₦airaland Forum

PHOTO 2:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (right); with Chinese officials, at the Forum on the Belt and Road Initiative and Production Capacity Cooperation between China and Nigeria, held in Lagos, to mark the Chinese New Year, on Sunday, January 20, 2019.

Obaseki’s Industrialisation Drive Receives Fresh Impetus From China’s Belt, Road Initiative

…Benin Industrial Park, Benin River Port, others top China's list of projects


Efforts by the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to turn the state into a hub of industrial activities have received further assurance of the Chinese government, with the roll out of the implementation of the Chinese Government’s Belt and Road Initiative in Nigeria.

This hint was given by Chinese officials at the Forum on the Belt and Road Initiative and Production Capacity Cooperation between China and Nigeria, held in Lagos on Sunday, to mark the Chinese New Year.

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, was a Special Guest at the Chinese Consulate in Nigeria to mark the celebration and also streamline plans in the realisation of the Asian country’s Belt and Road Initiative in Nigeria.

The event was attended by top members of the Chinese Government’s delegation to Nigeria as well as top functionaries from the Edo State Government, among others.

Governor Obaseki has had a robust partnership with the Chinese Government, which crystallised in the attraction of big-ticket projects from China to Edo State as well as the handling of these projects by reputable Chinese companies.

The projects include the Benin Industrial Park and Free Trade Zone as well as the construction of the Benin River Port, which is to be handled by China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC).

The 1000bpd Benin Modular Refinery is also to be built by a Chinese consortium, which includes Peiyang Chemical Company Limited (PCC), SINOPEC and others.

According to the governor, the Edo State Government is deeply connected with the Belt and Road Initiative and is happy that the initiative will be implemented from 2019.

He said the state government is excited about the prospects and has made initial commitment for some of the projects she is developing in partnership with Chinese partners to ensure their quick realisation.

A consulate official commended the governor and the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Zhou Pingjian, for gracing the event, noting that the initiative is being implemented after President Muhammadu Buhari met with Chinese President, Xi Jinping in Beijing, to agree on stronger ties between both countries.

According to him, “2019 is the first year of the implementation of the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. The Summit, according to the official, “launches eight major initiatives including industrial promotion, infrastructure connectivity, trade facilitation, green development, capacity building, healthcare, people-to-people exchange and peace and security.”


PHOTO 1:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (left); with the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Zhou Pingjian, at the Forum on the Belt and Road Initiative and Production Capacity Cooperation between China and Nigeria, held in Lagos, to mark the Chinese New Year, on Sunday, January 20, 2019.

....

...

..

.

PHOTO 4:
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (right) being received by Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (2nd right); his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu (3rd left) and Secretary to the State Government (left) at the Benin Airport on Saturday, January 19, 2019

PHOTO 3:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (4th left) receiving the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo at the Benin Airport on Saturday, January 19, 2019. The governor is flanked by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu (3rd left); Secretary to State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq. (left) and other members of the State Executive Council

PHOTO 2:
R-L: Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, acknowledging cheers from traders, during the launch of TraderMoni, in Ekiosa Market, Benin City, on Saturday, January 19, 2019

VP Osinbajo Launches TraderMoni In Edo As Obaseki Assures More Incentives For MSMEs

Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has launched TraderMoni, a component of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), in Benin City, the Edo State capital, promising the Federal Government’s unwavering support for micro businesses across the country.

The Vice President, accompanied by Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and members of the state Executive Council at the launch, assured market women in Oba Market and Ekiosa, Benin City, that traders would receive the sum of N10,000 as a start-up capital, which is an initiative of the Federal Government through the Bank of Industry (BOI) and Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme (GEEP) to fund micro businesses in the country.

Osinbajo, who was received by the jubilant crowd in both markets; Oba Market and Ekiosa, populated by traders who gathered from across the state, said the initiative is part of the Federal Government’s Social Investment Programme to boost the funding of micro and small-scale businesses and commercial activities.

He said the sum of N10,000 which is to be repaid in six months is targeted at small-scale business enterprises, market women and artisans.

According to him, the beneficiaries are expected to meet up repayment deadline to enable them qualify for the next tranche ranging from N15,000 to N20,000.

Assuring beneficiaries of more incentives for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Governor Obaseki said his administration would continue to work closely with the Federal Government on the several empowerment initiatives designed to enhance the welfare of Nigerians.

The governor urged market men and women to take advantage of the funding window to scale their businesses and improve their welfare, noting that the scheme has come to stay in Edo State.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Amina Ojo, expressed confidence in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that the initiative, which was a rare privilege to petty traders, would go a long way to ameliorate the suffering of the downtrodden.

She urged the Federal Government to sustain the scheme when President is voted into office come next election.

Earlier, Governor Obaseki and his deputy, Rt. Hon. Shaibu and members of the state Executive Council received the Vice President at the Benin Airport.

Prof. Osinbajo, who is on a one-day working visit to the state, also held a closed-door meeting with Christian leaders in Benin City, at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Center.

The Edo State Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Oyonnude Kure, led other Christian leaders including the representative of the President of Catholic Bishops Conference, and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).

Other Christian leaders present at the meeting were the presiding Bishop, Church of God Mission International, Arch. Bishop Margaret Idahosa, and overseer of Family Intercessory Ministries, Margaret Agbonifo.


PHOTO 1:
R-L: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo in the midst of jubilant market women during the launch of TraderMoni in Ekiosa Market, Benin City, the Edo State capital, on Saturday, January 19, 2019

....

...

..

.

PHOTO 2:
L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode; Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu; wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; and wife of Deputy Governor, Mrs. Maryann Shaibu, during the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign in Benin City, Edo State, on Thursday, January 17, 2019.

