₦airaland Forum

Obaseki Approves New Board For Edo State Oil And Gas Producing Areas Development (EDSOGPADEC)

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has approved a new board for the state's Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC).

A statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Osarodion Ogie Esq. on Monday, August 27, 2018, said the appointments are in line with the provisions in Section 3 (1) of the Law Establishing Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission, 2007, and subject to confirmation by the Edo State House of Assembly.

The appointees are: Mr. Kennedy Osifo – Chairman; Mrs. Omosede Obamwonyi – Representing Ovia North-East; Mr Osamwonyi Atu – Representing Orhionmwon; and Mr. Williams Dudu – Representing Ikpoba Okha.

Others are Mr Rilwanu Oshiomhole – Representing Edo North; Princess (Mrs) Iku Ewuare Aimiuwu – Representing Edo South and Mr Emmanuel Odigie- Representing Edo Central.

Obaseki Abolishes Advance Payment Of 10% Administration Of Estate Fee With Executive Order

…fee now to be deducted at point of receiving benefits

Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has issued an Executive Order altering the provision of Order 53, Rule 11, Paragraph 21 of the Second Schedule of the Edo State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2012, that made it mandatory for persons applying for letters of Administration to pay 10 per cent of the total value of the property in advance, as a condition for the issuance of Letters of Administration.

Obaseki said the new Executive Order No: 1 of 2018, with August 1st commencement date, is a response to the plights of many beneficiaries and next-of-kin of deceased and retired government workers who cannot collect their entitlements due to their inability to pay in advance, the required 10 per cent of the value of their entitlements, as condition for the issuance of Letters of Administration.

The governor stated in the Executive Order: “Whereas, Order 53 Rule 11 and paragraph 21 of the Second Schedule of the Edo State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2012 made it mandatory for persons applying for Letters of Administration to pay 10 per cent of the total value of the Property as a condition for the issuance of Letters of Administration.

“Whereas my attention has been drawn to the plight of many applicants who as beneficiaries and or next-of-kin of deceased Government Workers/Pensioners are unable to process and obtain Letters of Administration to collect their entitlements.

“Now therefore, I Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, Governor of Edo State, in exercise of the authority vested by the Constitution and other laws enabling me in that behalf, do hereby order and direct as follows:

“Deduction of the 10 per cent Administration of Estate Fee at source and remittance of same to the Probate Registry by the relevant organ of Government is hereby approved to alleviate the suffering and stress encountered by beneficiaries and relatives of deceased Government workers/pensioners.

“This Order shall be enforced and complied with by all persons, Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Edo State concerned with or empowered to administer all matters relating to this order.

“This order is effective upon signature and shall remain in force, unless amended, modified, terminated or rescinded.”

With the new Executive Order 1 of 2018, next-of-kin and beneficiaries of deceased government workers/pensioners, now have unfettered access to their property as the mandatory Letter of Administration fee, being 10 percent of the total value of the property, will be deducted from the value of the property at point of receipt.

SOURCE: http://thebellng.com/obaseki-abolishes-advance-payment-of-10-administration-of-estate-fee/


PHOTO:
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State

Obaseki Accompanies Buhari On Investment Tour In China As Edo Govt Approves N700m For Take-Off Of Modular Refinery


…Chinese companies sign off on Benin River Port, industrial park, modular refinery


The Edo State Governor is scheduled to accompany President Muhammadu Buhari on an investment tour in China following the federal government’s listing of several Edo State government’s projects which are backed by Chinese investors, on its itinerary.

The Chinese investors-backed big ticked projects in Edo State include the Benin River Port in Gelegele, the Benin Industrial Park and a modular refinery in Benin City, for which the Edo State Executive Council has approved a N700 million, as initial investment.

Sources familiar with the progress of the Edo-China investment collaboration, said “all these projects which Chinese investors have committed to, will receive final nod during the visit of president Buhari.”

Governor Obaseki was at the Chinese Embassy during the week for more consultations with officials of the People's Republic of China, preparatory to the Buhari-led investment tour of the Asian country.

To further demonstrate the state government’s readiness to kick-start work on the modular refinery in Benin City, Obaseki on Friday at the weekly EXCO meeting, approved the release of N700 million as redeemable preference shares (investment) in the Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited.

According to Obaseki, "the company will be involved in the production of petroleum and petrochemical products and other related businesses.

