₦airaland Forum

…ground-breaking ceremony for June, project to be completed within 12 months

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has sealed a deal for the construction of 1,800 housing units in Benin City, with MIXTA Africa, a private property development company to boost the housing stock in Benin City, the state capital

The deal was sealed during a meeting between the Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and MIXTA Africa’s team, at the Government House, on Tuesday, in Benin City.

Obaseki said the state has acquired 75 hectares of land for the housing project which would be sited close to the Benin Industrial Park, and assured that “The state government will provide the infrastructure for the project to ensure quality and affordable homes for our people.”

He said the ground-breaking ceremony for the housing project will be done by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo in June.

The governor explained, “The plan is to provide accommodation for individuals who will be working at the Industrial Park as we anticipate that the park will create jobs.”

According to him, the housing project will boost local businesses in the state as some of the materials to be used for the project, such as ceramics, steel, roofing sheets will be produced locally in the state, noting, “We want to use the project to develop the supply chain of inputs that are locally produced in the state to grow our local businesses.”

He said the state government is in talks with civil servants on how members of the unions can access the National Housing Fund, with which they can benefit from the housing project.

He said that the state is also working with the Federal Mortgage Bank on the possibility of providing mortgage for civil servants to enable them key into the opportunities the housing project offers.

The Managing Director, MIXTA Africa, Mr. Kola Ashiru-Balogun, said the first phase of the project will commence in June and will be completed within 12 months.

Ashiru-Balogun said MIXTA Africa has a record of over 10,000 housing units developed across Africa and has decided to partner with the state because of the Obaseki led- administration's drive for developmental projects, adding that payment plan for the houses would be for 24 months and above, on interest-free rate.

He added that “MIXTA Africa is discussing with financial institutions to see how arrangement can be made to provide longer tenured financing payment plans. We recognise the market and we will offer affordable housing. The governor has indicated that we use the project to create jobs.”

PHOTO 1:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (middle); his deputy, Rt.Hon. Philip Shaibu (3rd right); Executive Chairman, Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA), Ms Isoken Omo (second left); Managing Director, MIXTA Africa, Mr. Kola Ashiru-Balogun (3rd left); Director, MIXTA Africa, Mr. Daniel Font (left);Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie Esq. (2nd right); and Chief of Staff to Edo State Governor, Chief Taiwo Akerele (right) after sealing the deal to construct 2000 housing units in Benin City, on Tuesday, at Government House.

.

..

Edo Strengthens Security Architecture As Obaseki Procures Another Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC)

In furtherance of the drive for a formidable security architecture in the state, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has unveiled a new Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) for the state Police command.

The APC is the second procured within a one-year period to retool the state’s Police command, amid several other initiatives rolled out to fortify the state’s security architecture.

Handing over the APC to the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Johnson Kokumo, at the Government House in Benin City, Governor Obaseki said government is determined to secure lives and properties in the state and will deploy resources to ensure they deliver on their mandate.

He added that aside the APC, the state has concluded plans to procure gunboats, helicopters for surveillance among others.

AND...

MORE:

MORE PHOTOS:

PHOTO 2:
L-R: The Ologbo Ikaye of Itsekiri Community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area (LGA), Chief Johnson Atseleghe; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Taiwo Akerele, Senior Special Assistant, (SSA) on Security and Marine Surveillance, Hon. Don Robert, and the commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Edo State, Erimona Edorodion Oye, during the tour of riverine communities of Gelegele, Kolokolo, Ajoke, Ajamogha, Koko, Abiala 1, Abiala 11 and Ologbo in the state at the weekend.

Benin River Port: Obaseki Tours Edo Waterways, Assures Investors Of Security, Communal Support

…makes case for second Marine Police post in Edo at Osiomo River

As plans for the commencement of the Benin River Port Project reaches advanced stages after preliminary work by the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured investors that the state government will not relent in strengthening security on the waterways and ensuring communal support for projects in riverine areas.

Obaseki disclosed this after a three and half hour tour of riverine communities including Gelegele, Kolokolo, Ajoke, Ajamogha, Koko, Abiala 1, Abiala 11, and Ologbo, in the state, at the weekend.

He said that the tour was in furtherance of the survey of the waterways around the state, which kicked off some weeks back and is aimed at strengthening security to protect lives and properties on the waterways.

