₦airaland Forum

Peaceful Co-Existence: Obaseki Calls For Tolerance, Inclusive Mindset To Drive Sustainable Growth, Development

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has called for tolerance and promotion of a mindset of inclusiveness among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups to create an enabling environment for growth and societal advancement.

The governor, who said this in commemoration of the International Day of Living Together in Peace, marked every May 16, by the United Nations, said that the imperative for peaceful co-existence is to engender development of the country without the fissures of parochial or self-perpetuating considerations among the country’s different ethnic and religious groups.

According to him, “We have come a long way as a country and it behoves on us to preserve the legacies of the founding fathers of Nigeria. Much as it is obvious that we have lingering problems and the challenges that threaten our resolve to live together, it is important to know that much can be achieved if we stick together, discuss the basis of our co-existence, agree on reforms that will foster unity and forge ahead with a clearer sense of purpose and direction.”

“In Edo State, we have demonstrated this by agreeing on certain principles that assure the greatest good for all. It is this constant negotiation of our expectations and the deployment of resources to attain them that we arrive at consensus that make us a strong, united force.”

He noted that the country will be better off if there is a constant negotiation on the basis of coexistence, stressing that only such arrangement will put paid to pockets of agitations from different parts of the country.

According to the United Nations, “The UN General-Assembly, in its resolution 72/130, declared 16 May the International Day of Living Together in Peace, as a means of regularly mobilising the efforts of the international community to promote peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding and solidarity. The Day aims to uphold the desire to live and act together, united in differences and diversity, in order to build a sustainable world of peace, solidarity and harmony.”

“The declaration came about as a result of the long-held and cherished concept — contained within the Constitution of UNESCO — that ‘since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defence of peace must be constructed.’ The Declaration embraces the principle that peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but also requires a positive, dynamic participatory process, in which dialogue is encouraged and conflicts are resolved in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation,” the International body said.

World Nurses Day: Obaseki Hails Sacrifices Of Nurses, Assures Of Reforms To Address Under-Staffing, Training

The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has hailed nurses across the world for the extra care and long hours they invest in taking care of patients and saving lives.

Obaseki who eulogised nurses on the occasion of the commemoration of the World Nurses Day, marked on May 12, each year, described the role of nurses in the health sector as essential.

“Nurses occupy a place of pride in the health care system. Virtually all of us have memories of how we were treated to good health by nurses, either as children or adults, and they have complemented doctors and other health workers in caring for the sick and ensuring quality life even in very challenging circumstances,” the governor said.

He maintained that “aside the long hours at work, nurses are on call both in the day and at night, attending to emergency, stay with patients on their way to recovery and sometimes at great personal cost.”

He assured that his administration “has commenced the reform of the state’s health sector with clear objectives, scope, timeline, and anticipated outcomes as well as partnership with the private sector to reposition the sector for better result.

“We have taken note of staffing, training and other issues and just as we are reforming the basic education sector, beginning with the basic education sub-sector, the health sector will receive the needed attention in the coming months.

"My approach to work is not tokenistic or knee jerk. Our plan for the health sector is comprehensive, covering building, equipment, training for staff, decent wage and incentives, health insurance for Edo people and robust partnership with the private sector to reposition it for better result,” the governor said.

Obaseki described the 2018 theme: “Nurses A Voice to Lead – Health is a Human Right,” adopted by the International Council on Nurses (ICN), as apt, and urged stakeholders in the sector to join the global conversation and amplify the voices of nurses on the relevance of the theme.

He further said that nurses all over the world deserve the respect and appreciation of everyone who has benefitted directly or indirectly from their care.

According to the United Nations, “the International Nursing Day is celebrated around the world on May 12, each year to mark the contributions nurses make to society.”

... as Committee on PIB meets oil communities

The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has decried the poor state of affairs in oil producing communities and has proposed a Livelihood Sustainability Programme to address the developmental gaps in the communities.

He made the proposition on Friday, in Benin City, while receiving members of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), who are in the state to meet with stakeholders in oil producing communities to assess the impact of oil exploration in the communities.

Obaseki described the visit as timely, as the state was working on a bill that will deal with issues that affect oil producing communities in the state.

He said the state was also embarking on an enumeration exercise to ascertain the impact of oil exploration activities on oil producing communities.

"We want to have a tripartite arrangement involving communities, the state government and oil companies so that the situation in which host communities are abandoned will no longer exist. We want to have a livelihood sustainability programme in the communities” he stressed.

The governor added that, "The enumeration will involve a baseline study and an action plan that will guide the proper implementation of the tripartite arrangement."

He told his guests that the state is planning to utilise the energy sourced from some of the communities to power companies that will be located in the state.

Earlier, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Tayo Alasoadura, said the visit was to allow oil producing communities in the state make input in the three petroleum-related bills in the National Assembly.

"We are propagating three bills on oil exploration and the third bill is the Host Community Bill which is the most important because it is the oil-bearing community that gets degraded in the long-run.

"So we want inputs from the committee before we hold the public hearing in Abuja later in the year," he said.

Photo 1:
R-L: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Chairman, National Assembly Joint Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), Senator Tayo Alasoadura; Chairman, Petroleum Upstream Committee, House of Representatives, Hon. Victor Nwokolo; during the Joint Committee's visit to the governor at Government House, Benin City on Friday, May 11, 2018.

Benin Industrial Park: Edo Govt Meets Host Communities Over Environmental Impact Assessment, Resettlement Plan

As more investors indicate interest in the Benin Industrial Park project, the Edo State Government has initiated a parley with stakeholders in the communities hosting the project, to remove any community-related encumbrances and set the stage for a hitch-free development of the park.

