Esan people as wise to Oshimhole's antics. Left to him alone, no Esan person would become governor of Edo State for the next 100 years. Oshiomhole leave our Onojie alone and face your music.

OdionAkghigbe:
In a continuation of his series of publicity stunts to Edo royal fathers, a former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole has recently been reaching out to eminent persons who are close to the Onojie of Uromi, HRH Anselm Okojie, Aidenojie II, to seek forgiveness.

Almost four years ago, just three days to the end of his second tenure as governor, Oshiomhole had deposed the monarch in a brazen assault on our traditional institution. In his authoritarian manner, he rejected pleas from all quarters, including HRH himself, not to sack the Uromi town monarch.

It was the present Edo State governor, HE Godwin Obaseki, who, barely six months into his government reinstated the Onojie.

As the September 19, 2020 Edo gubernatorial election approaches, Oshiomhole, who was recently sacked as national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been making frantic, face-saving efforts to garner support against the incumbent governor.

Credible sources have confirmed that the Uromi monarch has outrightly rejected Oshiomhole’s overtures, on the grounds that the public would perceive it as not being genuine and influenced by the forthcoming election. With their penchant for giving financial rewards, amongst other inordinate offers, the highly revered Esan monarch does not wish to be associated with such unholy alliances against the sitting governor.

His stance notwithstanding, the peace-loving monarch has advised Oshiomhole that he can return to the palace after the guber election, and that his pleas may be accepted when the appropriate conciliatory traditional rites have been performed.

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Obaseki Inspires Young Talent, As Government Technical College Students Participate In National Artisans' Contest

As part of efforts to reposition Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to groom a large army of skilled workforce, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has sponsored the participation of five students from the Government Science and Technical College, Benin City, formerly Benin Technical College, in the Construction Artisans’ Awards, in Abuja.

The Construction Artisans’ Awards organised by Construction Skills Training and Empowerment Project (C-STemp) is a national competition to groom artisanal skills and is aimed at generating interest, innovation, and craftsmanship in construction trades.

The students from Edo State in the competition are Mathias N. Kelechi, Eliminhano Clargy, Baro-Lamidi Joseph, Gift Okosun, Otuniya Emmanuella and Thomas Oriasotie.

The governor ensured that the students not only got prepared and participated in the competition but also supported them with an all-expense paid trip to and from the competition. The regional stage held in Delta State while the national contest held in Abuja.

Speaking to journalists after arriving Benin City, one of the students, Gift Okosun, praised the governor for sponsoring their participation.

“In Abuja, I was able to learn new things relating to tiling. I thank the governor for the opportunity to be at the event. I am now more encouraged to follow my passion because of the support of the governor.”

Thomas Oriasotie, said the governor’s support was a major motivating factor, noting, “We are highly motivated by the gesture of the governor. Interacting with students from other states and experienced artisans were the high moments for me. From what I learned, I will be able to put my skills to better use.”

Governor Obaseki is remodeling the Government Science Technical College (GSTC), Benin, formerly known as Benin Technical College, and is being equipped with a new set of workshop equipment.

Recall that during his inspection of the progress of remodeling work at the College, Governor Obaseki, said the new building will sit between 400 and 500 students, adding, “The idea is to have a school that can accommodate about 1,500 students at the same time.”

In support of the state government's effort to reinvent technical and vocational education training, the Federal Government approved a dedicated 133 KVA power line which will supply electricity to the College and the University of Benin directly from the Ihovbor Power Plant to take care of the power need of the college.


1st PHOTO:
Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu (5th from right); Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Jobs Creation and Skills Development, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare (3rd left), with students of Government Science and Technical College, Benin City, formerly Benin Technical College, and their teacher, Mr. Igbinidu Augustine (left) after their participation in the Construction Artisans’ Awards, in Abuja

4th PHOTO:
Supporters of All Progressives Congress (APC) during a campaign rally in Ikpoba-Ohka Local Government Area, Edo State.

