By OTEGHE ADAMS

Ex-governor Adams Oshiomhole has inflicted the deepest cut on the laughable remnants of his honor and prestige as the national chairman of an otherwise distinguished political party. The now infamous violent attack inspired and financed by Oshiomhole against Governor Obaseki on Saturday 2nd November 2019 at the residence of the ex-governor in Iyamho (the hometown of Oshiomhole) is viewed as the most disgraceful among the ex-governor’s string of dishonorable conduct in recent times; the nationally scandalous Iyamho tragic drama will be chronicled as one of the abysmal and defining metrics in the rapidly declining political capacity of the APC national chairman . The potentially bloody chaos and mayhem that was enacted by Oshiomhole on Saturday is eerily resonant of the state of anarchy and peculiar disorganization that afflicted the APC in the primaries of the 2019 General Elections and the debilitating syndrome besieging the party till date.

While the Saturday Iyamho catastrophe is undoubtedly condemnable as unconscionable, the suicidal, gangster-like, rash and reckless conduct of Oshiomhole is not however by any means surprising. It is after all no longer hyperbolic to describe the APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole , as a political disaster waiting to happen like a roguishly packaged and expired grenade that will ultimately implode and self-destruct.

The inevitability of humiliating closing chapters to the live encyclopedia of betrayal, opportunism and ingratitude that Oshiomhole represents cannot be reversed. The day of reckoning and accountability has come. And behaving true to type as one who has been designated for destruction by the gods, Oshiomhole wallowing in the abyss of utter desperation has incurably gone mad!

In view of the recent disgraceful scenario that was witnessed in the hometown of the ex-governor, it would not be absurd to suggest that Oshiomhole has been hypnotized and frenzied by a political dirge from the remote world of some vicious vengeful spirits . Oshiomhole’s dance in the national political gallery is now a despicable repertoire of awkward steps and series of humiliating stumbles.’

Things are falling apart ‘’the center cannot hold’’ and the center is now totally broken for the APC national chairman.
How else can it be explained that an incumbent governor from the same political party with Oshiomhole, infact the ex-governor’s very own successor, will be entrapped into a situation of dangerous physical harm right there at Oshiomhole’s residence.

How can the story be told without odious shame and embarrassing regrets that the APC national chairman’s invitation to Governor Obaseki and a high-profiled guest Oba Rilwan Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos was aimed at creating an arena that will prove inimical to the safety of the incumbent governor. Except one x-trays this matter with some modicum of deep psychological and perhaps, psychiatric sympathy, there would be no way to explain why Oshiomhole will expose anyone, but particularly such a group of distinguished persons to a potential line of fire, since it has been reported that some of Oshiomhole’s paid thugs were armed. So Oshiomhole has become so blinded in his inordinate quest for power that he was willing to risk the lives of the governor and members of his entourage which included , Rilwan Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos, Chairman Caverton group and Chancellor of Edo University Iyamho Dr. Makanjuola and his wife, Chairman, Honeywell group, Oba Otudeko, Mr. Kekere Ekun, Dr. Onobanjo and other dignitaries.
Although constantly intimidated by Oshiomhole’s arrogance, a courageous select group of the Elders Council in Iyamho have reportedly requested for a meeting with the ex-governor to discuss their concern regarding the image of their community on Nigeria’s political map. But will the ex-governor be respectful of the views of the elders of the community? Will the APC leader see value in the continuity of the revered culture of kindness and protection for strangers for which Edo people are famed?

The kind of hubris and obstinacy for which Oshiomhole is notorious may not allow the ex-governor to yield to the considered opinions of Iyamho elders. A legal luminary and a genuine APC chieftain, Professor Itse Sagay recently told the national media that Oshiomhole has a habit of rejecting wise counsels. Professor Sagay was characteristically gentlemanly and scholastic in the framing of his remarks about the APC national leader. But the views of Professor Sagay could also be given a native street context to suggest that a dog destined for destruction and gone astray will defy the gentle whispers and the caring calls of its owner once the domesticated beast is set on the course of perdition. The APC national chairman is definitely of a far higher pedigree than ordinary canines, but Oshiomhole as a political leader has gone astray and set on road to self-implosion and damnation, the ex-governor will not therefore reverse himself to embrace wise counsels.

