₦airaland Forum

So sad.... How a fine gentle guy ended!

To further strengthen its Technical and Vocational Education sub-sector, the Edo State Government will in the coming weeks recruit not less than 204 teachers.

The recruitment is being conducted through the Edo Jobs platform and will serve to fortify technical schools in the state with young, qualified teachers in the various subject and technical areas.

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Skills Development and Jobs, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, said that the state’s Ministry of Education is recruiting the teachers through the Edo Jobs platform to ensure integrity, synergy, and transparency in the recruitment process.

She said applicants will have to register on the platform to be considered for the roles, as Edo Jobs will be responsible for interviewing and shortlisting candidates and referring them to the ministry.

According to her, “Companies in Edo State recruit through our portal as we have a pool of job seekers who we train and prepare for the workplace. At the moment, the state government has about 204 vacancies for vocational and general studies teachers and other non-teaching staff in schools. Applicants can access the vacancies on the Edo Jobs site.”

The state government needs graduates to teach the following: Electrical Installation and Maintenance Work, Motor Vehicle Mechanic Work, Business Studies, Block Laying/Concreting (building), Engineering Drawing, Welding and Fabrication, Hotel and Catering, Carpentry and Joinery, Mechanical Engineering Craft Practice and Radio and Television Repairs Work, among others.

The vacancies in the general studies category include those for English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Civic Education, Home Economics, Economics, Commerce, Computer Science, Refrigeration and Air-condition.

Non-teaching staff required include Laboratory Attendants (physics, chemistry, biology); Workshop Demonstrators, Typists, and Clerical Assistants, among others.

Photo.
Cross-section of participants at the Career Kickstarter Programme organised by Edojobs in Benin City, Edo State capital.

Edo State Government has commenced a three weeks employability skills training for 150 youths in its Career Kickstarter programme to equip them with relevant technical and soft skills for the workplace.

The state’s Skills Development platform, EdoJobs, organised the training after short-listing participants from its database. The 150 youths are the second batch of trainees under the Career Kickstarter programme, being executed by GidiJobs.

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Skills Development and Jobs, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, said that the Career KickStarter Programme was developed to help disadvantaged youths become competitive and employable within the job market.

“It is a career building platform aimed at bridging the gap between the knowledge gained from the formal education sector and the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to function effectively in today’s global work environment,” she said.

She noted that the initiative is being championed in a bid to create 200,000 jobs by 2020 by the Governor Godwin Obaseki led-administration, adding that the training will culminate in a jobs fare.

According to her, the modules to be taken includes, business writing, accounts for non-Accountants, problem-solving and use of initiative, workplace ethics and telephone etiquette, professional dress sense and confidence building.

Others, she said, are excellence in customer service, selling skills and Information and Communication Technology skills.

She said the target is for beneficiaries to become directly engaged/self-sufficient upon completion of their training.

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Facilitator speaking with trainees at the Career Kickstarter Programme organised by Edojobs in Benin City, Edo State capital.

…assures Health Insurance Scheme will boost human capital development

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has called on donor agencies for continued support of its development initiatives, assuring that the government is committed to ensuring high impact of donors’ assistance for all stakeholders.

The governor said this at the First Quarterly Review of Donor Agencies’ projects in the state held at the Banquet Hall, Government House in Benin city, the Edo State capital.

Obaseki, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., said that in the light of Nigeria's transition from low to middle income status, the country risked losing access to certain funding for development.

He said this calls for more creative approaches to addressing developmental challenges, especially in healthcare and education, noting that the state government is adopting the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme to ensure that accessible and affordable healthcare does not elude her people.

According to him, “Edo State is not sleeping on its oars in the face of such dire situation. Hence, we are adopting a special Edo State Health Insurance Scheme.

“As donor support is shrinking, we must put on our thinking caps to begin to look at other sources of funds to assist us with our developmental projects. It is on this note that we request our donor partners to keep granting Edo State the understanding it truly deserves because of our unalloyed commitment of ensuring that every of your effort crystalizes into high-yielding gains for all stakeholders.”

He said the meeting was also to acquaint local government executives with the different donor funded projects in their domain so that they do not only have inventory of the projects, but also to ensure monitoring and maintenance.

In her remarks, Commissioner for Budget, Hon. Maryam Abubakar, said the state government organised the meeting to review performance and ascertain intervention and impact of donor agencies’ projects.

She added that the state government places emphasis on the deepening of development by donor agencies, especially in line with her developmental plan, captured in thematic areas in the State’s Strategic Plan 2010-2020.

