Edo sets to roll out phase II of ESOPP programme

The Edo State Government has said that it is finalising plans to roll out phase two of the Edo State Oil Palm Programme (ESOPP), which will expand the development of farm estates in the Ovia axis of the State.

The governor said the phase II of the programme will commence in October, 2023.

He noted that the state government is willing to work with partners so as to improve on the lessons learnt from the first phase of the scheme.

According to him, “We also wanted to use this opportunity of having some of our investors who have worked very hard and tirelessly with us over the last two years to create Africa's largest oil palm programme, the Edo State Oil Palm Programme (ESOPP). The first phase of that programme, which was focused on the Orhionmwon axis, has now been completed, while the Phase Two of the ESOPP initiative will be carried out in the Ovia axis, where we will be allocating degraded forest areas to reputable investors for the development of oil palm estates.

“In ESOPP Phase One, we have allocated almost 70,000 hectares of degraded forest land and fresh land to investors, many of whom have started their work in developing the nurseries, but we have not signed the final agreement with them; so we are using today's opportunity for you to see us sign the negotiated ESOPP's agreement with these investors.”

Governor Obaseki emphasised that the Edo State College of Agriculture has great significance, and acknowledged the crucial role investors play in driving its progress. He stated that it is the responsibility of the State Government to create an enabling environment and establish institutions, where agro-allied investors can draw skilled manpower from.

He added: “Today, we are here with our investors to come and meet the community, and begin the process of interacting with this school so that you can help us sustain this Institution that is so badly needed in the State. The other role of government is that now that we have given you land, and you have brought your money and technology, what about the people that will work for you? Like somebody said, many of these investors have to go to other countries to bring people, managers, and specialists to come and work on their farms in Nigeria. Why should that sort of thing happen? Because we have not trained our own people. That is why as a Government, we felt that let us put our money into building an institution like this, that will be attractive to young people, who want to make careers in agriculture.”

Obaseki warns of looming crisis without remedial works on federal roads in Edo

_*…awaits response from letter to President Tinubu*_

_*...partners FRSC to boost emergency response on roads*_

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has again raised the alarm over the poor state of federal roads in the State, warning of a looming crisis in the next few weeks if remedial works are not carried out on the dilapidated federal roads.

The governor said he has written to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the deplorable state of the roads and the need for urgent intervention to ameliorate the sufferings of the people, noting that he is currently awaiting the response of the President.

Obaseki spoke when he received the Zonal Commanding Officer of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in charge of Edo, Delta and Anambra states, Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Chukwuma Njoku and the Edo State Sector Commander, Paul John Okpe, who were on a courtesy visit at the Government House, in Benin City.

The governor said it is regrettable that the extensive network of federal roads in the State which was supposed to be a blessing has now turned into a curse because the roads have been abandoned by the federal government.

He said, “Edo is blessed and also cursed with an extensive network of federal roads. A blessing because we are connected and a curse because the Federal Government has abandoned its network of roads in the State and it's causing us lots of problems.

“We have to continue to provide services to Edo people as they must move across the State and country and it has put pressure on us and you. We must look for solutions in light of the bad federal roads connecting Edo State. Something has to be done to reduce the risk of roads to users.”

Obaseki added, “The carnage on Ovia River Bridge can't be described. We thought working with the Federal Ministry of Works, we could put in place some remedial steps to reduce speed and save the lives of Edo people on that axis. Remedial work should be done on all the federal roads in the State like the Benin-Auchi Road, which will soon be impassable for passengers and goods.”

Warning of the looming crisis on the roads, the governor said, “We have to gear up for another major crisis in the next few weeks unless remedial work is done on those roads today. I have written to the President and hope that he responds to us.”

Noting that the roads have become a major cause of concern in the State, Obaseki stated, “At our last three Security Council meetings in the State, the issues of accidents have come out top as major security issues in Edo State. We have seen a dramatic increase in the loss of lives as a result of the accidents. Last month was particularly bad, arising from the issue from the Ovia River.

“As a State Government whose duties and responsibilities is to protect lives and properties, we are quite concerned and thought we should have a meeting with you being the Federal Government agency to manage traffic and see how to raise the alarm on reducing the incidence of loss of lives on our roads.

“Emergency response is another area we would want to look at and collaborate with you on to enable us to respond quickly to emergencies. We are working on road emergency response across the State and currently undertaking an inventory of all ambulances and their points in the State so we can integrate it into the projects we are working on. Also, we want to work with you in training first responders in those critical points in case of quick evacuation in terms of emergency to centres for help.”

He further added, “We enjoy cooperation with you in terms of towing trucks. We want to collaborate with you in that area as we don't have as many trucks as you. We would like you to work with our own traffic agency to subject many of our drivers, particularly our commercial drivers to training and collaborate on how to manage tragic situations in the State. We are ready to work more with you.”

On his part, the zonal commander commended the governor for the support and collaboration with the FRSC over the past years, adding, “The corps has increased the number of Commands from 12 to 17 to improve visibility here in the State. We have new Commands now in Igueben and Fugar. We also started establishing area commands and have established two: one in Sapele Road and the other in Auchi.

“We appreciate how you have been handling issues relating to the state of the roads in the State especially the protest on the state of the roads, ensuring it does not results in more damages.”

*PHOTO CAPTION*

L-R: Deputy Corps Commander, Training; Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Benin, Madukwe Ozazi; Assistant Corps Marshal, FRSC Zonal Command, Benin, C.N Njoku; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., and Corps Commander, FRSC, Edo State, Paul J. Okpe, during a courtesy visit in Benin City, on Thursday, August 3, 2023.

Obaseki inspects MOWAA, says project ‘ll create over 30,000 jobs for Nigerians

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the Museum of West African Art, Edo (MOWAA) when completed will create over 30,000 jobs for Nigerians.

The governor disclosed this when he inspected the ongoing construction of MOWAA, Edo project site along Ezoti Street in Benin City, on Wednesday.