The chronicle of Oshiomhole’s Iyamho bloody plot is a classical study in outrageous desperation for power and control. And beyond the prediction of the sacred Oracles of our land and the providential power of the people as the ultimate sovereign of our Democracy, Oshiomhole will neither have power nor control over the destiny of Edo people . Never again!
Governor Obaseki did not seek the lunch invitation of the APC national chairman. In fact , on the preceding Friday (1st November) the governor had returned to Benin immediately after the convocation lecture by the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele. Oshiomhole was visibly perturbed on that Friday that he literally had no prominent guests trooping to his residence after the lecture. It was also evident on the same Firday that Oshiomhole was visibly tortured by the organic enthusiasm that huge crowd of supporters in Etsako West displayed as they spontaneously chanted ‘’4 + 4” as Governor Obaseki arrived the University. Then on Saturday, when the Governor and his entourage returned to Iyamho for convocation and the investiture of the Chancellor of the university, Oshionmhole pleaded that the Governor and his entourage should come for lunch in his residential estate directly opposite the university. Unfortunately, it was in the course of honoring a supposedly genial invitation of the ex-governor that Oshiomhole took the opportunity to unleash the mob he financed on the Governor. Oshiomhole’s conduct is crass and crude and definitely unbefitting anyone with the honor and dignity of being called the national chairman of Nigeria’s national ruling party.

But for those who are comprehensively familiar with the true story of both Oshiomhole labor and political life, they would say that the ex-governor presumed respectable profile is a product of contorted tales aimed at personal glorification .Indeed, as the moral icon of America’s Civil Rights struggles ,Late Dr. King would say, ‘’no lie can live for ever’’. The bundle of lies that is the glittering toga in which the ex-governor is adorned is quickly unraveling. On the historical shame of the Iyahmo attack, Oshiomhole should for once display courage and own up to the responsibility of his shameful role in the Iyahmo theatre of tragedy. The Saturday incident proves the point beyond any reasonable doubt that Oshiomhole has become an exigent liability to himself and an electoral albatross to the APC.
Oshiomhole must make way for the APC to progress.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/11/adams-oshiomhole-elephant-in-apc-china-shop/


Adams Oshiomhole: Elephant In APC’s China Shop

“A manager may have more influence and control over subordinates if they are competing with each other than if they are united against him.” VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, VBQ, p 152.

Adams Oshiomhole, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, is not my friend, neither is he my enemy. But, I always feel sorry for any individual, who, through years of brutal struggle, sweat and tears finally reaches the top where fame and fortune await him but loses a lot on account of a basic character flaw. Oshiomhole might not realise it, he is an endangered person in Nigerian politics generally. Like a man who had strapped on a belt of explosives in a crowded room, now constitutes a safety risk to himself and others around him. There is probably no other political figure who daily multiplies the number of his political adversaries as the Chair of the APC. He seems to have forgotten the warning made repeatedly on this page that in the political game: “A man alone hasn’t got a chance” (Ernest Hemingway, 1898-1961). Increasingly, the man who should be the second most important rallying point of the APC, after Buhari, has now acquired the image of its uncontrollable destroyer sowing discord everywhere , attracting maledictions from members who should be subservient and uniting the rank and file against himself. He most probably will not last until 2023 unless there is a revolutionary change in his approach to leadership.
“Oshiomhole Creating More Problems For APC.” DAILY INDEPENDENT, October 28, 2019.

One of the leaders of the APC as well as one of its most powerful voices made that assertion. He is from the Niger Delta. Everybody is now aware of the “fight to finish” raging in Edo state between Adams on one side and the Governor as well as the State Commissioner of Police on the other side. Since politics is war by other means, Nigerian historical precedents would suggest that the Abuja-based Chairman will be annihilated by his antagonists. Of all people, he should know that the Nigerian State Governor is one of the worst dictators human beings had ever created. Enveloped in legal immunity while in office, he is lord of the estate; he can do virtually anything including acquiring the land on which your palatial mansion is situated – “for public purposes”, of course.. By comparison, the Chair in Abuja would need the full support of the President as well as members of APC executive committee, to move against the Governor. Even with that help, victory remains un-assured. The question is: will Buhari support Adams? A corollary question is: why would the President do that?

Despite the fact that the bearer of bad news is never welcome, I will still do Oshiomhole a favour and damn the consequences. His rag-tag band of defendants, mostly political mercenaries, will send blistering rejoinders and hope to be rewarded. I understand that scavenging is also part of politics. The hyenas must eat and I have provided a meal. Still, there are two closely-linked questions to answer. Incredibly, it doesn’t require rocket-science intelligence to know what Aso Rock will do. Buhari will stay neutral. That is the bad news for Adams. The worse news is the reason why the President will not bother to save the Chair.

Buhari will stay out of it because, with the second term secured, he no longer needs the Chairman. Only a set-back at the Supreme Court can result in an appeal for support from the party Secretariat. Even there, the man does not enjoy unanimous endorsement. Like the rest of Nigeria, the APC party headquarters is divided over their leader. Some are so angry; they would throw him out today – if they have their way. They might soon have their way. Buhari, as the ultimate leader of the party, can only risk his position if it is absolutely clear that Oshiomhole is badly treated and if he has political value. Truth is, it is not often clear who is right or wrong in the battles involving Adams. He cannot always be relied upon to tell the truth – which is indispensable before the President will intervene in his favour. Two examples will illustrate the point about veracity as a pre-condition for joining a crusade led by Adams.