Obaseki said that more investors are interested in the project and would want to know how the Benin River Port project will connect the Benin Industrial Park, noting that the two areas are connected by water, even as enough provision is being made for road network.

He said discussions with investors and partners about the Benin River Port has reached a critical stage where critical issues are raised and addressed, noting, “Some of the issues have to do with the actual location of the Port vis-a-vis the extent of road network to connect the Port with other facilities like the Industrial Park.”

He said, “We will not underestimate security on the waterways. Security is of prime importance to us as an administration, as we work to attract investors to the state. We will not relent in working very hard to create a conducive environment for investors to do business.”

Obaseki added, “We have decided to establish a Marine police post in Gelegele. The construction for the post will commence soon as the design is ready. We will also have another Police post at Osiomo River. That is why we are at Ologbo to look for a suitable location for the post.”

According to the governor, the state will leverage the huge economic potentials in water transportation, adding that the waterways offer the state a unique economic opportunity for transporting goods and people from one place to the other.

The spokesman for the Ologbo Ikaye Itsekiri Community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Chief Johnson Atseleghe, commended the governor for the visit, noting that it was the first time any governor would visit the area through the waterway.

Lauding the governor for the construction of Ajokin, Ologbo, Ikara Roads linking Abiala, he noted that the people of the community are desirous of development.

Atseleghe pledged that the people are willing to cooperate with the government to ensure security and peace in the community as they anticipate more developmental projects.

PHOTO 1;
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; his Senior Special Assistant, (SSA) on Security and Marine Surveillance, Hon. Don Robert, with military escort during the tour of riverine communities of Gelegele, Kolokolo, Ajoke, Ajamogha, Koko, Abiala 1, Abiala 11, and Ologbo, in the state, at the weekend.

Edo Poly Usen Eyes Int’l Grants, Partners OAU For Two-Day Training On Grantsmanship

The Edo State Institute of Technology and Management (ESTIM), Usen, Edo State, also known as Edo State Polytechnic, in partnership with the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife has concluded plans to convene academics and scientists for a two-day workshop on grantsmanship.

According to a statement by the Rector of the institution, Professor Abiodun Falodun, the workshop will hold from June 27 to 28, at the ICT Centre of the polytechnic in Usen, Edo State.

Prof. Falodun said the training workshop will assist participants to develop the capacity for writing and developing winning proposals, adding, “Participants will also acquire the skills on attracting grants from national, international, bilateral and multilateral funding agencies.”

“The participants will also be trained on grants management and on the skills and arts of academic publishing."

According to him, “The training workshop is open to academics and scientists from universities, Polytechnics, Research Institutes, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), government agencies including local government agencies, and individuals from private and corporate establishments. He urged Interested participants to visit: www.esitmusen.edu.ng for registration details.”

More photos from the congress...

PHOTO 6:
A cross-section of delegates at the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Congress, on Saturday in Benin City, May 19, 2018.

PHOTOS 4 and 5:
Cross-sections of party Executives at the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Congress in Benin City, Edo State, on Saturday, May 19, 2018.

PHOTO 3:
R-L: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; his deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu (left); Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq.; and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Taiwo Akerele, during the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Congress, on Saturday, May 19, 2018.

PHOTO 2:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (2nd left); his deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu (left); Minister of State for Health, Osagie Ehanire(2nd right) and a member of the State’s Congress Committee, Barr. Barth Ugwoke, during the APC State Congress, on Saturday, May 19, 2018 in Benin City.

Barr. Anslem Ojezua, has been affirmed the State Chairman of the Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the party’s state congress held at Imaguero College Hall, on Sapele Road in Benin City on Saturday.

Ojezua was among the Edo State APC Exco that were returned to office in a congress that was widely described as free and fair.

Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, commended the delegates for their conduct at the congress, noting that the state’s expert handling of the political process was worth taking to the centre.

“The party is well organised. You can see that for yourself. Don’t you think this sort of experience should be taken to the federal level? Edo is the light; we want to show the light to Nigerians on how things should be done and how political parties should be organised,” Obaseki said.

Noting that he is confident in the freshly elected executives, he said, “My expectation from the new executives is that we are going to have a political machinery that will be second to none in the country. We will mobilise and ensure that we use the political machinery to deliver on governance for the benefit of our people.

He promised to drive his governance agenda using the party machinery, noting that the level of inclusiveness desired in his government will only materialise when everyone is carried along.