Photo:
L-R: Commissioner for Youths and Special Duties, Hon. Mika Amanokha; Secretary to the State Government and representative of the governor, Osarodion Ogie Esq.; Commissioner for Budget, Hon. Maryam Abubakar; Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Hon. Edorodion Oye Erimona; Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Diaspora; Hon. Osaze Osemwegie-Ero; and Commissioner for Minerals, Oil and Gas, Hon. Joseph Ugheoke, during the First Quarterly Review of Donor Agencies’ projects in the state, at the Government House in Benin city, on Monday, May 7, 2018.

Firefighters' Day: Obaseki Canvasses Well Equipped Agency, Proactive Strategy To Check Fire Out Breaks

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that regular training, equipment upgrade, improved welfare for firefighters and constant public awareness among other proactive measures are germane to curbing fire outbreaks and mitigating against losses in case of fire disaster.

Obaseki who said this in commemoration of the International Firefighters' Day marked every May 4, said that it was necessary to celebrate firefighters because of their immense contributions to stemming disasters as first responders to fire incidents and other emergencies.

According to him, “As we mark this day, it is important to note that we all should be safety conscious as we go about our businesses. Much as we expect the fireman to be available to quell a disaster, we should do well to do our bits to prevent fire incidents. In workplaces, markets, public and private facilities and properties, it is pertinent to ensure that there are functional fire extinguishers and other emergency facilities.”

He said that the Edo State government is revamping its firefighting agency in line with the demands of global best practices, noting that architectural designs of markets and public buildings should allow for space and facility for firefighters in the event of fire incident.

Noting that the firefighters have often risen to the occasion even in the face of difficult infrastructural impediments to their trade, he said “we appreciate the deftness of firefighters in helping to tame fire outbreaks and provide first-responder assistance to victims. Much as there are infrastructural limitations to their work, firemen have been instrumental to ensuring that people are not just safe but properties are not lost, or in the worst of cases, the losses are lessened.”

International Firefighters Day, also known as ‘Day of Fire Service’ or St. Florian Day, according to the organisers, was instituted after a proposal was emailed out across the world on January 4, 1999 due to the deaths of five firefighters in a tragic circumstance in a wildfire at Linton, in Victoria, Australia.

It is marked to “show support for all firefighters worldwide; recognise their level of commitment and dedication; remember those lost or injured in the line of duty and show a mark of respect.”

...urges pensioners to report at LGA for screening, payment

Following the approval given by the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, to use the N1.5billion Paris Club refund to liquidate part of the outstanding pension arrears due to local government retirees, all local government pensioners have been asked to report for verification and payment.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner of Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Jimoh Ijegbai, the state government directed “all local government pensioners to go to the local government where they retired, from Monday, May 7 - Wednesday 9, 2018 with all relevant documents for verification to enable us commence immediate payment of their arrears as approved by the Governor of Edo State.”

At the 2018 Workers’ Day celebration in Benin City, last Tuesday, Obaseki told workers in the state that he has instructed that all outstanding salaries and pension arrears due to local government staff and pensioners be paid before the end of the year.

“To ensure that this happens, I have approved that the sum of N1.5billion from the Paris Club refund should be used to liquidate part of the outstanding N2.5billion pension arrears due to local government employees,” the governor said.

While assuring the workers that the balance will be paid before the end of 2018, he said the goal of his administration “is to ensure that local governments move into the Contributory Pensions Scheme next year, thus putting an end to the pension crises.”

Noting that extensive reforms have been carried out to make the local governments more responsive to the needs of the people, he said, “We are great full to the Almighty for the very peaceful and successful local government elections. With the new chairpersons and elected officials, we are now poised to change the future and fortune of local government in Nigeria."

Obaseki explained that: “We have commenced payment of pension and gratuity arrears as far back as the year 2000. So far, we have paid batches 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41. As we resolve a few lingering problems, other Batches will be paid though I must note that resources are limited.

“We have meetings with retirees every two weeks and we have an open line of communication to avoid misunderstandings. Our commitment is to make our retirees that have laboured so much for our present and future, feel comfortable.

“In line with my promise last year to resolve all outstanding pension issues, I have directed that the amount used for paying outstanding pension arrears be doubled by 100 per cent from N100 million monthly to N200million.”

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Photo 2:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, unveiling Leventis Foundation Agricultural Management Training Institute’s plaque, at the foundation laying/groundbreaking ceremony of the Training Institute, in Weppawanno, Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government, Edo State.

