₦airaland Forum

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PHOTO 2:
Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki (front row, middle); his deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu (front row: left), leading the Edo State contingent at the closing ceremony of the 2018 National Sports Festival in Abuja, on Sunday, December 16, 2018.

National Sports Festival: Obaseki Promises World-Class Organisation As Edo Gets 2020 Hosting Right

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured athletes and lovers of sports that the state is ready to organise a world-class National Sports Festival, come 2020.

Obaseki gave the assurance while addressing journalists on the side-lines of the closing ceremony of the just-concluded National Sports Festival in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, after Edo was given the right to host the 2020 edition of the sports fiesta.

“On behalf of the government and people of Edo State, I assure you that the confidence reposed in us would be justified. I make a solemn promise today that we will give it our all and at the end of the day, everyone would say of the 2020 Games, ‘this is our festival in which we are well pleased,’ the governor pledged.

He noted that “The sports community will have no cause to regret this momentous decision that has been taken for Edo State to host the next edition of the National Sports Festival.

“We will take every step necessary, make the needed sacrifice to deliver the best games in the annals of the sports festival.”

He maintained that though there would be challenges on the way, he stressed, “we are Edo people. We have the men who can do the job and the facilities that will raise the profile of the festival.”

According to him, “Whatever challenges there are, we will overcome because Edo people tread where even lions do not. Like our warriors of old, we will slay every foe and surmount every obstacle to succeed.

“The 2020 Sports Festival will be different from any previous edition and any that will come after it. Perhaps it can only be surpassed in splendour and organisation the next time Edo State hosts it afterwards.

He added that “The Edo 2020 Sports Festival will be a festival that will be grounded in “strategy, organisation, technical apparatus, science, mechanics, and morale”.


PHOTO 1:
Standing, front row: Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki (3rd right); his deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu (4th right); Former National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun (4th left), with athletes, at the closing ceremony of the 2018 National Sports Festival in Abuja, on Sunday, December 16, 2018.

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Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki (front row, middle); his deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu (front row: left), leading the Edo State contingent at the closing ceremony of the 2018 National Sports Festival in Abuja, on Sunday, December 16, 2018.

As part of efforts to sustain awareness, prevention and reduce the spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has intensified awareness on the disease and has established seven centers in Benin where residents can check to ascertain their status and get counseling services.

Addressing journalists at the end of a Stakeholders’ Scorecard and Interactive meeting held in Benin City, Executive Director, Edo State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (EDOSACA), Mrs. Flora Oyakhilome, said the centers are located in Santana Market, Ramart Park, New Benin, Evbuotubu, Oluku, Ekiosa and Ring Road.

Oyakhilome said the Edo State Government has made the job easier for the agency through the setting up of these testing and counseling centers across Benin metropolis, noting, “This is a remarkable experience for us in the agency as we are testing people and those who come out positive are counseled and linked to care. This is the first time we are embarking on an event like this and the great success of the exercise is attributed to the state government.”

She said the meeting and interactive session with stakeholders, HIV/AIDS response persons, board members of EDOSACA and relevant participants was aimed at evaluating achievements made by the agency from December 2017 till date.

She added that it will enable the agency improve on its areas of strength, work on its weaknesses, and develop strategists on overcoming challenges.

“We have achieved a lot since 2017, as we have been involved in testing returnees from Libya and those who test positive are counseled and linked to care which include referring them to health facilities where they can access drugs as the government has provided free drugs for them,” the SACA boss said.

Executive Director, Ideal Development and Resource Center (IDRC), Saliu Aidonolo said the session was a commendable development, adding that the event showed the effective coordination of EDOSACA and the State government in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Aidonolo said, “I am happy about the success story so far on the testing and counseling points established by Edo State Government, which shows commitment to responding to challenges in the fight against the disease. I hope it can be extended to other parts of the state.”

He urged pregnant women to ensure they get tested to know their status and know how to protect the unborn child.

State Co-ordinator, National Youths Network on Population and HIV/AIDS, Osamwonyi Iserhienrhien, said that the programme provided a good avenue for stakeholders to evaluate the strength and weaknesses in 2018 to enable them plan better for 2019.