On the podium two or three years ago, at a VANGUARD ANNUAL ECONOMIC FORUM, were Dr Fayemi (then Minister of Solid Minerals), Professor Soludo and Oshiomhole. Suddenly, Adams announced to the startled participants that Soludo had secretly withdrawn some billions of naira from the Central Bank before a policy change was announced. Soludo responded by calling him a liar. I took side with Soludo because what Adams said was totally untrue and it even made no economic sense for the CBN Governor to do what he was accused of doing. Adams, in my view, just wanted to make the headlines next day as the “defender of the masses”. He forgot that a man sitting on billions of naira which he accumulated while “fighting for the masses” has long lost credibility as the patron saint of the poor masses. There are other examples on record which will help shed light on this matter. But, let us jump to the present.

More recently, an incident occurred in Benin. Several newspapers carried the news that Oshimhole’s house was attacked by mobs in Benin City. It was darkly hinted that the vandals were supporters of the state Governor, Obaseki. I filed the story away with a red ink comment – “highly unbelievable”. The story started to unravel two days after. First, Governor Obaseki released his own statement which totally contradicted the Oshiomole story. Second, the state’s Commissioner of Police also published a rejoinder to the accusation. In the end, what transpired was a typical Adams show. Say anything to make headlines – even if it is fake news. Not being politically partisan, it has not been too difficult for me to know that Governor Obaseki was the truthful party.

That brings us to the abiding issue of leadership and Oshiomhole’s demonstration of it as the Chairman of the ruling party. The man is in a position to create havoc in the polity if his excesses are not curbed. The image of the elephant is quite apt in this regard. One loose cannon in high office can do more damage than ten thousand rioters taking to the streets. Henceforth, the APC has a monumental task on its hands. They have a duty to save themselves and to save Nigeria as well by doing something about their Chairman. What they do and how they do it is their business.

“In every community, there is a class of people profoundly more dangerous to the rest. I don’t mean the criminals. For them we have punitive sanctions. I mean the leaders. Invariably, the most dangerous people seek power.” Saul Bellow. VBQ p 124.

Before every election or selection, eg, Edo State APC flag-bearer for Governor, Adams invariably engages in verbal warfare with the opposition parties and members of his own party who disagree with him. Again, the conflict in Edo State is vintage Oshiomhole. He is now fighting on two fronts – PDP and APC. My researches in history, before writing the VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, would suggest that he has made himself the common enemy of the entire PDP and the Obaseki faction of APC. He is the one everybody wants to destroy first. He should go and read books on the Second World War. Incredibly short German dictator Hitler, 1897-1945, might have won at least one war if he faced that one alone. Britain, like France and a lot of Western Europe was almost, but not fully, conquered before he declared war on Russia. That decision sealed his fate and that of Germany. Like Hitler, Adams appears to be working extremely hard to become the architect of his own misfortune. That would have constituted only a personal tragedy if he will go down alone. But, his position precludes a solitary self-destruction. That is why the other leaders need to act speedily before the pocket-sized “Samson” brings down the roof on everybody – whether APC or not.

Last Line: Buhari owes Oshiomhole no debt of gratitude. He did not win the election on account of what Adams did. He won it, if he did, on the votes of the almajiri. And, he would not risk anything by allowing the Chairman to commit voluntary euthanasia.



Other Sources:

https://www.independent.ng/adams-oshiomhole-elephant-in-apcs-china-shop/

Obaseki's Aide, Idah, Says Vote For APC Candidates Will Turbo-Charge Ongoing Devt In Edo

Special Adviser to Edo State Governor on Political and Community Matters, Chief Osaro Idah, has urged voters in the state to support candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), seeking to represent the people at various levels of government, noting that their support will turbocharge ongoing development by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led government across all sectors.

Chief Idah who spoke to journalists in Benin City, said: “People appreciate what Governor Obaseki and President Muhammadu Buhari have done so far in the state, especially at the grassroots level.

"The kind of infrastructural development Edo people are seeing today has not happened for a long time. The people in the rural areas are now seeing roads for the first time, I mean tarred roads."

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.

Chief Idah said in the forthcoming elections, voting for candidates of the APC, will spur more development in the state as the candidates will complement efforts of the government at the federal and state levels.

“The governor has taken electricity to a number of communities through the Solar Powered system, ensuring that the people have access to health care as well as good roads. This is the case in Uhunmwode, Orhionmwon, Ovia and other parts of the state.