Obaseki, who led members of the State Executive Council (EXCO) on a tour of the project, expressed satisfaction with the level of work done so far, noting that the project when completed will create over 30,000 jobs.

The governor said the pace of work is very impressive, expressing confidence that before the middle of next year, the project will be ready.

He noted that the project will reposition the State and help it diversify its economy.

He said, “We just finished our weekly Executive Council meeting and one of the items on the agenda in the meeting was the presentation of MOWAA by its Executive Director. The presentation was impressive and members of EXCO took a decision to see for themselves the pace of work going on here.

“The pace of work here is very impressive and from the presentation, we have every reason to believe that before the middle of next year, this project will be ready. The presentation was illuminating for EXCO members.”

According to the governor, “This project is to reposition Edo State and help diversify our economy so we can use art, culture, entertainment and the creative arts as a basis of diversifying our economy and creating jobs for young people in this country. We can’t rely on revenue from oil proceeds from Abuja but look inward and see what comparative advantage we have as a people and leverage it to create an economy that will help us grow our Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“From the presentation we received this morning, in terms of direct employment of people in these facilities, there will be an excess of 625 people and in terms of indirect employment we are looking at almost 30,000 people that will be employed as a result of the infrastructure we are building.”

The governor further noted, “This infrastructure is a research, storage, and display facility that will help us collaborate with other institutions across the world to conserve artefacts and artworks as we can’t continue to rely on foreigners to tell us who we are, we have to undertake research ourselves and bring researchers here.

“We are currently collaborating with some of the best institutions in the world, the Oxford University, the British Museum and other institutions to bring in facilities to help us with materials, and conduct archaeological studies of our site before we do things so we have enough information on who we are and how we lived in the past and why the Kingdom was great as it was and have evidence to collaborate the stories we have.

“We need to make young Nigerians and Edo people to understand where their creative instincts come from. This is part of a cultural district that would extend to the bronze and wood casting guild areas and some other areas as there will be a strong connection between the communities around here and these facilities.”

PHOTO CAPTION

L-R: Director, Museum of West African Art, Edo, Philip Ihenacho; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Commissioner of Arts, Culture and Tourism, Hon. Uyi Oduwa Malaka, and Civil Project Engineer, MOWAA, Fares Fares, during inspection of ongoing construction of MOWAA project, in Benin City, on Wednesday, August 2, 2023.

Obaseki reaffirms commitment to developing young athletes to become world record holders

…Olympians hail gov’s investment in sports infrastructure

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to developing young athletes to become world record holders.

Obaseki disclosed this while playing host to three former Nigerian athletes and Olympians, who were on a courtesy visit at the Government House, in Benin City.

The three Olympians, Dr. Godwin Obasogie (Hurdle – 100m), Dr. Bruce I. Ijirigho (100m) and Charlton Ehizuelen (Long jump) were in the company of the Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission, Yusuf Ali, who himself, is a former world champion.

Speaking on the sports development policy of the state government, Obaseki said the focus is on discovering young athletes through the school sports programme, which will create opportunities for young people in the state to nurture their talents to stardom.

While commending the three Olympians for their exploits during their sporting days, he said the state government is honoured to have them in the state and would be glad to leverage on their heroics to promote its sports development programme.

Obaseki said, ‘‘We are growing a new generation of young athletes who will be like you, as our policy is based on catching them young and we would like to use the opportunity of having you in our State to let the new generation know what you have achieved in the past so that you let your own stories inspire and motivate our young generation, as we need to create alternative voices and for people to know that you have done it in the past and that you are our heroes.’’

Obaseki also said that they would be made patrons of some of the sports associations in the State.

The governor endorsed the proposal of having the class of 1971 athletes team reunion in December this year and the inaugural edition of the Edo/Delta State Annual Competition for secondary schools to be staged next year on a rotational basis between Edo and Delta state governments, presented by the trio.

In their response, the Olympians commended the governor’s exceptional commitment to developing sports infrastructure in the state.

Hailing the revamp of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and other infrastructure in the State, Obasogie said, “The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium is world class and has standard facilities that can be compared to anywhere in the world. The facilities are excellent.”

*PHOTO CAPTION*

L-R: Olympian, Charlton Ehizuelen; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Olympians, Dr. Godwin Obasogie, and Dr. Bruce T. Ijirigho, during a courtesy visit by former Nigerian athletes and Olympians, at the Government House, in Benin City, on Tuesday, August 1, 2023.

Edo commissioner inspects ongoing road projects, reassures of speedy completion

The Edo State Commissioner for Roads and Bridges, Hon. Ethan Uzamere, has reassured residents that the State Government will ensure the timely completion of all ongoing road projects across the State.

Uzamere gave the assurance during the inspection of ongoing road projects in the State, where he interfaced with contractors and engineers.

He said the inspection was aimed at assessing the progress and quality of work being carried out on the state's road projects.

Among the roads he visited include 19th Street and 18th Streets in Ugbowo axis; Ohonre Street off Adolor College Road; Palm Road; Uwelu Power Line; Evbuotubu Power Line, and the Upper Ekehuan Road project.

Uzamere noted, “The purpose of my visit today is to ensure that the contractors are on site and to assess the level of work being done. Governor Godwin Obaseki has directed that all roads in Edo State must be in good shape to ensure that Edo people are unhindered in their movements.

“As the dry season approaches, we are urging all contractors to return to sites that were put on hold and roads that were severely affected by the rainy season, such as erosion and waterlogging. This is in order to find long-lasting solutions to these issues and ensure the roads are in good condition.”

“I have interacted with the contractors and they have assured me that the projects will be delivered on schedule. Inspections like this are important to ensure that quality construction is done by the contractors and engineers. In Edo, we ensure the best and nothing but the best.”

He reassured that Governor Obaseki’s administration remains committed to constructing roads that significantly enhance the quality of life of the people and would stop at nothing to ensure that Edo people enjoy the dividends of democracy.