“The beautiful thing about what we have done is the level of inclusiveness. So the amount of resentment is minimal. That is democracy. The majority will always have their way while the minority will always have their say. We will encourage the minority to have their say so that we will always have a balance,” he said.

Chairman, Congress Committee, Prof. Okey Onyejekwe, commended the 1, 265 delegates drawn from the 18 local government area of the state for their maturity and orderly conduct during the exercise, noting that the inclusive nature of the party is what sets it apart from others.

Secretary of the Congress Committee, Barr. Ronke Ballantyre extolled the delegates, who all agreed on the candidates for the various positions to serve for four years.

She said the decision of the state delegates to agree on the candidates conforms to Article 20 sub-section A of the APC Constitution.

Chairman of the party, Barr. Anslem Ojezua, who was returned unopposed and serving his second term as Chairman, pledged to move the party to greater heights as the party prepares for the 2019 general elections.

"We are big, strong, united, stable, and big party. This feat was not easy to achieve but we give God the glory," he said.

Ojezua commended former governor of the state Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for laying a solid foundation for the party. He hailed Governor Obaseki for building on the structure to ensure stability of the party in the state.

SOURCE: http://thebellng.com/ojezua-returned-as-edo-apc-chair-as-obaseki-lauds-peaceful-congress/

PHOTO 1:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (2nd left); his deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu (left); Minister of State for Health, Osagie Ehanire (3rd left); Chairman, Edo State Congress Committee, All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Okey Onyejekwe (right); Secretary of the Committee, Barr. Ronke Ballantyre (2nd right); and a member of the committee, Barr. Barth Ugwoke (3rd left); during the APC State Congress, in Benin City, Edo State, on Saturday, May 19, 2018

What a relief to many families!

Edo is on the right path.

..

MORE PHOTOS

PHOTO 2
R-L: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; his Special Adviser on Agriculture and Food Security Programme, Prince Joe Okojie, and other participants at the Tropical Forest Alliance (TFA) 2020 General Assembly in Accra, Ghana.

Global Forest Conference: Obaseki Talks Sustainable Forestry Mgt, Shares Edo’s Success Story

...assures huge investment in plantation agriculture

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, joined participants drawn from across the globe at Africa’s maiden top-level global forest conference held in Accra to call on African governments to reverse the worrying trend of deforestation on the continent.

The governor said this at the Tropical Forests Alliance (TFA) 2020 General Assembly in Ghana, where it was revealed that between 2010 and 2015, Africa recorded the highest net annual loss of forests.

This is against the backdrop of the constitution of the 16-member forestry advisory committee to streamline the management of its forestry assets and structure the state’s forestry commission.

Obaseki said that the state was developing robust forestry management structures to ensure that the state’s biodiversity is conserved even as oil palm plantations expand their operations.

According to him, “We have provided the enabling environment for the expansion of oil palm plantations in the state. This was done in line with extant international regulations on plantation agriculture. This is for the benefit of the people of Edo State.”

Director, Tropical Forest Alliance for 2020, Marco Albani, called on government to invest in agro-forestry, which involves the incorporation of tree cultivation in the agricultural process.

Proforest is in collaboration with the TFA and a number of national and sub-national governments to rally support for the “reduction of rampant destruction of forests and find ways to generate better revenue from it.”

Dr Moses Ama, of the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Plus (REDD+), Nigeria, stressed “that even though a variety of landscape and jurisdictional initiatives were being developed towards protecting forests, they overlap considerably in their aims and objectives.”

He noted that the REDD+ was “developed within the UNFCCC negotiations to mitigate climate change and provide performance-based payments for the protection of forests that would otherwise be cleared.”

PHOTO 1
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, giving his presentation at the Tropical Forest Alliance (TFA) 2020 General Assembly in Accra, Ghana.

comos:
EFCC will end up increase their popularity in Edo state,

we all know Oshiomole looted edo state money dry,

EFCC should start with him

Simply petition EFFC with 'what you know', and I am sure they will take it up from there, Mr. Comos

Thank you for challenging them, Mr. Ogbewi Aghedo

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2016 governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and the state Chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, before a Federal High Court in Benin for money laundering.

Also charged were former state Deputy Governor, Mr. Lucky Imasuen; former member representing Esan South East and Esan North East federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Tony Azigbemi, and one Efe Erimuoghae Anthony.

While Ize-Iyamu and Orbih were absent in court but were represented by their counsel, the three others were present in court.