The governor’s aide added, “In Esan land, many people are seeing huge infrastructural development and the government is deliberately providing basic health centres in the 192 wards of the state. All the wards are benefiting from Governor Obaseki’s projects.”

Obaseki’s Education Reform: Edo Poly Usen To Unveil Centre For Geospatial Information Science, Holds 3rd Public Lecture

As another testament to reforms in higher education driven by Governor Godwin Obaseki in the state, the Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, has concluded plans to unveil the Centre for Geospatial Information Science (CGIS) a research and teaching unit that will utilise computer software and tools such as geographic information systems among others, to gather information for use in mining, agriculture, urban planning and health care.

The centre will be unveiled on Thursday, February 7, alongside the institution’s third public lecture titled: Geospatial Technology as a Tool for National Planning and Development, to be delivered at the school complex by 11am, by Director, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Halilu Ahmad Shaba.

Rector of the institution, Prof. Abiodun Falodun, in a chat with journalists, said that the centre is one of its kind in Nigeria and will provide training and consulting services in the area of geographic information system (GIS) and other remote aerial technology sensors to gather geographic information.

According to him, the centre is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities which include eBee RTK Survey-Grade Mapping Drone; STONEX S7 Handheld GPS; Electronic theodolites; GNSS receiver; AO plotter; LEICA DNA 10 Digital level; STONEX S10 DGPS, among others.

He said the CGIS will train specialists to produce maps, tables, reports and other such materials using GIS technology and will offer short and extended courses on deployment of advanced technology in mapping and managing geographic information.

According to him, “this is the second centre we will be opening at this institution in a space of three months. These are all testaments to the support of the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who has ensured that we truly push the frontiers of knowledge and capacity building.

“We are repositioning this institution to be a centre of excellence in a number of areas and geospatial information science is one of the. The required equipment is already in place and we have a well-equipped laboratory also. So, it is not a matter of just opening a centre.”

He added that the centre will help in providing solutions to immediate and remote challenges in geospatial information science in the Niger Delta and beyond, as well as provide first-grade learning experience to students in the School of Environmental Science in the polytechnic.

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PHOTO 2:
Enogie of Ehor, Dr. David E. Igiehon (left); Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (2nd right); Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Charles Idahosa (right), during the governor’s visit to the Enogie’s Palace in Uhunmwode Local Government Area.

Obaseki Awards Contracts For Reconstruction Of Ehor-Ukpogo, Obadan-Ugonoba, Oke-Oruah Roads In Uhunmwode LGA

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that his administration has embarked on the reconstruction of several roads in Uhunmwode Local Government Area to open up the area for more socio-economic activities and change its development narrative for the better.

Obaseki said this during a parley with All Progressives Congress (APC) faithful at Ehor, the administrative headquarters of Uhunmwode Local Government Area, on the side-lines of the party’s campaign rally.

According to the governor, his administration’s decision to invest in road infrastructure across the state was informed by the important role that roads play in economic development.

“Obadan-Ugonoba Road has been awarded for reconstruction and by next week, the contractor will commence work. I have awarded contract for the reconstruction of Ehor-Ukpogo Road and have mobilised the contractor to immediately commence work and I have done same for Oke-Oruah Road.

“I have taken all these steps because I know the importance of roads. I will construct many more roads in this local council.

“Our youths in this local council need jobs and I will create more jobs for the youths of this council area. Water is another problem our people are facing here and I have already started working on water projects, and soon water will begin to flow in the area,” Obaseki said.

He assured that in the area of education, all the primary schools in the council would be captured in the state’s Basic Education Sector Transformation (EDOBEST) programme, that will train teachers on the use of information communication technology in teaching.

He urged the electorates: “If you vote for candidates of the APC in the forthcoming elections, you are sure of quality and effective representation as they will assist me to bring more development to the area.

“I am confident that we will win the elections, but I want us to win convincingly because I have promised president Buhari that at least one million people will vote for him in Edo State.”

Chairman of the Edo State chapter of APC, Barrister Anslem Ojezua, also called on the supporters of the party to mobilise the one million votes for all APC candidates in the general elections.

Washington Osifo, APC candidate vying for a seat in the House of Assembly explained that he is in the race to give his people quality representation while Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, the party’s Edo South Senatorial candidate said he would carry his constituents along in the business of law making.

Earlier Obaseki was at the palace of the Enogie of Ehor, Dr. David Igiehon, to solicit for the support and prayers of the royal father and present the party’s candidates for the elections to the traditional ruler and elders in the community.


PHOTO 1:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (2nd right); Edo South Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon (2nd left); Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Charles Idahosa (left), with other candidates and leaders of the APC, at the campaign rally in Ehor, Uhunmwode Local Government Area.

PHOTO 3:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (right) and Vice President, Middle East & Africa, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Sergio Pimenta, after a business meeting between the governor and IFC officials, at Government House, in Benin City.