Edo To Co-Invest In Devt Of Weppa Farm, Partners Leventis Foundation on Agric Institute

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state government will in the coming weeks sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Leventis Foundation to fast-track the development of the 13,500 hectares Weppa Farm, Agenebode, in Etsako East Local Government Area of the state.

Governor Obaseki disclosed this at the foundation- laying/groundbreaking ceremony of the Leventis Foundation's Agricultural Management Training Institute, Weppawanno, to be sited at the farm, in Agenebode.

The governor said he was delighted that private interests, such as the Leventis Foundation are aligning with his vision to reposition the state as a thriving industrial hub and setting up institutions to deepen the penetration of his policies.

According to him, “I know that you have only developed 50 per cent of this farm. I want to implore and inform you that the Edo State Government is willing to collaborate with you for the rapid development of this facility. To this end, in the next two weeks we will like to sign an MoU with the Leventis Foundation to co-invest in the farm.”

He said the state will work with the foundation to train and provide support for Agripreneurs in the state to guarantee a market for their produce as well as technical support for agricultural development. We want to ensure that our people do not only get trained but have access to the required support to set up, operate and create wealth from their farms.”

“The establishment of the Agricultural Management Training Institute could not have come at a better time. As a state government we have decided to take action and recreate our tertiary institutions to ensure they do what they were set up to do. In particular, we have shut down our colleges of agriculture in Iguoriakhi, Agenebode and Irrua. This is so that we can restructure and reposition them. The idea is to train dependable, dynamic and competent middle level manpower in the agricultural industry.

We want to thank the management of the facility for the assistance they have rendered to us as we strive to reposition our schools of agriculture. In the meantime, we have decided to spread the students in our schools to various agricultural enterprises in Edo State such as Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, Presco Plc, Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria and the Leventis Farm.”

Chairman, Leventis Foundation, Alhaji Ahmed Mantey, said that the state government has been a worthy ally in the development of Weppa Farm, noting that this spurred the management to contribute to the economic development of the state.

According to him, “Our aim with the Leventis Foundation Agricultural Management Institute is to fast-track the development of young agricultural specialists to become the commercial farm managers of tomorrow.

“The course will be run on a one-year residency basis and will comprise both practical and academic elements. Weppa Farm is a mixed farm with arable, tree crops, livestock and processing activities and by siting the institute on the farm, students will have the opportunity to gain full exposure to modern mixed commercial farming.

Photo 1
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (2nd left) inspecting facilities at the Weppa Farm run by Leventis Foundation; he is flanked by his Chief of Staff, Chief Taiwo Akerele (2nd right); Chairman, Leventis Foundation, Alhaji Ahmed Martey (right); and Chief Executive Officer, Weppa Farm, Kayode Simeon (left), during the foundation laying/groundbreaking ceremony of Agricultural Management Training Institute, in Weppawanno, Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government, Edo State.

Edo SUBEB Commences Personnel, Students’ Audit In Public, Private Schools

The Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has announced the commencement of the 2018 audit of personnel; teaching and non-teaching staff as well as students in all basic education institutions in the state.

The Acting Chairman of Edo SUBEB/ Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Basic Education, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, said the exercise is in line with the provisions of the Universal Basic Education Act 2004, which mandates Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) “to carry out at regular intervals, a personnel audit of teaching and non-teaching staff of all basic education institutions, establish a basic education data bank and conduct research on basic education in Nigeria.”

Dr. Oviawe explained that the audit is to enable the agency “obtain comprehensive and reliable data of children of school-going age enrolled in basic education schools, (ECCDE, Primary and Junior Secondary) as well as existing administrative and management personnel in this category.”

She added that “the personnel audit is targeted at public and private schools as well as other institutions providing Nursery, Primary and Junior Secondary and related educational services across the country.”

She called on stakeholders in the state’s basic education sector; “state and local government officials, school heads, proprietors of private, public and non-formal basic education institutions in every location in Edo State, to accord the field officers the necessary support towards ensuring the success of the exercise, as field officers will be visiting their schools/institutions to administer questionnaires and collect relevant information on their basic education operations.”

Dr. Oviawe urged school heads/proprietors (especially private operators) in remote areas to contact their Local Government Education Authorities and ensure that their schools are adequately covered during the exercise.

Edo and 16 other southern states are in the first phase of the exercise, scheduled for between April 30, 2018 to May 27, 2018.

College of Agric Iguoriakhi: Students Commence 3-Month Training At Rubber Research Institute

A batch of 48 students of the College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi have been posted to the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Iyanomo, Edo State, for a three months internship programme, in continuation of efforts to reposition the college by the Godwin Obaseki-led administration.