According to him, Governor Obaseki has implemented measures to ensure that all roads in the state are constructed to the best standard.

*PHOTO CAPTION*

Edo State Commissioner for Roads and Bridges, Hon. Ethan Uzamere (middle), during inspection of an ongoing road project.

Edo trains over 1,500 vigilante operatives, hunters on weapons handling, intelligence gathering

The Edo State Government has commenced a two-week training for over 1,500 hunters and personnel of the Edo State Vigilante Security Network on weapons handling and intelligence gathering.

Addressing journalists at the Police Training College, in Benin City, the Coordinator, Edo State Security Network, Col. Kole Oshoriamhe Omomia (Rtd), said the training, in its second batch, is aimed at bolstering the government’s efforts at combating crime in the State.

The trainees, according to him, were drawn from Edo Central and Edo South Senatorial districts.

The first batch of the training was organized for 574 other operatives and hunters from Edo North Senatorial district.

Omomia said, “This is a two-week training programme aimed at training operatives and hunters in the Edo State Security Network. The 1, 500 operatives/hunters drawn from Edo Central and South senatorial districts, will undergo intensive training.”

He said the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has donated bikes for logistics to support the training, noting, “Edo is one of the best States in the Country in terms of security. Governor Godwin Obaseki does not joke with it. He wants investors to come into the State to invest. If you watch, most of the newly recruited hunters and vigilantes are not trained. We want to make sure they are well trained.”

The Commander added, “A lot of resource persons are going to come onboard to make sure they are physically fit, mentally balanced and others. They are also going to train them on weapons handling, patrols, stop and search, ambush, and counter-terrorism.”

*PHOTO CAPTION*

Hunters and personnel of the Edo State Vigilante Security Network, during a training session at the Police Training College, in Benin City.

Edo College of Agric set for reopening as Obaseki positions school to drive state’s agro-based economy

… charges politicians on devt, warns against stirring crisis in communities

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the reopening of the Edo State College of Agriculture and Natural Resources will bolster the government’s efforts at diversifying the State’s economy through agriculture, ensuring the development of the manpower to drive the government’s agriculture-based economy.

Obaseki, at the Pre-College Opening and Agribusiness Stakeholders engagement at the newly rebuilt Edo State College of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Iguoriakhi, Ovia South West Local Government Area of the State, said the institution has been upgraded to compete favourably with the best of specialised agricultural training institutions across the globe.

The governor said the College, with three campuses in Iguoriakhi, Agenebode and Uromi, will groom and harness the knowledge and skills of the state’s teeming youth population to drive the government’s vision to boost food production and grow its economy.

Obaseki noted, “You are all aware that agriculture is the backbone of Nigeria's economy, not oil. It is becoming clear that for us to have food sufficiency, raw materials for our industries must be produced.”

Noting that his government has in the past six years embarked on transformative reforms and programmes to guarantee the enabling environment to attract investments into different sectors of the State’s economy, Obaseki said, “We are calling on investors who have invested in the State and soliciting their support to move this institution and the State forward in terms of developing the agricultural sector.”

He said: “Our role as government is to enable things to happen. We want to use this opportunity to have on board some of our investors who have worked hard with the State over the last two years to create Africa’s largest oil palm programme, the Edo State Oil Palm Programme (ESOPP). The first phase of the programme which is focused on the Orhionmwon axis has been completed.

“We have allocated almost 70,000 hectares of degraded forest land and fresh land to a new set of investors, many of whom have started developing their nurseries but have not signed the final agreement. We will be signing the negotiated agreement of ESOPP and let our critics see what MOU produces for us.

“As a government, we are not farmers and don't know how to farm. Our role as government is to support and encourage those that know how to farm and want to farm. We did it in Edo as we made land accessible to investors. We worked with the communities to create the enabling environment for our investors in the State.”

Warning politicians to foster development in their communities and desist from stirring crisis, the governor said, “I want to appeal to politicians never to play politics with communities but rather interact with the communities, bridge the gap for investors to invest as there are mutual benefits for investments in a peaceful environment. Don’t stir up crises in communities and drive investors away to other areas that are peaceful.

“When elections are coming, they stir up politics of trouble, telling the people that government wants to take their lands because they want to leave such communities in poverty. I appeal to my fellow politicians to set politics aside and put development in front. We should be able to train our people to be able to work for our investors in the State rather than allowing investors to import workers from other places.”

Speaking on the need for investors to be involved in the governing of the School, Obaseki said, “As a government, we have built this institution to woo our young ones who want to make a career in agriculture. This school is to train people practically not only to give certificates. We have created this institution to train people that can work for you and not for you to bring people from outside.

“The fancy building will not give the required manpower with good quality but the participation of investors in the governing process in the school will help develop the required manpower as you define what you need, creating the opportunity for intakes to know what is required to give the best.”

On the development of other campuses for the institution, he said, “We are going to award the contract for the other two campuses and will open the two schools before leaving office in November 2024. I thank our partners for the work and also appreciate the communities for creating the atmosphere for the project to succeed.

“I thank the agricultural investors and appeal to them to be part of the governance board which will have more operators than statutory members to allow us to build a unique school that caters for our needs as a people.”

The governor added, “Our focus is to allow graduates here to get the certificate and also be sure of getting employment to face the future. This will be a busy campus as we will put more infrastructure here. This place is already connected with fibres; there is internet connectivity here. We are working on how to extend IPP to ensure a 24-hour power supply to this location and extend or dualize the road to this place. I appeal to the Edo State House of Assembly to ensure they make money available to accomplish more for the school.

Also, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Steven Idehenre, while commending the governor for the noble feat, said the Institution will serve as a magnet for the most talented students and faculties making a real impact on improving the training of technocrats for agricultural development in Edo State and Nigeria.

“The former College of Agriculture in Iguoriakhi and Agenebode was closed down in 2017 and 2018 due to poor learning facilities. The closure was to allow the government to restructure and reopen three schools under one college.