Secretary to the Edo State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie Esq., said the state government will on Thursday, May 10, 2018, meet traditional rulers, elders and youths of communities hosting the industrial park at a town hall meeting.

“The Town Hall Meeting will discuss the Environmental and social impact assessment exercise and Resettlement Action Plan with respect to the Benin Industrial Park project,” Ogie said.

He explained that the “meeting will hold at the palace of the Enogie of Oghobaghase Dukedom in Obaretin Community, on Benin-Sapele Road.”

Ogie said the chairman of Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, the Enogie of Oghobaghase Dukedom, Edionwere, elders, members of Agbomoba, Ekosa and Iyanomo communities are to attend the meeting and urged other interested parties to attend and participate as relevant information will be shared at the meeting venue.

The federal government through the Nigerian Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank joined the growing number of private investors, to express its readiness to support the park's development and build local capacity to meet export standards, with three funding windows running into N553bn.

According to the management of NEXIM, the funding opportunities are a N500billion Export Stimulation Fund managed by the bank in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and a N50 billion State’s Export Development Fund, which the state government can access to encourage entrepreneurs to improve the quality of goods to meet international standard.

“There is also a N3billion Export Development Fund available for capacity development for entrepreneurs in the non-oil sector,” Executive Director, Business Development, Hon. Stella Okotete, disclosed during a courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House, in Benin City, the Edo State capital, recently.

African World Heritage Day: Obaseki Assures Of Sustenance Of Edo Cultural Heritage

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured that his administration’s well-thought-out policies for education and sustainable development will guarantee the transmission of Edo peoples’ heritage to future generations.

Obaseki gave the assurance in commemoration of the African World Heritage Day, marked on May 5, each year.

According to him, “As part of the ongoing reforms in the basic education sector, the state government has completed training for selected teachers to teach Benin language, culture and history in selected primary and secondary schools in the state.”

On this year's theme of the celebration, “Cherishing Our African Heritage and the need to preserve it for future generations,” Obaseki said the adoption of the Queen Idia Mask as a communication tool was to signpost the centrality of culture to the government's development planning.

He added that support is being extended to bronze casting guild in Igun Street to equip them with relevant structures to preserve their trade and ensure it survives for the benefit of future generations.

He said, “The plans to deploy the teachers to teach children the Benin language, culture and history would enable us preserve our unique culture which we inherited from our ancestors and transmit same to the present and future generations. As a government, we are committed to ensuring that elements of our culture are not lost.”

“In addition to teaching children our culture, my administration is also making effort to preserve other cultural asset. They are priceless and part of our heritage, which command global appeal. We have commenced with the reclamation of the Benin Moat, while plans are ongoing to restore others,” he added.

Obaseki explained that: “With culture being one of our unique assets as a state, we will ensure we preserve our prized inheritance for present and future generations. This includes the partnership with the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, to build a world-class Royal Museum to hold stolen artefacts being recovered by the Benin Kingdom.”

“We believe that operating the museum will put an end to arguments by holders of these stolen works, that we lack world class facilities for preserving our heritage objects and ensured that future generations gain past knowledge from the objects.”

Obaseki urged stakeholders of Edo culture and tourism promoters, to enlist in his administration’s inclusive policies to preserve the state’s cultural assets.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the African World Heritage Day is an international observance held on May 5, each year across African countries with different types of activities, including visits to monuments and heritage sites, conferences, round tables and newspaper articles.

The day was proclaimed by 38th session of the General Conference UNESCO in November 2015, to afford people around the world and particularly Africans, the opportunity to celebrate the continent’s exceptional cultural and natural heritage.

…As Obaseki extends Edo BEST to public secondary schools

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the state government will partner the Bridge Academy in the ongoing repositioning of the State’s College of Education Campus at Abudu, in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, to serve as a facility for specialised teacher training.

Obaseki disclosed this when he received a delegation from the Bridge International Academy, who were on a courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House in Benin City.

He said, “The state government is committed to the repositioning of the Abudu Campus of the State College of Education to serve as Special Training Centre for Teachers at the basic education sub-sector in the state.”

He added, “The partnership will include an arrangement where the state and the Bridge International Academy will co-invest in refurbishing the Abudu Campus of the state’s College of Education.”

Obaseki explained that the priority for the state is to ensure the complete transformation of basic education by insisting on training of teachers on modern methods of teaching to improve learning outcomes. He noted that this would improve access to quality of education for children in primary and junior secondary schools.

“The state has resolved to focus on human capacity development for teachers through training, which will enable them adopt modern methods of teaching and learning. This is the first time such modern technology would be deployed for teaching about 500,000 pupils in 300 public primary schools in the state through the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo BEST) programme.”

He said there are plans to extend the Edo BEST programme to public secondary schools in the state, and encourage private schools operating in the state to embrace similar initiative.

According to the governor, “In the ongoing refurbishment of the Abudu campus of the state College of Education, the state government is partnering with the Bridge International Academy to provide teaching laboratories and other services for the campus.”

Founder, Bridge International Academy, Dr. Shannon May, commended governor Obaseki for his drive and vision to reform the education sector in the state. May said Obaseki’s developmental strides would draw investors to the state, noting, “The academy is ready to partner with the state to transform the education sector.”

Photo:
R-L: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Vice President, Policy, Bridge International Academy, Adesuwa Ifedi; Co-founder of the Academy, Dr. Shannon May; and Nigeria Director of Policy in the Academy, Ayodeji Okewumi, during the courtesy visit by a delegation from the Bridge International Academy, to the governor, at the Government House in Benin City.