Checks at the Institute confirmed that majority of the students have resumed for the training and are expected to get hands-on experience of the different areas of the science and technology of rubber production.

Director and Programme Leader, Rubber Improvement and Biotechnology Programme at the Institute, Dr. Kenneth Omokhafe, said that the students have been posted to various units at the research facility for training.

According to him, “We have received the students. They are done with documentation and have been posted to several units here. In fact, some of them have been posted to the field. They are going to get hands-on experience here on the nitty-gritty of rubber research and allied areas.”

He said the state government was instrumental to the students being posted to the college as agreements had been reached to ensure the institute opens its doors to the students and ensure that they receive comprehensive training on the facility’s area of expertise.

The students join 90 others who were deployed to Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc and Presco Plc, in a holistic programme being implemented by the state government to revamp the College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi, into a world-class institute.

Renowned Professor of Agriculture, Prof. Oluwafemi Balogun, is leading the task of the college’s restructuring, which is expected to transform the college into a center of excellence in agricultural training.

The students would be paid N20,000 monthly stipend during the period of their training by the state government.

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Photo 3:
R-L: Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq.; Leader of the 2018 Senior Executive Course 40, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, AIG, Muhammad Musa Katsina; Commodore K.J. Odubanjo; and Programme Officer of the Institute, Ms. Grace Seyi Oshinfowokon; during the courtesy visit by participants of the Course, to the Edo State Governor, on Monday, April 30, 2018, at Government House, Benin City.

Photo 2:
R-L: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Leader of the 2018 Senior Executive Course 40, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, AIG, Muhammad Musa Katsina; Directing Staff of the Institute, Commodore K.J. Odubanjo; and Programme Officer of the Institute, Ms. Grace Seyi Oshinfowokon; during the courtesy visit by participants of the Course, to the Edo State Governor, on Monday, April 30, 2018, at Government House, Benin City.

Obaseki Faults Centralised Security, As Edo Engages 3,600 Youths For Intelligence Gathering

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has faulted the centralised security arrangement in the country, arguing that the current structure doesn’t “make sense from a political and economic standpoint.”

The governor made the submission as the state government finalised plans to engage 200 youths from each local government area in the state, to provide local security intelligence, as part of effort to sustain the security of lives and property.

Speaking to participants of the 2018 Senior Executive Course 40, National Institutes for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, who were on a study tour to the state, Obaseki said the state hopes to benefit from the insights from the team’s visit to reinforce the state’s security architecture.

According to him, “Why not have one strong federal police system and allow the states and even local government areas to also have some policing arrangements. And if you are concerned or worried about abuse, the central police system should be well equipped and funded that it can demobilise any of the state or sub-national police systems that may want to cross the line.

“We need to strengthen the judiciary and make them lot more efficient so that they can perform their role. For us as a state, we realise that without a strong court system, we cannot have social stability and you will not have economic growth. So, we have invested in the judiciary as much as we have invested in other arms of government. We are building new courthouses, which shows the premium we give to security and in Edo, people are conscious that there is rule of law and when you break the law, you will pay the price.”

He said the state has peculiar challenges because of its location, noting, “If you look at the structure and location of the state, you will see that we are vulnerable security-wise, because we are a logistics hub, and this makes security a bit more challenging.

“We cannot understand and articulate the issue of our security outside our economic and political contexts and I believe that should be the starting point. Because if we, as a country, do not begin to restructure particularly the economic arrangements and begin to invest a lot more in public growth for the benefit of the country, and if we are not able to begin to achieve a level of economic growth, security will continue to be a major challenge.”

At a separate meeting with the delegation from NIPS, held earlier in the office of the Secretary to the Edo State Government (SSG), Obaseki who was represented by the SSG, Osarodion Ogie Esq., said “from May 1, 200 youths would be engaged in each Local Government Area in the state, for intelligence gathering in their local areas. They would be engaged into the Public Works Volunteer (PUWOV) scheme. In 2017, 250 volunteers with PUWOV were recruited to assist the state restore law and order.

According to him, “The youths will be trained by the Nigerian Police as we have reached an agreement with the hierarchy of the Force to provide the youths world-class community policing training to prepare them to discharge their tasks effectively and help fight crime in the society.”

“A minimum of 20 young men and women will be recruited from each ward where they reside. The state government would deploy these youths on intelligence gathering which will include supplying relevant authorities with needed information required in the fight against crime in the society,” he added.

He said the group would be expected to know, identify and collect information about strange persons who enter the community as well as provide intelligence on vandals of public schools’ infrastructure.