“The College will house the School of Aquaculture and Marine Studies at Agenebode, School of Environmental Studies and Wildlife in Uromi and the School of Agricultural Engineering and Technology in Iguoriakhi, while the College at Iguoriakhi will serve as its headquarters.”

He added, “Today, we are proud to say we have some of the most imposing structures and learning facilities on any monotechnic or University campus in Nigeria. Due to the infrastructural facilities, equipment and environment, we are confident that the accreditation team that will be visiting the College in September will approve all courses in the Institution.”

On his part, the consultant on the college revamp, Professor Oluwafemi Balogun, said the reopening of the College will attract more investors and boost agricultural development in the State, noting, "You gave the task team a matching order to develop and build a unique and foremost Agricultural College in Nigeria and here we are today, presenting to you a world-class Agricultural College that can compete with any other in the world. In the next few months, some Universities will be coming here to benefit from the facilities on ground.”

According to him, “The College has acquired teaching and farm equipment for the College worth N625 million. All ICT laboratories in the College are now 24/7 solar-powered, and fishery and research farms fully developed. NBTE accreditation team will be visiting the school to accredit the programmes.

“The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Iguoriakhi is the headquarters of the College, while Agenebode and Uromi will house the other college or campus for the Institution. The College will now have 16 programmes structured into three schools.

“We have added a unique programme that has never been done in any agricultural Institution in Nigeria. It’s a vocational enterprise programme which is open to all categories of people in the society.”

“Administrative work will commence on 1st of August 2023 as all 208 staff of the College will resume while the academic session for 2023/2024 will commence in September 2023,” Prof Balogun added.

PHOTO CAPTION

L-R: Project Head, Dufil, Lim Sidarsono; Director, Legal Services, Fayus Nigeria Limited, Kolade Olutekunbi; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Chairman, ESOPP Agro Allied Limited, Mr. Rasheed Sarumi; Project Director, Saro Oil Ltd, Dr. Tunde Faturoti, and Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., after the Pre-College Opening and Agribusiness Stakeholders’ Engagement, at the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Iguoriakhi, on Friday, July 28, 2023.

Obaseki mourns passing of Hon. Samson Abu

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has mourned the passing of a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oredo Ward 1, Hon. Samson Abu, who passed aged 65 years.

In a statement, the governor described Hon. Abu as a political mobilizer who worked assiduously for the betterment and development of his people.

According to Obaseki, “I mourn the passing of Hon. Samson Abu, a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oredo Ward 1.

“He was a great leader and political mobiliser, and worked hard for the development of his people.”

The governor commiserated with friends and family of the late Hon. Abu, adding, “May God grant all the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

Obaseki hails Super Falcons for 3-2 triumph over Australia

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has congratulated Nigeria’s national women football team, Super Falcons, for the 3-2 victory over co-hosts, Australia in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

The governor, in a statement, said: “It was a nerve-wracking end to an intriguing encounter, but our amazing Super Falcons emerged victorious! Congratulations to our girls for earning a hard-fought three points against the Australian Matildas, who were the bookies’ favorite for the match.

“We are proud of our girls and will be rooting for them as they go for another victory in their next game against Ireland, and secure a place in the knockout phases of the Women's World Cup.”

Goals from Uchenna Kanu, Osinachi Ohale, and Asisat Oshoala secured the win for Super Falcons at Suncorp Stadium.

Mayaki’s infantile tantrums reveals him as textbook definition of a stalker

By Ikechukwu Onyewuchi

As Edo people brace for the commencement of political fireworks for the 2024 governorship election campaigns, it is not surprising that some political hacks who feed off majorly on the high-octane energy of mudslinging politics have revved up their energy to advertise their merchandise for those willing to engage them for dirty work.

In the midst of the ruckus, a serial scandal-prone journalist-wannabe, John Mayaki, has continued attacks on Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who he has devoted the last seven years to malign, because the governor sacked him for incompetence.

While one may be forced to forgive whatever shortcoming Mayaki may have had that could have cost him his job as Interim Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mayaki’s descent into the abyss of subterfuge would prove that the Governor had, indeed, made the right call to show Mayaki the exit door.

In a recent tirade curiously spiced with characters from superhero movies and television shows, Mayaki took to lampooning Governor Obaseki for accepting to attend and speak at international conferences hosted by the World Bank, where the governor was invited to share experiences in transforming the state’s economy by reforming education, boosting manufacturing, promoting commercial agriculture and repositioning the state’s public service for optimal service delivery.

One is forced to believe that Mayaki may have found a new job of consuming superhero movies as his day job, which would cause him to project the attributes of comic characters onto Governor Obaseki.

If not for some weird and unexplainable form of fixation, what would make Mayaki ever reason that sharing lessons of implementing needed and critical reforms to provide not less than 380,000 Edo children with quality education is something to disparage the governor for.

It only goes to show that Mayaki, in the first instance, can not understand the rudiments of governance and its impact on the lives of the people. It essentially calls whatever credentials he brandishes to question, no matter if it was obtained from Cambridge, Oxford or the University of Benin.

Governor Obaseki deserves all the accolades he is getting today and the taunts and tirades from Mayaki and his co-travellers can never detract from the governor’s legacy. In fact, it provides a peep into the minds of those who have over the years failed to appreciate the essence of pragmatic governance anchored on leveraging partnerships with the private sector and multinational agencies to transform the state.

It is not uncommon for government officials to embark on foreign trips. What should concern the more serious members of the public – which Mayaki is obviously not a part of – is how these trips have come to define and inform government policies and attract investment to the state.

Pray tell, is it not from these trips that the governor was able to secure the $75 million World Bank facility for the reform of the state’s education sector. Was it not from these trips that the governor secured the input of the Chinese investors who partnered with the state government and private partners to construct the 6000 barrel per day (bpd) refinery in Ologbo, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area. The support facilities from the Swiss, British and Italian governments are all from these trips.