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Photo 4
The refurbished vehicles before they were handed over to the owners at the Government House in Benin City.

Photo 3
Chief of Staff to the Edo State Governor, Chief Taiwo Akerele (middle); owner of one of the vehicles, Ezeora Obiora (right); and Chief Security Officer, Edo State Government House, Haruna Yusuf (left); during the handing over of the refurbished vehicles, at the Government House in Benin City.

Photo 2
Chief of Staff to the Edo State Governor, Chief Taiwo Akerele (second left); Chief Security Officer, Edo State Government House, Haruna Yusuf (left); owners of refurbished vehicles, Mr. Obi Charles Ifechukwu (right); and Ezeora Obiora (2nd right); during the handing over of their refurbished vehicles, at the Government House in Benin City.

The Edo State Government has handed over two vehicles that were damaged in the accident involving the Government House Press Corps Bus, to their owners, after refurbishment.

The refurbished vehicles, a Toyota Corolla saloon car with Registration Number FC 291-APP belonging to Ezeora Obiora, and a Honda Civic saloon car with Registration Number USL 380-AH belonging to Mr. Obi Charles Ifechukwu, were handed over to the Nigeria Police Force at the Government House, in Benin City.

The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Taiwo Akerele, said the vehicles were refurbished and handed-over to the Police for onward delivery to the owners.

He said the handing-over was a fulfilment of the governor’s promise, noting, “The handing over was done as we operate a responsive government that cares for its people and take responsibility for its actions.”

Obaseki said the state government took care of the hospital bills of all the victims of the accident as promised, adding “All the victims were adequately attended to as the state government ensured that the medical bills were cleared.”

He expressed appreciation to the owners of the vehicles for their patience and understanding, adding, “we also appreciate the level of professionalism displayed by the Nigeria Police while investigating the cause of the accident.”

The Chief Executive Officer, Lady Mechanic Initiative, Sandra Aguebor, whose company refurbished the vehicles, said the state government made real its promise to refurbish the vehicles, adding that the vehicles were in better working condition.

Recall that a bus assigned to the Press Unit of the Edo State Government House was involved in an accident on its way from an official assignment, on March 14, opposite the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), in Benin City.

The medical bills of all the victims of the accident were settled by Governor Obaseki when he visited the patients in the hospital, including the bills of a medical doctor, a mother with her five-year-old child, Freeman Okoro, whose cancer treatment has been taken over by the state government.

Photo 1:
Chief of Staff to the Edo State Governor, Chief Taiwo Akerele (2nd left); Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie (2nd right); Chief Security Officer, Edo State Government House, Haruna Yusuf (left); owners of refurbished vehicles, Mr. Obi Charles Ifechukwu (right); and Ezeora Obiora (middle); during the handing over of their refurbished vehicles, at the Government House in Benin City.

.. salutes journalists’ courage, says no alternative to Free Press

...OBSERVER, EBS up for revamp


The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has charged journalists to uphold the ethics of the journalism profession to deepen good governance and fast-track the nation’s advancement.

Obaseki who gave the charge on the occasion of the United Nation’s World Press Freedom Day, celebrated on May 3, each year, noted that “a free, uninhibited and independent press is a major pillar for the sustenance of democracy, good governance and economic advancement.”

He commended the display of courage by journalists who daily challenge oppressive governments, obnoxious policies and impunity by political actors, and explained “that the world’s history is replete with inspiring stories on the doggedness of journalists, who published objective reports in defense of truth, that changed the course of history for the better, even at great personal cost.”

“In Nigeria, the struggle for independence from the colonial masters was led largely by journalists and sustained by their fiery articles. Media practitioners were in the fore-front to oust the military from the country’s political space and enthrone democratic governance with such values as; the Rule of Law, free and fair elections, accountability of the government to the people, independent judiciary, tolerance of opposition views and multi-party system, which we all enjoy today,” he said.

He added that “the recent global outcry over the activities of human traffickers and modern slave masters by the horrifying report of the international media outfit, the Cable News Network (CNN), on illegal migration by Africans, exposed the frightening scale of the inhuman activity.”

According to the governor, “media practitioners will do more to advance the quality of governance if they uphold the ethics of the profession, leverage on the power of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and strive for more independence in carrying out their task as the society’s watch- dog and members of the exalted forth estate of the realm of governance.”

He assured that his administration is set to commence the revamp of the state-owned media enterprises; Edo Broadcasting Service Radio and Television and the Observer Newspapers, to strengthen the media platforms for people in the state to express themselves and contribute to the development discourse.

“The United Nations General Assembly declared May 3 to be World Press Freedom Day to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and marking the anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration, a statement of free press principles put together by African newspaper journalists in Windhoek in 1991,” the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) said.

The global body organises a series of activities to mark World Press Freedom Day, including “the conferment of the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize on a deserving individual, organisation or institution that has made an outstanding contribution to the defence and/or promotion of press freedom anywhere in the world, especially when this has been achieved in the face of danger.”

The Edo State Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC), has declared a total of N2.8 billion as allocation that accrued to the 18 Local Government Councils in the state from the Federation Account for the month of March.

The Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from the 18 local councils in the state rose by 44% to N187,076,193.66.

Chairman, Esan South-East Local Government Council, Hon. Victor Emuakhagbon, disclosed this at the end of JAAC meeting which was presided over by the Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, at the Government House in Benin City, Edo State.

According to him, “The total receipt for the month of March and shared in April was N2, 784, 590, 281. 12. Teachers’ salaries was N1, 103,807,046.71; deduction for pension was N264, 115,845.36; while total distributable fund shared by the 18 local government councils stands at N1, 124,183,069.76.”