“The venture will enhance the local refining capacity, thereby increasing the volume of nahtha, kerosene, diesel and residual fuel oil products available in Edo State.”

He added that the venture “will create legitimate employment opportunities thereby reducing poverty and providing job opportunities for teeming youth in the communities and facilitate the establishment of a fabrication yard as proposed by the promoters, thereby creating basis for expertise, professionalism and further training in oil and gas industry.”

The take-off of the Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company follows series of groundwork by the Obaseki administration that led to the setting up of Edo Investment Scheme Limited, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to hold N2 billion investment funds in which the Ministry of Finance Incorporation (MOFI) and the Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC) which are to hold shares of 20 per cent and 80 per cent respectively, would facilitate the state’s investment in various initiatives across the oil and gas services, petroleum exploration, drilling and filling station, sales and supply of gas, oil agro allied products, petroleum and petrochemical products and other related businesses.

In the transaction design, the investment funds will be repaid in three years after the execution of the projects, besides the interest that will accrue to the state within the interim. The project will, in essence fund itself.

PHOTO:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (2nd left); Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, Lin Songtian (2nd right), Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ICMG Securities Limited, Michael Osime (right); and Director General, Edo House, Abuja, Mr. Festus Osaigbovo, after a business meeting between the governor and the Chinese ambassador in Abuja.

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PHOTO 2:
R-L: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Edo South Senatorial Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Gentleman Amegor; and his son, Rock Amegor, during the governor’s condolence visit to the Amegor family over the death of Hon. Uyi Amegor, in Benin City, Edo State.

The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has paid a condolence visit to the Edo South Senatorial leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Gentleman Amegor, over the death of his son, Uyi Amegor.

The late Uyi Amegor, was the Vice Chairman of Egor Local Government Area, until his death.

Obaseki was accompanied on the visit by his Chief of Staff, Chief Taiwo Akerele, and the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon. Paul Ohonbamu.

The visibly shaken governor, who could not speak to journalists, spent some time condoling with the Amegor family at their Siluko Road residence, in Benin City, the state capital.

Recall that when news of Uyi Amegor’s death broke earlier in the week, the governor expressed rude shock at the news and said he was taken aback by the passing of Hon. Uyi Amegor.

“I commiserate with his family, Edo South Leader of our party, Gentleman Amegor and the people of Egor local council. We lost Mr. Uyi Amegor at a critical moment of our development as a state, when he was working with the team at the local government to reposition local government administration. It is indeed a great loss to the people of Egor local council and the entire state,” Obaseki said.

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

PHOTO 1:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (middle); Edo South Senatorial Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Gentleman Amegor (left); and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Taiwo Akerele, during the governor’s condolence visit to the Amegor family over the death of Hon. Uyi Amegor, in Benin City, Edo State.

PHOTO 4:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (3rd right); Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Johnson Kokumo (3rd left), with families of police officers killed during last year’s kidnap of Mr Andy Ehanire, Manager of Edo Zoological Garden, at Government House, in Benin City, on Friday, August 24, 2018.

PHOTO 3:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (right), presenting a N2 million cheque to Mrs. Henry Eguoba, wife of one of the police officers killed during last year’s kidnap of Mr Andy Ehanire, Manager of Edo Zoological Garden, at Government House, in Benin City, on Friday, August 24, 2018.

PHOTO 2:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (right), presenting a N2 million cheque to Mrs. Christopher Omoregie, wife of one of the police officers killed during last year’s kidnap of Mr Andy Ehanire, Manager of Edo Zoological Garden, at Government House, in Benin City, on Friday, August 24, 2018.

Kidnap of Health Minister’s Brother: Obaseki Presents N6m Cheques To Families Of Slain Police Officers


…awards scholarship to children


Edo State Governor Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Friday presented N6 million cheques, to families of the three slain police officers during the kidnap incident at the Ogba Zoological Garden on September 21, 2017 in Benin City, in which Mr Andy Ehanire, brother to the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, was kidnapped.

Receiving the families of the slain officers in Government House on Friday, Obaseki praised the gallantry of the slain police officers, noting that they died in active service, protecting the state and would not be forgotten.


"We are not here today to celebrate but remember our fallen heroes, specifically Inspector Henry Eguoba, Sergeant Christopher Omoregie and sergeant Stephen Igbinoba of the Nigeria Police Force Who lost their lives in a very sad incident involving the kidnap of the manager of Ogba Zoological Garden and Natures Park," he said.