So, we ask Mayaki to keep to his new found love for comic characters and continue watching all the instalments in Marvel Cinematic Universe and leave those who are serious about tackling real problems to do so.

Governor Obaseki’s legacies are only just unfolding. Those who are angling for roles as pressboys in the 2024 elections should get on with facing realities and putting up professional resumes, and allow the governor to consolidate on the job of transforming Edo into Africa’s most competitive sub-national.

PHOTO CAPTION

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (right) during the flag-off of 1.5 million books and other instructional materials to schools across Edo State, at the New Era College in Benin City.

Onyewuchi, a journalist and media entrepreneur, writes from Benin City

Elempe’s flimsy attacks can’t dim Obaseki’s unparalleled legacies

By Emeka Nwachukwu

When successes which are meant to be celebrated are being attacked not on any constructive metric but on the basis of malice, strife and sheer hate, it is only sane to call the public attention to the ill-fated stunt, so that they are wary of such enemies of progress and development.

In a most recent inconsequential hogwash, another desperate and duplicitous fly-by-night pen pusher, Oluwabamidele Elempe, a supposed Public Affairs Commentator for an unknown online news medium in Abuja, attempted to ridicule and disparage the globally-acclaimed successes of the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki in the State’s education sector which has continued to earn him global recognition.

In his self-seeking attack on the governor, the faceless writer made his lack of character, coherence and intellect bare, making a desperate effort to trivialize the governor’s outing in Tanzania where he was invited as the only subnational leader amongst African Heads of State to share insights on how his government expertly utilized public funds to transform the education sector to drive productivity and economic growth on the Continent.

The author’s attempt to undermine the importance of in-person participation in such high-level events only highlighted their lack of understanding of international diplomacy. It was a chance for Governor Obaseki to advocate for Edo State on the global stage, attract investors, and forge partnerships that would benefit the state's economy and its people.

The writer displayed his crass ineptitude in appreciating the multifaceted approach to governance, penning falsehoods and fabrications, all in a desperate bid to denigrate the Governor’s performance and put him in bad light.

But Edo people and those well-acquainted with the governor's leadership style know better than to be swayed by such malicious narratives and already see through the façade, recognizing it for what it truly is –a failed attempt by a desperate fly-by-night penpusher to spread lies for instant gratification from the opposition and enemies of the Governor Obaseki-led administration.

Governor Obaseki is not just a leader; he is a global icon with a vision and foresight which has continued to earn him global recognition in education, agriculture, health, among others and the writer’s failed attacks and those of his sponsors cannot change the progress recorded in the reforms of the state’s education sector and other sectors across the State.

It is undeniable that the governor has transformed the state’s education sector, tackling learning poverty and restoring education in Edo back to its former glory through its world-celebrated Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST) Programme launched in April 2018. The EdoBEST leverages the transformative power of cutting-edge technology to deliver outstanding learning outcomes to primary school children across Edo State by better supporting their teachers.

Today, over 380,000 children in public schools across the State have benefited from the EdoBEST programme with over 16,000 teachers trained in digital skills and classroom management. In Edo, basic education is free and compulsory for children as they are equipped with various digital skills.

The Edo State Government has distributed 12,000 tablets; 7 million exam materials and 1.5 million textbooks across various EdoBEST schools in Edo State as parents have access to their children's results. The EdoBEST Programme has been able to rebrand all schools, even those schools in the rural and riverine areas.

The governor’s achievements in the agriculture sector are transformative. In the past six years, the governor’s strategic approach to governance has created a conducive climate that has attracted over $1.5bn worth of investment into Edo State, including the $500 million Edo State Oil Palm Programme (ESOPP); the commencement of the injection of over $250 million Saro Africa Integrated Farm with two ethanol processing facilities. It is unarguable that Edo currently has the largest oil palm plantation programme in Africa.

Edo State is today the most connected state digitally in Nigeria and operates the most digitized civil and public service in the Country, with all local governments connected to fibre optics. The State runs an e-governance system and is on the verge of becoming the first State in the country to have entirely shifted to a digital mode of administration.

Edo State has continued to record a boom in its tourism receipts and recently sealed a deal with Radisson Hotels, an international hotel chain headquartered in the United States for the construction of a 172-room hotel in Benin City. That project is in progress to the amazement of naysayers.

The governor has set a new benchmark for accountability and transparency in public procurement in the country, elevating the state’s procurement system and processes to unprecedented levels of efficiency, fairness, and compliance, with different countries and over 19 Nigerian States coming to understudy the transformational changes.

Governor Godwin Obaseki continues to lead with conviction, undeterred by the desperate attempts of naysayers to tarnish his image in the public eye. His actions through his people-oriented policies and projects will continue to speak for him, deafening and silencing those consumed by hatred, strife and animosity.

PHOTO CAPTION

L-R: Rwanda's Minister of Education, Dr. Valentine Uwamariya; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Somalia's Minister of Education, Dr. Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir Mohamed; Deputy Director General, African Development Bank, Dr. Abdul B. Kamara, during a panel session at the Africa Heads of State Summit in Tanzania's port city of Dar es Salaam.

Nwachukwu, a Public Affairs Commentator writes from Benin City

N16b Refund from Oshiomhole’s Prodigious Usage on Federal Roads Belonged to Edo State

...setting matters in proper perspective

While it is controvertible and seemingly unreasonable to defend the allocation of N16b for the fixing and maintainance of federal roads in Edo State by the Adams Oshiomhole-led administration, it could however be stated that the era of oil boom when state governors of the federation had easy access to funds to spread around at their whims and caprices, is gone.

The new reality where states have to generate their own funds with little or no federal allocation, would hardly permit governors in the country to embark on federal projects with the hope of getting a refund; at least, not amidst the plethora of needs in a state, where the governors have to draw scale of preferences in order to prioritize the manner in which those needs should be met.

