Group to Agba: Don’t pretend to be solving a problem you caused by sponsoring thugs to hijack #ENDSARS protests

https://www.thedailynews.ng/group-to-agba-dont-pretend-to-be-solving-a-problem-you-caused-by-sponsoring-thugs-to-hijack-endsars-protests/

Thank you mr Governor, God bless you

God bless my governor

*Edo 2020: Tinubu’s empire ends in S’West, will never extend to Edo – CSO*

*… ‘efforts to frustrate devt in our state to serve wishes of godfathers will be resisted’*

A Non-Governmental Organisation, (NGO), Concerned Citizens of Edo State has berated the former Governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for attacks on Governor Godwin Obaseki over the crisis at the Edo State House of Assembly.

Secretary of the group, Mr. Orobosa Igbinoba, said it was pertinent to stress that Tinubu’s empire would never extend to Edo State because the manifestations of the stranglehold of the former governor on Lagos does not conform to the values of independence of thought, economic liberalization and people-oriented development that have now taken shape in Edo with Governor Obaseki’s leadership.

“We will want to reiterate that Edo is not Lagos. We have seen a trail of attacks by different actors who have been acting the script of the Lagos godfather from different spheres, from the Conference of Speakers to members of the National Assembly. We are very certain that all of these are manifestations of how the Edo is not Lagos slogan is tormenting Tinubu and his camp.

“We want to put it to them that we are people of independent thought and would not be subservient to anyone in Lagos. It must be noted that when the white men came to this part, we held our heads high, that would not change now. We would resist any attempt to tie us to the apron strings of the Lagos godfather.”

He noted that the political struggle between the governor and the agents of Tinubu, has transcended politics. It is an economic fight, in which the strides being made in Edo are threatening the old arrangements that had held the people down and subjugated for years.

He explained, “It is not surprising that these attacks are coming at a time that we have completed our 55MW Ossiomo Independent Power Plant (IPP), and are on the verge of completing the 6000bpd Edo Modular Refinery. The seaport is also in the works. These things would threaten the dominance of Lagos in Nigeria’s economy if you are very circumspect in your analysis. So, they are trying to truncate the progress being made in Edo by trying to impose someone who will do their bidding from Lagos. We will not agree to such.”

God bless my governor, victory is sure for my Governor. Obaseki 4+ 4 torgber

*Obaseki to roll out Edo North campaign tomorrow, August 3*

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, will tomorrow, August 3, 2020, roll out his campaign in Edo North Senatorial District of the state ahead of the September 19 governorship election.

In a statement, State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chris Osa Nehikhare, said plans have been concluded to roll out the campaign in Edo North for the re-election of the governor.

According to him, “The Edo State PDP Campaign Council will commence the Edo North leg of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s re-election on August 3, 2020. The governor would be touring the units and wards in the Senatorial District and would commission projects that have been completed.

“The governor would also be inspecting ongoing projects in the axis to ensure that contractors are up to speed with the projects. The gatherings will hold in adherence the coronavirus (COVID-19) as the governor would be meeting with the key leaders in the units and wards.”

The governor, who has continued to receive endorsements from different sectors of society, is riding on a groundswell of support going into the governorship election.

*Edo Modular Refinery at 70% completion, as Obaseki expands state’s industrial base*

The Edo Modular and Refinery Company Limited and AIPCC Energy are on the verge of completing the 5500bpd Edo Modular Refinery, a key legacy project by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration to recalibrate the state’s industrial base, birthed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The project, sited at Ologbo in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area (LGA), would produce from its feedstock 50 per cent of diesel (500,000 liters), 25 percent of naphta (300,000 liters) and 20 percent of fuel oil (200,000) liters. The crude is to be sourced from the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company’s (NPDC) facility – oil mining lease (OML) 111, near Benin City.

The Chinese consortium handling the construction of the modular refinery is made up of Peiyang Chemical Equipment Company of China (PCC), Sinopec International Petroleum Service Corporation (SIPS) and African Infrastructure Partners (AIP).

Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the modular refinery project is among the growing list of ongoing legacy projects through Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with local and international private investors, which include the 55MW CCTEC Ossiomo Power Plant, which has been completed and ready for use; the Benin Enterprise and Industrial Park, which development is ongoing and the Benin River Port, for which preliminary works are ongoing.

Noting that the governor is committed to resetting the economy of the state for prosperity and industrial growth, he said “The local content component of the refinery project ensures that Edo citizens are trained in welding, refinery operation and fabrication works to enable them participate in the construction of the refinery as well as its operation, post-commissioning. The refinery is at 70 percent completion and we are very sure that it will soon be ready for commissioning.”

He added that the actualisation of the project is premised on the governor’s smart thinking and financial savviness through which he mobilized funds and resources to initiate and execute the project.

Recall that the Edo State EXCO approved the release of N700 million as redeemable preference shares (investment) in the Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited.

The venture is expected to create legitimate employment opportunities thereby reducing poverty, provide job opportunities for teeming youths in the communities, facilitate the establishment of a fabrication yard as proposed by the promoters, and create basis for expertise, professionalism and further training in the oil and gas industry.

The take-off of the Edo Refinery and Petrochemicals Company benefits from a series of groundwork by the Obaseki-led administration that led to the setting up of Edo Investment Scheme Limited, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to hold N2 billion investment funds in which the Ministry of Finance Incorporation (MOFI) and the Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC) which are to hold shares of 20 percent and 80 per cent respectively.

It would facilitate the state’s investment in various initiatives across the oil and gas sector; petroleum exploration, drilling and filling stations, sales and supply of gas, agro-allied products, petroleum and petrochemical products and other related businesses.
 
*PHOTO CAPTION:*
*IMG_01:*
Ongoing work at the 5500bpd Edo Modular Refinery, a key legacy project by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration at Ologbo in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State.

Obaseki is the man for the job,

Obaseki 4+ 4

Breaking News : Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu said education is not met for the poor, that parents should prepare to pay high fees in all states institutions if elect. Oshiomhole did it before

*Edo 2020: Youths storm major streets in Benin, canvass support for Obaseki’s reelection*

Youths in their hundreds from the 18 local government areas of Edo State on Tuesday staged a solidarity rally in major streets of Benin City, to pass a vote of confidence on the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Rt. Hon. Comr. Philip Shaibu.

The youths under the aegis of ‘No Sidon Look’, charged Edo electorate to support Governor Obaseki for a second term in office following his administration’s developmental strides in all sectors of the state.

The Director General of the organisation, Mr. Portrait Peterson, who led other members and supporters, said the solidarity rally became imperative to sensitise Edo voters on the need to reelect Governor Obaseki come September 19, 2020, to enable him continue with his people-centered programmes and policies in the state.
Peterson said: "Obaseki has done so much for the people of the state in the last four years as his developmental strides are visible in the 18 local government areas of Edo State. All sectors have benefited from his administration and leadership style.

“He has touched most areas of the people's lives and the frequent protests experienced in the past administration are a thing of the past in this present administration.”

Describing the governor as a silent worker who talks less and does more, the DG noted: "He doesn't talk much but works more. Come September 19, 2020, I urge all Edo people to vote wisely and return Obaseki and Shaibu to power for another four years following their performance".

The Deputy Director of the organisation, Mr. Kingsley Ebia, urged Edo people to utilise their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) effectively to re-elect Obaseki for his good works in education, agriculture and healthcare, among others, adding: "Civil servants and pensioners in the state no longer complain or protest over non-payment of entitlements because Governor Obaseki pays as at when due.

“Ize-Iyamu is a bad product that can't be sold to Edo people who are wiser now. I urge all Edo electorate to cast their votes for a performing governor, Godwin Obaseki.”

Traders, who commended the governor for his people-oriented reforms, programmes and policies, said Obaseki has continued to improve the lives of the majority of Edo people.

Mrs. Helen Osasuwa thanked the governor for his transformational strides in Edo, making the state an envy of other states across the nation.

*PHOTO CAPTION*

*DSC_207*

Some youths during a solidarity rally in major streets of Benin City, to pass a vote of confidence in the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Rt. Hon. Comr. Philip Shaibu, on Monday, July 27, 2020.