Emuakhagbon added, “Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from the 18 local government councils increased by 44 percent with current total figures standing at N187, 076, 193.66.”

He said the increase in IGR followed the resolve by the council bosses to support the state governor’s drive to promote wealth creation and deliver dividends of democracy to the people.

“With this renewed vigor, we would be able to provide support for the funding of the 2018 budget to improve the standard of living of the people,” he said.

Photo:
Chairman, Esan South-East Local Government Area (LGA), Hon. Victor Emuakhagbon (middle); Vice Chairperson, Oredo LGA; Hon. Lady Belinda Ogiefa (left); and Chairman, Akoko-Edo LGA, Don O. Umoru (right), addressing journalists at the end of the Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting, at the Government House in Benin City, Edo State.

Another milestone has been recorded in Edo State as Governor Godwin Obaseki’s effort to reposition the College of Education, Iguoriakhi, is yielding result, following the assumption of duty by 40 students of the college at the facility of Presco Plc., for a three-month internship.

Head, Administration and Relations, Presco Plc, Tony Uwajeh, disclosed this to journalists at the weekend, noting, “40 students from the College who were posted to their facility have since commenced their training which will last for a period of three months.”

The 40 interns add to the 50 others who last week assumed duty at the facility of Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc., bringing to 90 the number of students now benefiting from the programme.

The programme is one of several initiatives to reposition the college, which has since been shut to allow for a holistic restructuring. A renowned professor of agricultural, Prof. Oluwafemi Balogun, is leading the task on the restructuring of the college, which is expected to produce a fine crop of agricultural graduates to deepen the contribution of the agricultural sector to the state’s economy.

Uwajeh said the students will be trained on various aspects of agriculture during the period of their internship, which he said would afford them the opportunity to acquire practical field knowledge on the aspects of agriculture the company has expertise in.

According to Uwajeh, “the 40 students have since been deployed to the various units in the company and are settling into their tasks. The training of the students was a collaboration between the company and the state government.”

He said that management of Presco Plc would ensure that the students are well exposed to operations of the company during the period to equip them with skills in industrial agricultural operations.

The students would each be paid N20, 000 monthly stipend during the period of their training by the state government.

Edo Govt.’s Drive For Sustainable Investments Spurring Our Expansion – Hefer, Okomu MD

Managing Director, Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, Mr. Graham Hefer, has said that the state government’s unrelenting drive for sustainable investment is paving the way for the company’s numerous expansion projects.

Hefer made the submission during an interview with journalists in Udo, Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He said the focus on institutional reforms and infrastructural development by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration provided a window of opportunity for the company to expand its portfolio and push for more investments in the state.

Noting that the drive would create jobs and improve the state’s economy, he said the company has been able to expand its oil palm plantation by over 11, 000 hectares.

Hefer added, “In the last three years, the company has expanded by 10, 000 hectares in Ovia North West Local Government Area. With the expansion we expect to double our current volumes in the next five years.

“The company has commenced construction of two new oil mills. The first mill will be completed in year 2020 while the second will follow up a year after.”

Hefer explained that the company’s present mill is being expanded to produce 75 tons of palm oil per hour from its current 60 tons capacity, noting, “All of these are as a result of the increased production expected from the recent extension II project. The state government’s investment drive for sustainable development aided our expansion project. On account of all these, people are now taking us seriously.”

Hefer commended the governor for the drive to attract investors to the state, highlighting the governor’s spirited efforts to sell the state to investors across the globe. “I commend the governor who has been busy interfacing with potential investors visiting the state. Things are looking promising for investors in the state,” he said.

He added that with the institutional reforms being implemented, “the state government ministries, agencies and department are now looking more professional in dealing with private investors in the state. We are now having a better relationship with the government officials.”

“We are experiencing a two-way communication with government officials in ministries, which we have not had in the past. When there are issues we don’t understand, we pick up the phone and talk with the officials to get clarification,” Hefer averred.

On the effort of the government on infrastructural development, he noted, “I hope to see the Gelegele Seaport and Industrial Park projects completed very quickly. On our part as a company, we are studying how these projects will benefit us in the short and medium terms.”

World Intellectual Property Day: Obaseki Urges Young Inventors, Innovators To Patent Products

…decries economic impact of piracy

The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has urged young inventors, innovators, product designers and creative people to make the extra effort of securing patents, trademarks and copyrights for their works.

Obaseki gave the advice on the occasion of the World Intellectual Property Day, celebrated globally on April 26 each year.

According to the governor, “the new world economic order encourages young people to express themselves and creatively contribute to development through inventions and creations.” He noted that “one of the hallmarks of the century is the dominance of tech-based applications created by ingenious youths across the globe.”

He said that “in Nigeria, our youths are leveraging on the rising popularity and demand for these technology-driven applications” while in the creative industry, “our entertainers, movie makers, musical artistes clearly lead the pack on the African continent, and rank tops on the global premier entertainment league table.”

The governor stressed that despite the successes so far recorded on all fronts, “many unregistered creative works are ‘stolen’ while several others end up as ‘public property’.”

He advised that inventions, literary and artistic works, designs and symbols should be seen by our youths as money spinners and not mere past-time.

He decried the impact of piracy on the creative industry and said that “piracy robs hardworking creative people of their reward and entitlements.”

He urged inventors, innovators, musicians, bronze casters to rise to the occasion and form a formidable association that will interface with government at all levels to strengthen existing laws and conventions on copyrights, trademarks and patents, broaden their applicability and boost the benefits; monetary or psychological, derivable from creative enterprises.”

Obaseki also charged young creative and innovative people to market their registered products online for extensive exposure and take their share of the profit derivable from the internet-based global market place.