PHOTO:
Executive Director, Edo State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (EDOSACA), Mrs. Flora Oyakhilome (left), with other participants during a Stakeholders’ Scorecard and Interactive meeting in Benin City, Edo State.

The federal government has commenced ‘N-Power-Enhance’, designed to advance the social investment programme (N-Power) which has empowered thousands of Nigerian youths across the country.

Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Job Creation and Youth Employment and the National Coordinator of the Federal Government Social Investment Programme, N-Power, Mr. Afolabi Imoukhuede, said ‘N-Power-Enhance’ is for Batch A beneficiaries.

He disclosed this at the N-Power Edo South programme, with the theme “Build the Future” which held in Benin City, Edo State.

Imoukhuede urged beneficiaries to fully utilise the opportunity provided by the federal government through the N-Power programme to achieve more for themselves both professionally and entrepreneurially.

He noted that from “the beneficiaries’ testimonies, the N-Power programme has achieved its objectives.”

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, described the N-Power programme as world-class and urged beneficiaries to see it as an opportunity to acquire skills and work experiences which they could use to build a future for themselves.

Obaseki who said his administration is providing professional training for health personnel to manage Primary Health Centres in the state, emphasised that N-Power beneficiaries stand a better chance to be trained as they have the basic technical skills.

He urged the beneficiaries not to “wait for the programme to end before you seek better opportunities.”

Edo State Focal Person for the programme, Miss. Osayuwamen Aladeselu, applauded the success of the N-Power initiative and encouraged beneficiaries to be more dedicated in their places of primary assignments to show appreciation for the initiative.

At the event, beneficiaries who representing different sectors under the N-Power programme, shared their testimonies on the impacts of the programme.

Over 2,000 beneficiaries in Batches A and B attended the event, which also had in attendance the Director, National Orientation Agency, Mrs Grace Eweka; APC State Youth Leader, Mr Valentine Aisuen, special advisers to governor Obseki and other dignitaries.

The N-Power Volunteer Corps is part of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)’s Social Investment Programmes (SIP) under which 500,000 graduates have so far been recruited.

It is currently in operation in the 36 states of Nigeria. The main thrust of the N-Power scheme is to harness Nigeria’s young demography through appropriate skill development, providing a structure for large scale and relevant work skills acquisition and development, and linking outcomes to fixing inadequate public services and stimulating the larger economy.

Beneficiaries are engaged on different areas of public service, including education (N-Teach), health (N-Health), agriculture (N-Agro), building/construction (N-Build). Beneficiaries are paid a monthly stipend of N30,000 during their period of engagement.


PHOTO 1:
L-R: Youth Leader of Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Valentine Asuen; Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Job Creation (N-Power), Afolabi Imoukhuede; Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki; Edo South APC Senatorial Candidate, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, at an N-Power event, tagged “Better Future” in Benin City, Edo State.

Edo-HIP, State Health Insurance Scheme Designed To Deliver Universal Health Coverage In Edo – Obaseki

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said that healthcare reforms in the state, including the Edo Healthcare Improvement Programme (Edo-HIP) and the Health Insurance Scheme, will ensure that residents in the state are better positioned to for universal health coverage.

The governor said this, in commemoration of the International Universal Health Coverage Day, marked every December 12, by the United Nations, and its various health-focused organs. The day was first marked on 12 December 2012, after the United Nations General Assembly endorsed a resolution calling on countries to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage (UHC).

According to the governor, “As we mark the International Health Coverage Day, it is important to state that, as a government, we have made tremendous progress in restoring our primary healthcare system. This is so that it can be responsive to the needs of today, and serve as the first port of call to anyone with health needs in the rural areas and villages.”

Noting that the Edo-HIP is an elaborate plan to reform the primary healthcare system to meet the needs of Edo residents, he said, “The primary healthcare reform not only ensures access – as a number of them are sited in rural areas, they are also affordable and fitted with relevant supplies. To ensure that there is constant power supply, the renovated healthcare centers are fitted with solar energy, to forestall the incidence of power cut.”

The governor added that the state government will be unveiling her health insurance scheme next year to also provide a pool of funds to drive healthcare service delivery in the state.