Besides, the federal government had stated in clear terms, that those days of political philanthropy were over, noting that any state that undertakes the rehabilitation of federal roads, does so at their own financial burden, as no refund would be made. The issue of federal roads in Edo is even so perculiar, as the federal government had warned the state not to embark on any palliative measure, as contracts of rehabilitation have already been awarded on such roads, even though anything is yet to be done unto this day.

The recent diatribe against Governor Godwin Obaseki on the issue of federal roads in the state is merely born out of either crass ignorance on the true state of things or sheer disinformation campaign by the opposition to pith the people against the one government which truly promotes their interest. Though, Edo people know better and would not fall prey to such obsolete tactics.

Moreso, the one thing the traducers of the state government have failed to clarify is to inform their gullible followers that the refunded N16b was the state's money and not for any individual. It just so happened that at the time of refund, Governor Godwin Obaseki happened to have been at the seat of governance.

If that money was earlier spent on building a decent school of nursing, instead of squandering it on federal roads which have become damaged so quickly, I am sure Obaseki would not have had to rebuild and restore the school beyond its former glory. Or probably, if Oshiomhole had spent it on the reconstruction and expansion of the Stella Obasanjo Hospital in order to improve healthcare and solve healthcare challenges in the state, Obaseki would not have had to embark on such a project.

Oshiomhole could have also spent it on a modern and state-of-the-art Civil Service Secretariat Complex like Obaseki has done, but instead he squandered it on federal roads.

There are so many intervention areas which that sum could have fruitfully been allocated and Obaseki would not have needed to embark on such infrastructural interventions today; namely, Ekenwan Road reconstructing and rehabiltation, rehabilitation of the State High Court Complex, building of Industrial Court and Judges Quarters in the state, agricultural programmes for food sustainability and commercial profitability for both the people and the state, and a host of other interventions which the Obaseki administration has embarked on.

But no, it was federal roads that interested him, because it was easier for many a coin to visit private pockets through that means. No wonder Oshiomhole left a debt burden of N160b for the Obaseki administration; a debt that Governor Obaseki has been paying and succeeded in reducing drastically.

Oshiomhole’s prodigious behaviour is akin to that of a man who pays the rent and school fees of his mistress' children while his wife and kids are denied basic amenities at home. As at the time Oshiomhole became that profligate with the state's finances, Edo State had the numerous challenges above and more, which that fund could have been used for.

That is what the Obaseki administration has refused to do, as it prioritizes its resource distribution based on pressing demands by diverse socioeconomic sectors of the state. In terms of road construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation, there is yet a government that would surpass the Obaseki administration, as it was this that earned him the nickname "Wake and See Governor". More roads are currently under reconstruction with others earmarked for rehabilitation. Obaseki has done more intra state and inner city roads than any previous Governor in the state.

The Edo State Government has therefore called on the federal government to take up their responsibility and fix damaged federal roads in the state. This is the right call and anyone in the business of progress should lend their voices to this call, as the state government, though it desperately wants to, is currently unable to embark on palliative measures on these roads due to federal laws.

There are evidences pointing to the fact that these contracts have been awarded and paid for by the federal government, yet Edo people are not seeing the results. We must now join hands with Governor Godwin Obaseki to demand that the right thing be done with regard to the rehabilitation of these roads in the state.


*Chris Osa Nehikhare*
*Commissioner for Communication& Orientation*
*Edo State*

Obaseki appoints Andrew Okungbowa as CPS

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has appointed Mr. Andrew Okungbowa as his Chief Press Secretary (CPS).

In a statement, Secretary to the Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., said the appointment takes immediate effect.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, has approved the appointment of Mr. Andrew Okungbowa as his Chief Press Secretary (CPS).

“The appointment takes immediate effect.

“Okungbowa is a journalist and communication expert, with vast experience as an editor and media consultant. He was the Editor, Travel and Tourism at New Telegraph and served as President of the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET).”

Ogie added, “He graduated from the Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) in 1988 and holds a Masters degree in English from the University of Lagos, (UNILAG).”

Obaseki: Edo’s 4-star hotel project ‘ll boost tourism receipts, enhance chances to host sporting competitions, other Int’l events

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the development of a four-star hotel project in Benin City, the State capital, will boost the State’s tourism receipts and bolster the State’s chances at hosting sporting competitions and other international events, including film festivals and art exhibitions.

Speaking to journalists in Benin City, Obaseki said the government has received the final design for the N19.6bn Edo State Radisson Hotel Project (ESRH), whose construction is set to begin on July 27, 2023, and to be completed before the end of his administration in 2024.

According to the governor, the project on completion will redefine the space of the hospitality sector in the State, creating employment opportunities and boosting economic growth, among other benefits.

He said, “The reason why we have not won the right to host international sporting events is because of lack of accommodation that would pass the standard test of the governing bodies for events like gymnastics, swimming, track, and others.

“The need for this project can’t be over-emphasized. Our goal as a government is to complete the project before leaving office in 2024. With the right team, procurement processes, and right partners, this is possible.”

The governor added, “The financing for this project is being created and the project will pay itself up in less than five years. Projects like this are dollar-based and we need to make decisions on time and finish our procurement early enough. The team has been diligent enough in their job as we are dealing with public funds and making sure of accountability and transparency in the way the project is being handled.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUyZ4hE5DWM

Why Edo govt can't fix Benin-Auchi, Benin-Sapele, other roads, by Obaseki

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the state government cannot intervene in fixing the Benin-Auchi and Benin-Sapele Roads because the Federal Government has already awarded contracts for the repair of the roads.

Obaseki disclosed this to journalists after the monthly Security Council meeting held in Government House, Benin City, the state capital.

The governor said that much as Edo State is a transportation hub, it is concerning that the major Federal Road network in the state, which connects several parts of the Country are in bad condition.

He noted that his administration has done everything in its power to appeal to the Federal Government to look into the repairs of the wide span of damaged Federal Roads in Edo State.

