https://www.independent.ng/how-obaseki-is-transforming-edo-with-infrastructural-developments/

*
*By Temidayo Akinsuyi*

LAGOS – In the many years that developing countries built the structures that now undergird their vibrant economies, the focus was on durable physical and economic infrastructure. These birthed the numerous industries that now control and influence global trade.

Development economists would rightly argue that it is these structures that differentiate economic realities in developed and developing countries, contributing to the low cost of production in advanced countries that make them competitive and viable.

The refrain in the last century was for national and subnational economies to prioritise development of infrastructure as they were also building human capital so as to balance the scale of development. In fact, the Africa Development Bank (AfDB) says that infrastructure needs in African countries amount to $130–$170 billion a year, with a financing gap in the range $67.6–$107.5 billion.

Analysts, however, argue that countries like Nigeria fail to attract investment because the local dynamics are too shoddy and loosely defined, making it difficult for serious investment to place a bet on Nigeria or its subnational entities.

But one state that has somewhat scaled this hurdle and is now a darling to international development institutions and investors is Edo State run by Governor Godwin Obaseki, an investment banker who cut his teeth in deepening reforms in Nigeria’s investment sector.

He has now brought his expertise to bear on the development of Edo state, helping to facilitate the siting and mobilisation of funding for the Edo-Azura Power project in the state, which has heavyweights like the World Bank Group, Siemens, Julius Berger, among others, on board.

This was to ensure that the state has a proven record of attracting and keeping investors to build the right infrastructure that can drive industrialisation. Though Edo-Azura supplies power to the National Grid, its presence has spurred the incursion of more power companies into the state and also guarantees other large industries in the state a source for relatively stable power.

*Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium*

One of the rising jewels in Edo’s spectacular skyline is the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, which is being renovated and fitted with more sporting facilities, including a canopy cover. Part of the governor’s infrastructure renewal masterplan, the stadium is being expanded and equipped with state-of-the-art facility to spur sports development and develop local talents in the state.

The new look of the stadium and the newly installed infrastructure assets have caught the attention of international sporting organisations, as the state is being slated to host the 2020 Under 20 Womens’ World Cup.

The state is also warming up to host the National Sports Festival scheduled for next year, during which athletes and sports enthusiast across the country will he hosted in the state for the sports fiesta.

Governor Obaseki said rehabilitation work at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin is near completion and the stadium would be ready to host various local and international sporting competitions.

“We take sports seriously in this state, because 72 per cent of our population are under 30 years of age, and that is why we are building 20 mini-stadia across the state. Therefore, four of these mini-stadia can be used as practice fields for the Under-20 Women’s World Cup.”

Mr. Agho Omo, who resides in Stadium Road, commended Governor Obaseki for prioritising the reconstruction of the stadium to revive sports in the state.

According to him, “I am impressed with the work done. The state government under Governor Obaseki has shown what is possible when funds are maximised for development. This is the right step in the right direction. The governor and his team have shown that they are indeed committed to sports development and are expert managers of resources.

“As someone who lives on this axis of town, I know what this stadium looked like before. But with the work done now, we can host international games at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium. It is heart-warming.”

A footballer, Mr. Innocent Omozuwa, said the state government has impressed the sporting community in the state with the stadium revamp project, noting that the natural grass at the stadium would make the stadium a footballer’s delight, amid other attractions.

“When completed, I bet that everyone in Benin will want to watch matches here. The stadium now has a beautiful canopy cover. The chairs are being well laid. We are so excited with what the governor has done,” he added.

Work at the stadium started in 2017, with a design to revamp the mainbowl, tennis court and the swimming pool sections.

*Urban Renewal*

The Governor Godwin Obaseki-led government has urban renewal as one of its key development thrusts. Since the start of the administration, there has been massive construction of roads, reclaiming of gully erosion sites, construction of parks and restoring sanity to public places across the state.

The unprecedented urban renewal projects have earned the governor the sobriquet, ‘Wake and See Governor,’ said to be a product of the governor’s unique leadership style that abhors unnecessary fanfare.

The road construction projects span across different parts of the state and are being spearheaded by the Ministry of Infrastructure, State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR) and SEEFOR Plus, the state government-funded scheme modeled after the World Bank funded project.