He assured that “the ongoing reforms in critical sectors of the state will be extended to the creative industry as the production and distribution of creative goods form a large part of the state’s economy.”

On the theme of this year’s celebration, “Powering Change: Women in Innovation and Creativity,” the governor saluted the United Nations for acknowledging the contributions of women in enhancing wellbeing through their inventions and creative works, which are hardly mentioned.

The UN said World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated to learn about the role that intellectual property rights (patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyright) play in encouraging innovation and creativity.

According to the global body, “This year’s World Intellectual Property Day campaign celebrates the brilliance, ingenuity, curiosity and courage of the women who are driving change in our world and shaping our common future.

“Everyday women come up with game-changing inventions and life-enhancing creations that transform lives and advance human understanding from astrophysics to nanotechnology and from medicine to artificial intelligence and robotics.

“And in the creative sphere, whether in the movies, animation, music, fashion, design, sculpture, dance, literature, art and more, women are re-imagining culture, testing the limits of artistry and creative expression, drawing us into new worlds of experience and understanding.

“The important and inspiring contributions of countless women around the globe are powering change in our world. Their “can do” attitude is an inspiration to us all. And their remarkable achievements are an invaluable legacy for young girls today with aspirations to become the inventors and creators of tomorrow.”

2nd and 3rd Photo:
Cross-section of volunteers in the Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) scheme, during a sensitisation campaign on Lagos Street and environs, in Benin City, Edo State capital.

…to create more dump sites

Secretary to the Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., has called on the state’s residents to build on the appreciable level of success recorded during the weekly environmental sanitation exercise being championed by the state government.

Ogie made the call after volunteers with the Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) embarked on a sensitisation programme on Lagos Street and environs, in Benin City, Edo State capital.

He said the exercise by PUWOV was organised to create adequate awareness on the need for people to support the state government’s overhaul of the environmental sanitation programme and ensure a cleaner Edo State.

Ogie, who heads the Project Clean-Up Edo Committee, assured that the state will provide additional waste bins in major hubs in the state capital, noting, “government would continue to ensure refuse is evacuated by waste managers to the dump sites at regular interval. There are plans to create more dump sites where wastes collected can be converted to wealth.”

He added that when mapping of appropriate dump sites is completed, the state will begin efforts to transform waste to wealth, noting, “The priority is to ensure a cleaner state.”

Meanwhile, Head, PUWOV, Muktaru Yusuf, during the exercise, said the campaign became necessary to drum up support for the state government in ensuring conducive environment for habitation and business.

Yusuf urged market women to ensure regular clearing of their environment and proper disposal of wastes to prevent pollution within their surroundings.

He said, “Unhygienic environment is bad for business. The sensitisation campaign will be ongoing for people to support a cleaner and healthy environment in public places such as markets.”

1st Photo
Secretary to Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., addressing journalists on the effort of the state government to sustain the weekly environmental sanitation in the state.

World Book and Copyright Day: Obaseki Tasks Youths On Reading Culture, Says Transformational Power Of Books Is Phenomenal

…Pledges support for Copyright protection

The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has tasked the youth to leverage on the transformational power of books in their quest to succeed in their chosen endeavour.

Obaseki made the call on the occasion of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)’ World Book and Copyright Day, celebrated on April 23, each year.

According to UNESCO, the day is set aside “to pay a world-wide tribute to books and authors and encourage everyone, and in particular young people, to discover the pleasure of reading and gain a renewed respect for the irreplaceable contributions of those, who have furthered the social and cultural progress of humanity.”

The governor said: “The printing era disrupted the cultures that preceded it by increasing access to knowledge and wisdom on an unprecedented scale. Ever since, the pace of human advancement has been supersonic, thanks to the deluge of information contained in books.”

He urged the youth to “appreciate the wealth of knowledge contained in books, apply same and join the growing army of global youth in the knowledge economy, who are responsible for modern inventions.”

He assured that his administration “is set to commence the reconstruction of public schools across the state in the coming days, and on completion, the schools will have rich libraries where students can read and carry out research.”

Obaseki pledged to work with the relevant federal government agencies to protect intellectual property.

“All our books for our new libraries will be sourced directly from the publishers. We appreciate the enormous intellectual rigour and creativity that go into book making and writing, and as a government we are committed to rewarding such efforts. We place high premium on the Rule of Law and are ever ready to join forces with other agencies of the federal government to protect the works of authors and other creative people.”

He saluted authors for sustaining the tempo of documenting events, happening and occurrences, preserving and transferring knowledge across generations, mirroring society and advancing ideas that foster development.

“Young people must make the best of the knowledge economy and enrich themselves with the avalanche of ideas at their disposal and become global citizens, who ‘know something about everything,’” Obaseki advised.

According to UNESCO, “April 23 is a symbolic date for world literature. It is on this date in 1616 that Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died. It is also the date of birth or death of other prominent authors, such as Maurice Druon, Haldor K.Laxness, Vladimir Nabokov, Josep Pla and Manuel Mejía Vallejo. It was a natural choice for UNESCO's General Conference, held in Paris in 1995, to pay a world-wide tribute to books and authors on this date.

Each year, UNESCO and the international organizations representing the three major sectors of the book industry - publishers, booksellers and libraries, select the World Book Capital for a one-year period, effective 23 April each year.

The city of Athens was chosen for the quality of its activities, supported by the entire book industry this year. The aim is to make books accessible to the city’s entire population, including migrants and refugees.

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has extolled the virtues of late Engr. Bright Uwagboe Omo, describing his legacies as ennobling.

