₦airaland Forum

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured persons living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in the state of his administration’s support, noting that relevant agencies set up to attend to their needs have been revamped to ensure effective service delivery.

The governor said this in commemoration of the World AIDS Day, marked globally by the World Health Organisation (WHO), on December 1, every year.

Obaseki, who assured that the state government is embarking on far-reaching reforms in the health sector to provide for the basic needs of Edo people, said that the Edo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (EDOSACA) has been repositioned to meet its mandate to people living with HIV/AIDS in the state.

According to him, a number of reforms are being undertaken to ensure a reduction in the number of people living with HIV/AIDs.

He added that the Edo Health Care Improvement Programme (Edo-HIP), caters to the health care needs of different segment of the state’s population.

“As part of our support for those living with HIV/AIDS, we have reconstituted the board of EDOSACA so that they can live up to their mandate. We are providing support to the agency to play its roles in a number of our health intervention programmes. This will ensure that they are well positioned to provide support to those who live with the ailment.”

On the theme for this year’s commemoration, ‘Know Your Status,’ the governor urged residents in the state to use the opportunity for free testing by EDOSACA to know their status, and stressed that it was pertinent that the disease is detected early so that the damage to the immune system can be managed.

He added, “EDOSACA is currently leading a sensitisation campaign that will help people know their status. This is important because of the need for affected persons to detect the virus early and take advantage of the support from the agency to manage the ailment.”

The Edo State Government has declared Friday, November 30, a half-day of work in the state, in honour of late elder statesman, Chief Tony Anenih.

In a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, the state government said the declaration is in line with the state burial, with which the state government is honouring the late national icon.

According to him, "The State Government has declared Friday, November 30, a half-day of work, so that workers in the state can pay their last respects to the icon. We are having a state burial and this serves as one of the gestures extended by the government in honour of Anenih, his legacy and contribution to development of the state."

Late Anenih, who was a former Minister of Works and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), died at the age of 85 years on October 28.

Source: http://thebellng.com/edo-govt-declares-friday-half-day-in-honour-of-anenih/

…entertainment park gets N500m

The Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration in Edo State plans to sustain the regular payment of pensioners’ entitlements in 2019 to demonstrate its respect for the state’s senior citizens.

In the state’s proposed budget for 2019, the sum of N9billion has been set aside for the payment of gratuity, pension and arrears of pensioners.

Presenting the 2019 Budget Estimates to a session of the Edo State House of Assembly in Benin City, Governor Obaseki said: We will continue to appreciate the labour of our senior citizens whose sweat built our state and its institutions. Therefore, we take the issue of pension payment as our utmost priority.

“In 2018, we have spent N8 billion in pension payment. We plan to spend another N9 billion to pay pension, gratuity as well arears owed from previous years.”

Recall that following the intervention of the governor in the age-long face-off between pensioners and previous governments over arrears spanning over 20 years, the state’s senior citizens have been receiving their entitlements as and when due, ending years of protest marches at Ring Road, Benin City, by the pensioners.

Obaseki also assured that other sectors of the state will receive their share of attention as provided in the 2019 Budget Proposal.

“An entertainment park that will host the creative arts, film and television productions, is being embarked upon. It is designed to tap into the fast-growing industry by harnessing the creative talent of the Edo people, attract investment and create jobs. To this end, N500 million has been set aside for the project,” the governor said.

He added that later in the year, “we will hold the second edition of Edo Festival of Arts and Culture (EDOFEST) to showcase our colourful culture and the potential that lies within the tourism sector."

According to him, “The Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs is in talks with local and foreign investors, who are desirous of investing in our tourist sites.

“Top on the list of these sites are the Sokponba Resort, Kukuruku Hills and the transformation of the popular Benin Moat into a world class tourist centre.

“I wish to announce that in 2019, Edo State will serve as host to the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for the annual National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST), Nigeria’s largest cultural event.