He said, “We have provided for the health insurance scheme in the 2019 proposed budget. This will ensure that a structure for funding the healthcare system is put in place. It will ensure that those who subscribe to the scheme have access to affordable healthcare services. This is in addition to a number of other healthcare initiatives such as the building of a neonatal healthcare center at the Stella Obasanjo Hospital through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) project in the state.”

According to the United Nations, “the International Universal Health Coverage Day aims to raise awareness of the need for strong and resilient health systems and universal health coverage with stakeholder.

“Each year on 12 December, UHC advocates raise their voices to share the stories of the millions of people still waiting for health, champion what we have achieved so far, call on leaders to make bigger and smarter investments in health, and encourage diverse groups to make commitments to help move the world closer to UHC by 2030,” the UN said.

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PHOTO 5:
Leader, Edo State Market Women Association, Madam Blacky Omoregie (right) presenting a copy of her speech to Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, at the association’s end-of-the-year party, in Benin City, Edo State, on Wednesday, December 12, 2018.

PHOTO 4:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (right); Leader, Edo State Market Women Association, Madam Blacky Omoregie (2nd right), at the Edo Food and Agric Fair, in Benin City, Edo State, on Wednesday, December 12, 2018.

PHOTO 3:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (2nd right, 2nd row); Leader, Edo State Market Women Association, Madam Blacky Omoregie (right), with other market women, at the association’s end-of-the-year party, in Benin City, Edo State, on Wednesday, December 12, 2018.

PHOTO 2:
Cross-section of members of the Edo State Market Women Association, at the association’s end-of-the-year party, in Benin City, Edo State, on Wednesday, December 12, 2018.

…20,000 Edo market women to benefit from Trader-moni

…18 markets to be fitted with toilets, water facilities

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has celebrated with market women in Edo State in the spirit of the Yuletide season, thanking them for their support for the state government and his policies.

The governor expressed his appreciation during an end-of-the-year party organised by the Edo State Market Women Association in Benin City, on Wednesday, December 12, 2018.

He said, “I don’t know where to start because our mothers, our aunts, all of you have been my backbone. You are our greatest supporters. You are the ones on the streets and in markets who come to tell us daily what is going on. You are the ones who come to advise us in government on what to do. Without you, we will not succeed.

“We are here to thank you all. From Aduwawa Market in Benin to markets in Akoko-Edo, Esan land and Orhionmwon, thank you for supporting our government. We appreciate all of you. We know your challenges.

“You cried to us about the activities of touts, which was not good for our state, and asked us to assist you. That was what made us ban the activities of touts from our roads and in markets. By God’s grace, touts will not return to Edo State again.”

He continued, “You told us how teachers don’t attend classes and how our children don’t learn in schools, that we should assist you. That is why we implemented the Edo Basic Education Transformation (EdoBEST) programme.

“Thank God, one of you is on the State Universal Education Board (SUBEB), Mrs. Ighodalo. Help me express my appreciation to her. Do you know what SUBEB is doing? They are in all our schools, training our teachers to teach our children. All of you who have children in primary schools should go to the schools and see what we are trying to do for the children to learn.”

Obaseki noted, “It is you who told us that roads are not good and the quality of roads we need to construct, that made us reconstruct the roads in Uselu in Benin. Moving from Ugbor to Ugbowo now doesn’t take you more than 30 minutes. We still have many projects to carry out in Edo State. We are just starting. We know that some things are still hard but by God’s grace and with the help of the Federal Government, we are investing in agriculture.”

He said, “From 2019, when we will be preparing for Christmas, the Food and Agric Fair will have food everywhere because we are assisting farmers with funds to grow crops.

Noting that the state government has intensified efforts at road construction, he said “We know we don’t have enough roads, we will construct more roads. Today, during our EXCO meeting, we awarded the largest road contract in the history of Edo State, from Upper Sokponba to Abraka has been awarded, totalling 106km of road. All of you in Orhionmwon and other areas in that axis will have road to bring your food to the city.”

On construction of toilets and water facilities, Obaseki said, “Through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) programme, we will commence the construction of toilets and water facilities in 18 markets in Oredo, Egor and Ikpoba-Okha local government areas. Before January, all the toilets in these markets will be constructed with water facilities.”