The major roads that have been completed or receiving attention include: St. Saviour Road, Ugbor-Amagba Road, Lucky Way, Ehaekpen-TV Road, Ikiran-Oke-Ikakhumoh Road, Benin-Abraka Road (the longest road project ever constructed by the state government), Agbede-Awain Road, Uzebba-Okpuje-Akagbor Road, Irhirhi-Aruogba-Obazagbon-Obagienevbosa, among others.

There is also a large cache of township roads being worked on across the state to bring development closer to the people and reactivate economic activities in the hinterlands.

Many say the spate of road construction being witnessed can only be compared to what obtained in the Old Bendel State, as most of the roads were last worked on 40 years ago.

*Schools*

A major aspect of the governor’s infrastructure drive is the renovation of public schools across the state, expected to complement investment in human capital development.

Schools, including conventional and technical institutions of learning, are being remodeled to reflect the governor’s commitment to build infrastructure in the quest to revive the state’s industrial sector.

*Govt Science and Technical College*

The Government Science and Technical College, is being remodeled to be become a center of excellence in technical education in the state. With its new state-of-the-art twin blocks, the school has resumed for a new academic session, while the state government has recruited new science and technology teachers to ensure that the school is top-rate. Work on the old buildings are already underway.

The target, according to the state government, is to have an institution that would serve as the grooming ground for best-in-town technical experts, who will receive training and certification that would be recognized in any part of the world.

Obaseki said the GSTC will host a production hub to spur industrialisation in the axis, noting that the hub will serve as a location for design and production of machines so as to create opportunities for students to work with those in the industry and translate what they learn to the real world.

“We have now finished building two new blocks with workshops that will accommodate about 800 students. We now need to move to the old blocks and begin to make them more modern. We are also rebuilding the electrical, mechanical and carpentry workshops. We are introducing plumbing and other trades,” he said.

Obaseki added that the state government is in talks with foreign partners for exchange programmes which will make provision for experts to train teachers on technical subjects.

“We need more teachers that can teach technical subjects and we need to train them. We are considering different options as we are talking to foreign partners to provide technical support and assistance on how to bring people who have done this before to accelerate the training of our teachers,” the governor said.

Obaseki Ossiomo Mou Projects
- Gas Turbines Installed
- Control Rooms Under Construction
- Injection Sub Station Under Construction
- Transmission Cables Being Installed

Uninterrupted Power Supply for Edo Phase 1
- All Government Offices on Sapele Road Axis
- Stella Obasanjo Hospital
- Central Hospital
- Secretariat Buildings
- High Court
- Government House
- House of Assembly
- Obas Palace
- Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium
- All Street Lights in Benin

#NaGodwin

https://thenationonlineng.net/obaseki-vs-oshiomhole-cry-my-beloved-edo/

https://tribuneonlineng.com/obaseki-vs-oshiomhole-cry-my-beloved-edo/

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/11/obaseki-vs-oshiomhole-cry-my-beloved-edo/


**

*Oteghe Adams*

It is necessary to review the political situation in Edo and especially within the All Progressives Congress (APC) which has been in power and in government for the third consecutive electoral cycle. In the process, real tangible progress has been made, relative to the period before they wrestled power from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), through electoral, and eventually, judicial process.

Why is this progress under threat of implosion? The recent extensive interviews that were given by a key actor in the crisis, also, the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adam Oshiomhole provides ample windows to X-ray the under currents and distill the real issues.

In the final analysis, it is the primordial tussle between real change, the type that President Muhammadu Buhari described as Next Level, and certain existing subterranean, unbridled and blatant assaults on the paths and in the wheels of progress; the unhealthy encroachment of politics into government priorities to the entire citizenry.

Power retention by the party and by the incumbent seeking reelection, are at the core of the agitations by politicians for empowerment, even though such empowerment is often “privatised” rather than deployed to building up the party. This is logical in a multi-party democracy with keen, even desperate contests for power. Unfortunately, the majority of voters, outside of real partisan politicians, hold shallow ideological positions and exercise their franchise on the whims, yet some and a significant number, carry on with apathy.

As a matter of fact, even the political class has progressively become very fluid in switching parties. In this game, the politicians as the gate-keeper on who can or cannot fly their party flags are in a very strong position relative to the silent or passive majority. A pragmatic balance is required between the imperatives of power retention through the political party and the financial responsibilities of an elected government to the people.