“As a people with enviable cultural heritage, the culture and tourism sector is a major plank of our administration.”

PHOTO 1:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (right), presenting the 2019 Budget Estimates, before a session of the Edo State House of Assembly, in Benin City, Edo State.

.

Growth Enablers Receive Fresh Impetus In Edo As Obaseki Budgets N7bn For Investment Drive In 2019

…offers guarantees, counterpart funding as incentives

Building on the gains of his administration’s industrialisation drive in the outgoing year, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, plans to rev up activities that will increase the growing list of investors that will berth in the state in 2019, with N7.007 billion.

Obaseki said this during the presentation of the state’s 2019 Budget proposal before a session of the Edo State House of Assembly, in Benin City, the state capital.

According to the governor, “Our efforts at expanding the state’s economic base will receive a major boost this year as we plan to spend N7.007 billion on investment promotion, which will help bring to fruition a number of our investment initiatives.”

He explained that “Through this, we intend to provide guarantee for investments from the private sector, match funding for projects and provide the right environment for investors to come on board.”

Speaking on the status of the state’s big-ticket investments, which final investment decisions were sealed earlier in the year; Obaseki said, “Our big-ticket projects, including the Benin Industrial Park, the Benin River Port and Edo Modular Refinery Project, are well on course.

“Three billion naira (N3 billion) has been set aside as the contribution of the state as initial investment commitment for the Benin Industrial Park, the necessary preliminary works are ongoing and in no distant time, the first set of companies will set up shops to provide jobs and services in the state.”

He added that “one of the priority areas in the proposed 2019 capital expenditure framework is to strengthen internal capacity for project execution and governance with a view to achieving 80 per cent closure rate on all ongoing projects.”

He maintained that “Considering the nexus between investment and security, we will reinforce our security architecture with N2 billion which will be contributed to the State Security Trust Fund.

“We expect that well-meaning Edo citizens and corporate bodies will also contribute to this fund towards ensuring improved safety of lives and property within the state.”

On the achievements recorded by his administration in the outgoing year, Obaseki said, “In the last one year, we have seen rapid improvement in job creation, social inclusion, sports development, investment drive, institutional reforms, culture and tourism development, education, health care delivery, provision of social housing, infrastructural development and in the protection of life and property.”

On growth expectation in 2019, he projects: “Our expectation for growth in 2019 is an expansion of 2.5 per cent in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), an improvement over the expected growth of 2.1 per cent in 2018. While crude oil price may decline, we hope that the increase in oil production to 2.3mb/d due to additional output from areas like the Egina field, will sustain growth in the oil sector.

“In the non-oil sector, we expect a sustained positive performance in manufacturing and services due to higher consumer spending (as higher government revenues which are ensuring the settlement of outstanding salary obligations across states and a new minimum wage, will boost household income). In agriculture, we expect a boost in 2019 as governments move to enhance stability and productivity in this sector.”


PHOTO 1:
L-R: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; his deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu; Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq.; new Head of Service (HoS), Mr Isaac Ehiozuwa; and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Taiwo Akerele; during the governor’s presentation of the 2019 Budget estimate, christened ‘Budget of Socio-Economic Inclusion,’ in Benin City, Edo State, on Monday, November 26, 2018.

Operators Hail Obaseki's Sand Mining Reforms, Want Strict Monitoring Of New Initiatives

Owners of burrow pits, haulage operators, tipper drivers and other stakeholders in the sand mining sector have commended the Edo State Government led by Governor Godwin Obaseki for re-opening certified burrow pits across the state.

The decision to re-open certified burrow pits across the state was announced by the Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Dame Omoua Alonge Oni-Okpaku.

A cross-section of owners of burrow pits and other stakeholders who spoke to journalists at the weekend, hailed the state's decision to re-open only certified burrow pits across the state, a step they said, will restore sanity to their business.