Presenting cheques of N2million to each of the families of the slain police officers, the governor said "This is a token to convey our appreciation and gratitude in consideration of what they did for us. Their memories will live on in our hearts."

He added that the money is a symbol of appreciation as no amount of money can replace their lives.

"We will provide scholarship for the children of the slain police officers to enable them complete their educational pursuit and support other members of the family,” he added.

Edo State Police Commissioner, Babatunde Johnson Kokumo, expressed his appreciation to the governor for his kind gesture, which he described as rare, and noted that the financial support will help the family in solving some of their problems.

"About two dependents of the slain Police officers who do not live in the barracks have been thrown out but your timely intervention will go a long way to assist them live a better life,” Kokumo said.

Speaking on behalf of the families, Mrs. Henry Eguoba, whose husband was an inspector in the police force, expressed their gratitude to the governor for the support.

PHOTO 1:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (right), presenting a N2 million cheque to Mrs. Stephen Igbinoba, wife of one of the police officers killed during last year’s kidnap of Mr Andy Ehanire, Manager of Edo Zoological Garden, at Government House, in Benin City, on Friday, August 24, 2018.

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PHOTO 2:
A cross-section of beneficiaries of a one-year training for Edo youths on the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), during workshop organised by EdoJobs, in partnership with WeAreBits, at the Edo Innovation Hub in Benin City.

Obaseki’s Tech Revolution: EdoJobs, WeAreBits To Commence 1-Year Training For Edo Youths

As part of efforts to develop indigenous solutions to society’s problems, EdoJobs, in partnership with WeAreBits, a global Information Technology (IT) company, have completed a two-day co-creation workshop to map out the peculiar needs that will influence a one-year training for Edo youths on the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Speaking at the end of the 2-day co-creation workshop organised at the Edo Innovation Hub in Benin City, Head of EdoJobs, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, said the programme will afford the youths the opportunity to acquire practical skills in the use of ICT to improve their employability within and outside the country.

Dare, who is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Skills Development and Job Creation, noted, “the programme was designed by EdoJobs and WeAreBits for the training of youths who don’t have access to computer education. The beneficiaries fall within the age range of 15 to 35, who had little or no knowledge in using computers before now.

She said the co-creation workshop is to create a sense of ownership among stakeholders including the community youths, civil society organisations, and the state government.

Ukinebo said EdoBits was set up to benefit from the initiative of the We Are Bits, a global organisation with programmes across African countries, aimed at availing the youths the opportunity to be part of the global tech movement.

She noted that co-creating with stakeholders in the education sector is to target people from different backgrounds and ensure that within the space of one year, different communities within the 18 local government areas in Edo State would have benefited.

Director, We Are Bits, lsmail Eltabrook, said the idea behind the initiative is to create an avenue for youths in Edo State to acquire training in the use of computer and assist the state reduce unemployment among youth.

He added: “After a very successful programme in some African countries, we have achieved high employment rate with this programme. Youths in Africa need to be computer compliant, to be able to develop tech-driven solutions to society’s problems.”

A community leader from lkpoba Okha, Mr. Irabor Osazee, lauded the effort of the state government to provide opportunity for youths to acquire free computer training.



PHOTO 1:
L-R: EkoBits Manager, Innih Ikhide; Education Designer, Butterfly Works Thais Martins Costa; Director, ‘WeAreBits’, Ismail El Habrouk; and Head, EdoJobs, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare,with beneficiaries of a one-year training for Edo youths on the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), during a workshop organised by EdoJobs, in partnership with WeAreBits, at the Edo Innovation Hub in Benin City.

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PHOTO 3:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki addressing a cross-section of traditional rulers at a town hall meeting in Ehor, the administrative headquarters of Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Edo State.

PHOTO 2:
R-L: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (standing), Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Chief Osaro Idah; and Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic Education and Chairman-Designate, Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), at a town hall meeting in Ehor, the administrative headquarters of Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Edo State.

Ward Devt. Committee: Obaseki Okays Road, Electrification, Empowerment Projects For Uhunmwode LGA

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that execution of projects such as roads, potable water supply and electricity projects identified by the Ward Development Committee in Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Edo State, will soon commence.

The Ward Development Committee is an initiative of Governor Obaseki to spread social and economic development to wards across the state, with a pilot phase in Uhunmwode and two other local councils.