*Oshiomhole Desperate and Drowning – Osagie*

We feel sorry for the sacked National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. He is clearly a frustrated man who is clutching at straws in desperate effort to save his drowning political career.

The childish Mercedes and Toyota analogy goes to show that Oshiomhole has run out of lies to tell.

He keeps trying to turn the story of the Edo Specialist Hospital on its head but has failed to answer a simple question which is; why did heavily guarded trucks come in the dead of the night to remove the equipment in the hospital which President Buhari had commissioned just one day after the commissioning?

Why was the hospital not opened to the public for the remaining days of his tenure after the hospital had been commissioned?

The answer is clear and it is that Oshiomhole had given the contract to equip the hospital to his girlfriend and instead of buying the hospital equipment after she was mobilised with 75 percent upfront payment, she lodged the money in her fixed deposit account to earn interest and unfortunately the Naira was devalued and she was not able to purchase the materials afterwards, leaving the hospital empty.

Oshiomhole actually had to reach out to hospital equipment supplier in Lagos to loan him some equipment just for the commissioning and the equipment was returned to the owner after the commissioning ceremony.

Oshiomhole's problem with Obaseki is because Obaseki refused to allow him hijack the government and use it for the satisfaction of his warlords and thugs who are now fighting for him and causing crisis in Edo State ahead of the election.

Crusoe Osagie

*Special Adviser to Edo State Governor on Media and Communication Strategy*

Edo no be Lagos

Obaseki promises keeper

*PRESS STATEMENT*

*Edo Guber: PDP Restricts Attendance at Campaign Flag-off*

*_...To Strictly Observe COVID-19 Protocols_*

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will on Saturday flag-off campaign for the September 19 Edo State Governorship election with strict compliance with coronavirus (COVID-19) directives issued by the Federal Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for public gatherings.

In that regard, the Edo PDP Campaign Council for the Governorship Election has limited the number of members and supporters expected at the flag-off ceremony, slated to hold at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, to check overcrowding.

Furthermore, our governorship candidate, Governor Godwin Obaseki and his running mate, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, will also move round the respective wards in the nooks and crannies of Edo State to acknowledge the support of the people, also with full adherence to COVID-19 regulations.

The Edo PDP Campaign Council deeply appreciates the excitement and enthusiasm of our teeming members and supporters to grace the campaign flag-off, but noted that the restriction is in the best interest of the people.
The campaign council thanked the people of Edo State for their massive support and urged them to remain vigilant as they coast to victory with Governor Obaseki and the PDP, come September 19.

Signed:
Chris Osa Nehikhare
*For Edo PDP Campaign Council*

*Oshiomhole only disappointed because Obaseki refused to be used in his quest to become Edo’s godfather – Osagie*

Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, has said the sacked former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is only disappointed because Governor Godwin Obaseki refused to be used in his quest to become a godfather in the state.

In a statement, the governor’s aide said the recent vituperation of the sacked former National Chairman is just an expression of his frustration over his failure to achieve his goal to govern Edo State for a third term using Governor Obaseki as a proxy.

According to him, “In 2016 when Oshiomhole nominated and supported Obaseki, his hidden motive was to use Governor Obaseki who he thought would be a pawn in his game to defraud Edo people and enthrone himself as the ultimate godfather of Edo politics at the expense of the will and wishes of Edo people.

“However, Obaseki’s refusal to mortgage the interest of the majority of Edo people for the satisfaction of the avarice of Oshiomhole and his handful of greedy followers is the cause of Oshiomhole’s bitterness which has led him to bury himself in pursuit of an innocent governor who is trying to do the right thing for his people.”

“If Oshiomhole had made any mistake in supporting Obaseki in 2016, it is to the extent that he thought that the Governor will submit himself as a tool to be used to hold the collective will and best interest of all Edo people hostage and for this Obaseki owes Oshiomhole no apologies because the interest of Edo people is and will always be greater than the interest of one man”, Osagie added.

*COVID-19: Edo govt, FG, UN Women provide palliatives to women, people living with disabilities*

The Edo State Government in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) Women and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, has provided palliative packages to women in Edo State.