Mr. Ernest Omorodion, who owns a burrow pit in Ovia North East Local Government Area, said, “I must commend the decision of the state government to re-open only certified burrow pits. It is a smart initiative which will ensure only designated areas are mined for sand. It will restore sanity in the business and drive out the bad eggs, who have soiled the business.”

Omorodion said, “Before the ban was placed on burrow pits in the state, those of us who are genuinely into the business had expressed concerned about the indiscriminate burrowing of pits in the state by illegal operators who are driven by profits without regard for the environment.

“I urge government and the relevant authorities to ensure strict monitoring and compliance."

Johnson Omeiza, a haulage operator, described the re-opening of certified burrow pits as “a timely intervention."

He said, “Considering the manner in which mining activity at the pits was carried out before the ban was placed, there was no way the actions of illegal operators would not have led to environmental disaster. Some of these areas are prone to erosion. If the trend had continued, communities would have been wiped off.

“With this step, we are reassured that government’s regulations will control how some operators carry out their activities. We expect them to pay regular visits to the sites to ensure best practice.”

In a statement signed by Oni-Okpaku, the state government said that burrow pits that have been duly evaluated have been reopened and urged operators who are yet to collect their clearance to report to the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability for the document.

Ukpato Multi-Skills Acquisition Centre: Okogbo Youths, Others Laud Obaseki’s People-Centred Programmes

…appeal for upgrade to polytechnic

Still basking in the euphoria of having a multi-skills acquisition centre in their community, youth leaders in Okogbo and other communities in Ukpato Ward, in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state have lauded what they described as the people-centred policies of the Godwin Obaseki-led administration in the state.

Osaretin Edughaen, Chairman of Okogbo Youth league, said: We are proud that we have been factored into the developmental programmes of our ‘Wake and See’ Governor. When we heard of plans to set up the centre in Okogbo, we were excited but we did not know that the governor would match action with words to deliver the project at the pace he did.

Edughaen added, “We are very happy and all Orhionmwon people are grateful to the governor and our political leaders in the local government area. Ukpato multi-skills acquisition centre is for everybody in the local government area.

“The facility will empower our youths to participate in the economic development of the state and nation. It is our wish that after some months, this facility will be upgraded to a monotechnic or a polytechnic for higher technical and vocational education so that Orhionmwon local government area will have an institution of higher learning for our youths.”

He maintained that a polytechnic in Ukpato will reduce the incidence of human trafficking and illegal migration in the area and reset and equip our people for in-demand industry skills.

Barrister Omogiate Aigbovo who also hails from Okogbo, described the multi-skills centre as a source of light to the communities in Ukpato Ward and the entire Orhionmwon local government area and urged youths in the area to take advantage of the trainings that will be offered at the centre to upgrade their lives.

“Our people are very industrious and I know that this facility given to us by our dear governor will change the narrative in the area. It will raise the scale of economic and social activities and in no distant time, Ukpato Ward will become an innovation hub that will be producing experts for various industries,” Aigbovo said.

Other people from Iguere and neighbouring villages in the local government area, said it is the first time that the ward has received developmental projects ranging from roads, a skills centre and primary health care centres billed to be cited in the area in the coming months.

Promoter of Okogbo people in the diaspora group, Osagie Aimurie, saluted governor Obaseki’s governance model that places emphasis on youth empowerment and infrastructural development.

Sequel to meeting the set guidelines for environmentally-friendly operations and other regulatory requirements, the Edo State Government has approved the re-opening of certified burrow pits across the state.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Dame Omoua Alonge Oni-Okpaku, the state government said that burrow pits that have been duly evaluated have been reopened and urged operators who are yet to collect their clearance to report to the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability for the document.

According to her, “The Ministry of Environment and Sustainability wishes to announce for the information of the general public, and in particular the owners of burrow pits, haulage operators, tipper drivers and other stakeholders, that following the re-opening of the burrow pits that have been duly evaluated, operators who are yet to collect their clearance are to report to the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability to collect their letters between 9.00am to 3.30pm from Monday to Friday."