On the provision of smart off-grid electricity to the markets, he said, “In 2019, all the markets across Edo State will have functioning toilets and water facilities. Solar power will be provided in all the markets in the state, just like the one we have in Edaeken Market commissioned by the Vice President. This will assist you to reduce the cost of running generator sets.”

He announced that 20,000 traders in the state will benefit from the Trader-moni loans, noting, “the Vice President has asked me to give 20,000 traders the Trader-moni loan in Edo State. In the next one month, people will go around markets to collect names and phone numbers of traders. They will give you the loans for your trade.”

Earlier, President of the Edo Market Women Association, Mrs. Blacky Omoregie, said market women have fared well under Governor Obaseki’s administration owing to the various policies, which have improved their ease of doing businesses.

She commended the governor for the ongoing reforms in all sectors of the state’s economy, especially the road infrastructure, sports, education and health care.


PHOTO 1:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (2nd right); Leader, Edo State Market Women Association, Madam Blacky Omoregie (right), with other market women, at the association’s end-of-the-year party, in Benin City, Edo State, on Wednesday, December 12, 2018.

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…scent leaf, oil palm, senna to be used as raw materials

As work intensifies on the development of the Benin Industrial Park, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his administration is willing to work with the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) and Pas Herbal to produce drugs from scent leaf and Senna at the park, which will house a pharmaceutical industry.

The governor disclosed this when he received executive members of the NIPRD, who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, in Benin City, Edo State capital.

While commending the research institute for identifying the state’s competitive advantage in the production of high-value crops, such as scent leaf, senna and oil palm, he noted that his administration would create the enabling environment for the production of drugs from the crops, which will add value to Nigeria’s economy.

He said, “We have identified scent leaf and senna as projects of interest. We will like to enter a tripartite collaboration, so we can identify the areas that the plants will do well and the markets for the products.”

Obaseki noted that the state was collaborating with the Natural Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) to boost local production and processing of oil palm in the state, adding that a section at the Benin Industrial Park would house a pharmaceutical industry to strengthen collaboration with the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development.

Earlier, Director-General of NIPRD, Dr. Obi Adigwe, said the Institute was seeking collaboration with the Edo State Government to add value to its pharmaceutical company, which is currently not leaving up to expectations.

Noting that the Institute was seeking collaboration with the state government and relevant stakeholders to produce drugs from natural resources, Adigwe said the NIPRD focuses on drug products, processes and development of drug protocols that will enable the state governments to support local production of drugs from natural resources.

“One of the areas of interest to the institute is harnessing natural resources that are specific to some states. Three products have been identified in Edo: scent leaf, senna and oil palm. Senna can be used to make drugs that treat constipation and weight problem. These natural resources could be harnessed by the state government using local people and increasing the value chain of the products for local and international markets.”


PHOTO 1:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (middle); Director-General of National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Dr. Obi Peter Adigwe (2nd left); Special Assistant to the DG, Abubakar Danraka (2nd right); Principal Secretary, NIPRD, Charles Balogun (right) and Communications Lead, NIPRD, Martins Ifijeh, during a courtesy visit by NIPRD to the governor, in Government House, Benin City, on Tuesday, December 11, 2018

…reassures on supremacy of Law

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state government has advanced a number of policies and legislations to uphold human rights in the state, noting that the rule of law remains a major cornerstone of his administration’s policy drive.

The governor said this in commemoration of the Human Rights Day, marked every December 10, by the United Nation. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the day, which observance began in 1948, the year the UN adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The governor said that the state government places huge premium on human rights, which is why a number of reforms and policies pushed by government are those that uphold the dignity of man and places no one above the law.

According to him, “As we mark Human Rights Day, it is instructive that we have to, as a government, demonstrate a commitment to upholding the rights of every Edo resident. From the Child Rights Law; to the Law for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons; and efforts at checking child abuse; as well as reforms in property rights and a number of other such legislations and policies, we are enthroning respect for every citizen’s right as a key aspect of our development efforts.

“We have through the law prohibiting trafficking in persons set up the Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking (ETAHT), which will ensure the prosecution of persons who debase the dignity of others in form of human trafficking for pecuniary gains. We have recorded tremendous support from the international community in these efforts and we intend to intensify the campaign.”