The five are facing an eight-count charge of conspiracy with themselves to commit money laundering to the tune of N700 million, an offence contrary to section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended which is punishable under section 15(3) of the same Act.

The anti-crime agency said it may re-arrest Ize-Iyamu since he was not in court to be arraigned along others over alleged money laundering charges.

EFCC said it would get in touch with Ize-Iyamu’s surety on the administrative bail and make effort to re-arrest him.

Counsel to the EFCC, L.P. Aso, who spoke yesterday in Benin-city when the three other persons were arraigned before a Federal High Court for allegedly laundering the sum of N700 million, also said the former Chairman, Board of Trustee (PDP) of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, was listed in the charges but was said to be at large.

The absence of Ize-Iyamu and Orbih stalled the arraignment as the EFCC counsel told the court that it was the duty of the commission to produce the accused persons and not for the accused persons to bring themselves to court.

Aso informed the court that all the accused persons had filed application for bail and asked for the court to adjourn to enable the EFCC produce all the defendants in court.

In the charges preferred against Ize-Iyamu and others, the EFCC accused them of taking possession and control of the sum of N700million without any contract award which they ought to know the money form part of an unlawful act.

They were alleged to have made cash payment of N60,650,000 to one Henry Tenebe of Estako West Local Government Area and N61,647,000 to one Momoh Andrew Ojo of Akoko-Edo without going through a financial institution.

In count five, six and seven, they were alleged to have made cash payment of N83,473,000, N125,993,000 and N105,000,000 to Deacon Ezekiel Egharevba, Thomas Aroko and Scott Osagiede respectively without going through a financial institution.

Counsel to Ize-Iyamu and Orbih, Ikide Chiehelua and Chief Ferdinand Orbih (SAN) told the court their clients travelled outside the country.

They, however, promised that their clients were prepared to face trials and would be back by next Tuesday.

Ferdinand 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 for the court. He was not served about the arraignment. He only heard about it and he instructed me to appear for him.”

Consequently, Justice P. I. Adjokwu adjourned the case to June 11.



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


More Sources:

http://punchng.com/alleged-n700m-fraud-efcc-arraigns-ize-iyamu-others-june-11/

https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2018/05/16/efcc-arraigns-ex-edo-deputy-gov-others-over-n700m-graft/

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/

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

.

OTHER PHOTOS:

PHOTO 3:
Indonesian Ambassador to Germany, Arif Havaz Oegroseno (left); Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (third left); Maritime Coordinating Minister of Indonesia, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, (7th from left); and Prefect, Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development, Cardinal Peter Turkson (8th from left); with other delegates at the conference on Eradicating Poverty through Agriculture and Plantation Industry to empower Peace and Humanity in Rome, Italy, on Tuesday, May 15, 2018.

PHOTO 2:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (right); with the Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan (left), at the conference on Eradicating Poverty through Agriculture and Plantation Industry to empower Peace and Humanity in Rome, Italy, on Tuesday, May 15, 2018.

Obaseki, Indonesian, Malaysian Envoys Brainstorm On Poverty Eradication Through Agric, Plantation At Roman Confab

...seek removal of trade barriers in oil palm trade

The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Tuesday joined the Ambassador of Indonesia to Germany Arif Havaz Oegroseno, Maritime Coordinating Minister of Indonesia, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Malaysian Ambassador to the Vatican, Tan Sri Bernard Gilgal Dompok, at an international conference on poverty eradication in Rome, Italy, to proffer solutions to the myriad of factors bedeviling efforts to fully harness the gains in the agricultural sector to eradicate poverty in developing countries.

According to Obaseki, there is a strong correlation between poor agricultural policies that inhibit growth and development and poverty, urging stakeholders to come together with broad minds and adopt policies that are not discriminatory.

He showcased the growing confidence of investors in Edo State, which accounts for the expansion of plantations by Presco Plc, Okomu Oil Plc and other companies in the state.

The governor commended the organisers of the conference and reinforcing the nexus between agriculture, specifically, the plantation industry and poverty eradication with the conference themed: “Eradicating Poverty Through the Agriculture and Plantation Industry to Empower Peace and Humanity.”

The Indonesian delegation noted that the European Union’s discrimination against Indonesia's crude palm oil (CPO) products has prompted the industry and government to synergise intensively with governments and communities in the European region.