At a town hall meeting in Ehor, the administrative headquarters of Uhunmwode local council, Obaseki said the projects to be executed will include roads, provision of potable water, rural electrification, agricultural and educational projects as well as the provision of skills acquisition centres, healthcare centres, among others.

He said the construction of roads to link communities and the resuscitation of five boreholes will commence in September, urging the people to set up monitoring teams to ensure proper execution of the water projects.

On rural electrification, the governor said his administration is working with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to provide solar-powered electricity to homes, as his administration has lost confidence in the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

“We will also focus on primary healthcare to bring succour to the people. We have started with 20 primary health care centers as pilot programme with two health centres in Uhunmwode local council,” he added.

He declared that the local government system has failed in bringing governance closer to the people, adding “The local government as a tier of government has failed. The state government will support the councils in discharging their responsibilities. I will set up a governor's advisory committee with one person representing each ward to checkmate the activities of local government leaders.

“The committee will meet monthly to review the activities of the local government leaders to hold them accountable.”

He added that his next visit to the council will be to evaluate work done as well as the projects executed.

Mrs. Felicia Iyore Onibone, said members of the Ward Development Committee toured communities in the council to identify priority projects that will benefit the people.

According to her, “there will be training for members of the Committee to assist them carry out their roles effectively in ensuring the spread of development in the area.”

Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic Education and Chairman-Designate, Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Joan Osa-Oviawe, said caterers for the school feeding programme are being selected in preparation for its commencement.

She said about nine schools in Uhunmwode are benefitting from the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) programme, noting that all the 86 schools in the area will be captured soon.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. David Osifo, said two primary health care centers in the local government areas are part of the 20 primary healthcare centres captured in the pilot phase.

The Enogie of Ehor, His Royal Highness David Igiehon expressed appreciation to the governor for his interest in spreading development in the area.

He said members of the community will remain loyal, committed and support the vision of the governor for the area.

PHOTO 1:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (right), exchanging pleasantries with traditional rulers at a town hall meeting in Ehor, the administrative headquarters of Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Edo State.

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Four Primary School Teachers Clinch All-Expense Paid Trip To Showcase Obaseki’s Education Reforms In Canada

Four outstanding teachers championing the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) Programme in schools across Edo State have clinched an all-expense paid trip to Canada to attend and showcase public education reforms by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration at the 27th edition of the Edo National Association Worldwide (ENAW) convention.

The teachers are Idehen Ejiye Isaiah of Eguare Primary School, Ujiogba, in Esan West Local Government Area (LGA); Erhabor Osasumwen Priscillia of Aisologun-Akenzua Primary School, in Ikpoba-Okha LGA; Ogboko Edoghogho Yvonne of Okogbo Primary School, Okogbo, in Orhionmwon LGA and Noragbon Enogie Osaru, Head Teacher, Emotan Primary School, Oredo LGA.

The trip, according to the Special Adviser to the governor on Basic Education and Chairman-designate, Edo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, is a form of motivation for the selected teachers, who will showcase in practical terms the reform by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration to Edo people in the Diaspora.

"SUBEB created an online portal two weeks ago, asking teachers in Edo State to apply or nominate someone for the all-expense paid trip to Toronto, Canada.

“The criteria included that they should tell us about themselves and why they think they are the best for the trip. At the end, we got 89 entries. After screening we came up with the semi-final list. Those picked were made to face a panel. One Head Mistress, Noragbon and three teachers finally got the slot to represent Edo State in Canada after the final selection. Their passports were processed on Wednesday," Dr. Osa Oviawe said.

In a message to the selected teachers, the SUBEB boss explained that the trip would be a mixture of educational and sightseeing experiences, as the teachers will meet with Edo people in diaspora, visit schools in Canada and also key government functionaries.

According to her, “You are going to Toronto on the Governor's entourage to attend the annual convention of Edo people in diaspora. By God's grace, we will aim to leave by August 29th. So, prepare yourself. After the convention, you will stay behind and will visit schools in Toronto and surrounding areas. If there is time, we will visit Ottawa, which is the Canadian capital.

“We will do a tour of the Canadian Parliament and visit the residence of the Governor General of the country. The Governor General is the symbolic head of state of Canada, representing the Queen of England. If there is time, we may also visit Montreal, the French speaking part of Canada. Part of the school visit will be to observe their open day amongst other events.”