She urged those who have been cleared to maintain best practice in their operations, noting, “burrow pits that are yet to comply with the verification exercise are to remain closed.”

Recall that the state government a few months ago shut burrow pits in the state, citing environmental reason and that indiscriminate operations of those whose licences and clearance had expired caused severe damage, such as erosion and flash floods.

The exercise, the state government said, was to allow for recertification of law-abiding operators as well as enforce environmentally-friendly practices at the sites.

.

Members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Edo State, artisans and market women have commenced mobilisation of their members for the scheduled visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Edo State for the commissioning of the Edo-Azura Power Plant on Tuesday, November 27.

The President is also to attend the Chief of Army Staff Conference, holding in Edo State, on the same day.

Feelers from the organised private sector indicate that different professional groups are already prepping their members for the visit, just as market women are gearing up for a presidential welcome.

A cross-section of members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Edo/Delta chapter, the Benin Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BENCCIMA), and other bodies said that they are ready to welcome the president to the state, and will be on ground to intimate the president with the impact of the current administration’s reforms on their businesses.

A member of BENCCIMA, and Youth Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC) Edo State Chapter, Comrade Asuen Valentine, said that a great deal of mobilisation is ongoing across the state to see that the president gets a rousing welcome.

Valentine, who is also Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/ Chairman, DVD Oil, added, “We are ready to welcome the president to the state. This, for us, is an opportunity to engage with the President, tell him our concerns and also appreciate him for a number of policies that have positively impacted our operations, especially the move to diversify the economy.”

Edo Market women leader, Madam Blacky Omoregie, on her part, said that market women are most excited to have the President in the state as his social investment programmes particularly the TraderMoni and MarketMoni have tremendously changed lives across the country.

“This is the first time market women across the country are having such direct benefit from the government and it is so pleasing. This is why we are mobilising market women across the state to thank the President for all he has been doing and for placing us at the center of such interventions,” she added.

Source: http://thebellng.com/manufacturers-artisans-market-women-mobilise-to-welcome-buhari-in-edo/

Edo State Government will on Tuesday, November 27, host President Muhammadu Buhari, who will commission the Edo-Azura Power Plant and grace the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Annual Conference, which is billed to hold in Benin City, the state capital.

In a statement, Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said that preparations are in top gear to give the president a grand reception.

According to him, “We are delighted that the President will be in the state for the Chief of Army Staff Conference, the commissioning of the Edo-Azura Power Plant and other engagements in Benin City, the Edo State capital. Preparations are in top gear to give the president a befitting welcome."

The governor's aide added that "Much as we are certain that the impressive governance model by Governor Godwin Obaseki is one of the reasons we are having August visitors from the Federal Government, we are also delighted that the President is coming down by himself this time.”

Osagie explained that some of the activities lined up for the visit include a visit to the Palace of Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II; commissioning of the Edo-Azura Power Plant, and will attend the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Annual Conference.

He said that the state government is pleased to have the president commission the Edo-Azura Power Plant, which is a shinning example of the state’s attractiveness to investors and a boost to the ease of doing business.

“The Edo-Azura Power Plant is a success story in the state's drive to keep investors and has become a model for other states in the country. We are very much delighted that the President will be here to commission the facility.

“This will be the second time, we are having a visit from the Presidency in less than six months and it shows we are doing something right. So, we are indeed happy to have the President,” he added.

Industrial Park, Benin River Port, Modular Refinery ‘ll Accelerate Africa’s Industrialisation – Obaseki

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that his administration’s commitment to the development of an industrial park, a modular refinery and the Benin River Port in the state, will accelerate Africa’s industrialisation drive.

Obaseki made the submission in commemoration of Africa Industrialisation Day celebrated on November 20, each year by the United Nations and its partners.