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Gender Issues, Hon. Mrs. Maria Edeko, said the items were distributed to women in Abudu in Orhionmwon Local Government Area (LGA) and Uromi in Esan North East, LGA, specifically to Women Living with Disabilities, aged women, People Living with HIV and widows.

The Commissioner said the palliative packages were made available with the support and assistance of UN Women, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Edo State Government and the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Gender Issues.

She added, "We have decided to come to Orhionmwon first because it has a lot of victims of Human Trafficking and it is densely populated.

"The palliative package is meant to cushion the effect of COVID-19, and we are to ensure it reaches the grassroots. The steering committee for the project is made up of various groups, including Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Ministry staff. They are here to present the items to them.

"The items we are distributing include noodles, rice, beans, palm oil, garri, detergent soaps, seasoning, salt and nose masks. We are grateful to all the collaborators who made this possible."

The Vice Chairperson, Joint National Association of Persons Living with Disability and leader, women with disabilities, Edo State, Comr. Ann Obehi Ojiugo, expressed deep appreciation to Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, for his reforms on inclusive governance.

"We have never had it so good like this in Edo State. The Governor is a man that runs an administration of inclusiveness. That is why he allowed the people with disabilities to benefit from the palliatives. People Living with Disabilities are the worst hit in this COVID-19 period, because we could not go anywhere to source for our daily bread. Today, we have food at our doorstep," she said.

A beneficiary of the relief materials at Abudu in Orhionmwon LGA, Mrs. Cecilia Ajayi, said she was very grateful to the federal and state governments for the gesture and pledged her support for government's programmes.

*PHOTO CAPTION*

Some beneficiaries of palliatives distributed by the Edo State Government in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) Women and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, in Edo State.

*Edo residents brace for 55MW CCETC-Ossiomo Power Plant test-run tomorrow, July 20*

In furtherance of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration's efforts to ensure improved power supply to businesses and residents, the 55MW CCETC-Ossiomo Independent Power Plant (IPP) is set for test-run on Monday, July 20.

The development is coming after necessary regulatory approvals have been granted for the take-off of the plant, even as the Nigeria Electricity Services Agency (NEMSA), would energise the plant's 33KV Transmission line, along the Sapele Road axis of Benin City.

A cross-section of residents in Benin City, who spoke to journalists about the development, said the state government has kept to its promise to provide electricity in partnership with private investors.

Mr. Efe Noragbon, who lives in Sapele Road, said the residents in the area are keenly anticipating the test-run, which would be a dream come through for Edo people.

He noted that it was refreshing that the state was witnessing a government that has kept to its promises and provided quality leadership amid distractions and sliding revenue.

A trader in Santana Market on Sapele Road, Mrs. Blessing Johnson, said the project would truly prove that the government has kept to its promise to Edo people.

"We are excited about this. We have seen people laying the poles and connecting the cables, but we thought it wasn't so much of a serious project. The news that the project will be test-run has proven doubters wrong."

In a statement, the Edo State Ministry of Energy and Electricity, said the transmission line will be energised from 10am-12noon on Monday July 20, 2020.

The statement entitled: 'NEMSA Testing and Certification of the CCETC-Ossiomo Independent Power Plant and the 33KV Transmission Line', said: "We wish to bring to the attention of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the general public that as part of the testing and certification of the CCETC-Ossiomo IPP by the Nigeria Electricity Services Agency (NEMSA), the 33KV Transmission line will be energised from 10.00am-12noon on Monday July 20, 2020.

The statement added: "The announcement serves as notice to all persons and agencies that have activities along the said Sapele Road, Benin City corridor within the stipulated period."

*PHOTO CAPTION*

*IMG_2:*

Aerial view of a sub-station of the 55MW CCETC-Ossiomo Power Plant, on the Sapele Road axis, in Benin City.

*IMG_3:*

A section of the CCETC-Ossiomo Power Plant with equipment fully installed in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

*COVID-19: Edo discharges 58 more patients, tests 8759 residents, traces 4756 others*

The Edo State Government has announced the discharge of 58 more coronavirus (COVID-19) patients, who have tested negative for the virus and cleared from the state’s isolation centres to return to their families.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Patrick Okundia, who spoke to journalists in Benin City, commended the sacrifice, resilience and commitment of health workers and other essential workers on the frontlines of the government’s efforts at containing the pandemic.