PHOTO 2:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (middle); Commissioner for Education, Hon. Emmanuel Agbale (2nd right); Vice President, Middle East and Africa, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Sergio Pimenta (2nd left); IFC Regional Director, Mr. Kelvin Njiraini (left); IFC Country Manager, Mrs. Eme Essien (right); after a business meeting between the governor and IFC officials, at Government House, in Benin City, Edo State.

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state government is in discussions with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to develop a programme that will see investors taking up 100,000 hectares of agricultural land in the state for plantation development.

The governor said this when he met with a delegation from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), led by IFC Vice President, Middle East and Africa, Mr. Segio Pimenta, on a courtesy visit to the Government House, Benin City, the Edo State capital.

The governor said that the state is keenly interested in increasing agricultural land under cultivation in the state to create wealth, fight deforestation and boost the economy, noting that the concerns of environmentalists are taken into consideration in increasing the hectarage under cultivation in the state.

According to him, “Edo State has the largest oil palm estate in the country even that is comparatively small when you relate it to what is happening in South-East Asia. Total agricultural land under cultivation is under 70,000 hectares which is less than one farm in Indonesia.”

He continued, “We want to make sure that what we produce can compete globally. As such, we decided to first deal with concerns of the environment by taking a forest audit and now we have been able to earmark close to 250,000 hectares of degraded forest land for agricultural purpose.

“We made a commitment last week to CBN to make 100,000 available to be properly screened by investors, as the CBN wants to develop a programme with us as a pilot.”

“We want to get a commitment of getting or re-growing one hectare of forest from every four hectares cultivated in the state. This will help us to be competitive in the next few years in terms of our forestry assets,” he added.

Pimenta, on his part, said the organisation has heard of all the good works the governor was doing to develop the state and its economy, which are geared towards making life better for the people of the state.

He said the organisation is supporting progressive states that are doing well in various areas, with education as one of the major areas of focus, noting “Education is one area the state is getting our fundamental support. We look at human capacity index focusing on how we can help build human capacity in countries and states we operate in. This is responsible for the collaboration with Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EDOBEST) programme and BRIDGE.”


PHOTO 1:
R-L: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Vice President, Middle East & Africa, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Sergio Pimenta; IFC Regional Director, Mr. Kelvin Njiraini; IFC Country Manager, Mrs. Eme Essien; Mr. Fidel Ogar, during a business meeting between the governor and IFC officials, at Government House, in Benin City.

Edo Govt, Group Train Civil Servants, Security Officials, Others On Emergency Response

…expert wants integration of paramedics as first responders

The Edo State Government in collaboration with Save Accidents Victims Association of Nigeria (SAVAN) has organised a one-day training for civil servants, security and allied personnel on emergency response.

Tagged Basic Life Support (BLS) training, the session had in attendance civil servants and other government officials, including officials of Edo State Traffic Control and Management Agency (EDSTMA), drivers, Police officers, among others.

Speaking at the training session, held at Government House in Benin City, on Friday, founder and coordinator of SAVAN, Dr. Edeaghe Ehikhamenor, said the training will bridge the knowledge gap in emergency response.

He added that providing essential pre-hospital care during emergencies is needed as Road Traffic Accidents (RTA) and other forms of accidents are major causes of preventable deaths globally.

According to him, the training will enable participants who are first responders during emergencies to be abreast of skills needed in providing paramedic services.

Dr. Ehikhamenor noted that there are cases where first responders during emergencies bring in accident victims to hospitals as dead persons without carrying out the regular checks because of lack of relevant knowledge.

He commended Governor Godwin Obaseki for partnering with the group to provide the training and urged that paramedics be added as first responders in the state.

A participant, Mr. Eriyo Osakpolor, said that the session is an eye-opener as it provides a good foundation for Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) knowledge.

According to him, “With this training, one can help accident victims and reduce the risk of fatalities in the event of a road accident.”


PHOTO 1
Founder and Coordinator, Save Accidents Victims Association of Nigeria (SAVAN), Dr. Edeaghe Ehikhamenor, addressing participants at the Basic Life Support (BLS) training, orgainsed in partnership with Edo State Government, at Government House, in Benin City, on Saturday, January 26, 2019.

PHOTO 3:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (right) and Vice President, Middle East & Africa, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Sergio Pimenta, after a business meeting between the governor and IFC officials, at Government House, in Benin City.

PHOTO 2:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (middle); Commissioner for Education, Hon. Emmanuel Agbale (2nd left); Vice President, Middle East and Africa, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Sergio Pimenta (2nd right); IFC Regional Director, Mr. Kelvin Njiraini (left) and IFC Country Manager, Mrs. Eme Essien (right), after a business meeting between the governor and IFC officials, at Government House, in Benin City, Edo State.