…as Oba Ewuare II supports Obaseki’s plans for alternative power source

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured electricity consumers in Edo State that he would look into calls for the withdrawal of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC)’s operational licence over the company's inefficiency.

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, revealed the President’s stance during the All Progressives Congress (APC)'s Presidential campaign rally in Benin City, Edo State.

Meanwhile, His Royal Majesty, Omo N' Oba N' Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, has urged President Buhari not to renew the licence of BEDC for what he described as the inability of the firm to provide electricity.

At the rally, Obaseki said the president will ensure Edo people get electricity if he is re-elected, noting, “If we want light, if we want to progress, if we want industrialisation, if you want me to conclude everything I have started, we need to vote for President Buhari.”

He explained: “We generate more than 700 megawatts of electricity in this city alone, but unfortunately, we do not have electricity and the reason is not President Buhari. The reason is that those people who were there before sold our DISCO to their friends. President Buhari told me even at the Oba’s Palace that we will do everything to make sure that Edo people get electricity.”

Oba Ewuare II, at his palace, appealed to President Buhari to support Governor Obaseki’s quest to find an alternative source of electricity supply, noting, “Mr. President, I will not fail to mention the challenge of electricity supply in Edo State. Electricity supply is no doubt key to the development of any society. Unfortunately, over the years, the people of Edo State have experienced inadequate electricity supply by BEDC.

“In fact, during one of the meetings of the Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, we issued a communiqué condemning the inefficiency of BEDC, including its estimated billing system."

“We also called for the withdrawal of the operational licence of BEDC. In this palace, traditional rulers appealed to the Federal Government to encourage and support the efforts of Edo State Government in seeking alternative source of electricity to meet the demands of the people,” Oba Ewuare II added.



PHOTO 1:
L-R: Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II; President Muhammadu Buhari; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; and National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, during President’s visit to the Oba’s Palace, in Benin City on Thursday, January 17, 2019.

Obaseki Set To Receive President Buhari, As Next Level Campaign Train Berths In Benin City

… hip-hop star, Flavour headlines rally at Garrick Memorial School

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki will today, Thursday, receive President Muhammadu Buhari, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the Presidential elections scheduled for February 16.

The President’s campaign train will berth at Garrick Memorial School in Benin City, as the APC intensifies its campaign for the general elections.

In a statement, the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said all is set to receive the President, who has supported the state immensely, ensuring that the governor’s initiatives scaled through with ease at the federal level.

According to him, “We are prepared to receive the President who will be in the state on Thursday for the state’s leg of the presidential campaign tagged ‘Next Level’. The governor, as chairman of the campaign council, will receive the president at Garrick Memorial School, in Ekehuan Road, Benin City.

“Popular hip-hop musician, Flavour, will be on ground to thrill the audience and provide ample entertainment for the crowd, which is expected at the expansive grounds of Garrick Memorial School. As a youth-centric government, we want Edo youths to grace the event. Other indigenous musicians will also perform at the event.

“We have commenced grassroots campaign with the inauguration of the presidential campaign council in the state. This will ensure that all nook and cranny of the state are well-covered, and the people mobilized to vote for the president and all APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections. We assure that we will return the president in Edo State.”

The governor's aide noted that one of the major thrusts of the campaign for the president in the state is the fact that the president has shown tremendous interest in and support for the development of the state, throwing his weight behind a number of the projects being implemented by Governor Obaseki.

According to him, “The president was instrumental in helping to secure investment from China for the development of the Benin River Port. He also influenced the location of the Marine Police post at the site of the port. The Benin Industrial Park and Free Trade Zone is a part of the Chinese Belt and Road initiative, thanks to the input of the President. These are in addition to the release of the Paris Fund, which was used to clear workers’ salary and pensioners’ arrears.”

Osagie called on Edo people to come out en-masse to welcome the president and avail themselves of the opportunity to learn how President Buhari intends to take them to the next level and consolidate on the gains being made across several sectors of the nation's economy.

--

-

....

...

..

.

PHOTO 3:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (2nd right); his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu (right); Commander, 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Greg Omorogbe (middle); Commander, 107 Air Maritime Group, of the Nigerian Air Force, Wing Commander, Fatai Ganiyu, (2nd left) and Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Olusegun Odumosun (left); during the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration, in Benin City, on Tuesday, January 15, 2019

PHOTO 2:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki inspecting the guard of honour, during the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Benin City, Edo State, on Tuesday, January 15, 2019.

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has urged Nigerians not to take for granted the price fallen heroes paid to ensure the country’s indivisibility.

The governor said this while participating in the 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day held at Oba Ovonramwen Square in Benin City on Tuesday.

He said, "It is a solemn event to remember those who fought to keep the country together. It is because of the sacrifice they made that we still have this country today, so we should not take it for granted. We should not forget everyday of our lives either as politicians, public servants and citizens that a price was paid for our unity.”

Speaking on support for families of fallen heroes, the governor said institutional arrangements were on ground to support their welfare as well as that of Legionnaires.

"As a routine, I provide financial succour for their welfare," the governor said.

He, however, said that the Nigerian government could do more to ensure serving military men and officers were well-catered for, noting “The Nigerian government can do more within the limits of available resources. There is room for improvement.”

During the event, there was symbolic release of white Pigeons, laying of wreaths, hoisting of flag and 21 gunshots salute in honour of the fallen heroes.



PHOTO 1:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki laying the wreath in commemoration of Nigerian fallen heroes, during the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Benin City, Edo State, on Tuesday, January 15, 2019.

..

.