According to the governor “industrialisation holds the key to Africa’s prosperity and with ongoing continent-wide conversation about Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), any part of the continent that wants to benefit from the agreement must strengthen her industrial base.”

He assured that “when the Benin Industrial Park and the Benin River Port come on stream, more jobs will be created for Edo people and residents, while a robust product processing base will be established to add value to goods produced in the state.

Obaseki noted that the 2018 Theme for the Africa Industrialisation Day: “Promoting Regional Value Chains in Africa: A pathway for accelerating Africa’s structural transformation, industrialisation and pharmaceutical production,” highlights his administration’s supports for policies and programmes which envision sustainable development for the state.

He said parts of the plans to support industrialisation in the state include sustaining the tempo in providing enabling environment that encourages local and foreign investors willing to site their industries in the state, and by, “focusing on improving employability of youths through technical and vocational education and other skills development programme organised by EdoJobs.”

“The transformation of Edo Geographical Information Service (EDOGIS) agency is aimed at ensuring investors acquire land to support the state’s industrial growth with ease, while we continue to support human capital development, research and development (R & D), technology and governance.”

For the United Nations (UN), “Industrialisation, with strong linkages to domestic economies, will help African countries achieve high growth rates, diversify their economies and reduce their exposure to external shocks, which will substantially contribute to poverty eradication through employment and wealth creation.”

-

.

Obaseki Flags-Off Maternal Health Week, Offers Free Services To Mothers, Pregnant Women

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has urged mothers and pregnant women to take advantage of the Maternal New-born and Child Health Week (MNCHW) being observed in the state to access free maternal health services.

The governor, who was represented by his wife, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, made the call while flagging - off the 2018 MNCHW programme in Benin City, noting that Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) and other designated health facilities across the state will render free health intervention services during the one-week programme.

He said, “My administration has continued to support programmes aimed at enhancing the well-being of women and children because of my belief that women and children are the true wealth of any nation.”

Obaseki said his administration would continue to promote policies and programme aimed at reducing maternal, new-born and child mortality in the state.

Earlier, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Izilien Asogun, said MNCHW was aimed at delivering an integrated high-impact package of preventive, promotive and curative health services to mothers and children.

He listed services to be rendered during the week to include immunisation, deworming of infants, nutrition screening, birth registration, administration of Vitamin A supplement to children from six to 59 months and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and malaria testing.

The Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. David Osifo, said the MNCHW is a bi-annual event designed to complement the routine services being rendered to mothers and children in PHCs in the state.

According to him, “This exercise is of immense importance as we continue the fight to reduce sickness and death in mothers and children under five years.”

Osifo noted that the one-week programme holding from November 19th – 23rd would also include health education on exclusive breastfeeding, environmental sanitation and hand washing.

The State Coordinator, World Health Organisation, (WHO), Ms. Faith Ireye, who spoke on behalf of development partners involved in the programme, commended the state government’s efforts in improving PHCs’ services in the state.

She said Edo has been Polio-free since 2009 and has achieved reduction in mother and child diseases via improved immunisation activities.


PHOTO 1:
Representative of Edo State Governor and Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki administering vaccine to an infant, during the flag-off of the 2018 Maternal New-born and Child Health Week (MNCHW) in Benin City, Edo State.

blackgold90:
This is a stupid post. There are thousands of roads currently under construction as the election year draw near.
After elections they are abandoned, so post when they are fully constructed.

Election year? Obaseki just clocked 2 years in office just this Monday, so he his merely doing his job Mr. man.

Some people just open their mouth to talk without first reasoning...

..

.

----

--

-

Edo Poly Commissions Analytical Lab. With Only Functional Gas Chromatography Equipment In South-South


…as Education Ministry trains 14 Women on catering, fashion design, others


The Edo State Polytechnic formally known as Edo State Institute of Technology and Management (ESITM), Usen, has commissioned an Analytical Laboratory, equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, including a gas chromatography equipment, said to be the only functional one in the South-South region of Nigeria.