Obaseki added that his administration has drawn the attention of the Federal Government to the failed portions of Benin-Auchi Roads, Benin-Sapele Road and the Benin-Lagos Road, particularly the Ovia River Bridge but nothing has been done yet.

According to him, "Look at the incident that happened in Ovia River Bridge three weeks ago, in which we lost several lives following multiple accidents. Nothing has been done till now. This shows they don't care about us in the State.

"The issue on the Benin-Lagos Road, particularly the Ovia River Crossing is becoming catastrophic. We have lost a lot of lives and done everything to get the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Works to work with us and put in place a palliative measure to stop the carnage on that road."

On Sapele Road, he said: "I was on Sapele Road recently. After the heavy downpour, the road was impassable. What is going on in Benin-Sapele road is a scandalous. I don't think that any region where the oil resources that sustain the Country come from should be this neglected. We have done everything possible. We don't know what to do again to draw the attention of the federal government to these roads."

He continued: "The Auchi-Ibillo Road was so bad that some of our contractors couldn't go to their quarry site. We appealed to the Federal Government to do palliative work on that road but they refused, saying the road is under contract. If I want to do the same to Benin-Sapele Road, I am not allowed to do so. They claim the road has been given out to a contractor.

Last year, the Benin-Auchi Road was locked for about two weeks as food, animals, petroleum products could not reach their destination. We don't want such situations this year so they should help us. We are not here to criticize them but to appeal for help."

The governor noted that the federal government’s policy relating to these roads is very confusing, noting that in the past, states could rehabilitate Federal roads and give the Federal Government the bills, but that is no longer obtainable.

"At a point they said we can apply and take over the repair of federal roads but I am yet to see a state they have given Federal roads to fix," he noted.

Edo to meet stakeholders on regulation of petrol, gas business

The Edo State Government has said it will meet with stakeholders on Thursday, July 27, 2023, as part of steps to implement the Benin City and Edo State Regional Development Masterplans.

In a statement, Commissioner for Physical Planning, Housing, Urban and Regional Development, Isoken Omo said the meeting with the stakeholders is critical to arriving at a policy for the industry.

She noted, “We are by this letter inviting you to a meeting to discuss the way forward on regulation of petrol and gas stations in line with the Benin and Edo State Regional Development Masterplans.

“Your input is critical to arriving at a policy for the industry.”

According to the Commissioner, the meeting will be held at the Festival Hall, Edo State Government House, Benin City, on Thursday, July 27, 2023.

She added that the invitation has been extended to Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Fire Service, Owners and Operators of Gas Stations, relevant Ministries, Agencies and Departments (MDAs) and Civil Society organisations.

Obaseki undertaking holistic revamp of infrastructure in over 336 Edo schools, building over 200 new classrooms, others

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (Edo SUBEB), Mrs. Ozavize Salami, has said the State under the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki is currently undertaking holistic upgrade of infrastructure across over 336 schools in the State.

The Edo SUBEB Chairman, who disclosed this at a media parley with journalists in Benin City, said the 181 projects in the 336 schools in the State will see the construction of 200 modern classrooms and water projects.

According to her, the projects are expected to impact over 72,000 children in various schools across the State, with 46 percent in urban areas and 58 per cent in rural areas.

Salami noted, “We are currently intervening in 336 schools and have 181 projects which will be giving 200 classrooms and water projects. 46 percent of the projects are in urban areas and 58 per cent in rural areas and the majority are close to completion level.

“We have been able to design progressive programmes for schools that are in rural areas as the programme is data-driven. The activities of teachers can be easily monitored as 7,000 teachers are currently being trained online and 84.4 per cent are logged on the online class.”

The SUBEB chairperson also noted that 380,000 students from various public schools across the State are currently benefiting from the State’s Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST) Programme.

She said the reforms in the State’s basic education sector by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led state government have continued to improve learning outcomes in schools, preparing children in the State for global competitiveness.

According to her, “Over 380,000 children in our schools have benefited from our EdoBEST programme and the Edo State Government has trained 16,000 teachers in digital skills and classroom management. In Edo, basic education is free and compulsory for children as they are equipped with various digital skills.

“The Edo State Government has distributed 12,000 tablets; 7 million exam materials and 1.5 million textbooks across various EdoBEST schools in Edo State as parents have access to their children's results. The EdoBEST Programme has been able to rebrand all schools, even those schools in the rural and riverine areas.”

Governor Godwin Obaseki’s commitment to restoring education in Edo State back to its former glory and tackling learning poverty led to the launch of the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST) Programme in April 2018.

EdoBEST leverages the transformative power of cutting-edge technology to deliver outstanding learning outcomes to primary school children across Edo State by better supporting their teachers.

Hinged on five critical pillars that encapsulate the goals of the reform, EdoBEST has equipped teachers with the tools and skills to execute a unique type of learning experience for children.

The programme has also bridged communication gaps between communities and schools, improved schools’ infrastructure, strengthened the curriculum and improved learning outcomes among Edo State pupils.

Obaseki undertaking holistic revamp of infrastructure in over 336 Edo schools, building over 200 new classrooms, others

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (Edo SUBEB), Mrs. Ozavize Salami, has said the State under the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki is currently undertaking holistic upgrade of infrastructure across over 336 schools in the State.

The Edo SUBEB Chairman, who disclosed this at a media parley with journalists in Benin City, said the 181 projects in the 336 schools in the State will see the construction of 200 modern classrooms and water projects.

According to her, the projects are expected to impact over 72,000 children in various schools across the State, with 46 percent in urban areas and 58 per cent in rural areas.

Salami noted, “We are currently intervening in 336 schools and have 181 projects which will be giving 200 classrooms and water projects. 46 percent of the projects are in urban areas and 58 per cent in rural areas and the majority are close to completion level.

“We have been able to design progressive programmes for schools that are in rural areas as the programme is data-driven. The activities of teachers can be easily monitored as 7,000 teachers are currently being trained online and 84.4 per cent are logged on the online class.”