Leader of the Senior Executive Course, Assistant Inspector General of Police, Muhammad Musa Katsina commended the governor for the progress made in restoring law and order as well as creating conducive environment for investors in the state.

Katsina noted that crime rate in the country requires the contribution of all, adding “in the past, issues bothering on crime was the business of everyone. Unresolved crimes damage the reputation of law enforcement agencies as well as threaten the country’s internal security framework.”

Photo 1:
Leader of the 2018 Senior Executive Course 40, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, AIG, Muhammad Musa Katsina (left); presenting a plaque to Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, during the courtesy visit by participants of the Course, to the Edo State Governor, on Monday, April 30, 2018, at Government House, Benin City.

...Assures Of Rural Penetration Of Campaign

Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has called on stakeholders to intensify efforts to ensure that children are vaccinated to protect them from ailments and diseases that deprive them of a healthy, fulfilling life.

Governor Obaseki, who said this in commemoration of the Africa Vaccination Week celebrated from April 23 to 29, specifically every last week in April, said that the call became necessary owing to the growing importance of vaccination of children to stem infant mortality and safeguard their future.

He said the week marked as one of the initiatives of the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s Regional Office for Africa’s effort to ramp up sensitisation on the need for immunisation.

According to him, “We have recorded modest success in the state’s immunisation campaign due to a reward system that saw each local government jostle to get every child at the ward level take the vaccine. The state-wide campaign was adjudged successful by the in-country teams of our donors and we are happy to be setting the pace.”

Noting that the state government is setting up structures to sustain the gains recorded and also get more support from the rural communities, he said, “We will not relent in this campaign. Already, the local government chairmen have picked the baton from us and are aggressively pursuing the immunisation campaign with renewed vigour.”

He stressed that the 500 healthcare centres to be built across the wards in the state will also fast- track the delivery of healthcare services, noting that the overall strategy is to ensure that no child is left behind.

He said the theme for the 2018 commemoration, ‘Vaccines work, Do your part!” draws attention to the need for stakeholders to work together towards ensuring the goals set for immunisation in Nigeria and other parts of Africa are attained, adding, “We do not just need to work together, we need to ensure that we are not working at cross-purpose to ensure that efforts align and that the mission to reach every Nigerian child with vaccines is accomplished.”

According to the WHO, “The over-arching slogan of African Vaccination Week (AVW) is “Vaccinated Communities, Healthy Communities”. This year’s theme highlights the collective action needed to ensure that every person is protected from vaccine-preventable diseases. It urges greater action on immunisation across Africa, with a particular focus on spotlighting the role that everyone can play in this effort, from donors to individuals.”

Int'l Dance Day: Obaseki Makes Case For Multi-Sectoral Collaboration On Export Of Edo Dances

The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki has sought the collaboration of dance troupes, dance teachers, creators, directors and fans of the art form as well as investors and government, to improve on the quality and packaging of the various dances in the state to boost their earning power in the domestic and international markets.

Obaseki made the call on the occasion of the International Day of Dance, celebrated on April 29, each year.

"Our colourful and royal dances in Edo State are a great source of pride to our people both at home and abroad. I salute our dance troupes and other stakeholders in the industry for their commitment to showcasing an aspect of our culture that has distinguished us as beautiful and colourful people with honour and pride," the governor said.

He noted that the dance sector has become a big industry in the country with the growing preference for Nigerian music across the world and the accompanying Nigerian dance element.

"I urge our youths who are blessed with dancing talent and those who love dance, to leverage on the wealth creation windows in the dance industry; Choreography, dance instructorship, professional dancing, and allied areas in the entertainment industry that pay practitioners decent wages."

He assured that the sweeping reforms of his administration will elevate dance as a social past time to a profession that will showcase the rich cultures of Edo people on the world stage, for appreciable foreign exchange.

"The royal and well-choreographed peacock and war dances of the Benin people to the awe-inspiring Igbabonelimhin dance of Esan people and the energetic dance steps of our people in the northern part of the state, allude to our vast creative energy as a people. As a government that is commitment to the socioeconomic wellbeing of our people, we will leave no stone unturned in harnessing all the opportunities around us for our collective uplift," he added.

The governor urged financial institutions to create specialised products for investors in the dance industry to raise the domestic profile of the art form and bring the industry to par with its counterparts in advanced and emerging economies.

He noted that the recommendations of the special session on the art sector at the maiden Alaghodaro Investment Summit are being reviewed for the creation of formidable support structures for the art sector in the state.