The governor, who said this at the burial ceremony of late Engr. Felix Bright Uwagboe Omo in Benin City, maintained that the entrepreneurial prowess displayed by Engr. Omo while he lived captured the spirit of a true Edo man and Nigerian, who made the best of opportunities thrown at him.

He added that it was soothing that the late Engr. Omo left behind indelible legacies and offsprings that will sustain his virtues.

Notable dignitaries in attendance are the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu; former Minister of Finance, Usman Shamsudeen; Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq.; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Taiwo Akerele; Edo State Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Barr. Anslem Ojezua.

Others are Chairman, Strategic Planning Team, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere; legal luminary, Riki Tarfa (SAN), as well as commissioners and other top government functionaries.

Late Engr. Omo was father to Isoken Omo, the Executive Chairman, Edo Development and Property Authority (EDPA).

Meanwhile, the governor who was also at TV Road to attend the burial ceremony of late pa Agbongiaruoyi Ereyi Usoh, called on the children to emulate the good life of their father.

He said late Pa Usoh, who died at the age of 98 years, was a true Edo man whose life was a shining example. He called on the children to be united to carry on with his good legacies.

Obaseki was later joined on the occasion by former governor of Edo and Delta State, Lucky Igbinedion and James Ibori respectively.

PHOTO
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Executive Chairman, Edo Development and Property Authority (EDPA), Isoken Omo and Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Phillip Shaibu, at the Burial Ceremony of Late Engr. Felix Bright Uwagboe Omo, in Benin city, at the weekend.

The Edo State government has concluded plans to train 100 women in Edo Central Senatorial District on soap-making at the newly reopened Skills Development Centre in Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area.

Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Skills Development and Job Creation/Head, EdoJobs, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, disclosed this during the reopening of the skill acquisition centre in Irrua.

She said the centre was reopened to provide skills training for people in the senatorial district, noting, “100 women will be trained on soap-making, while the reopened centre will house a soap making factory. Some of the women will be employed to work in the factory while others will be provided with starter packs to establish their soap-making businesses.”

Mrs. Dare noted that the state government, through the EdoJobs initiative, is focusing on job creation across the three senatorial zones in the state, adding that a similar programme will hold in Edo North.

She said the training on soapmaking was organised in collaboration with Mamamoni Limited, an enterprise that provides empowerment to low income earners and women in rural areas, adding, “The training of the 100 women in Irrua will commence in two weeks. It will not cost the women any money, as it is free of charge.”

She stressed that the EdoJobs initiative is one of the platforms through which Governor Obaseki led-administration intends to empower and train Edo people.

Programme Director, Mamamoni Limited, Mrs. Ogbonna Nkiruka, said the training for 100 women would be carried out in batches, adding, “training for each batch will take between 3-4 weeks. The women would be trained on production of liquid soap, air freshener, hair cream and liquid antiseptic.”

Chairman, Esan Central Local Government council, Mr. Waziri Idemudia, commended Governor Obaseki for extending the empowerment to women at the grassroots. He assured that the council will ensure sustainability of the programme.

Idemudia advised the women selected to represent the council in the training, to see it as an opportunity to create wealth for themselves and their dependants.

Photo:
L-R: Representative/Programme Director, Mamamoni Limited, Mrs. Ogbonna Nkiruka; Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Skills Development and Job Creation/Head, EdoJobs, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare; Secretary, to Esan Central Local Government council, Hon. Loretta Igene; and Chairman, Esan Central Local Government council, Dr. Edokpa Idemudia Wiziri, during the reopening of a skill acquisition centre in Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area.

This is a very good initiative that will be surely sustained considering the governors crave for success.

Int’l Day for Monuments and Sites: Obaseki assures on reclamation, preservation of Benin Moat, others

…urges partnership to harness gains of heritage objects

The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured of his administration’s resolve to reclaim, remodel and preserve the Benin Moat as part of the new tourism super-structures that will pull tourist traffic to the state.

Obaseki gave the assurance in commemoration of the International Day for Monuments and Sites, marked on April 18, each year.

“The Benin Moat is a priceless asset and part of our heritage objects with global appeal. We have commenced the reclamation of the Benin Moat and our grand plan is to make it one of the superstructures in our tourism master plan.

“We are very proud to have inherited this massive earth work which is considered the largest man-made structure in the world and we are determined to unlock its cultural and tourism potential,” the governor said.

He added that similar attention would be accorded other cultural assets across the state to boost social-economic activities in the culture and tourism sector.

Obaseki called on culture enthusiasts, tourism promoters, art collectors and other stakeholders to key into the culture and tourism value chain to maximise the gains the sector holds for development.

He stressed: “Culture is our strongest asset as a state and we must make the best of this prized inheritance. Part of our plan for our heritage objects is to partner with the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, to build a world-class Royal Museum to hold stolen artefacts being recovered by the Benin Kingdom.”

He explained that “the museum will put an end to the argument by holders of these stolen works, that we lack world class facilities for preserving our art works.”

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the International Day for Monuments and Sites (World Heritage Day) is an international observance held on 18 April each year around the world with different types of activities, including visits to monuments and heritage sites, conferences, round tables and newspaper articles.

The day was proposed by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) on 18 April 1982 and approved by the General Assembly of UNESCO in 1983.

The aim is to promote awareness about the diversity of cultural heritage of humanity, their vulnerability and the efforts required for their protection and conservation.

Photo 3:
Special Adviser to Edo State Governor on Basic Education and Acting Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe (speaking), with primary school teachers who were trained on the use of Information and Communication Technology for teaching, during the launch of Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) by Governor Godwin Obaseki in Benin City, Edo State, on Thursday April 19, 2018, in Benin City.