The commissioner further reiterated the need to protect the state’s aged population, urging residents to comply with all guidelines and safety measures to curtail the spread of the virus in the state.

Okundia noted that the state has recorded 11 new confirmed cases, tested at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) laboratory.

Okundia said Edo has so far recorded a total of 8350 suspected cases, 1885 confirmed cases, 62 deaths and 1208 discharges, adding that the state has tested over 8759 residents and is contact tracing 4756 others across the state’s 18 local government areas.

The commissioner who identified screening and testing as essential in the government’s efforts at containing the pandemic, urged all citizens to comply with government directives, aimed at ensuring the health and safety of all Edo people.

"While the government ramps up efforts to win the war against this common enemy, it is imperative that residents stay at home and observe social distancing guidelines and other precautionary measures against the spread of the disease, including regular handwashing with soap under running water and the use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers. Cover your mouth and nose properly when sneezing and/or coughing.

“Two toll-free lines for COVID-19 response have been introduced by Edo State Government to strengthen the initial lines from the State Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO) distributed at the onset of the outbreak. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, please call 08001235111 or 08002200110 for assistance," he said.

*EDO 2020: Mass exodus hits APC again as thousands of members in Orhionmwon LGA join PDP, declare support for Obaseki*

A major blow has been dealt the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, as thousands of party members in one of the state’s largest communities, Urhonigbe, in Orhionmwon Local Government Area (LGA) at the weekend, switched allegiance to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The leaders and members of the APC in Urhonigbe South, ward 8, dumped the party, endorsing the second term aspiration of the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Rt. Hon. Comr. Philip Shaibu.

Leader of the APC, Dr. Mrs. Nosakhare Aladeselu, and the President of Face2Face Campaign for Obaseki, Mr. Etinosa Odiase, who led the decamping APC members, said it became necessary to follow Governor Obaseki to the PDP owing to the fact that they want to continually be part of the governors’ achievements.

According to Aladeselu: “We cannot leave Obaseki with what he has done for us as a community; just look at our rubber estate, he has revived it within his first three years in office. Commercial activities are gradually coming back to Urhonigbe; there is work for our teaming youth; no space for idleness anymore.”

Also, Odiase said he decided to lead thousands of his supporters to the PDP to support the governor because of his developmental agenda for the larger Edo people against the few individuals who continue to strive for personal benefits rather than the good of the larger majority of the people.

“You can see what good governance can do for people. I have led thousands of my supporters to join the governor in the PDP. We are not fighting for stomach infrastructure but the dividends of democracy that will lead to a better Edo State; anywhere Obaseki goes, we will go”, he added.

Earlier, the LGA party chairman, Prince Stanley Iduose, while presenting the umbrella to the decamping APC members, welcomed them to the new party, urging them not to relent in their quest for good governance.

Other decamping members include a former member of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Barr. Friday Ogierhiakhi, and a former Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) commissioner, among others.

*PHOTO CAPTION*

*IMG_1*

Former leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Mrs. Nosakhare Aladeselu (2nd right), leading other decamping APC members to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Urhonigbe, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State.

*Obaseki tasks police to rescue kidnapped wife, other members of late Zakawanu’s family*

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has expressed shock at news of the kidnap of the wife and other members of the family of the late Rt. Hon. Zakawanu Garuba, former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, and has tasked the Edo Police Command to immediately launch a rescue operation.

According to reports, Mrs. Zakawanu and other relations were kidnapped between Kogi State and Okpella in Edo State, while on their way to Auchi for late Zakawanu’s funeral ceremony.

In a statement, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, said a rescue operation commenced immediately the incident was brought to the attention of security agencies in the state and the Police Commissioner, Mr. Johnson Kokumo is working with his Kogi State counterpart to ensure the victims’ rescue.

Osagie said, “Governor Godwin Obaseki is deeply saddened by this incident, which he described as distressing more so, with the passing of Rt. Hon. Zakawanu Garuba, earlier today. He has ordered the Police Command to ensure that the kidnap victims are rescued. The Commissioner of Police has contacted his Kogi State counterpart and leading the rescue operation."