According to the United Nations, the "International Dance Day seeks to promote the art of dance around the world. The founding body, the International Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute selects a special personality each year to create an International Dance Day Message to be shared around the world. Dance is practised by both amateurs and professionals and is enjoyed in theatres everywhere. This special day is all about the history of dance and the recognition of its place in society."

The global body urged people to learn a new dance on this day.

…promises adequate security, other support

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured of the state government’s preparedness to put up a world-class event with the upcoming edition of the Okpekpe Road Race billed to hold on May 12.

The governor, who noted that adequate preparation has been made to ensure visitors to the state have the best of time, stressed that the new security architecture put in place by his administration will provide a soothing atmosphere for local and international athletes to compete for the star prizes.

According to him, “As a silver-label International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) event, we are putting all structures in place to ensure we have a successful event.

“It is noteworthy that the Okpekpe road race has become the toast of sponsors, who have all lined up behind the promoters of the event. This is a confirmation of the growing profile of the event and the increased visibility it has brought to the state. We will continue to provide the structures to sustain this trend and even provide more avenues for the state to exploit the benefits of its rich topography and sports talent,” he said.

Obaseki assured that, following the commitment to ensure the event meets international standard, the state government will ensure that all necessary support structures required for the successful hosting of the event are provided.

“The Okpekpe race for us, comes with a lot of benefits and we want to ensure that our people tap from these offerings. The sports event has opened the state up for sports tourism and our people now have an opportunity to benefit from the ancillary activities that come with this kind of competition,” Obaseki added.

The Okpekpe road race is open to world-class runners and presents a mix of activities for recreational and professional runners.

The race starts from Apana Road and ends in Okpekpe, Edo State. Participating athletes often hail from Nigeria, Kenya, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Uganda, Morocco, Israel, Bahrain, Morocco and Nigeria.

The invitation is extended to all Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) member federations. The military and para-military have sent in entries.

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The Edo State Government has said 30 youths in the state will be recruited as members of the state’s cultural troupe to inject new life and expand experiences and offerings of the troupe.

Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Osaze Osemwengie-Ero, disclosed this at a 2-day seminar on capacity building for staff of the ministry, in Benin City, Edo State.

Osemwengie-Ero, who represented Governor Godwin Obaseki, said the 30 youths will be recruited by government through the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Diaspora Affairs.

“The recruitment will be channeled through the Edojobs portal. An audition will be organised for 100 to 200 youths, from which 30 persons will be recruited for the state’s cultural troupe. Those qualified will be engaged,” he said.

Noting that the seminar was organised to boost productivity through capacity development, he said, “This seminar was organised in line with the vision of the governor on human capacity development. I task officials of the ministry to contribute to growing the state’s economy by promoting initiatives that will help diversify the state’s earnings.

He added that the ministry has concluded arrangement to inaugurate culture club in secondary schools in Fugar, Edo North, stressing, “This will be followed by another inauguration to be held at Uromi in Esan-North East Local Government Area.”

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Arts, Culture and Diaspora Affairs, Sam Aigbirio, said the seminar was an in-house workshop organised for officials of the ministry to broaden their knowledge in the areas of statistics, budgeting, planning, monitoring and evaluation, as they relate to promoting culture and tourism.

Aigbirio noted that capacity training for officials of the ministry would be continuous and will help develop their capacity in line with the state government’s vision to drive economic growth and wealth creation through culture and tourism.

Photo 1:
Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Diaspora Affairs and representative of Governor Godwin Obaseki, Hon. Osaze Osemwengie-Ero (right), addressing staff of the ministry during the 2-day capacity building seminar, in Benin City, Edo State.

World Malaria Day: Obaseki Urges Local Councils To Sustain Fight Against Disease At Grassroots

...assures Primary health centres will reduce infection rate

The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has urged the new local government chairmen and councillors in the 18 local government areas of Edo State to immediately key into the template designed by the state government for the roll back malaria project in the state.

Obaseki gave the directive on Wednesday on the occasion of the World Health Organisation’s World Malaria Day celebrated yearly on April 25.

According to the governor, “This year’s theme: ‘Ready to Beat Malaria,’ will reinvigorate and bolster the fight against malaria, by the state government with support from international agencies and other stakeholders.”

He noted that the phased construction of 500 Primary Health Care centres across the state would strengthen the state government’s health care architecture and serve more people in the hinterlands.

“The needless deaths resulting from malaria and the household expenditure on malaria are unacceptable. We are engaging our elected local government officials to take the Roll Back Malaria campaign to every door step. They will scale up the distribution of the Long Lasting Insecticidal nets where necessary and sustain the trend at the ward level.”