3rd PHOTO:
Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (middle); Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (2nd right); his deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu (right); Secretary to the State Government and Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Director-General, Osarodion Ogie Esq. (left); and APC Edo South Senatorial candidate, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, at the APC rally in Ikpoba-Ohka Local Government Area, Edo State.

2nd PHOTO:
Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (2nd left); endorsing All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives candidate for Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency, Hon. Johnson Agbonayinma (2nd right). With them are, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (right); Edo South APC senatorial candidate, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon (left); at the APC rally in Ikpoba-Ohka Local Government Area, Edo State.

Osinbajo Endorses Obahiagbon, Iyoha, Inegbedion, Agbonayinma, Other APC Candidates

…says Next Level agenda ‘ll secure better future for Nigerians, at Edo APC rally

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called on Edo State residents to vote for All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the state in the 2019 general elections, noting their support was needed to sustain progress being recorded in the state and the country at large.

Speaking to a mammoth crowd of APC supporters at the party's campaign rally in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state, on Thursday, Osinbajo said the Next Level Agenda was about the careful and wise allocation of the nation's resources to secure a better future for Nigerians.

The candidates of the APC in the state are Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, who is contesting for the Edo South senatorial seat; Hon. John Inegbedion, Edo Central senatorial seat; Hon. Osaigbovo Iyoha for Oredo Federal Constituency seat at the House of Representatives; Dennis Idahosa for Ovia North East/ South West seat in the House of Representatives; Hon. Joseph Ikpea, Esan South East/ North East seat in the House of Representatives; Hon. Johnson Agbonayinma for Egor/Ikpoba Okha Federal Constituency seat, among others.
Osinbajo said that Edo people's votes for the Next Level Agenda of the APC will allow for the sustenance of effective allocation of the nations’ resources.

He explained that the ruling APC government at the federal level has been able to do more despite less resources due to the high premium the government places on accountability and probity.

“Corruption is one of the reasons our country is backward, Buhari is not corrupt and he will not allow anybody to steal our money,” the VP said.
Osinbajo listed the creation of more jobs, improved power supply and other infrastructure as well as credit intervention as some of the things that the APC intends to do through its Next Level agenda.

He assured that the federal government is increasing the number of N-Power beneficiaries from 500,000 to one million, adding that the Entrepreneur Bank will money available for youths interested in business.

He further said that the federal government was working with the Edo government to establish its own independent power plant to support the state's economic development, and urged the electorates to vote for the party's candidates vying for different positions in the forthcoming elections to enable the APC-led government consolidate on its achievements.

Earlier, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, expressed appreciation to Edo people in Ikboba-Okha local council which has the largest turnout of voters in the state, and said he was counting on them to ensure victory for candidates of the APC in the 2019 elections.

“Ikpoba-Okha has about 260,000 voters, so I am counting on you to deliver all our candidates in the elections,” the governor said.


1st PHOTO:
Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (middle); endorsing Edo South All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon (2nd left). With them are, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (right); Secretary to the State Government and Edo State APC Campaign Director-General, Osarodion Ogie Esq. (left); and APC House of Representatives candidate for Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency, Hon. Johnson Agbonayinma, at the APC rally in Ikpoba-Ohka Local Government Area, Edo State.

Edo Declares N2.91bn Allocation For Councils In Dec, As LGAs Record N2.21bn IGR In 2018

The Edo State Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC) has declared the sum of N2.91 billion as total allocation that accrued to the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state for the month of December 2018.

Addressing journalists after the JAAC meeting chaired by Governor Godwin Obaseki, Chairman, Etsako Central Local Government Area, Hon. John Akhigbe, announced that the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from the 18 LGAs in 2018 stood at N2.21 billion.

He noted that out of the total allocation of N2,905,450,753.75, “teachers and non- teachers’ salary gulped N1.205, 284,772. 17, while N276,144,513.64 was set aside for Local Government Contributory Pension.

