₦airaland Forum

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The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured of his administration's commitment to deliver on his promises to revamp the primary health care sector in the state.

Obaseki gave the assurance at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Edo State chapter.

He noted that his focus on primary health care is to ensure that health care is affordable and accessible to more people in the state, noting that once such basic level of health care is provided, people wouldn't spend much on tertiary health care need.


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…as company lauds growing investor confidence in Edo

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that his administration is committed to a comprehensive reforestation programme through collaboration with PRESCO Nig. Plc. and similar companies in the state.

According to the governor, the reforestation programme was conceived to correct the degradation and depletion of trees in forest reserves across the state.

Obaseki who disclosed this at the Pre-Annual General Meeting Cocktail Dinner organised by PRESCO Plc. at Obaretin Estate, in the state, explained that the reforestation programme has become necessary as an audit of forest reserves in the state showed that the reserves have been depleted.

He noted that his administration’s strategy will ensure that the depleted parts of the forest reserves are put to profitable use through partnership with companies that are ready to work with the state to cultivate oil palm and other economic trees.

“In our private conversation with the chairman of PRESCO Plc. I have received his assurance and we will be working with them on a reforestation programme in the state,” Obaseki said.

He explained that 50 years ago, Nigeria was the number one oil palm producing country in the world, noting that the state and nation want to restore that lost glory.

The Chairman of Presco Plc., Mr Pierre Vandebeeck commended the governor and his team for finding time to attend the company’s Pre-AGM Cocktail Dinner and lauded the growing investor confidence in the state resulting from the ease of doing business in all parts of the state.

“We enjoy working in your state because you have created the enabling environment for us to do business here. We are proud of you and pledge to continue to support your administration to enable you succeed in transforming the state.”

PHOTO 1:
L-R: Chairman, PRESCO Nig. Plc., Mr. Pierre Vandebeeck; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Managing Director, PRESCO Plc., Felix Nwabuko; and the Non-Executive Director, PRESCO Nig. Plc., Dr. Bassey Edem, during the company’s Pre-Annual General Meeting Cocktail Dinner, at the Dura Club, Obaretin Estate, Benin City, Edo State.

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Cross-section of youth at the maiden Edo Central Senatorial Youths General Assembly held in Igueben Local Government Area secretariat, at the weekend.

Youth in Edo Central Senatorial Zone have called on the Esan people to support the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration in the drive to spread development across the state and create wealth for Edo people.

The youth made the call during the maiden Edo Central Senatorial Youths General Assembly themed: Esan Awake, which held in Igueben Local Government Area secretariat.

In a communique, the Edo Central Senatorial Zone Youth leader, Amahdin Amos Cole said, “We thank Governor Godwin Obaseki for the equitable distribution of projects across the state. We are confident that the contractors handling projects across Esanland will deliver quality projects. We are also ready to work with the Commissioner for Infrastructure to monitor and evaluate ongoing projects across Esanland.”

Amahdin said, “Come 2019, we are ready to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Senatorial District, for the national and state houses of Assembly seats across Esan land.

Explaining the rationale for the General Assembly, Amahdin said, “This gathering was solely organised to awaken us as a people to canvas, mobilise and support the APC in our units, wards and local government areas especially as elections scheduled for 2019 and 2020, draw closer.”

He said, youth from Esan West, Esan-South East, Esan Central, Esan North-East and Igueben Local Government areas, through their delegates have unanimously pledged allegiance to the ruling APC in the state and will mobile support for the party in Esan land.

The Vice Chairman of the State Chapter of the APC and Senatorial Leader, Col. David Imuse (Retd.) urged the youth to do more in drumming support for the good of their kinsmen, adding that the contributions of the Esan people to the development of Edo State and country are evident to all.

According to Imuse, “I want to call on Esan youths to emulate the life of late Pa Anthony Enahoro who at the age of 24 moved a motion in 1954 for Nigeria's independence. We have been relevant and active until recently when we lost focus and lost our position. It is time for us to retrace our steps, support the APC in our areas to make us relevant again in Edo politics.”

Imuse said Governor Godwin Obaseki has rolled out plans to empower the youth as well as siting projects in every ward across the state in the next two months, noting, “In every local government, ward and unit, across the state, the governor will empower youth, as every ward is going to have a project. The governor is concerned about the wellbeing Esan people.”