Rector of the institution, Prof. Abiodun Falodun, in a chat with journalists, said the laboratory was set up to provide for the needs of academic institutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), private researchers, industries in different sectors of the state.

He said the commissioning will be followed by a two-day training workshop for academics, technologists and technicians in the school, to be led by Dr. Adisa Samuel and other experts from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).

He said the project was completed with support from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), and will go a long way to position the institution as the hub for chemical analysis as well as training technicians, technologists and others in chemical and allied sciences, in the South-South Region.

Some of the equipment in the laboratory include Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS), Gas Chromatography equipment (GC), UY-Visible, Spectrophotometer, Flame Photometer, Freeze Dryers, Colorimeter, Polarimeter, among others.

He said the analytical laboratory has equipment to serve the food and agro-allied companies, including Okomu Plc and Presco Plc., water factories, pharmaceutical companies and petrochemical companies, among others.

Meanwhile, the Edo State Ministry of Education has graduated 14 students from its Women Education unit for year 2018, with the graduands receiving training on different vocational skills such as hairdressing, fashion design, catering and interior decoration.

Commissioner for Education, Hon. Emmanuel Agbale, at the graduation ceremony, tasked the graduands to be industrious and aspire to greater achievements in life, using their new trade as a means to improve their livelihood.

He said the Ministry was pleased to have contributed to the economic liberation of the women, noting that the Women Education Unit is another channel of capacity building and human resources development for Edo Women.

He hailed the state governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki and the Women Education Center for providing the resources for the training, adding that the success of the centre could not have been achieved without focus, determination and sacrifices.

In her address, the Acting Coordinator, Women Education Center, Mrs H. E. Osemwengie said, since inception in 1990, the centre has trained over 1000 women with some of them gainfully employed in private and public establishments while others have set up their private restaurants, fashion homes and business centres, thereby providing employment for others.

She said that the centre is accredited for National Business and Technical Education Board (NABTEB) modular examinations, noting that the students excel in both the National Business Certificate (NBC) examination and the modular examination conducted by NABTEB.

.

Experts drawn from the organised private sector, multilateral organisations and grant-making firms, have lauded the job creation drive of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration in Edo State, urging for intervention in agriculture, gender issues to sustain the gains that have been made.

This was the submission by experts during a policy session moderated by Afolabi Imokhuede, Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Job Creation and Youth Empowerment, at the just-concluded Alaghodaro Summit, held to mark Obaseki’s two years in office.

The experts advocated the need for more reforms to ease doing business, investment in proper training to satisfy international standards, putting in place gender targeted policies and exploiting more opportunities in the agriculture sector as ways of improving job creation efforts.

Some of the panelists included the Managing Director (MD), Presco Plc., Felix Nwabuko; Senior Private Sector Specialist, Finance Competitiveness and Innovation, World Bank, Kofi Boateng Aggyen; MD, VACC Technical, Connie Guilfoyle; MD\CEO, Dangote Foundation, Mrs Zouera Yousoufou, and Senior Special Assistant to Edo State Governor on Jobs Creation/ Skills Development, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare.

Speaking on the investment climate in the state, Agyen explained that Edo has a rich investment climate and advised that government deepens policies on ease of doing business.

Ukinebo said that the state government is investing in key infrastructural projects to fast-track job creation, noting that the Obaseki-led government has made job creation, social and infrastructure development and economic prosperity key to his policy.

“In the last two years, figures and travel patterns in the region appear to show that our economic drives are yielding fruits,” she added.

Yousoufou disclosed that her foundation has made provisions to help women in need of grants to do business, adding “the foundation has an arrangement with the Bank of Industry on this matter and would be looking out for ways to partner with the state.

Nwabuko, on his part, maintained that there was need to exploit agriculture because it is still the biggest employer of labour in the country.