According to him, total deduction for the month stood at N1.812,970,536.91, while net allocation to the 18 LGAs was N1.092,480,216.54.

Akhigbe said that the LGAs recorded improved IGR earnings as a result of the reforms and deployment of technology in revenue collection.

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2nd PHOTO:
Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), at the campaign rally in Ekpoma, Esan West on Wednesday, January 30, 2019.

Obaseki Hails Legacy Of Ambrose Alli, Promises More Devt At APC Campaign Rally In Ekpoma

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Wednesday paid glowing tributes to Late Prof. Ambrose Alli, whose legacy of governance, he said, is his driving force.

Speaking to a mammoth crowd during an APC rally in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of the state, Obaseki said the council is bouncing back to its past glory as recorded during the era of former governor Ambrose Alli, with his people-oriented government.

The governor said his leadership style borrows from the governance model of Late Prof. Ambrose Alli from Esan West, who prioritised development of the people during his tenure as governor.

He described Alli as one of the best governors the state has ever had, noting that he has chosen him as mentor and is determined to surpass his achievements.

"Alli did only one tenure and you can see the development in Esan West. I am assuring you that the APC-led government has one purpose which is to serve the people. I am not a governor that is out to make money but to work for my people."

He noted that Esan people need to align with the ruling APC so they could continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

The governor assured the council members of more roads and water projects, adding that support for President Muhammadu Buhari and all APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections is the right decision to make.

Chairman of the chapter of APC, Barrister Anselm Ojezua, who received defectors to the party, said the party was sure to win the elections, noting “For a long time, Esan West has not felt the impact of government but in the last two years, Governor Obaseki has brought good governance to this council. We must continue to support him by voting for APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.

In his welcome address, the APC chairman in the council, Mr Onabwekhlen Ehikioya, commended the Governor Obaseki-led administration for bringing development to the council.

"We are seeing the ongoing road construction work in the council, Esan West has been turned into a construction site and we promise to deliver the needed votes for APC to win the forthcoming elections."

Meanwhile, candidates of the APC in the elections, including John Inegbedion, running to represent Edo Central in the Senate; and Marcus Onobun, vying for Esan West seat in Edo State House of Assembly, all promised to bring development to Esanland when voted into office.



1st PHOTO:
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, campaigning for candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, on Wednesday, January 30, 2019. He is flanked by the party’s candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

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The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has pledged to construct Evbodia-Iyekogba Road to link the area to Ekehuan Road in Benin City, and attract development to that part of the state.

The governor made the pledge during a Thanksgiving Service in honour of late Mrs. Elizabeth Gbinigie, at the Calvary Turning Point Ministry in Evbodia-Iyekogba, Benin City, on Sunday, January 27, 2019.

In his eulogy, Obaseki described late Mrs. Elizabeth Gbinigie as a Godly woman who raised her children in the fear of God.

He urged the children of the deceased to emulate the life of their mother and ensure her legacies live on, noting, “Your mother was a good, Godly woman, who had the fear of God and brought up her children with that consciousness. I urge you to ensure her legacies live on.”

The officiating minister at the service, Rev. Samuel Omede, who drew the lesson of his sermon from the Bible book of Philippians chapter 3, verses 20-21, urged members of the congregation to trust God and believe in him.

Rev. Omede urged Christians to live with reverence to God to ensure that they make heaven.

He noted that late Mrs. Gbinigie was a great woman of God that did not take the things of God for granted as she served God well until her death.

Omede commended Governor Obaseki for the developmental strides being recorded in the state, and advised the governor to continue the good work to make life better for Edo people.

“You have continued to develop the state in terms of road construction, and I see new roads daily in the state. Each time I see such roads, I lift my hands to pray for you.”

Late Mrs. Elizabeth Gbinigie who was born on February 8th, 1959, died on November 30, 2018.