In Edo today, there is an attempt by the governor, to shift this balance towards the people, a tilt made more compelling by dwindling resources, as a result, the Governor’s popularity with the people has reached a level never before seen, in decades.

A government can very popular within the political party but unpopular with the vast majority outside of the party; it is a question of where resources are steered

This has generated fault lines within the ruling party, years of enjoying the ubiquitous title of “party leader” or “my leader” has created another upper cadre of politicians who believe that they must have a direct bilateral one-on-one with whoever is the governor, capture him and be treated preferentially.

Governor Godwin Obaseki has started building a new system, blind to cronies and fat cats feeding on public resources; the savings from these wrenching but laudable changes, have been channeled to deliver concrete results, through transparent templates to the people. The fall-out from these changes and reforms is the intra-party resistance that some few but vocal “party leaders” have mounted; and also, the Governor’s popularity has ruffled big feathers, in the run up to who becomes the new godfather.

The internal opposition want a full return to business as usual as laid out under Comrade’s 8-year tenure and appear to have found support in Comrade, who they mistakenly compare to Governor Godwin Obaseki, despite the obvious differences in style, in the changing political evolution and the economic realities of the times.

In the recent interview, Comrade Adam Oshiomhole, made it clear that, for now, the Governor is not under any threat, but unless the Governor retraces his steps, then it will take a miracle for him to return for a second term. Let us examine some of the main, open issues, revealed in that interview.

Adams Oshiomhole said that “Merchants of Confusion” are at work and responsible for the crisis. He did not name these “merchants”, leaving us to figure it out, so who are those benefiting materially from the crisis? The government in Edo State was configured at the highest levels by Comrade Oshiomhole who threw his weight behind Godwin Obaseki, and imposed on him Phillip Shuaibu and Osarodion Ogie, as Deputy Governor and Secretary to the State Government, respectively. This trio have forged a tight ship, ensuring that Comrade’s foundations were continued and consolidated. Are these two the “merchants”? Let us give Comrade the credit for creating the team and also, give Godwin Obaseki the credit, for running fast, smooth and not aggrandizing power but properly devolving them to his deputies in line with the constitution.

The governor has set very high, even stretched standards, evidenced in unprecedented transformations in hard infrastructure and soft, fundamental reforms. The situation in Edo exploded with Comrade’s promotion to Abuja as National Chairman. Before then, he worked behind the scenes as ex-governor and political leader of the party in the state, with all political meetings, held in his house at the Governor’s instance and insistence. Comrade’s promotion left two critical vacancies: leadership of the party in Edo State and Edo North. Adam Oshiomhole is straddling all roles, National Chairman, Edo State Leader and Edo North Leader, without allowing any latitude for other people, including the governor of the State to operate un-fettered.

This is the real “Merchant of Confusion”. By sidelining the governor, other politicians, including pretenders, are working hard to fill Comrade’s withdrawn support by assuring the governor that they can check-mate the National Chairman; these too, are Merchants of Confusion.

For motor parks, Comrade Oshiomhole said they have a right to exist and should be accommodated. It is well known that Benin is one of the hottest hubs for transport business in Nigeria. The genuine transporters operate freely, even with the Transport Unions. They include Edegbe Line, Efosa Express, God Is Good Motors, to name a few.

The issue is the role of motor park touts who have, over time encroached and dominated, revenue collections at the local government level, ostensibly on behalf of government, using opaque procedures and extortionist tactics; elected government was gradually becoming subordinated to un-elected revenue warlords. The reforms by Governor Godwin Obaseki, to rescue the local governments in the state, created an epic clash with these people who have become part of the political system in view of their cash war chests and army of enforcers.

The role of these Motor Park touts in mobilising for election victories and power retention cannot be over-stated given our stage in the developmental curve; on the other hand, progress with electoral reforms and culture, as well as the need to more transparently harness government resources, means that the overbearing power of these warlords must be curtailed and tilted down so that government can reclaim its crucial role as revenue collector.

In the interview, Comrade appears to agree that the governor has not “carried politicians along”, even though he disagreed that the governor is under pressure to share out money.

But “carry along” is a euphemism for you know what. Comrade, who refused to name the Merchants of Confusion, has challenged Governor Godwin Obaseki to name those asking him to share the money. Throughout the interview, there were no references to the fact that the government has done marvelously well, under serious financial constraints and has demonstrated concrete continuity with the programmes of the APC, along the lines initiated by Comrade.