In what is best described as a watershed moment in its over 16 years of existence, the Edo State Polytechnic, formally known as Edo State Institute of Technology and Management (ESITM), Usen, will from November 28 to December 3, hold its maiden convocation ceremony.

Rector of the institution, Prof. Abiodun Falodun, who disclosed this in a chat with journalists, said that the development is not only a major milestone but also another expression of the far-reaching reforms by the Governor Obaseki-led administration in the state.

Noting that the convocation ceremony will hold at the institution’s complex, he said that the school will also issue the first set of certificates bearing its name since its inception, noting the certificates will be produced in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

According to him, “I am pleased to announce that Edo State Polytechnic will host its maiden convocation ceremony this year. The ceremony will hold from November 28 to December 3. It will be the first-ever convocation at the institution.”

He urged graduates from the institution to avail themselves of the occasion to get their certificates, noting that all necessary arrangements have been made for a seamless process.

“We are urging graduates from the institution to visit our website for details on how to access their certificates. The convocation will be an opportunity for them to secure theirs. We are as excited as they are, that we have made it possible for them to access their certificates,” he said.

Falodun explained that a number of reforms are ongoing at the polytechnic to reposition it for global reckon, adding that new Higher National Diploma programmes have been introduced even as partnerships have been sealed for international visiting lecturers from Switzerland and Germany.

Alaghodaro: Emotan Gardens’ Subscribers Excited By Govt’s Infrastructure Incentive, As Sterling Bank Supports Summit

The growing list of subscribers for the Emotan Gardens estate have disclosed that one of their major attractions to the project is government’s provision of infrastructure in the estate, which include link roads and the guarantee of requisite land documents.

Head, Business Development and Sales, Mixta Nigeria, Mr. Korede Lawrence, disclosed this on the sidelines of the four-day Alaghodaro Summit, which ended in Benin City, on Monday, November 12, 2018

Meanwhile, one of Nigeria’s leading banks, Sterling Bank, threw its weight behind the summit with its Platinum sponsorship.

Sterling Bank was prominently featured at the summit, showcasing their numerous services to Edo people, and supporting government’s commitment to financial inclusion.

Mr. Lawrence said that a number of subscribers for the estate said that they are confident that the state government’s resolve to reconstruct the link roads to the estate and the newly introduced electronic Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O), are huge attractions to the project.

According to him, “We are very impressed by the patronage. The people say they are moved to commit to the project because the government has assured to construct the link roads to the estate.”

On his impression of Alaghodaro Summit, he said, “It is fantastic to see the government of the day being accountable. It is particularly refreshing that the last three days have been about feedback. Government wants to hear what the people are feeling. It is evident in the way things have gone. Today’s event, which is the main occasion, recorded impressive turnout. The people were so organised and they were given an avenue to express themselves.”

“We are particularly pleased to be part of such an event because of the kinds of products that we are offering, which is a way for government to offer affordable housing to the people. Which better event can we ask for than Alaghodaro?”

“People within Edo state have come here to see what the government of the day is doing. So, yes, we are pleased about the turnout of events. We have seen steady patronage since we have been in Benin City. Because of their previous experience with past administrations as regards housing, there has been some skepticism, but Emotan Gardens is one of the projects that have come to stay. People have gone to the site and are impressed,” he noted.

.....

..

.

The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has extolled the virtues of late Apostle (Dr.) Hayford Ikponmwosa Alile, describing him as a colossus who contributed immensely to Nigeria’s development.

Obaseki eulogised late Alile when he was being laid to rest at his residence in the state capital, Benin-City yesterday.

Among the dignitaries who graced Alile’s final burial rites at his residence were the former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegun, and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie Esq.

The governor had earlier described the passing of late Alile, who was the former Director-General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and spiritual leader of St. Joseph Chosen Church of God, as painful.

“As a state and country, we have lost a rare gem in the transition of Pa Alile, but we are consoled by the godly life he led and the indelible marks he left in the minds and hearts of millions of people,” he added.