Noting that the state government doesn’t take lightly the task to protect children from predatory paedophiles, he said, “We have launched an all-out war against sexual predators in our midst to ensure that the rights of children are protected. This is part of the overall strategy to enforce the Child Rights Law.”

The governor also noted that the state government is in the process of setting up the office of the public defender for those without access to legal representation and has set up a committee on the prerogative of mercy to help decongest prisons.

According to the UN, “Human Rights Day is observed every year on December 10 – the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This year, Human Rights Day marks the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a milestone document that proclaimed the inalienable rights which everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. It is the most translated document in the world, available in more than 500 languages.”

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Edo Agric Fair: Obaseki Urges Intensive Extension Service To Expose Farmers To New Technologies

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has made a case for intensive extension service that will link farmers to new technologies and research information, adding that the country’s agricultural sector has continued to suffer due to poor farming practices.

Obaseki made the submission while declaring open the maiden edition of the Edo Food and Agric Fair, holding at Imaguero College, in Benin City. The fair which commenced on December 10 will last till December 20th.

He said most farmers lack information about modern farming techniques as well as the understanding of the agricultural value chain, a situation which has led to the neglect of the sector.

He noted, “the help farmers need is not only cash. What they require is what we call extension service. Extension agents should be able to take research findings and information to farmers; help them to understand their peculiar needs and how they can get government support.

“Farmers need to have access to tools for mechanisation; they need to know the type of pesticides and fertiliser to use in order to increase their yield. In the past, extension agents took this information to farmers and our farmers did well.”

Noting that the role of government is to provide the people with solutions to improve their livelihood, the governor assured that his administration would advance innovate ways of tackling problems farmers are confronted with in the state.

He expressed optimism that subsequent editions of the Edo Food and Agric Fair would create a ready market for agricultural produce that would be produced in the state through government’s support.

Obaseki said, “This sort of fair from next year should create a market for people who we would have supported through various initiatives to bring their agricultural produce either in raw or processed form so that people from within and outside the state can come here and buy.”

He urged farmers in the state to be receptive to the assistance the state government would render to them, adding that in 2019, his administration will introduce the school feeding programme in the state with a plan to ensure that the food items are sourced from farms close to the schools.



PHOTO 1:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (left) declaring open the maiden edition of the Edo Food and Agric Fair, at Imaguero College, in Benin City. With him are experts, set to participate in a panel session, a component of the fair.

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… as shoppers get 20% discount on prices of commodities[i][/i]

In a renewed effort to ensure market linkage for farmers in rural communities, the Edo State Government has reopened the monthly market with a charge to women to add value to their farm produce so they can command higher prices.

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Magdalene Ohenhen, made the call at the relaunch of the Edo Monthly Market at Urhokpota Hall, in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.

Some of the products exhibited at the market were local rice, sour garri, packaged yam and plantain flour, snails, bush meat, dried fish, locust beans, pigeon pea, vegetables, local soaps, palm oil, raw and fried groundnuts, and tubers of yam.

A mudu of white garri, 4 kilograms of local rice, a bunch of plantain and bottle of groundnut which sell for N500, N1300, N700 and N800 respectively at major markets in Benin City, were sold for N300, N1, 000, N500 and N500 respectively.

After inspecting the different food items brought at the market, Ohenhen said the essence of the monthly market was to encourage more women to go into production and processing of farm produce which would be sold at competitive prices.

“The monthly market was introduced in the previous administration but did not hold after some time. We decided to revive it and make it bigger and better,” she said.

Noting that the state government is committed to sustaining the market, she said, “We are promoting value addition in our local produce so that we can create an export market. Before now, we had carried out advocacy at the different local government councils on the need for women to be empowered and gainfully involved in business ventures.”

She said the monthly market is an avenue to showcase what women are producing locally, noting that it was encouraging that some women have started packaging their produce to attract higher prices.

According to her, “From what we have seen today, the women are interested in selling and adding value to their farm produce. Packaged yam and plantain flour made in Esan West Local Government Area can be found in the market and we want more women to be involved in value addition.”

She said a permanent site would be secured in Benin City, the state capital, where the monthly market would be held.

Mrs. Mary Edokpa, from Esan Central LGA commended the state government for the initiative, saying it would promote resourcefulness and entrepreneurship.

