finalised communication with the communities in those areas.

On the focus on high value crops, the governor said, "Edo pineapples are the sweetest in this country. If you haven’t tasted it yet, try Edo Rose Pineapple and you won’t eat any other.”



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Following the visit to Edo State of eleven World Bank Executive Directors to inspect major World Bank projects in the state, Country Director of the Bretton Woods institution, Rachid Benmassoud, will arrive the state on a 2-day follow-up visit, this week.

He will be accompanied by senior specialists in various sector areas, such as institutional reforms, public works, gender, agriculture, water and sanitation.

Benmassoud’s visit is predicated on Edo State government’s impressive deployment of funding, technical and other assistance of the World Bank, which was attested to, less than two weeks ago, by 10 Executive Directors of the World Bank, who were in the state for on-the-spot assessment of the bank-sponsored developmental projects in the state.

Specifically, the bank’s country director will meet with heads of ministries, departments and agencies of the Edo State government to clear the way and prepare the state for a Special Funding Window from the bank to Edo State.

According to the Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, “the visit of the World Bank Country Director, lends credence to our commitment to bringing development to our people in the state, with the support of our partners.”

He maintained that Edo State under his watch places high premium on the sanctity and the integrity of partnerships, contracts as well as an open and transparent process.

“Development partners like the World Bank, operate in an environment where stakeholders abide by rules governing the partnerships, and in which input, output and outcomes are measured from time to time. The World Bank will not take you seriously if all you do is to award ‘political contracts,’” he added.

The governor disclosed that during the World Bank Country Director’s visit, he would also tour the bank-sponsored projects such as erosion control projects under the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP), Edo State Employment and Expenditure for Result (SEEFOR), covering road projects; agriculture (FADAMMA); water, sanitation and review policy reforms in the civil service and other sectors.

The bank’s executive directors endorsed Edo State as a model for development financing at the sub-national level in developing countries recently, following the successes recorded in executing major infrastructure and social development projects in Edo State, especially the Edo-Azura Power Project.

Ms. Bongi Kunene, World Bank Executive Director, overseeing Angola, Nigeria and South Africa sub-group, gave the verdict in Benin City, and assured that the World Bank was willing to “partner with the state on future projects, as long as the projects are in line with the bank’s focus.”

Kunene described Azura Power project as “transformational,” adding that the project “gives us a scope of what we can do together. We are delighted to see solutions. We would want to commit ourselves to projects that make sense and are in line with our focus.”

She emphasised that more of such projects could be executed if governments were willing to cooperate with the bank in granting necessary approvals, allowing for thorough impact assessment and are open to multilateral financing arrangements.

Obaseki told his guests that with the 450MW Edo-Azura Power Project now on stream, “the state wants more investors for the Benin Industrial Park and technology innovation hubs.

According to him, the enabling environment to host diverse investors is now available, especially with the provision of power by companies like Edo-Azura Power.

“Power is the key to industrialisation and development. We need to extend the benefits of this investment. Now that we have power, what are we going to do with it? The next set of projects has to rely on this key infrastructure we have just created.

“So, we would be looking at the Benin Industrial Park, building infrastructure to encourage and support manufacturers to come in. We are looking at innovation hubs; we want to use the factor and advantage of 24/7 electricity to encourage technology groups and companies to be located in Edo State,” he said.

*Obaseki to sign human trafficking Bill into Law as donor conference holds in Abuja Wednesday*

Following the timely passage of the bill for the prohibition of trafficking in persons into law by the Edo State House of Assembly, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, is set to sign the document and set the stage for a legal onslaught on perpetrators of the illicit trade in the state.

The signing ceremony will take place in Abuja, Wednesday, on the sidelines of the international donor conference organised by Edo State Government in partnership with the United Nations and other international development partners.

The law, which is a product of series of consultations by the Obaseki administration, following observed gaps in the existing legal frameworks on human trafficking, also provides for the establishment of the Edo State Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons.

The document with federal government laws, adapted to deal with the state’s peculiar challenges, is made up of 80 sections. It will send offenders to a period of not less than five years imprisonment, amongst other provisions.

Explaining the sudden drop in the numbers of victims of human trafficking, Obaseki said: “We have been very honest about this fight from the onset. We admitted that we have a problem that is claiming a frightening proportion of our youth population and as responsible leaders and parents, we cannot fold our arms and watch it continue.”

He added: “Our engagements with the international community, the traditional institution, the clergy, parents and guardians, trade and professional groups and the law makers, are paying off.

According to the governor, Edo State has taken up the fight head on, with several of the state’s youth population lured into slavery in Libya, while thousands died either in the Sahara Desert or in the Mediterranean as they attempt to cross the sea to Europe.

“Less than six months of our honest and strategic engagement of critical stakeholders like the traditional institution, the clergy, market men and women, students and youth, the figures of victims of human trafficking have ebbed and the incidence is losing popularity daily.”