He maintained that the governor has ensured that the police gets all the necessary support to track down the kidnappers and fast-track the safe rescue of the victims.

Obaseki promises keeper

*Edo2020:* *No going back on* *Obaseki* - *Rt Hon Roland Asoro*

*Assures total victory for Godwin* *obaseki Reelection* .

*By Afolayan Timi*

The member representing Orhiomwon South constituency and house leader in the Edo state seventh assembly Rt.Hon Roland Asoro has reiterated the need for party faithfuls,leaders and political office holders in Orhionmwon to work collectively as that will ease the cruise to victory in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

The house leader who made the revelation last week during an enlarged harmonization meeting of PDP in Okogbo community in Ukpato ward in Orhionmwon local government area bringing together hundreds of party faithfuls and supporters across the ward.

Speaking at the meeting, Rt. Hon Roland Asoro described Godwin Obaseki as an asset to the state with his 21st century Policies and programme aimed at liberating the people from the hands of political scavengers who have held the date bound for years.

In his words"Governor Obaseki is a kind-hearted,peopleloving, courageous and selfless leader.
He has distinguished himself as an astute technocrat and purposeful politician with the number of projects he has attracted to the state including the urhonigbe rubber plantation which has put the hands of our youths to work".

" I will follow Godwin Obaseki anywhere he goes,this is unity gathering of leaders in this ward and we are sure of victory, we must work together".

The highpoint of the meeting was the official collapse of the APC structure in Upakto into PDP, they appreciated the leaders of PDP for their warm reception and promised to work for the re-election of Governor Godwin obaseki and his Deputy Philip shaibu.

https://www.facebook.com/100047760802571/posts/159919792276713/?app=fbl

*COVID-19: Edo Govt seeks increased private sector involvement in control efforts*

The Edo State Government has called for increased participation of the private sector and other stakeholders to complement its efforts in the fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as confirmed cases in the state rise to 1885.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Patrick Okundia, who spoke to journalists in Benin City, said: “If we are going to stop the pandemic, every person must be involved; it must be a shared responsibility. There must be increased private sector involvement in COVID-19 control efforts as the government alone cannot stop it without the active collaboration and support of all stakeholders.”

Noting that the state government’s response strategy is geared towards ensuring that the livelihoods of the people are protected, the Commissioner urged all residents to support the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration’s efforts to curtail the spread of the virus by complying with all the set guidelines.

Okundia, however reassured residents that the state government remains committed to containing the pandemic and protecting Edo people, adding, “We have recorded 11 new confirmed cases and discharged 58 more patients who have tested negative for the virus. The recovered patients have been cleared from our state isolation centres to reunite with the society.”

The commissioner explained that the state’s surveillance pillar has intensified contact tracing, line-listing and monitoring of contacts of confirmed cases.

According to him, “Edo State has now recorded a total of 1885 confirmed cases, 8350 suspected cases, 1208 discharged persons and 62 deaths.”

He added: “We urge you to comply with all government directives, aimed at ensuring the health and safety of all residents. Stay at home and observe social distancing and other precautionary measures against the spread of the disease, including regular hand washing with soap under running water, and use alcohol-based hand sanitisers. Cover your mouth and nose properly when sneezing and/or coughing.

“Two toll-free lines for COVID-19 response have been introduced by the Edo State Government to strengthen the initial lines from the State Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO), distributed at the onset of the outbreak. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, please call 08001235111 or 08002200110 for assistance.”

https://leadership.ng/2020/07/18/edo-govt-didnt-bring-down-apc-candidates-campaign-billboards-osagie/

https://www.independent.ng/edo-guber-state-govt-didnt-bring-down-apc-candidates-campaign-billboards-osagie/


*Edo Govt Didn’t Bring Down APC Candidate’s Campaign Billboards – OsagiePublished 6 seconds ago on July 18, 2020*

*By Agency Report*

The Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, has flayed claims that the government destroyed campaign billboards of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osagie Ize-Iyamu, noting that the allegations are belated antics of a routinely recycled politician who has nothing to offer to Edo people.