“Everything brought from my LGA to the market was sold at very affordable prices and we look forward to attending the next monthly market,” she said.


PHOTO 1:
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Magdalene Ohenhen (3rd from right) addressing traders during the relaunch of the Monthly Farmers’ Market at Urhokpota Hall, in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State.

Obaseki’s Leave My Office Order To BEDC MD: Council Of Traditional Rulers Backs Gov’s Tough Stand

…urges BEDC to provide electricity or leave Edo State

The Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, headed by the Benin Monarch, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolo kpolo, Oba Ewuare II, has thrown its weight behind the tough stand of the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on the poor service delivery of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) leading to weeks of blackout across the state.

In a communique issued at the end of its meeting held on Friday, November 30, 2018, at the Oba Palace, Benin City, the Council said it “condemned in strong terms the poor performance and inability of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to provide electricity to the good people of Edo State.”

It “Frowned at BEDC’s inability to provide prepaid meters to those willing to buy and its imposition of illegal and outrageous estimated billing system on its consumers" and “Fully endorsed the actions of His Excellency, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, Governor of Edo State, in calling for the non-renewal of the contract between BEDC and the relevant agency of the Federal Government and urged the Governor to vigorously pursue the procurement of alternative source(s) of power in order to bring comfort to the people of Edo State."

The Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, said that after consulting with the relevant stakeholders and experts in the electricity sector, it decided to join force with the state government to demand quality service from BEDC.

“We cannot continue to dwell in unending darkness and watch our people suffer untold hardship, resulting from the inefficiency of BEDC. Our people who are into small and medium scale businesses are going out of business daily and bigger businesses are having their share of the hardship," the highly revered traditional rulers said.

They added: “We will not allow our economy to collapse on account of the incompetence of BEDC management and we urge BEDC to either rise to the occasion and provide electricity or leave our communities.

“As leaders, we have exercised sufficient restraint, hoping that BEDC would overhaul its system to better serve Edo people. But the company’s capacity to deliver on its mandate is suspect, and what is worse, is the disrespectful posture of its managing director Mrs Funke Osibodu."

The Oba Ewuare II-led Council explained that “Our people have a long history of welcoming businesses, foreign and local. We have not changed, but we will not fold our arms and watch our economy collapse. Funke should either give Edo people electricity or leave Edo State.”

The call by the traditional rulers is coming days after some residents and groups in the state asked the management of BEDC to take lessons from other power distribution companies in the country in order to deliver on its mandate.

Mr Osagiede Izekor, who resides in Benin City said his parents who live in Kaduna enjoy about 24-hour electricity supply in the Northwest state, daily.

He described as “unacceptable, the total blackout that Edo residents are currently experiencing and the attendant negative impact on businesses and social activities in the state.”

Izekor said: “My parents live in Kaduna State and I go there regularly to see them. I speak with them daily and they enjoy regular electricity supply, up to 24 hours daily. The gross inefficiency of BEDC is very glaring in Edo State and I am glad that the state governor has spoken the minds of all Edo people with regard to how they feel about the electricity distribution company.”

He urged BEDC to review its business model and harken to the voice of the people before the company is thrown out of the state as its growing unpopularity can earn it a major public relations disaster.

“The company must review its practices if it wants to remain in business in the state and elsewhere. Public dissatisfaction has reached unprecedented level and the worst could befall BEDC sooner than later.”

“The managing director cannot continue to grand stand when clearly, she is grossly inefficient and incompetent. She is the most unpopular and unwanted personality in Edo State today. Ask the market women, small and medium scale business owners about the MD of BEDC, they all have very harsh things to say about her for keeping them perpetually in darkness.”

Izekor, who is a public relations expert, advised BEDC not to wait for its current unpopularity to degenerate into a crisis before resorting to reactive public relations strategy, instead, the agency should be proactive.

Hope Brightens For Improved Security In Edo As Obaseki Unveils Security Architecture, Trust Fund

…3 APCs, 90 patrol vehicles, 30 motorcycles, 1000 volunteers for launch Dec. 13


…Gov sets aside N2bn for Security Trust Fund to bolster policing

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, is set to launch the state’s new security architecture which defines roles for and relationships among the various security agencies in his administration's resolve to tackle insecurity head-on and rid the state of violent and other crimes.