1st PHOTO:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (2nd left), with family members of late Mrs. Elizabeth Gbinigie, during a Thanksgiving Service in honour of late Mrs. Gbinigie, at the Calvary Turning Point Ministry in Benin City, Edo State on Sunday, January 27, 2019

Few days after Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, approved the release of N843,324,509.46 for the payment of arrears owed local government pensioners covering years 2015 to 2018, the pensioners are already receiving credit alerts for several months arrears and are full of praises for the state governor.

A cross-section of the pensioners, who confirmed receiving alerts for several months, with some as high as 9 months, described the gesture of the Governor Obaseki-led administration as commendable.

Mrs. Rebecca Aimurie, a retired primary school teacher said, “I was shocked to see alert for 9 months arrears, especially as this is coming just 3 days after reading on the news that the governor approved payment of arrears owed to former employees of local governments in the state.”

According to her, “the present administration has proved to us that they truly have our interests at heart. I am impressed with the way the governor has continued to treat issues that affect us. The payment will go a long way for most of us who have been neglected in the past.”

Another pensioner, Mr. Lucky Osobase, said the payment came as a huge relief, adding, “I can’t really describe how I am feeling now. The payment will enable me to settle my debts and take care of other concern relating to my welfare. I thank Governor Obaseki for how he has handled this issue.”

Recall that the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Jimoh Ijegbai, said Governor Obaseki approved the release of N843, 324, 509.46, for payment of pension arrears in addition to another N1.5 billion released during the May Day celebrations in 2018 to defray arrears of pensioners of the unified local government system in Edo State.

According to Ijegbai, “This recent approval of N843, 324, 509.46 is a further demonstration of the commitment of the Obaseki-led administration in Edo State to ensure that all arrears of pension are cleared. Last year, on a monthly basis, we were using N264 million to pay pensioners and at the close of December, we paid pensioners to the tune of N3.168billion. If you add this to the N1.5 billion that we paid in June last year and this recent approval of N843, 324, 509.46 that we are paying today, it will bring the total amount used in paying pensioners for one year to N5, 511,324, 509.46.”

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Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, his deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, and members of the state Executive Council, on Saturday, received the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, at the Benin Airport.

Prof. Osinbajo who is on a one-day working visit to the state, will launch the TraderMoni scheme, the federal government’s no-interest loan scheme for petty traders, a component of the Social Investment Programme (SIP).

The Vice President is also expected to flag-off the reconstruction of the 106-kilometer Benin-Abraka Road, approved last year by the state governor.

#LetsGOFurtherTogether

#EdoWelcomesOsinbajo

#ObasekiReceivesOsinbajo

#TraderMoni

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Traders in Oba Market and Ekiosa have erupted in jubilation as the Federal Government’s TraderMoni initiative finally berths in the state, to provide petty traders with soft loans to run their businesses.

While the market women await the arrival of the Vice President, who is billed to launch the scheme in the state, they are undergoing registration and verification, after which they get credited with the loan at the venue. The Vice President is already in the state.

Leader of Market Women in Edo State, Madam Blackky Omoregie, said that the launch of TraderMoni, will be a game changer for market women in the state as it will be the first time that the traders are getting the attention of Federal Government.

A cross section of the registered traders confirmed that they have gotten alert from TraderMoni, thanking the Federal Government for the gesture and prioritising their welfare.

#LetsGOFurtherTogether

#EdoWelcomesOsinbajo

#ObasekiReceivesOsinbajo

#TraderMoni

All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign rally in Benin City, Edo State on Thursday, January 17, 2019.

1st PHOTO:
President Muhammadu Buhari (right) and Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki acknowledging cheers from supporters at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Benin City on Thursday, January 17, 2019.

2nd PHOTO:
President Muhammadu Buhari (left), addressing All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters, flanked by top members of the APC, during the Party’s presidential campaign rally in Benin City on Thursday, January 17, 2019.

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2nd PHOTO:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (right) and Director/Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Atmospheric Research (CAR), National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Prof. Babatunde Rabiu, during a courtesy visit by the Director, to Government House, in Benin City, Edo State.