...pledges more support for gov’s plan on human capital devt

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has commended Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki for his commitment to promoting economic development through partnership with the private sector.

IFC Vice President, Middle East and Africa, Mr. Segio Pimenta, said this during a business meeting between the IFC officials and the state governor, at Government House, in Benin City, Edo State.

Pimenta said the organisation has heard of all the good works the governor is embarking on and what the administration is doing to develop the state and its economy, which are geared towards making life better for the people of the state.

He said the organisation is supporting progressive states that are doing well in various areas, with education as one of the major areas of focus, noting “Education is one area the state is getting our fundamental support. We look at human capacity index focusing on how we can help build human capacity in countries and states we operate in. This is responsible for the collaboration with Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EDOBEST) programme and BRIDGE.”

He assured that the organisation will continue to support the state government’s educational programmes.

Governor Obaseki thanked the delegation for the commendation and the IFC’s support, noting that his administration in 2019 is focused on the Benin Industrial/Enterprise Park and Free Trade Zone, Oil Palm production and education to drive sustainable economic development.

In a presentation titled: ‘2019-2021: Driving Private Sector Participation through Policy Reforms,’ Obaseki said, he intends to drive economic growth and create jobs for Edo people.

“We are focusing on three key projects now, namely: The Industrial Park, Oil Palm production and education. In terms of economic growth, we are leveraging on our key natural reserves like energy, land and other assets including our rich cultural heritage in Benin Kingdom,” he posited.

The Governor said his administration will develop the capacity of Edo people to build a vibrant workforce and improve the ease of doing business, which will attract foreign investors to the state.

On oil palm production, the governor said his administration is looking at the opportunity and possibility of re-establishing large oil palm plantation to make the state one of the largest producers of oil palm in the world, adding, “Our administration is working round the clock to ensure that what we do can compete globally, as such we have decided to first deal with the issue of concern to environmentalists by taking a forest audit and now we have been able to earmark close to 250,000 hectares of degraded forest land for agricultural purposes.”

The governor said that the state government is exploring options in developing mechanized farming in the state, so that it can improve productivity and attain food security through efficient management of resources.


PHOTO 1:
R-L: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Vice President, Middle East & Africa, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Sergio Pimenta; IFC Regional Director, Mr. Kelvin Njiraini; IFC Country Manager, Mrs. Eme Essien and Mr. Fidel Ogar, during a business meeting between the governor and IFC officials, at Government House, in Benin City.

Obaseki Urges MDAs, Residents To Clear Drains, Evacuate Debris, As Govt Fast-Tracks Road Construction

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has directed relevant government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure drains are cleared to avoid flash floods in parts of the state as work progresses on road construction across the state.

Obaseki made the call after receiving reports of blocked drainages and heaps of debris awaiting evacuation in parts of Benin City, which hindered the free flow of rain water when the city recorded her first rainfall.

In a statement, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the Ministries of Infrastructure, Environment and Sustainability and the local councils will collaborate and coordinate the clearing of drains, especially in areas with a history of flash floods.

Mr. Osagie said the measures are proactive steps to check flash floods as the rains could impact on the physical environment, noting, “The state government is working towards ensuring that residents in the state do not suffer the effects of flooding, which destroyed some properties last year.”

He urged residents in the state to support the state government’s efforts to desilt drains and properly dispose of wastes, and called on residents “to avoid disposing of dirt in drains, as it could jeopardise the essence of clearing of the drainages.”

The governor’s aide said that the relevant government ministries involved in evacuating debris and domestic wastes at collection points are expected to carry out the evacuation.

“The campaign is timely because of the need to ensure that the drains are cleared before heavy rains. The rains could wash dirt back into the gutters and when that happens, the surrounding environment will be flooded. People can be sacked from their homes and business places because of these.”

Osagie said there is a need for residents in the state to have attitudinal change towards waste disposal and management, noting that the state government is harmonising her environmental policies to curb practices that lead to environmental disasters.

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Job Creation: EdoJobs Urges Job Seekers To Look Up New Vacancies Every Tuesday, Thursday in Nigerian Observer

The Edo State Government has urged unemployed youths in the state to check for new job vacancies published every week on Tuesday and Thursday, in the state’s newspaper, The Nigerian Observer.

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the State Governor on Job Creation and Skills Development, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, disclosed this in a chat with journalists in Benin City, the state capital.

Mrs Dare said the publication in the Nigerian Observer is an extension of the information available on its website, noting that the idea of publishing the vacancies is to make it more accessible to unemployed youths in the state.

“We are delighted to have struck the deal to have these advertisements up in The Nigerian Observer, which is a household name in Edo State. The publication is strategic, as it provides a catalogue of the top jobs from the public and private sectors available in the state every week.”