Any government that put priority on these cannot but redefine a different environment that will require genuine politicians to readjust away from the past culture which has evolved over time.

There is the accusation of Governor Godwin Obaseki building a parallel political structure. Again, Comrade did not give out the name of the parallel political structure, not even a code name. The visible, even vociferous, parallel political structure, within APC in Edo, is the EPM, Edo People’s Movement, which is viewed with Comrade as grand patron. Analysts may go and read the issues canvassed by EPM in their various press releases, compare it to Comrade’s recent interviews, and you will agree, that Comrade came out in those interviews as the big masquerade, heavy lifter behind EPM.

Throughout the interview Comrade spoke for EPM without mentioning their name. EPM has claimed victory for all the political appointments that have been made by Abuja; it seems that the accusations of starvation against party members have found an escape valve in Abuja. The exodus of elected House of Assembly members to Abuja was another example of the real parallel political structures. EPM is made up of two core groups, those that have complained of not being “carried along” and the Revenue Warlords, who now seem to finance and keep the parallel body afloat, until the recent appointments from Abuja (except Dr. Osagie Ehanire), have joined.

It is indeed EPM onslaughts that woke up the Governor to an imminent existential threat; the Governor seem to have relied fully on political cover from Comrade.

One view is that having failed to fully control and remote the Governor through the executive branch, as originally programmed, the state House of Assembly became the next target to hijack in order to force the Governor to do three things: reinstate the Revenue Warlords, enter “carry along” undertaking and recognize Comrade in whatever role he decides to play as the godfather. These conditions defeat the oath of office of a Governor and run centrifugally against the style and substance that have made the Governor resoundingly popular in the state and in the country.

Answers to those posers, take us to the conclusion. Cry my beloved Edo! Edo has started rebuilding, it must not lose the momentum; it must not return to the ugly past.

Edo should build political parties that deliver mainly to the public and not private individuals who become godfathers. Comrade should put his house in order, especially as National Chairman.

He needs to demonstrate that he can resolve real political issues by learning to be a neutral and trusted mediator; and the Governor should rebalance the equation by closing ranks whilst continuing with his laudable reforms.

The Abuja parallel tracks should be streamlined with the base in Benin so that Edo can benefit from being in the same party at state and national levels; for now, this advantage is being frittered away, in a show of dysfunction. It is sad but true, that mass movements tend to be more cohesive during real struggles than in power, where the spoil of office and how to share it can become sources of disintegration; it is obvious that some complacency arising from APC dominance over PDP, is creating intra party tensions, around petty issues of “carrying along” and “godfatherism”.

A combination of Comrade Oshiomhole and Godwin Obaseki under a sincere truce that trim the extreme edges, on both sides, will keep Edo within APC, easily for real consolidation. Cry my beloved Edo, if the rescue that started under Comrade is splintered.

*Adams, a public affairs analyst, writes from Benin City, Edo State*

Following the ruling of a Benin High court upholding Anselm Ojezua as Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), his rival, Col. David Imuse (Rtd) has been barred from the meetings of the Council of APC States’ chairmen and the National Executive Council (NEC) holding today in Abuja.

The frustrated Col. Imuse was reported to have been walked out of both meetings, to the disappointment of his sponsors.

The NEC meeting is currently ongoing at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

Details later...

*Here are documents of the court papers for an order of interim interim injunction directing that the Status Quo be maintained ���*

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has assured that his government will continue to deliver on the mandate of building a total society that caters to the collective needs for the greatest number of people in the state.

According to Obaseki, despite the uncertain political environment in Edo State, his administration will not relent in its vision to deepen socio-economic development and consolidate on the march for a truly productive and progressive state.

He noted that the state has in the past three years of his government recorded massive improvements in social welfare, economic growth, governance and infrastructure projects, which are spread across basic education, primary health care reforms, health insurance, sporting infrastructure, urban renewal, security and industrialisation, civil service and judicial reforms, job creation, among others.

Governor Obaseki said, “In the past three years, we have recorded astounding achievements at a time our resources took hits from global economic headwinds, which caused many sub-national entities in our category to be unable to meet up with even the most basic responsibilities of government, such as payment of salaries, pensions, among other duties.