She said the teachers will be expected to talk about Edo-BEST to the Edo Diaspora at the annual convention and urged them to be honest about their experiences in the programme.

Governor Godwin Obaseki will be leading the Edo State Government’s delegation to the convention in Toronto, Canada, and will be showcasing a bouquet of programmes, projects and policy reforms to the Edo Diaspora, which includes the 1800-unit Emotan Gardens, Edo-BEST, the state’s new security architecture, and the outcomes of the aggressive industrialisation drive in the state.


SOURCE: http://thebellng.com/4-edo-primary-school-teachers-clinch-obasekis-all-expense-paid-trip-to-canada/


PHOTO 1:
Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., (3rd right); Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic Education and Chairman-designate, Edo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe (right), with outstanding teachers in Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) Programme: Mr. Idehen Ejiye Isaiah (2nd right); Ms. Erhabor Osasumwen Priscillia (left); Mrs. Ogboko Edoghogho Yvonne (2nd left); and Mrs. Noragbon Enogie Osaru, at Government House, Benin City.

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured prospective owners of housing units in the Emotan Gardens, the state government-backed 1800-unit housing project, of adequate security and ease in acquiring titles.

The Emotan Gardens is an affordable 1800-unit housing project being developed by the Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA), through a joint venture partnership with real estate firm, MIXTA Africa.

Obaseki said, “The project is going to be a 71-hectare piece of property which is quite extensive and large. Fortunately, the title is very clean and owned by the government.

“The agency of government that is partnering with MIXTA Africa, EDPA has experience in building estates and processing very clean titles promptly. So, you are almost assured that immediately you sign up for purchase, your title documents, your Certificate-of-Occupancy (C-of-O) are guaranteed.”

“I have already signed a master C-of-O for the project. All they need do is sub-divide them for owners who are going to buy,” he added.

Explaining why the state government partnered with MIXTA Africa, Obaseki said, “The reason why we partnered with MIXTA Africa is because the company has demonstrable track record in housing construction and development across the continent.

“If you visit the firm’s website, you would see the quality and the kind of development they have undertaken and pioneered in some markets and we felt that if we wanted to invest in real estate of world-class standard, we should go with a partner which has done work of such standard.”

On the choice of the project name, Emotan Gardens, he said, “the project is named after one of the most celebrated women of virtue in Benin Kingdom. For us, the name symbolises beauty, calmness, equanimity. So, we designed and named the Estate to reflect peace, beauty, harmony; those are what Emotan represent in Edo mythology and history.”

SOURCE: http://thebellng.com/emotan-gardens-obaseki-assures-prospective-owners-of-ease-in-acquiring-titles/

The Edo State Government has conducted aptitude test for applicants seeking to join the ranks of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA), which is being expanded to strengthen its operations.

The test was organised by EDSTMA for applicants polled from the Edojobs portal, the state’s skills development and job creation platform, at the Imaguero College Hall, in Benin City on Saturday.

The state government had advertised 250 job openings in the agency to boost efforts at traffic management and restore sanity to roads in Benin metropolis and its environs.

The Managing Director of EDSTMA, Oloriegbe Dennis Ade, said that the aptitude test was for prospective traffic officers and was organised in line with universal standard for recruiting para-military personnel.

According to him, “We modelled it after the New Jersey recruitment for traffic police officers. The test is for all persons who applied for the job to test for mental ability, as traffic management is cumbersome and very technical. There is need for high Intelligent Quotient (IQ) to manage traffic and personal safety.

Noting that the process was transparent, he said, “If we have more people who made it more than the number we want, we will make recommendation to the governor. But the mandate we were given is 250 people, which we are going for. It was open to everybody. Persons from all the 18 local government areas in the state participated in the test.

On the next stage of the recruitment exercise, he said, “When the result is out, there will be physical screening to assess physical fitness, health analysis, which will be used as criteria for the final selection of persons to be employed and trained.”

One of the applicants, Marvis Okosun, said that the test was easy but tricky, confirming that it had to do more with testing one’s IQ.

Another applicant, Frank Eigbedion, from Esan West Local Government Area, described the aptitude test as hitch-free, adding that the organisers were fair in the assessment.

PHOTOS
Cross-section of applicants taking the aptitude test organised by the Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA) for the 250 job openings in the traffic agency, on Saturday, August 18, 2018, at the Imaguero Hall, in Benin City. The applicants were polled from the EdoJobs portal.

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