The event will also feature the launch of a Security Trust Fund, for which N2 billion has been set aside in the state's 2019 proposed budget, the unveiling of newly trained personnel and equipment, procured by the government to raise the bar in the fight against all forms of crimes in the state.

According to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie, “the unveiling which is scheduled for December 13, will set the stage for a new era in the state in which residents will work closely with security agencies, which are being retooled to better perform their functions, which includes ensuring the safety of life and property, to bolster investor confidence across the state.

Osagie added that “Already procured for unveiling by the state government are three Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs); ninety (90) patrol vehicles; fifty (50) patrol cars and forty (40) pick-up patrol vans; thirty (30) motorcycles and three ambulances.

“They are all fitted with digital communication equipment for real time information sharing among the various security agencies.”

He said manpower will be drawn from the Nigeria Police Force; the Military; Department of State Services; Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the state’s Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) scheme.

The governor’s aide explained that 1000 members of PUWOV will support men and women of the various security agencies in executing the goals set in the security blueprint.

“The first batch of two hundred (200) PUWOV personnel are being trained at the Police Training School (PTS), Ogida, and another 800 volunteers are to be trained before the launch date.

“They will be kitted in the approved uniform and will form bulk of the first batch that will be unveiled at the launch date of December 13,” Osagie said.

To kick-start the Security Trust Fund, he said the governor has set aside N2billion in the 2019 proposed budget, which will be supported by private companies in the state and other organisations.

“The Edo State Security Trust Fund is a pool of fund set up by the Obaseki-led administration, which companies, charitable groups and individuals could contribute to, as part of our support for security agencies, in our collective fight against crimes,” he added.

…agro produce to sell at lower prices


The Edo State Government has said that its Food and Agro Fair will hold in Benin City, the state capital, from December 10 to 20 and will ensure that farmers sell food items directly to consumers at affordable prices during the Yuletide season.

Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment, Hon. Emmanuel Usoh, who disclosed this during a press briefing in Benin City, noted that the maiden edition of the Fair is a marketplace, where food and agricultural produce will sell for lower prices during the season.

He said the fair would give farmers the opportunity to sell and make profit, as trucks would be sent to the 18 local government areas in the state to convey their wares to the venue of the fair.

He said, “We are targeting over 100 local and international food and agricultural exhibitors especially farmers who will sell at the fair. We are looking at a 50kg bag of rice selling for N15,000 during the fair as against the N19,500 current market price in the state. There will be abattoir points where cattle would be slaughtered and sold at affordable prices.”

He said the fair would also provide opportunity for rural farmers to exchange ideas with investors, processors and ready-buyers in agribusiness sub-sector, noting, “For us to create wealth in the local economy, we need to link farmers to market information, funding opportunities and improved value addition techniques.”

“The fair will commence with an agro marketing training for about 1,000 farmers and we are optimistic that the event would boost agricultural production in the state in particular and Nigeria in general,” Usoh added.

He urged members of the public in the state to embrace the opportunity presented by the fair organised by the state government to purchase food items at lower prices during the yuletide season.

The Commissioner added that the fair which is being organised by the Ministry of Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment, in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Enterprise, would hold every quarter of the year beginning from 2019.

The Edo Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC) has declared N3.20 billion as total allocation that accrued to the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state for the month of November.

The committee also said that there was a two per cent increase in the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), in the councils.

Chairman, Oredo Local Government Area, Mr. Jenkins Osunde, disclosed this to journalists at the end of the JAAC meeting presided over by the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, in Government House, Benin City.

Osunde said the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from the 18 LGAs stood at N195.15 million which represents a two per cent increase of the IGR recorded in the month of October.

He said that the total allocation is 3,195,266,729.48, noting, “teachers’ salary gulped N1. 07 billion, non-teachers’ salary was N55.22 million while N100 million was set aside for pension payment.”

He added that total deduction was N1. 74 billion while net allocation to the 18 LGAs was N1.45 billion.

The state recorded improved IGR earnings as a result of reforms and deployment of technology in revenue collection.

Source: http://thebellng.com/edo-jaac-declares-n3-2bn-allocation-for-lgas-as-igr-rises/