"Compared to our peers across the country, we have done far much more for our people, ensuring that our workers are not just promptly paid and pensioners well taken care of, but also that the work environment is remodeled for efficiency; roads are constructed and maintained, and new physical infrastructure projects are completed.”

The governor added, “Basic and technical education is re-enacted to improve learning outcomes; primary healthcare is made more responsive and accessible across the state; affordable housing is catered for, among a long list of other key achievements that cut across different spheres of the state’s socio-economic landscape.

"We appreciate Edo people for the continued support, which has ensured that we deliver on the mandate of building a total society that caters to the collective needs of the greatest number of people in the state. I believe we can do even much more as we consolidate on our strategic plans to build a prosperous state.”

Follow Governor Obaseki on Social Media

Website: www.godwinobaseki.com

Facebook: fb.com/godwinobasekiofficial

Twitter: @governorobaseki

Instagram: @governorobaseki

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GovernorGodwinObaseki

*PHOTO CAPTION:*
*S4_01:*
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (right) presenting the 2020 budget proposal to the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Frank Okiye, at the Assembly Complex in Benin City, Edo State capital.

*_…says NWC biased, lacks moral justification_*

The Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected all the purported decisions of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party in relation to issues or matters pertaining to Edo State, including those involving the State Chairman, Anselm U. Ojezua Esq. who is a member of the National Executive Committee of the Party.

In a statement signed by the State Assistant Secretary, Ikuenobe Anthony Esq., the state chapter of the APC insisted that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) is tainted with bias considering the speed by which it accepted the unconstitutional attempt by some misguided renegade members of the State Working Committee under the sponsorship and supervision of the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, to remove the State Chairman from office without recourse to the State Executive Committee of the Party.

According to him, “In any case, the State Executive Committee of the Party in Edo State has met on the 12th of November 2019 and passed a vote of implicit confidence on the Chairman, Anselm U. Ojezua Esq.

“Furthermore, nothing was done to authenticate the signatories to the infamous document relied on by the officers concerned. Having accepted the charade presented to them, they tried to shroud their shameful act in a garb of fairness by purporting to set up a “fact-finding panel”. This raises very strong doubts whether, in fact, a meeting of the NWC actually took place.”

He noted that the scandalous mishandling of the issues relating to the Edo State House of Assembly and the naked abuse of power exhibited by the National Chairman in that regard in June is still very fresh in party’s memory.

According to him, “Besides, the National Chairman is a party to the dispute being the sponsor of the Edo Peoples Movement (EPM), a splinter group he has created to destabilise the Party in Edo State. This is the fundamental reason for which all the Executive organs and leaders of the Party in the State have passed a vote of no confidence in him culminating in his suspension from the Party from the Ward level to the State.

“In the circumstance, the State Executive Committee of the Party will be relying on the extant provisions of the Constitution of the APC 2014 as amended to request the National Working Committee (NWC) to recuse itself from any matter concerning Edo State and allow the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Party to attend to the issues and matters raised.

“In the interim, we call on all Nigerians, particularly our members across the Country to disregard the said decisions and the contrived fallacies that led to them.”

*Obaseki presents N177.6bn budget proposal for 2020 to Edo Assembly, makes provision for new minimum wage*

*_…hails Edo people for standing against godfatherism_*

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has presented a budget proposal of N177.601bn to the Edo State House of Assembly for the 2020 fiscal year, representing a 3.34 percent decrease compared to the 2019 budget.

The budget comprises N85.539 billion for Recurrent and N92.062 billion for Capital expenditure, based on a $55 per barrel bench mark for crude oil and average daily production of 1.8m barrels per day as well as an increase in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), as a result of his administration’s reforms in revenue collection.

Top on the priority of the budget estimate christened ‘Budget of Consolidation’ are workers welfare, education, infrastructure, health, industrialisation, sports, security, pension and gratuities.

The governor specifically earmarked N34bn for workers welfare, representing 31 percent increase in allocations for personnel cost, due to the government’s commitment to implementing the new minimum wage and building capacity of actors within government bureaucracy.

Others are Security Trust Fund, N2 billion; Pension and Gratuities, N14 billion; Contribution to the State Health Insurance Scheme, N1 billion; Primary Health Care Reform, N1 billion; the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) programme, N8 billion; Constituency Development Programme, N6 billion; National Sports Festival, N3 billion; and the Industrial Park, which will gulp N3 billion.