He maintained that such aggressive strategy aimed at preventing people from mosquito bite coupled with access to quality health care facility in their domain, is a sure way to keeping the illness at bay.

Obaseki advised residents in the state to keep their environment clean always to depopulate mosquitoes and clear their neighbourhoods of breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

He urged women, especially pregnant women and children to imbibe the culture of sleeping in screened environment, and assured that the state government’s robust health care plan is a mix of proactive and reactive strategies with an affordable health insurance component that will guarantee quality life.

The World Health Organisation says this year’s theme “underscores the collective energy and commitment of the global malaria community in uniting around the common goal of a world free of malaria.”

The global body said the theme “highlights the remarkable progress achieved in tackling one of humanity’s oldest diseases, while also calling out worrying trends as captured in the 2017 World malaria report.

WHO maintained that “Without urgent action, the major gains in the fight against malaria are under threat, assuring that it will “continue to call for greater investment and expanded coverage of proven tools that prevent, diagnose and treat malaria.”

World English Language Day: Obaseki Urges Local Language Promoters To Emulate Dynamism of English

Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has called on promoters of local Nigerian languages to borrow a leaf from the English Language, especially its dynamism and the ease with which it has evolved to dominate global communication.

The governor said this in commemoration of the World English Language Day marked every April 23 by the United Nations to celebrate one of its six official languages.

Obaseki urged language promoters, especially those working to revive ‘dying languages’ to draw from English language’s flexibility and dynamism in ensuring that local languages do not go extinct.

According to him, “A number of languages in Nigeria, according to predictions by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), are at risk of extinction. As we commemorate the World English Language Day, it is imperative to call on culture promoters and language enthusiasts to study and emulate the rise of English language, the concessions that had to be made and the way it warmed its way into the hearts of people across the world.

“So, on this day, I want to call on the various stakeholders to strengthen ties to ensure dynamism for Nigerian languages to thrive. This will in the long run endear the languages to young people and allow for multilingual citizenry.”

Noting that several world languages grew due to their dynamism, he called for policies and practices that allow for Nigeria’s numerous languages to benefit from borrowing, cod-mixing, code-switching and other methods to ensure their survival.

According to the United Nations, “English Language Day at the UN is celebrated on 23 April, the date traditionally observed as both the birthday and date of death of William Shakespeare. The Day is the result of a 2010 initiative by the Department of Public Information, establishing language days for each of the Organisation's six official languages.

“The purpose of the UN's language day is to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity as well as to promote equal use of all six official languages throughout the Organisation.”

‘Outstanding students to be employed’


...Obaseki’s removal of red tape boosting private investment – Okomu MD

Sequel to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State’s directive that students from the College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi be posted to agricultural institutions in the state, about 50 of them have commenced a 3-month internship at the facility of Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc.

Managing Director, Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, Mr. Graham Hefer, who disclosed this in a chat with journalists, said the training is in fulfillment of an agreement entered into with the Edo State Government on the training of students from the college.

“The students will be with us for a period of 3 months. The training commenced Monday, April 23. They will be trained for three months in all aspects of agriculture available here,” he said.

Noting that the training would afford the students the opportunity to learn about diverse areas of the company’s operations, he said, “We are happy to be opening our door to students to undertake their Industrial Training here with us. Obviously, this step is good for us because, through the training, we can identify potential good students in our succession planning so that we will know who is coming through.

“The more these students learn from us the better for the company, as it would help us. With this, we don’t have to rescale them if we need people coming through. Before now, we had Industrial Training (IT) students from Colleges of Agriculture but the partnership for the training of these 50 students is the first on a large scale,” he added.

According to him, “At Okomo Oil, we have a close relationship with the state government. In fact, we interface with the state ministry of Agriculture and get along very well with the ministry. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture has been very resourceful to us. We have very close ties with the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, who has also been resourceful to us.”

Hefer attributed the recent expansion of the company to the ongoing institutional reforms and investment drive by the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, noting, “With the level of ongoing infrastructural development and institutional reforms being carried out by the Godwin Obaseki-led administration, things are looking promising for investors in the state.”

He said he has been keeping track of the governor’s drive to attract investors to the state, stressing, “This is commendable. In recent months, I have seen how busy the governor has been, interfacing with potential investors visiting the state.”

On the ongoing institutional reforms, Hefer said, “The state government ministries, agencies and departments are now more professional in interfacing with private investors in the state. We are experiencing a two-way communication with government officials at the ministries which we have not had in the past. When there are issues we don’t understand, we pick up the phone and talk with the officials for clarification.”