Photo 2:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (2nd left) his wife, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki (left); Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu (2nd right) and his wife, Mrs. Maryann Shaibu (right), during the launch of Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) by the governor, on Thursday April 19, 2018, in Benin City.

In a grand overhaul of the Edo State basic education sub-sector, Governor Godwin Obaseki has launched the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) programme, warning that Education Marshals will be set up across local government areas to stem loitering by school children.

He said parents who fail to ensure that their children are enrolled and remain in schools will be arrested and fined.

Speaking at the launch of Edo-BEST Programme at Samuel Ogbemudia College in Benin on Thursday, Obaseki said the state would work with Local Government Areas (LGAs) to coordinate the Education Marshalls, who would be on the watch to ensure students do not loiter about during school hours.

"If a child is found loitering during school hours, he or she will be apprehended and the parent of the child will also be arrested and fined,” he warned.

The governor also assured that perimeter fencing will be erected around all schools across the state, noting that President Muhammadu Buhari tasked all state governors to ensure security in schools.

He added that any building located inside the schools would be fenced in and such properties then automatically belong to the school.

The governor stated that his administration wants to ensure that any child who receives basic education would be able to read and write, which is why new technology-based learning method is being deployed in the state’s basic education sub-sector.

He assured that the Edo-BEST programme would be extended to all schools in the state, calling on communities to show commitment to protecting schools from vandalism.

Commissioner for Education, Hon. Emmanuel Agbale, said the overhaul of the basic education sub-sector and the adoption of new methods of teaching and learning will bring unprecedented change to the sector.

He said the governor would kick-start a reward system for teachers who distinguish themselves in the Edo-BEST programme.

Photo :
L-R: Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo State Chapter, Barr. Anselm Ojezua; Special Adviser to Edo State Governor on Basic Education and Acting Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe; and Commissioner for Education, Hon. Emmanuel Agbale, during the launch of Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) by the Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Thursday April 19, 2018, in Benin City.

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the state government will not hand over schools to missions or other stakeholders yet, because the state is still gathering data and studying the outcome of such experiment in the past, amid other issues that must be addressed.

Obaseki made the submission when he received the National Executive Council members of Annunciation Catholic College Irrua Old Boys Association (ACCIOBA) led by the association’s National President, Dr. Frank Odafen, on a courtesy visit to Government House, in Benin City.

Governor Obaseki said, “The state will not relent in tackling challenges confronting the education sector. We have started implementing reforms to improve access to quality education at the basic level, because we believe education has always given the state a competitive advantage.”

He noted that more funds will be sourced to improve basic education, which is the foundation of a vibrant, knowledge-driven economy, adding “Part of the reforms to improve the sector is the reassigning of the Commissioner of Science and Technology, Hon. Emmanuel Agbale to oversee the Education Ministry four weeks ago. We have also appointed consultants to assist the state in sourcing resources to enable us address the challenges confronting the sector.”

On the request that the Annunciation Catholic College (ACC), Irrua be handed over to Old Boys of the school and the Catholic Mission, Obaseki said government holds the school in trust for the people, and that such move would require extensive stakeholder engagement.

He said “As governor, I am to uphold public trust. I swore to uphold the constitution which empowered me to hold certain assets of the state in trust for the people. I am not at liberty to give out such assets.”

“We are still gathering data and studying the outcomes of the handover of schools carried out as experiments few years ago. The exercise has raised several issues that must be addressed,” he said.

National President, ACCIOBA, Dr. Frank Odafen, lauded the governor for the infrastructural development across the state, noting, “ACCIOBA as a group, will support ongoing reforms to improve education in the state. We will join hands with government to return Edo to its glorious past when it topped list of states in the country with access to quality education.”

He added, “We will continue to contribute our part in improving education, as we have built halls, constructed roads, perimeter fencing, offered scholarships to students and facilitated payment of salaries to ten teachers in Annunciation Catholic College, Irrua.”

Source: http://thebellng.com/why-edo-govt-will-not-handover-schools-to-missions-yet/

Photo -
R-L: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; National President, Annunciation Catholic College Irrua Old Boys Association (ACCIOBA), Dr. Frank Odafen; and other members of the association, during their courtesy visit to the governor, in Government House, Benin City, Edo State.

Obaseki To Partner Private Investors On Mechanised Farming For Inclusive Agric Development

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the state is concluding the mapping of its land resources to determine areas suitable for large-scale agricultural projects in partnership with private investors to create jobs and produce raw materials for industrial use.

The governor, who disclosed this when he led top government officials on a study visit to Dr. Fregene Cassava Farms, in Abraka, Delta State, said the state will explore the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model to engender inclusive and sustainable agricultural development in the state.

He said, "Part of the strategies to create jobs for youths is to replicate successful agricultural ventures. We will set up ventures like this across local government councils in the state. In the past, governments operated these ventures, but now that we have private investors with capacity to run businesses more efficiently, we will provide support and partner with these investors to drive economic growth and job creation through agribusiness.”

Obaseki added, “We intend to adopt a strategy which will encourage private sector investors in agribusiness in the state and strengthen partnerships with all value chain actors to ensure that our agricultural development initiatives are inclusive and sustainable.”

Noting that the state was working on a master plan to provide support to smallholder and large-scale farmers, he said, “We are mapping out communities to launch projects similar to Dr. Fregene’s Cassava Farm. We have data on 19 million hectares of land in the state. The next step is to carry out land use assessment. The essence is to create jobs and make raw materials available for industrial purposes.”

Obaseki said the state will provide necessary support structures to fast-track development of rural communities. “We are building more roads to link farms to markets. We will facilitate provision of power supply to encourage development of processing industries close to farm centres,” he said.