Noting that the agency also places huge premium on capacity building, Dare said that the information provided on the special advert pages include the numerous training opportunities offered by EdoJobs, either through the Edo Innovation Hub or its training partners.

She urged job seekers to scan through The Nigerian Observer Newspaper every Tuesday and Thursday for EdoJobs vacancies and apply on EdoJobs portal:www.edojobs.edostate.gov.ng to make jobs matchmaking easier.

EdoJobs, the coordinating body for youth empowerment and job creation agency in the state, operates a portal, which houses the database of unemployed youths in the state.



PHOTO:
Cross-section of graduates who are beneficiaries of the Edo State Government Graduate Internship and Apprenticeship Scheme, after a session in Benin City, Edo State

PHOTO 4:
President, Edo Market Women Association, Mrs. Blacky Omoregie (4th left) with other traders, during Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo’s launch of TraderMoni at Ekiosa Market, in Benin City, Edo State, at the weekend.

PHOTO 3:
R-L: Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; acknowledging cheers from traders, during the vice president's launch of TraderMoni at Ekiosa Market, in Benin City, Edo State, at the weekend.

PHOTO 2:
Cross-section of traders at the Oba Market, in Benin City, who are being credited with the N10,000 Trader Moni loan during the launch of the programme by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, accompanied by the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, at markets in Benin City, at the weekend.

Market women in Edo State have hailed the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government and the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, for ensuring that traders in the state benefit from TraderMoni, a component of the National Social Investment Programme.

A cross-section of the women who spoke to journalists, said the loan will enable them to expand their businesses, adding that the disbursement was a departure from the past, where governments would promise and fail Nigerians.

President, Edo Market Women Association, Mrs. Blacky Omoregie commended the Vice President for visiting the state and ensuring the scheme was implemented in the state.

She noted, "Traders have started receiving credit alerts from TraderMoni. The N10,000 will go a long way in helping members of our association increase their business capital.

When we heard about the scheme, we thought it won’t be implemented because we have had cases of governments promising to give traders loans and they eventually failed to do so."

Omoregie said, "So we are very happy to see that the vice president came to visit us at the market and gave us money to trade with."

Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who visited traders at Oba Market and Ekiosa market in Benin City, urged them to make good use of the TraderMoni loan given to them so they could benefit from the next stages of the scheme.

The vice president was accompanied by the Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, and were welcomed by the jubilant market women and men.

Interacting with one of the traders, the Vice President tasked the traders to ensure they make best use of the loan, which they are expected to pay back, to qualify for the next stage of the TraderMoni scheme.

"When you pay back this N10,000, you get N15,000; when you pay back the N15,000, you get N20,000. You can get up to N100,000," Osinbajo noted.

Mrs Joyce Iyamu, a trader in Ekiosa Market, who sells crayfish, confirmed receiving credit alert from TraderMoni, which she said she would use to expand her business.

“I got my TraderMoni alert of N10, 000. I am happy because I will use the money to buy more food items to sell at the market,” she said excitedly.


PHOTO 1:
R-L: Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; and his deputy, Rt. Hon Philip Shaibu; acknowledging cheers from traders, during the vice president's launch of TraderMoni at Oba Market, in Benin City, Edo State, at the weekend.

Obaseki’s Education Reform: Edo Poly Usen Hosts Scholar, As Discourse On Technology Adoption Excites Experts

In an effort to deepen the ongoing education reforms in Edo State as enunciated by the governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, has hosted its 3rd Eminent Scholar Lecture Series.

At the gathering of scholars in the polytechnic complex in Usen, near Benin City, experts called for a new approach to technology adoption to ensure software tools drive innovation and development.

The Guest Lecturer and Switzerland-based Systems Engineer, Dr. Engr. Marvin Ama-Amadasun, in a lecture entitled, Leveraging ICT Towards Practice in the Digital Age: Software Tools as Catalysts for Innovation, said that the place of software tools as a catalyst for solution-driven systems cannot be underestimated in a highly digitised world.

According to him, with advancement in the digital age, there is no denying that the place of technology is now sacrosanct, which is why we need to deploy software tools to make life easier, better, and processes, faster.

Rector of the polytechnic, Prof. Abiodun Falodun, said that the number of experts at the 3rd Eminent Lecture Series is sufficient proof that the reformation that is ongoing at the institute is attracting the attention of scholars across the globe.

He noted that the school has grown in the last year, and explained that the lecturer, Dr. Ama-Amadasun, is one of the numerous Diaspora lecturers who have been engaged to entrench the institution’s internationalisation drive.

According to him, “With this lecture, we are announcing to the world, the ongoing effort to reposition this institution as a first-rate tertiary institution that fosters intellectual development.