Noting that the state governor was committed to infrastructural development, Hefer noted, “I hope to see the Gelegele Seaport and Industrial Park projects completed very quickly. On our part as a company, we are studying how these projects would benefit us in the short and medium terms.”

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Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (Middle); Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon Philip Shaibu (Left), during the Governor's recent inspection of the College of Agriculture, Ighuoriakhi, Edo State.

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Edo Govt officials coordinating the bidding process

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Dr Joan Osa-Oviawe with other government officials sorting contractors' bids at the event.

...Obaseki committed to transparent award of contracts - Oviawe

Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has commenced review of contract bids for the renovation of 230 public schools across the 18-local government areas in the state.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic Education, and Acting Chairperson, Edo SUBEB, Dr. Joan Osa-Oviawe, who presided over the process in Benin City, said the renovation work will include various levels of repairs and/or overhaul in the 230 schools.

She said the Governor Godwin Obaseki administration intends to renovate over 1,200 public schools in the state, but that the first batch of 230 schools are captured in the pilot phase of the exercise. "The schools were selected to represent all wards in the state. Wards with higher population have more schools captured for renovation," she said.

"The second phase of the exercise will include schools that are in deplorable state, requiring major re-construction work or complete overhaul," she added.

Oviawe explained that the bidding was carried out openly before contractors so that those bidding for contracts will have first-hand details for each bid and exact fund allocated.

"This step became necessary in line the Obaseki’s administration's insistence on transparency in awarding contracts."

She said a technical committee was set up to review the process and ensure the biding was transparent and done in line with laid down procedures, adding that the committee is expected to make recommendations for final selection of contractors.

She noted that the governor’s drive to improve access to quality basic education is to build a solid base for the revival of the education sector, noting, "a standard primary school in Edo State should have perimeter fencing; access to electricity powered through renewable solar energy; water supply; play ground; furniture; toilet facilities; and mini-library for each classroom.”

One of the contractors, who participated in the bidding process, Mr. Austine Aimiuwu, commended the state government for ensuring a transparent bidding for the contracts, adding, “It is remarkable that the bidding followed due process and done in a seamless manner.

"It is interesting that the godfatherism factor that is common with bidding for contracts never reared up. This ensured that the process was not compromised. I am assured that only qualified contractors who meet criteria for the contracts will get the contracts

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Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic Education and Acting Chairman, SUBEB, Dr Joan Osa-Oviawe, preside over the bidding process for the reconstruction of 230 public schools in Edo State.

World Innovation Day: Obaseki Harps On Support Structures For Tech-Driven Solutions To Everyday Problems

… ‘Why we are deploying technology to solving problems in Edo’

Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state government is deploying technology to solving everyday problems in the state because of the immense benefit and promise technology-driven solutions have shown in transforming societies.

The governor, who said this in commemoration of the World Creativity and Innovation Day celebrated every April 21 by the United Nations, said there was need to build support structures to encourage young people to develop and deploy computing skills and tools to change society, create wealth and impact humanity.

According to him, “At the heart of the reforms we have implemented in the state is the use of technology to make things faster, better and easier. This is evident in education reforms, especially with the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo BEST) programme, retraining of civil servants to be tech-compliant and building an army of young people to develop solutions to change the way we do things.

“As a government, we will continue to create structures and strengthen institutions that will whet the appetite of our people to be creative and innovative in the way they work and lead their lives. That is why we signed up to train our people under a partnership with Microsoft and Tech4Dev. This will help train a good number of our young people to think about and develop tech-driven solutions to everyday problems.”

He added that much as it is imperative to push for these reforms and programmes, there is also a need for the people to come to terms with the reality of the day, which is being determined by technology. He called on Edo people, especially youths, to avail themselves of opportunities to be computer literate and think up innovative solutions to problems bedeviling society.

April 21, 2018 marks the first official World Creativity and Innovation Day (#WCID) to be celebrated. THE UN says the day is observed six days after Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday, and is well positioned to encourage creative multidisciplinary thinking to help us achieve the sustainable future we want.

According to the United Nations, “On World Creativity and Innovation Day, the world is invited to embrace the idea that innovation is essential for harnessing the economic potential of nations. Innovation, creativity and mass entrepreneurship can provide new momentum for economic growth and job creation. It can expand opportunities for everyone, including women and youth. It can provide solutions to some of the most pressing problems such as poverty eradication and the elimination of hunger.”