General Manager of Dr. Fregene’s Farm, Mr. Marcus Cassava, who took the governor and his team on a tour of the farm, explained that good agronomic practice was necessary to get high cassava yield, advising that it was better to engage more hands-on the farm to create jobs for the locals.

PHOTO
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (middle); Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security Programme, Prince Joe Okojie (right); General Manager, Dr. Fregene’s Farm, Marcus Cassava, during the governor’s study visit to the Farm, in Abraka, Delta State.

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has approved verification exercise and payment of three months stipends for new batch of Libya returnees of Edo State origin.

Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Anti-Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration, Comrade Solomon Okoduwa, disclosed this during the verification exercise, noting, “The approval for the verification exercise and payment for the new batch of returnees are part of the promises made by the governor to assist victims of human trafficking and illegal migration and reintegrate them into society.”

Okoduwa said since the first two batches of returnees were received by the state government between 7th and 15th November 2017, the state has recorded 26 other batches totalling 3,165 returnees.

“The verification exercise for the new batch of returnees will be processed in the next 12 days, after which payment of their stipends will commence. Each returnee will be paid a stipend of N20,00 per month for three months. Among them, pregnant women will be entitled to N25,000 each, while those with babies will get N30,000 each,” he said.

Okoduwa assured the returnees that they will get their stipends, urging them to follow the required procedures to get verified.

Assistant Secretary, Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration, Lilian Garuba, said “The returnees who had been verified have been paid. The verification is a precondition for getting the stipends, so we encourage them to come forward for the exercise.

She added, “Those who are yet to be verified should be patient. We assure that the taskforce is working to ensure that the directive of the governor is fully carried out. The exercise is to ensure that we monitor the progress of reintegration and follow up where necessary.”

One of the returnees, Idemudia Grace confirmed that she has gotten her pay for a month, adding, “I am here for another round of verification to receive the second payment.”

Oghogho Moses, who turned up for the exercise, commended the governor for keeping to his promise to pay returnees three months stipends, noting, “Obaseki has done well for the returnees, he is the first if not the only governor in the country to make provision for stipends to returnees and other packages to assist the returnees' reintegration into the society.”

PHOTOS:
Ongoing verification of Libya returnees by officials of Edo State Government in Benin City, on Monday, April 16, 2018

The Edo State government has intensified work on the revamp of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium to meet international standard as part of the overall reform of the sports sector in the state.

According to the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, the walls are being reinforced with concrete pillars and all the roads and drainage system in the area hosting the stadium are undergoing reconstruction.

“Edo people deserve a world class stadium. Our contribution to sports globally is common knowledge both in the number and quality of athletes Edo State has produced for the world stage. We also want to provide standard playing fields for our young ones whose turn it is to replicate the success stories of yesteryear,” Obaseki said.

He maintained that “sports is a huge industry with allied businesses that can take most of our idle youths away from the streets. We want to produce more Victor Moses, Julius Aghahowa, Austin Eguavoen, Osazee Odemwingie and Odion Ighalo.”

He said part of the reforms of the state’s sports sector includes the rebranding of Bendel Insurance and the club’s restructuring to ensure that the club can overcome funding, administrative and other challenges.

The 20 mini-stadia that will be spread across the state will serve as talent grooming and skills honing ground for youths in the 18 local government areas.

On completion, the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium’s tartan tracks and the offices will be modernised while the synthetic grass in the pitch would be replaced with natural grass. The gymnasium and the lawn tennis courts would also be upgraded to international standard.

There will be a roof over the entire stand of the stadium. The trusses that will support the roof are being erected already.

The swimming pool is part of the project but it will be done in the second phase. The entire renovation work will be completed by October.

Bendel Insurance of Benin will now play its home matches at the University of Benin football field as a result.

Photos:
Ongoing reconstruction work at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Edo State.

More Photos:

Obaseki’s Institutional Reforms Deepening Devt., Fast-Tracking Economic Growth – SSG, Ogie

The Secretary to the Edo State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie Esq., has said that Governor Godwin Obaseki’s development-focused transformation in the state is driven by institutional reforms.

Ogie said this when he hosted delegates from the Institute for Security Studies, Abuja, who were on a Study Tour to the state, at the Government House, in Benin City.

He said the Godwin Obaseki-led administration will continue its institutional reforms to ensure the restoration of cultural values, economic growth and prosperity for Edo people.

“The focus of the administration from the onset has been to create an enabling environment for economic growth by restoring law and order, which is known to be a major catalyst for development. There is little government can do if there is no law and order,” he said.

Speaking on the theme of the study group: “Cultural values and contemporary governance: challenges of ethnic nationalism and youth disillusionment,” he said, the erosion of institutions and morals, which were hallmarks of the military regime, account for human trafficking and other social vices.

Ogie added that the report of the study group would be of immense value to the state, as it will serve as pointers to areas where government needs to tweak its reforms to sustain results recorded in maintaining law and order.

He stressed that the smooth-working relationship between the state government and the traditional institutions has led to enormous progress in changing behaviours, curbing social vices and setting the state up for industrialisation.

According to him, the Oba of Benin has shown tremendous support for the state government and its policy reforms, which recently culminated in the placing of curses on human traffickers, a watershed in the campaign to curb the ugly trend of illegal migration and human trafficking in the state.

Leader of the delegation, Mrs. Angela Olaseni, said Edo State was chosen for the tour because it is reputed for undiluted culture, which is in tandem with the theme of the course.

Photo 1:
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie Esq., (middle, front row) with delegates from the Institute for Security Studies, Abuja, who were on a Study Tour to Edo State, at the Government House, Benin City.