He further said that while the Task Force on Human Trafficking is combing the state for members of the ring perpetuating the illicit trade to arrest and prosecute them, the traditional institution headed by the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has since placed a weighty curse on anyone that engages in the inhuman activity.

According to the governor, the clergy community is leading the battle from the pulpit, sensitising members of their respective congregations about the dangers associated with human trafficking.

For the returnees from Libya and elsewhere, most of whom were evacuated by the federal government and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the European Union, the Edo State government has in place a rehabilitation programme that includes a monthly stipend of N20,000 for each returnee, an empowerment package that has a training component, after which they are given starter packs.


PHOTO CAPTION

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State

Pension arrears: Edo invites pensioners in batches 43, 44 for verification, payment

The Edo State Government has invited pensioners in batches 43 and 44 for physical and documentary verification in order to process payment of their pension arrears.

Recall that Governor Godwin Obaseki, in his Workers' Day address, approved the sum of N1.5billion from the Paris Fund refund to defray outstanding pension arrears, which accumulated for a period of 20 years.

In a statement, Permanent Secretary and Chairman, Pension Bureau, I.D. S. Juwobor, said that the exercise is in continuation of payment of pension arrears by the state government, as the affected pensioners will be paid their arrears after the exercise.

According to him, “In continuation of the on-going payment of pension arrears for State Government pensioners, all pensioners in batches 43 and 44 are hereby invited to present themselves for physical and documentary verification at the Imaguero Hall, Benin City, on Thursday, May 24th and Friday 25th May, 2018 at 9:00am each day.

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

He added, “In furtherance of this, affected pensioners are advised to: check the list of pensioners in the batches indicated above at the office of the Head of Service on Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd May, 2018. They are to come to the venue of the verification exercise with the following: pension authority, retirement letter, letter of first appointment, pension identity card, biometric slip and bank details including bank name and account number.

“Upon conclusion of the verification exercise, the outstanding pension arrears will be credited into the pension account of each pensioner after due documentation by relevant agencies involved in the payment process.”

*Int’l Museum Day: Edo determined to preserve cultural heritage with Royal Museum Project – Obaseki*

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the state government is implementing policies and building structures to help preserve the state’s cultural heritage and drive growth in the arts, culture and tourism sector.

Obaseki disclosed during a ceremony held to mark the International Day of Museum, at the National Museum in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Osaze Osemwegie-Ero, said the state government is exploring ways to preserve the state’s rich cultural heritage. He noted that distinguishing elements of the people’s culture will be passed down to the younger generations through extra-curricular activities in schools and on technology platforms.

According to him, "the state will leverage technology to attract more tourists to historic art and cultural sites across the state," adding that such an approach will create job opportunities for unemployed youths in the arts, culture and tourism sector.

Obaseki noted, “We have identified culture and tourism as a catalyst for economic growth and transformation. Museum is one of the several ways of boosting the growth of the tourism industry.”

He said the state government’s intention to partner with the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, in building a world class royal museum to hold stolen artefacts will lift the state’s arts and culture sector.

He said, “We believe that operating the museum will put an end to arguments by holders of these stolen assets, that we lack world class facilities for preserving our cultural heritage objects and ensure that future generations gain historical knowledge from the objects.”

Acting Director General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Emeka O. Onuegbu Esq., who was represented by the Curator of the National Museum, Benin City, Mr. Theophilus Umogbai said, “Museums are inherent part of the local communities, their cultural landscapes and environment. Using technology can make museums become accessible to more people across the globe."


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PHOTO CAPTION

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State

This is certainly a hopeless situation for the Edo state PDP.

*N700m election fund: Absence of Ize-Iyamu, Orbih stalls arraignment*

By Simon Ebegbulem

BENIN —THE absence of Edo State Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Dan Orbih and the candidate of the party in the 2016 governorship election in the state, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, stalled their arraignment before a Federal High Court sitting in Benin City by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged laundering of N700 million.

Others joined in the charge are former Edo State Deputy Governor, Mr Lucky Imasuen, a former member of the House of Representatives, Tony Azegbemi and Efe Anthony. Former Chairman, Board of Trustees of PDP, Chief Tony Anenih was listed in the charge but was said to be at large.

Counsel to EFCC, L.P Aso, yesterday, informed the court that all the defendants have filed application for bail and asked for an adjournment to enable the EFCC produce all the defendants in court.

However, counsel to Pastor Ize-Iyamu and Chief Orbih, Ikide Chiehelua and Chief Ferdinand Orbih, told the court that their clients travelled outside the country.

They promised that their clients were prepared to face trial and would be back by Tuesday next week.

Chief Orbih said, “I have his instruction that he will be back to answer to the charges. He is ready and willing to defend himself. His absence is not borne out of disrespect to the court.”