He said, “There is a 60 percent increase in allocation to the consolidated revenue fund charges. This enables the payment of monthly pensions and gratuities. It also covers the government’s monthly remittance to Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) for current employees under the Contributory Pension Scheme. Edo State is ranked by the pension commission as one of the few states that is up to date with remittances to PFAs for its workers.

“In 2020, we will be hosting the National Sports Festival, which would assemble over 20,000 athletes across the country in the state for the festival. This is the first time the state is hosting the event. We have also been designated as one of the likely hosts for the U-20 Women World Cup next year.
“The Constituency Development Programme is to be implemented by the State House of Assembly and the Ward Development Committee. They are to harmonise efforts to effectively meet the most felt needs in the communities across the state.”

On the implementation of the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme, he said, “With the launch of the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme, the government is committing N1 billion as its contribution to the scheme, while we expect workers across all sectors to sign up to the laudable initiative, which enhances their access to quality healthcare services.”

Governor Obaseki, who predicted a positive outlook in 2020, said the budget will advance his administration’s reforms to build a total society in Edo and consolidate on successes of the last three years.

“The outlook for 2020 is quite positive, on account of improved rating of the country by the World Bank on the Ease of Doing Business index and the expected early passage of the 2020 budget. All these are expected to spur investor confidence, among other positives. We expect stable oil prices and sustained crude oil production volumes, as Federal Government deepens reforms through a mix of Fiscal and Monetary policies to engender growth and development.

“With the state replete with evidence of efforts at enhancing social welfare of our people, improving governance, and boosting economic development, we are committed to actualising the aspirations of our people to live in a just, fair, productive and progressive state.”

According to the governor, the 2020 budget is a statement of resolve to deepen socio-economic development and consolidate on the march for a truly productive and progressive state.

Obaseki noted, “While the stellar records of our stewardship in the last three years have left many of our peers in disbelief as to how we were able to achieve such laudable strides in the face of dire socio-economic and political challenges, we want to state unequivocally that we are marching on and are more determined than ever to deliver on our promise to industrialise and sanitise the state. This budget shows how we intend to demonstrate this resolve.

“Hence, one of our key priorities in the proposed 2020 capital expenditure framework is to strengthen capacity to meet up with the obligations to all actors of development in the state by expertly allocating our resources to projects that will impact the greatest number of people.”
The governor who recently celebrated his third year in office, assured the people of Edo State that his government will continue to break new grounds despite the machinations of enemies of democracy in the state.

He said, “I am also not oblivious of the fact that despite the machinations of enemies of democracy, Edo State continues to break new grounds. We also want to express our profound appreciation to the great Edo people for their undaunting spirit and resolve to never again come under the control of an avaricious godfather who seems obsessed with the desire to keep many under servitude for the benefit of the very few. I am indeed grateful to the people for their sustained support and faith in our government.”

He further thanked the Assembly for their unwavering support to the Executive arm of government, which has provided the right atmosphere to continue to initiate and implement bold reforms to engender inclusive growth and development in the state.

Follow Governor Obaseki on Social Media

Website: www.godwinobaseki.com
Facebook: fb.com/godwinobasekiofficial
Twitter: @governorobaseki
Instagram: @governorobaseki
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsPsv0iqJ0rBo_9qRYCoCag/

*PHOTO CAPTION:*
*S3_01:*
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (right) presenting the 2020 budget proposal to the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Frank Okiye, at the Assembly Complex in Benin City, on Wednesday, November 13, 2019.

*
The Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, has said that rogue Edo Peoples Movement (EPM) cannot suspend any member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, as they are not recognised by the constitution of the party.

In a statement, Osagie said any decision taken by members of the EPM is ultra vires, null and void, and not binding on any bonafide member of the APC in Edo State.

According to him, “The rogue organisation, Edo Peoples Movement (EPM), claiming to have suspended the Governor, the Deputy Governor and the Secretary to the State Government in Edo State is outlawed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.”

He continued, “This group was operating against the provisions of the constitution of the APC and was proscribed by the party. The group is therefore unknown to law. Hence, it cannot take any disciplinary action against any member of the APC.”