Obaseki maintained “Pa Alile was a courageous and incorruptible professional, who championed the global outlook of the NSE through several reforms and pioneered the revolutionary ideas which positioned the Exchange to international standard.”


PHOTO 1:
R-L: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Apostle (Mrs.) Patience Alile -The widow, and other members of the family, at the funeral ceremony of the late Apostle Alile, in his Benin City residence.

Edo Govt Clarifies On Send-Off For Former HoS, Jerry Obazele, 36 Permanent Secretaries


The Edo State Government has said that the last send-off ceremony organised for senior civil servants in the state was for former Head of Service (HoS) of the state, Mr. Jerry Obazele and 36 permanent secretaries, who retired between December 2014 and June 2018, and not for Mrs. Gladys Idahor.

A statement by Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said that earlier media reports stating that the send-off ceremony was held for Mrs. Gladys Idahor, are incorrect, noting “that it was held in honour of Mr. Jerry Obazele and other senior civil servants who retired between December 2014 and June 2018.”

He said the correction became necessary as Mrs. Idahor has been inundated with enquiries regarding the ceremony, which many were misled to believe was held in her honour.

Osagie said, at the send-off ceremony held in honour of the former HoS, Mr. Obazele and 36 permanent secretaries, Governor Godwin Obaseki hailed Obazele and the retired permanent secretaries for their meritorious services and contributions to the development of the state.

At the event, a minute silence was held in honour of one of the retired permanent secretaries, late Deacon Festus Okunrobo.

The Head of Service, Mrs. Gladys Idahor, expressed appreciation to the governor for creating a conducive environment for workers in the state to contribute their quota to the state’s development.

While the Chairman, Edo State Civil Service Commission, Princess Ekiuwa Inneh, praised the retired HoS and permanent secretaries for their impressive service track, adding that they should be prepared to be called upon anytime to serve the state in other capacities.

Increased demand for units in Emotan Gardens, a 70-hectare estate project being developed by the Edo State Government through the Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA) and private developers, Mixta Nigeria, has led to intensified construction activity at the site.

A visit to the project site on Upper Sokponba Road, in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Benin City, showed workers in high spirit, with construction in top gear. While some units have been completed, others are at various stages of completion, with a community of workers working frantically on different housing units.

A cross-section of the workers said they have never witnessed a housing project so massive in a long while in Edo State, noting that the commitment of the project developers is quite commendable.

Officials of Mixta Africa had said that it was intensifying work to ensure that some units in the estate are occupied before year-end, as the development work continues, explaining that the construction will be in phases.

Head, Business Development and Sales, Mixta Nigeria, Mr. Korede Lawrence, said that work is being intensified to meet set deadlines, noting that quality is not compromised in any way in the project.

On the labour force for the construction, he said, “We have labourers from Edo State. In fact, as a proviso to this particular arrangement, it was important that we employ people from Edo State and that indigenes with the requisite skills work on the site.”

Noting that facilities at the estate would be one-of-a-kind, he said, “we will have a one-hectare lake, which is man-made. It would allow the residents to relax. Road network is huge for us; electricity is particularly huge for us. In our estates, our pedigree is that we offer 24/7 electricity. It is what we do and what we have done over the years. All of these obviously come at a cost. The plan is that within that community, in whichever direction you go, you should be able to either go five minutes to leisure or five minutes to an area that is planned specifically for commercial activities.

“As it is, there are people that want to bring their businesses to the commercial areas: hospitals, shopping malls and so on. The truth is that it will be a town within a town. That is what an estate is. An estate is that location where you comfortably obtain everything that enriches your life without moving. That is what we want to bring to Emotan Garden,” Lawrence said.

PHOTOS:
Ongoing construction of housing units at the Emotan Gardens on Upper Sokponba Road, in Ikpoba-Local Government Area, Benin City, on Wednesday, November 7, 2018.