 
Source:

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/05/n700m-election-fund-absence-ize-iyamu-orbih-stalls-arraignment/

Other Sources:

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/05/17/187609/

https://independent.ng/alleged-n700m-fraud-absence-of-ize-iyamu-orbih-stalls-arraignment-by-efcc/

https://newtelegraphonline.com/2018/05/four-pdp-apc-chieftains-to-face-trial-over-n700m/

Image...

Entrepreneurship: Edo to train 200 youths on solar panel installation, photography, others

Edo State Government has concluded plans to partner with the After Graduate Development Centre to train 200 youths on solar panel installation, photography and cosmetology.

The training programme, conducted through Edojobs, is aimed at equipping the youths with in-demand vocational, business intelligence and financial literacy skills. Youths will also be mentored to apply for business funding during the programme.

The trainees are to be drawn from Edo North, South and Central senatorial districts of the state.

Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Edo State Governor on Skills Development and Head of EdoJobs, Ukinebo Dare, expressed her gratitude to the Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, for attracting the programme which is funded by ACT Foundation to the state. 

She said that the training will fast-track the realisation of the governor’s promise of creating a minimum of 200,000 jobs. She also noted that it will also equip the 200 participants with skills and resources to be self-reliant as trainees will be guided to access credit from the Bank of Industry (BoI).   

She also noted that the state's Ministry of Science and Technology is recruiting new hands for its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and encouraged job seekers to get details and apply on the EdoJobs Portal. 

According to her "application for the 200 slots on the training being run by EdoJobs in partnership with AGDC (After Graduate Development Centre) is ongoing and individuals desirous of becoming brand names in the different fields, should apply right away on edojobs.edostate.gov.ng"

The training programmes are on Solar Panel Installation and Maintenance, Photography as well as Makeup and Cosmetology.”

*World Bank visit: Obaseki anticipates more project funding partnerships to accelerate growth*

The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has said that with the success of the visit of 10 Executive Directors of the World Bank to the state, his administration anticipates stronger and extensive partnership with the bank on development funding to accelerate growth in the state.

Obaseki disclosed that, “the visit was a huge success. The World Bank Executive Directors saw the results of their partnership with Edo State across the broad spectrum of our partnership.

“They took their time to appraise what they met on ground and it is safe to say that our relationship, which is anchored on development, has been further strengthened and more support is on the way.”

The governor who hosted his guests to launch after a tour of the Edo-Azura 450 Power project, took the World Bank Executive Directors through the various social development and agricultural projects, including the Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP); Community and Social Development Programme (CSDP), FDAMA among others.

He noted that “Edo State’s commitment to best practice in projects that have rekindled economic growth, empowering youths and women; reforms in the public sector and massive investment in infrastructure have earned her a place of pride in the bank’s relationship with development partners.”

Obaseki said with the Edo-Azura power plant coming on stream, “we need to extend the benefits of this investment. Now that we have power, what are going to do with it. Power is the key to industrialisation and development. The next set of projects are those that have to rely on this key infrastructure we have created.”

He added that “we will be looking at the Benin Industrial Park, building infrastructure to encourage and support manufacturers to come in. We are looking at innovation hubs; we want to use the factor an advantage of the 24/7 electricity to encourage technology groups and companies to be located in Edo State.”

The Executive Director, Angola, Nigeria and South Africa sub-group, World Bank, Ms. Bongi Kunene, said that the institution was open to partnerships as long as they were in line with its focus.

She also described the Azura-Edo power plant as a transformational project, which had the capacity to provide solutions.

“The project is transformational. It gives us a scope of what we can do together. We are delighted to see solutions. We will want to commit ourselves to projects that make sense and are in line with our focus,” she said.

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*Photo Caption:*


IMG-001

L-R: Managing Director and Co-Founder, Azura Power Team, Mr. David Ladipo; World Bank Executive Director, African country sub-group, Mr. Seydou Bouda; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; andCommissioner for Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment, Hon. Emmanuel Usoh, during the inspection of the Edo-Azura Power project, by 10 World Bank Executive Directors in the state, recently.

Azura Power @AzuraPower
The "Wake & See" Governor, Godwin Obaseki, at the World Bank visit to the Azura-Edo IPP, flanked by Dr Aliyu Ahmed on his left. On his right, from the World Bank: Mrs E. Essien; Mrs H. Moustafa; Mr O. Seydi, & Mr S. Bouda. Every day, we "wake up & see" the progress of Edo State.

https://twitter.com/AzuraPower/status/996029041160474624

More pictures..

*Obaseki, Oshiomhole, Dalung, others race at Okpekpe, as event records unprecedented participation*

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said that the state government is keen on leveraging the Okpekpe Road Race to drive sports development and boost tourism.

The governor, who was among the VIP runners in Okpekpe, was joined by former Governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomole and Minister of Youths and Sports, Bar. Solomon Dalung.

Kenyan, Alex Kibet, won the 2018 edition of the race.