In a statement, Osagie said the allegations are ludicrous and unfounded, stating that the tactic is true to Ize-Iyamu’s approach to politics, which has never won him any success in previous elections.

According to him, “Anyone who knows Ize-Iyamu very well knows that this is his approach to politics. He raises the alarm and cries wolf when no one is chasing him. The state government has not removed any of his billboards. This is cheap blackmail to score lame political points.”

He added, “Ize-Iyamu is a politician that assumes relevance during every election cycle. This is what he does for a living and has no other job. It is not surprising to see these statements from him and his team. He should not be taken seriously, and his statements should be disregarded.

“He would go back to his cocoon after he has been defeated at the September 19, 2020 election and would most likely resurface after four years to repeat this cycle. So, we are used to his childish charades.”

Obaseki the man for the job

July 17, 2020

Press Statement

Edo PDP Campaign Mocks Ize-Iyamu over Plagiarism of ‘SIMPLE” Agenda

The Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council (ESPDPCC) has lampooned the embattled All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the Edo governorship election, Osagie Ize-Iyamu over embarrassing allegations that his much-hyped “SIMPLE” agenda was copied from another Edo state governorship aspirant in 2015.

It is unfortunate that the APC candidate has become a butt of public ridicule following the emergence of video interview wherein another Edo state governorship aspirant in 2015, Don Pedro Obaseki, unveiled the same SIMPLE agenda document as his campaign manifesto in that election.

This embarrassing development has not only further shown that the APC and its candidate have no agenda for Edo state but also highlights the allegations by the former National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, that the APC candidate is a person of questionable character who cannot be trusted with the position of the governor of Edo state.

The (ESPDPCC) charges Ize-Iyamu to immediately speak out on the allegation as plagiarism is a serious criminal offence for which culprits must be prosecuted according to the law.

This is because any individual aspiring for the position of a state governor must live above board and be seen as so in the eyes of the voting population

In this regard, we urge the Inspector General of Police to commence an investigation into this very weighty allegation against the APC governorship candidate.

Signed:

Chris Nehikhare,
For
Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council

https://punchng.com/pedro-obaseki-accuses-ize-iyamu-of-plagiarising-manifesto

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/07/simple-agenda-ize-iyamu-plagiarising-my-intellectual-property-%e2%80%95-pedro-obaseki

https://www.legit.ng/1348229-edo-election-more-trouble-apc-candidate-pdp-accuses-ize-iyamu-stealing-manifesto.html

https://allnews.ng/news/edo-decides-2020-pdp-accuses-ize-iyamu-of-stealing-simple-agenda-plan

https://www.thepledge.ng/simple-agenda-obaseki-accuses-ize-iyamu-of-stealing-his-2016-campaign-manifesto/

*Pedro Obaseki accuses Ize-Iyamu of plagiarising manifesto*

July, 17 2020.

Peter David, Benin City

The Convener, Midwest Movement, Dr Don-Pedro Obaseki, on Thursday accused the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the September 19 governorship election in Edo State, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, of plagiarising his campaign manifesto, the SIMPLE agenda.

Obaseki, in a statement titled, ‘Pedro Obaseki insists Ize-Iyamu stole SIMPLE Agenda,’ vowed to retrieve the intellectual property.

He said he first publicly unveiled the SIMPLE agenda in August 2015 during a live programme on BENTV UK, where he presented his six-pronged campaign manifesto as an aspirant in the 2016 governorship election in Edo State.

He said, “My SIMPLE idea is an acronym for Security and Social Welfare; Infrastructural Development and Urban Renewal; Manpower Development and Training; Public-Private Partnership; Leadership by Example and Employment for Edo Youths. This is the same as what the pastor and his followers are parading online today.

“So, I state categorically that I would be commencing processes for retrieving my intellectual property, as it is obvious that the idea did not originate from those who are pushing on with it today.”

Ize-Iyamu had on Monday unveiled his six-point programme of action for the state tagged SIMPLE agenda.

In his reaction to Obaseki’s claim, the Chairman of the Edo State APC Media Campaign Council, Mr John Mayaki, said he would get back, but did not as of the time of filing the report.

Obaseki promises keeper