The Chairman of Igueben Local Government Council, Mr. Ogedegbe Odia, commended youth leaders in the senatorial district for organising the event, noting that the turnout was impressive, which shows that Esan youth are now ready to ensure the victory of the APC in future elections in the area.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Legislative Matters, Hon. Frank Okiye, said that with the General Assembly recording high turnout, Esan people are ready to change the narrative and ensure that APC continues to win elections in Edo Central Senatorial District.

PHOTO 1:
L-R: Vice Chairman, Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Col. David Imuse (Retd.); Special Adviser to Edo State Governor on Legislative Matters; Hon. Frank Okiye; Edo Central Youth leader, Amahdin Amos Cole; and Chairman, Igueben Local Government Council, Hon. Odia Ogedegbe, at the maiden Edo Central Senatorial Youths General Assembly held in Igueben Local Government Area Secretariat.

Secretary to the Edo State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie Esq., has reaffirmed the commitment of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration to drive development that will deliver more value to Edo people by strengthening the institutions and structures in the state.

Ogie disclosed this when a delegation of the Edo State Chapter of the Bible Society of Nigeria, paid a courtesy visit to the Government House in Benin City, the state capital.

He said that Edo people are already counting the gains of a peaceful and enabling environment, as a result of the ongoing institutional reforms and policies being implemented by the present administration, adding that the administration will not rest on its oars.

Ogie said Governor Obaseki acknowledges the role of the clergy and religious bodies in praying for the state and proffering solutions to development challenges.

He praised the Bible Society of Nigeria for the role it has played over the years, noting that for bringing God’s word to the people, the Bible Society of Nigeria deserves to be encouraged.

Leader of the Edo State Chapter of the Bible Society of Nigeria, Reverend Olu Aderibigbe, commended the Obaseki led-administration for the developmental strides recorded in the state.

Aderibigbe urged the state government not to be distracted in its resolve to drive development, adding that, with the abolition of Community Development Associations (CDAs) and other illegal activities, law and order have been restored, which are indispensable for sustainable development.

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…urges community leaders to embrace peace

Following an earlier meeting between the governments of Edo and her sister state, Delta, Chairman of the Edo State Boundary Committee and Deputy Governor of the state, Rt. Hon Philip Shaibu, has held a meeting with representatives of some Edo communities to resolve the lingering disputes over boundaries.

According to Shaibu, the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration is committed to resolving all disputes in Edo communities to ensure peaceful coexistence and pave way for investments.

In his welcome address at the intra-state boundary meeting with leaders of the communities with boundary disputes in Government House, Benin City, the Deputy Governor explained that the state government has done a lot in enthroning and maintaining law and order across the state, and urged the various community representatives to give peace a chance in their respective communities.

He assured that the Obaseki administration has the willpower to resolve all boundary-related disputes within the state, and stressed that peace is an essential ingredient for development.

He said: "We have a governor with private sector orientation and who has been attracting foreign investment from all over the world to take advantage of the positive economic outlook of Edo State.

“We need peace in the state and I urge all the leaders of the various communities to embrace peace in your domain as there can't be development without peace. I urge you all to activate love that would bring peace in your areas of influence."

He told the community leaders that the state government would give them three options in resolving lingering dispute over land, and explained that the first option is that the communities have a one month window which will expire on August 18, 2018, to resolve their differences and call on the government to sign, demarcate and gazette the agreed upon outcomes.

The second option is for the parties that refuse to agree, to formally write to the government to wade into the issues and will have no option than to agree with the decisions of the state government. He added that such communities have two weeks after the expiration of the one-month period, that is, till September 1, 2018, to communicate their position to government.

Shaibu further said that the third option will allow the state government to take over the land in dispute if the communities fail to agree on a solution, and the land will become the property of the state government.

He urged the communities to embrace the first option and settle their disputes amicably before inviting the government to sign the document and gazette their positions.

High Priest Nomuovbiekpen Uwague Idehen, the Ohen Obaro of Iyanomo Community, in Uhunmwode Local Government Area, and Eshiefaotsa Sylvanus of Ayogwuri Community in Etsako West Local Government Area, both in Edo State, thanked the deputy governor and the boundary dispute resolution committee for ensuring peace in the state.

They assured that they would embrace the first option to resolve their issues themselves and invite the government thereafter.


PHOTO 1:
Edo State Deputy Governor and Chairman, Edo State Boundary Committee, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu (standing), flanked by Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Governor, Kingsley Ehigiamusor (left); Commissioner for Budget, Hon. Maryam Abubakar (second left); Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Jimoh Ijegbia (second right); and Chairman, Oredo Local Government Area, Hon. Osunde Evbareke Jenkins, during the intra-state boundary meeting held with leaders of the disputed communities at the Government House in Benin City, Edo State.