“We are ensuring that scholars share their thoughts with the host community, the media and the country at large so that they can stimulate debate and entrench the culture of interrogating and questioning backdated ideas.”

The Polytechnic in previous lecture series, played host to Professor Eddy O. Erhagbe, Professor of History and International Studies in 2018, who spoke on the topic: Right To Education And Work: A Panacea For Insecurity In Nigeria; Professor Christian Oduma, Professor of Business Education, Polytechnic Education: A Gateway for Youth Empowerment, Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Economic Development as well as Brig. Gen. D.I.O. Ehiorobo, whose presentation focused on Security Challenges and the Implications on National Development in Nigeria: Engineering Technology Perspective, among others.

The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state is set to receive the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, on Saturday, January 19, for the launch of one of the components of the Federal Government’s Social Investment Programme (SIP), TraderMoni.

In a statement, Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said that the state government has concluded arrangements to host the vice president, who is a regular visitor to the state.

According to him, “The state government has made all necessary preparations for the vice president’s visit to the state, which is for the launch of the TraderMoni initiative under the Federal Government’s Social Investment Programme.


“This is a programme targeted at traders to provide them with soft loans for trading so they can take care of their families. As a government that is committed to the welfare of the people, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is bringing this initiative to the people and providing traders with the much-needed support.

He said that Governor Obaseki had earlier announced that at least 20,000 traders will benefit from the funds in Edo State, adding that the state government and the federal government are in synergy on the disbursement of the fund across markets in the state.

Noting that the state government has gained immense support from the Federal Government on a number of its programmes and projects, the governor’s aide said, “We are happy that this initiative is finally coming to Edo State, so that our people can benefit. At the same time, we have gained from the President’s favourable disposition to the state.

"These gains include the approval of a Marine Post for the Benin River Port, which has also received the President Buhari’s nod.

“The Benin Industrial Park and Free Trade Zone is also another feat that enjoys the support of the President. So we have all the reasons to support the re-election of the president and his vice, come February 16.”

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state government has intensified efforts to curb Lassa Fever in the state and directed all government appointees to sensitise residents in rural and urban centres on measures to prevent the spread of the ailment.

The governor, who has sustained campaign against Lassa Fever since reports of the resurgence of the ailment in the country, said that the state government is deploying man and materials to ensure that Lassa Fever is kept away from the state.

According to him, “We are sustaining the campaign against Lassa Fever to ensure that the state is rid of the ailment. The campaign has been taken to the local governments even as a state-wide sensitisation has been ongoing through the media.”

The governor directed government appointees including Senior Special Assistants (SSAs), Special Assistants, Local Government Chairmen, and councilors, to take the message on how to prevent Lassa fever to their communities across the 18 local government areas of the state, intimating the people on what to do to avoid the ailment, and how to respond when they observe probable symptoms of the viral disease.

He said, “Government appointees are mandated to take the message on how to curb Lassa Fever to the people and ensure that they are educated on what to do when they observe symptoms of the illness. The SSAs and SAs, including those on Gender Issues should join the campaign and take the message to women across the 18 local government areas of the state.”

The governor said that there was need to intensify the campaign because of his desire to reduce chances of outbreak of the viral disease in the state, noting that government was being proactive in sensitising the people on how to guard against the disease.

“Aside from being cautious, we have also ensured that necessary equipment for the management of the disease is available in the state. At the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, we have provided dialysis machines, ventilator and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), to ensure that the hospital and doctors are well-equipped to respond to emergencies,” he added.

Ease Of Doing Business: More Small Scale Companies Relocate To Edo On Back Of Obaseki’s Reform

Following far-reaching reforms in the tax system, favourable investment climate and an endearing support structure for their operations, led by Governor Godwin Obaseki, more small scale manufacturers are now relocating to Edo State.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Cradle Peak Limited, Mr. Ikponmwosa Obanor, said a number of his partners and business associates have moved to Edo State with many others on the verge of moving due to the impressive reforms in the state championed by the state government.

He said some of the reasons they cited for their relocation include good road network occasioned by ongoing road construction and reconstruction across the state; the ban on the use of thugs for revenue collection; improved access to information from government officials, ease in acquiring land titles and the governor’s tax regime reform.

Mr. Obanor, whose firm, Cradle Peak Limited, is one of those that have moved from Alagbole, in Ogun State, to Edo State in the new year, said he is into the manufacturing of packaging materials for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

He noted that he was influenced to move operations also because a number of his clients have relocated their businesses to the state and he needed to be close to the market.

As it stands now, Edo State offers more incentives to small scale manufacturers. In Edo State, manufacturers would not be bothered to deal with the challenges of multiple taxation, land ownership issues, and there is open governance which offers manufacturers access to government offices for information that will enable businesses to operate with ease.”

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