Coordinating Minister of Agriculture in Indonesia, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, explained that the Government of Indonesia is very transparent in addressing environmental issues associated with the development of oil palm plantations and CPO derivatives industries.

He added that his country has adopted sustainable palm oil standards and adheres to certification schemes in export destination countries.

Experts at the conference held inside the Auditorium of the Pontifical Urban University in the Vatican, Rome, shared experiences of their home countries and states, citing the roles of oil palm plantations and the agricultural sector in poverty reduction.

The well-attended event, attracted policymakers, heads and representatives of governments, members of the diplomatic community, the academia and industry players.

SOURCE: http://thebellng.com/obaseki-indonesian-malaysian-envoys-brainstorm-on-poverty-eradication-in-rome/

PHOTO 1:
Indonesian Ambassador to Poland, Peter Gontha; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Executive Director, Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC), Mr. Mahendra Siregar; and Mr. Ryan Edwards of Dartmouth University, during a panel session at the conference on Eradicating Poverty through Agriculture and Plantation Industry to empower Peace and Humanity in Rome, Italy, on Tuesday, May 15, 2018.

Obaseki’s Affordable Housing Plan Opens Edo’s Real Estate Sector To Private Developers

…as EDPA unveils criteria for PPP, JV

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki’s reforms in private property management and plans for affordable housing have opened up the real estate sector to private developers.

The state government had ratified a law banning activities of Community Development Association, setting up a Private Property Protection taskforce to ensure that developers and property owners do not fall prey to land-grabbers and other unscrupulous elements in the property sector.

It is against this backdrop that the Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA) is calling on developers to tap from the growing real estate sector in the state for development of affordable housing in a develop, finance, build and sell arrangement. The plan also makes room for joint-venture partnerships.

Executive Chairman, EDPA, Ms. Isoken Omo, in a release, said the state government will be exploring the private-public partnership (PPP) option in developing affordable real estate projects across the state.

She said, “The projects will be sited on various strategic parcels of land pooled into the Edo State Housing Development Land Bank domiciled with the agency.

“Other sites for the projects include new sites of land that will be identified in line with the proposals submitted by prospective developers and investors who are interested in partnering with the state government in developing, financing, building and selling housing units across the state.”

Recall that Governor Godwin Obaseki had, in his Workers’ Day address, promised social housing for workers and other residents in the state.

“In delivering Housing to workers, plans are on between the Federal Mortgage Bank, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) and the Edo State Government to provide Housing for Edo State workers. The repositioned Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA) is also working on social housing for Edo workers by private investors,” the governor said at the Workers’ Day event.

A bill to reposition the EDPA was signed into law recently by the governor to empower the agency for partnerships that will boost housing stock in the state and reduce the overall national housing deficit figures.

More Photos..

The Edo State Government has said that it has created an environment to attract investors in technology hubs and industrial goods, through far-reaching reforms that have removed obstacles inhibiting access to land, credit, power and other support structures.

Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Investment Promotion, Philip Uwaibi, disclosed this when he received the Credible Leadership Award by the Society for Advancement of Credible Leadership, led by its Director-General, Ambassador Johnny Ben, at the Government House, in Benin City.

Uwaibi said that the necessary structures required for the take-off of technology hubs are already available in the state, as the state has a sure pool of willing youth population, supportive government policies, and an investor’s support structure to stimulate economic growth.

According to him, “The Edo State Government has turned its eye to technology companies to invest in the state. We have created an investment promotions office, have well laid out plans that ease doing business and are executing plans on industrialisation. We are willing to partner with investors in setting up businesses in the state.”

He noted that the state government intends to invest in its youths to be able to realise their God-given potential.

"The Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration is willing to work with genuine plans on youth empowerment, especially around technology and automating everyday life. We have already converted some of our training institutes, the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE), to a tech hub working with leading companies in the technology sector, like Microsoft. Hence, we are looking at more companies and investors in this regard.”

According to him “We want to let people know that we are ready for business. What we mean by this, is that we are opening the state up for private investors to bring in the capital and invest in a wide range of businesses and maximise our strength as a logistics hub, a power generation hub, and our numerous human and solid mineral resources.”

Photo 1:
Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Investment Promotion, Philip Uwaibi (middle), receiving the Credible Leadership Award from the Society for Advancement of Credible Leadership, led by its Director-General, Ambassador Johnny Ben, at the Government House, in Benin City.