“The kangaroo meeting of the rogue group was held at the residence of Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, who himself has been suspended by the party in the state. So whatever decision that might have been taken by the group is ultra vires, null and void,” he added.

*Edo APC suspends Oshiomhole following vote of no confidence*

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has suspended the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, over his role in the crisis rocking the state chapter of the party.

The decision followed the vote of no confidence passed on Comrade Oshiomhole by the Chairmen of the APC in the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Edo State.

According to a statement signed by Edo APC Chairman, Anselm Ojezua and Assistant State Secretary, Ikuenobe Anthony, “Consequent on the development, the State Executive Committee has adopted the vote of no confidence passed on him and the subsisting suspension order from the organs of the party in the state.”

They said the decision was necessary to prevent a repeat of what happened in Zamfara State, where the party was unable to field any candidate in elections.

“Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is the one behind the crisis in Edo APC. We have passed a vote of no confidence on him and he stands suspended from the party.

“We don't want what happened in Zamfara State or other parts of the country to happen in Edo State.”

*
The Group Executive Director, Dangote Industries Limited, Halima Aliko-Dangote, has said that the Aliko Dangote Foundation will provide 18,000 women across the 18 local government areas of Edo State with microgrants to improve their livelihood.

Dangote, who is also an Executive Director of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, said this during a plenary session on ‘Enhancing Social Welfare in Edo State,’ at the Alaghodaro 2019 Summit, held in Benin City, to mark Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration’s third year anniversary.

She said the board of the foundation has approved the sum of N1billion for the micro-grant scheme to be implemented across Katsina, Kebbi, Zamfara and Edo states this year.

“The Foundation is planning to come to Edo and empower 18,000 women in 18 Local Governments through the micro-grants scheme and it is expected that these funds will generate a positive ripple effect on the incomes, livelihoods and poverty levels of the beneficiaries,” she added.

She said the programme is already running in other states in Nigeria and was being extended to Edo State to empower women, noting, “So far, since the ADF micro-grants began in 2012, the sum of N3.584 billion has been disbursed to women across Kano, Jigawa, Kogi, Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Lagos, Niger, Nasarawa and Sokoto states.”

She said thousands of beneficiaries across the partner states, who are mainly small-scale entrepreneurs, market women, subsistent farmers and petty traders in items like soft drinks and pure water, have been able to expand their business, improve their incomes and livelihoods, and take better care of their families.

According to her, “In some states, a mobile phone/bank cards to start up or improve their income-generating activities were also added to the grants as a delivery mechanism for the funds in partnership with the respective State and Local Governments and mobile money/bank operators.”

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Group Executive Director, Dangote Industries Limited, Halima Aliko-Dangote, at the Alaghodaro 2019 Summit, held in Benin City, Edo State, on Tuesday, November 12, 2019

*Alaghodaro 2019: Obaseki, Halima Dangote, others open Edo Summit*

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has welcomed government functionaries, business executives, academics and development partners to the Edo Summit, holding in Benin, the state capital.

The Edo Summit is a culmination of activities held to mark Alaghodaro 2019, a five-day event organised to mark the governor's third year in office.

In his opening address, Chairman of Alaghodaro: The Edo Summit, Asue Ighodalo, said that the event was organised to celebrate the governor's astounding achievements in basic education, healthcare, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), industrialisation, among others.

Dignitaries at the event include the Chief Executive Director, Dangote Industries Limited, Halima Dangote; Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation; Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. Bismark Rewane, among others.

The Edo Summit provides a platform to interogate policies and programmes aimed at enhancing social welfare, improving governance and achieving economic development.

All is set for the third Alaghodaro Business summit as Gov. Obaseki marks third year in office.

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The Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has removed the State Secretary of the party, Mr. Lawrence Okah.

In a statement signed by the Assistant State Secretary, Mr. Ikuenobe Anthony Esq., the party said the decision was taken after a meeting of the State Executive Committee, on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, where a vote of no confidence was passed on Okah.

According to him, “The State Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has this morning, 12th of November, 2019, passed a vote of no confidence on the State Secretary, Mr. Lawrence Okah, in accordance with Article 17 (v) of the constitution of the party.

He noted: “The effect of this is that Mr. Lawrence Okah ceases to be the State Secretary of the party henceforth.
“An appropriate replacement will be effected in due course in accordance with Article 17 (vi) of the said constitution.”