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The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has called on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to join forces with the state government in deepening the impact of the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) programme by monitoring its implementation in local government areas across the state.

Obaseki made the call during the courtesy visit by board members of Enibokun-Edoror Foundation, at Government House, in Benin City, Edo State.

He urged the Enibokun-Edoror Foundation to support the programme by monitoring its implementation in Edo Central Senatorial District, to ensure efficiency and accountability.

He said, “As an organisation, we would like you to assist us in monitoring schools in local government areas where Enibokun-Edoror Foundation operates to ensure that teachers are always present in schools to teach our children."

Explaining that his administration is keen on curbing human trafficking and irregular migration by providing access to basic education for citizens, he noted, “One of the ways we are curtailing human trafficking is to improve education particularly at the basic level, so as to confidence in our youth. This is why we launched the Edo-BEST programme.”

The governor commended the Foundation for its various skills acquisition programmes, adding, “the state government would work with you to broaden the scope of the Foundation. When we see people like you, who are concerned about the situation of young people and ready to empower them with hands-on skills, we have no choice but to work with and support you.

“We will visit your skills acquisition centres to see what you have on ground and areas where we can support you,” he added.

President of Enibokun-Edoror Foundation, Rosemary Edoror, commended governor Obaseki-led administration for its transformational leadership as well as the development of the state, especially in the area of road infrastructure.

Edoror said the Foundation has members drawn from the five local council areas in Edo Central and is involved in youth empowerment and provision of financial assistance to indigent students and women.

She added, “In our five skills acquisition centres, we train youths on fashion design, bead making, cosmetology and electrical repairs. The Foundation seeks support from the state government to purchase more training equipment which we enable our skills acquisition programme.”


PHOTO 1
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki (3rd left); Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Taiwo Akerele (3rd right); Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Hon. Yakubu Gowon (2nd right); President, Enibokun-Edoror Foundation, Rosemary Edoror (2nd left); and other officials of the Foundation, after the courtesy visit by Board Members of the Foundation to the governor, at the Government House, Benin City, Edo State.

Killing Of Policemen In Edo: Obaseki Meets Security Chiefs, Places N10m Bounty On Killers

Following report of the killing of four policemen by unknown gunmen in Sabon-gida Ora, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, at the weekend, Governor Godwin Obaseki has placed a N10 million bounty on the killers.

This was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie, after an emergency security meeting between the governor and security chiefs in Benin City, the state capital on Monday.

According to Osagie, the meeting had in attendance, the heads and representatives of the Police, the Army, Department of State Security (DSS); Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC); and Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The governor’s media aide said: “Governor Obaseki described the situation as appalling and has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the killings and the arrest of the assailants.

“He announced a N10 million reward for anyone with useful information that can lead to the arrest of the criminals that carried out the dastardly act.

“The governor also pledged to support the families of the four policemen killed while on duty and maintained that the killers must be arrested and brought to book.”

Obaseki had earlier condemned the ambush and killing of the four policemen on receiving report of the killings of the policemen who were on routine patrol in Sabon-gida Ora, Owan West Local Government Area of the state, at the weekend.

According to media reports, the four policemen attached to the Sabongida-Ora Divisional Police Headquarters, were killed at a road block at Uzebba-Aviosi junction along Ifon road, Sabongida-Ora.

...commiserates with their families, Police hierarchy

The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has condemned the ambush and killing of four policemen by assailants, while on routine patrol in Sabon-gida Ora, Owan West Local Government Area of the state, at the weekend.

Obaseki said the ugly incident is being investigated to ascertain the motive of the killers while assuring that efforts to arrest them was ongoing.

“I commiserate with the Inspector-General of Police, the Edo State Police Command, and the families of the dead. Our administration will work with the security agencies to apprehend the criminals and bring them to justice,” he said.

The governor stressed that the unprovoked attacks on men and women of the police force and sister security agencies is unacceptable and assured that the state’s security architecture will create roles for communities and local groups as well as the organised private sector to support security agencies in eradicating crimes across the state.

According to media reports, the four policemen who were attached to the Sabongida-Ora Divisional Police Headquarters, were on Saturday evening killed and burnt in their patrol van by unknown persons.

The police officers were killed at a road block at Uzebba-Aviosi junction along Ifon road, Sabongida-Ora, the reports said.

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