The SUBEB chairperson also noted that 380,000 students from various public schools across the State are currently benefiting from the State’s Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST) Programme.

She said the reforms in the State’s basic education sector by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led state government have continued to improve learning outcomes in schools, preparing children in the State for global competitiveness.

According to her, “Over 380,000 children in our schools have benefited from our EdoBEST programme and the Edo State Government has trained 16,000 teachers in digital skills and classroom management. In Edo, basic education is free and compulsory for children as they are equipped with various digital skills.

“The Edo State Government has distributed 12,000 tablets; 7 million exam materials and 1.5 million textbooks across various EdoBEST schools in Edo State as parents have access to their children's results. The EdoBEST Programme has been able to rebrand all schools, even those schools in the rural and riverine areas.”

Governor Godwin Obaseki’s commitment to restoring education in Edo State back to its former glory and tackling learning poverty led to the launch of the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST) Programme in April 2018.

EdoBEST leverages the transformative power of cutting-edge technology to deliver outstanding learning outcomes to primary school children across Edo State by better supporting their teachers.

Hinged on five critical pillars that encapsulate the goals of the reform, EdoBEST has equipped teachers with the tools and skills to execute a unique type of learning experience for children.

The programme has also bridged communication gaps between communities and schools, improved schools’ infrastructure, strengthened the curriculum and improved learning outcomes among Edo State pupils.

Coral City: Obaseki expresses satisfaction with progress on devt of new city project, hails partners

[i]…says Edo repositioned to become the best place to live, work in Nigeria[i]

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has expressed satisfaction with the progress so far recorded with the development of Coral City, noting that the new city project is one of the projects embarked on by his government to reposition Edo as one of the best places to live and work in the Country.

The governor said this when he met with top government officials alongside partners and other stakeholders to discuss progress on the project, at the EXCO Chambers, Government House, Benin City.

Hailing partners and other stakeholders for the progress so far recorded with the project’s development, Obaseki said, “The mandate for this project was given a year ago. I commend all our partners for the speed and professionalism put in so far to bring us to the level that we are today.”

He continued: “The focus for my administration is to make Edo State to be the place of choice to live and work in Nigeria, fulfilling life’s desires and aspirations.

“The motivating factor for this project is to develop the State and discourage our young population from traveling out of this State and Country. We have the capacity to renew and position our environment like anywhere in the world. We need to define the space to support our young generation.

“We have taken our land from land grabbers, secured it, and done all that we need to do like survey and other necessary things. We now have valuable data and have planned the land. Everything needed to live in a sane community and society has been put there.

“Planning is key in achieving this project and regulations to guide the City will also be made ready as we are putting the governance in place. We have key infrastructure in place like the Ossiomo Power, fiber optic connection, and more; this City will be a place to live.”

According to the governor, “Financing is key, but marketing is important as we need to sell the City to all including those in the Diaspora. I believe the estate is sold out, whether residential or commercial because we have off-takers.

“We are not selling plots of lands and houses but we are selling developments as we have something for everybody, to accommodate a whole spectrum of people. It's more about providing modern infrastructure and accommodation as well as living standards for our people.

“Our financing partners will make this possible as we estimate about N20 billion to cover the first phase of infrastructure which is about 13.3km and other things we are expecting to be ready within six to nine months.

“It will be a huge financing cycle and possibility for our financing partners as we select those that believe in our vision. We are talking to five of you and some terms are not acceptable to us as we have shown today that it's a long-term relationship. We would go to the market to raise the funding for contractors to go to the site this month and lay the foundation officially for the City on November 16th, which is exactly one year when we gave the mandate for this project to start.”

He added, “I am glad that we have made so much progress, as this is one of our flagship projects and it’s world-class with quality design, infrastructure, and price of what we are delivering to the people. We are urging partners to come in and show seriousness. We would be on site on the first of August 2023.”

Welcoming partners of the Coral City Project, the Commissioner for Physical Planning, Urban and Regional Development, Isoken Omo, said the project under the Edo State New Town Development Agency sits on over 1,200 hectares of land.

She noted that the plan of the state government with the project is to develop a smart city with all the modern infrastructural facilities required of a city in modern times.

Edo Tech Park graduates 387 software engineers, sets for intake of 6th cohort

...graduates work for banks, fintech companies, others - EdoJobs

In line with the vision of the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki to transform the state into the hub for global talent, Edo Tech Park, the state’s initiative to train work-ready tech talent modelled after America’s Silicon Valley, has graduated not less than 387 software engineers since it was set up in 2021.

The Tech Park is run in collaboration with Decagon, an elite software engineering and leadership training school and operates from a pilot campus in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

The Managing Director of Edo State Skills Development Agency (EdoJobs), Mrs. Violet Obiokoro, in a chat with journalists, said that the Edo Tech Park has created a new pathway for youths in the State to get elite training to become software engineers, get hired by global brands or become set up tech companies.

According to her, “We have had good success with the Edo Tech Park, which is being run in partnership with Decagon. We have so far graduated 387 software engineers who can work anywhere in the world.

“Some of the graduates from the Edo Tech Park are working for clients in America, while others are developing software for banks in Nigeria as well as fintech companies. It is a whole new vista of opportunities for youths hoping to kickstart careers in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).”

“We have the 6th cohort now. The training they get at Edo Tech Park prepares them for the world of work. So when the Edo State Governor said recently that the State is digitized, we are actually ready on all fronts, from the infrastructure with the fibre optic cables across the state to the requisite manpower that will leverage the structures to create wealth in the state,” she added.

Benin Port: Obaseki parleys host communities, other stakeholders, assures project 'll create over 30,000 jobs

…says port ‘ll boost Edo's economy, better opportunities, benefits for host communities

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Tuesday, parleyed host communities of the Benin Port Project, noting that the project on completion will boost economic activities in the State and create over 30,000 jobs.

The governor at the town hall and stakeholders’ meeting at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA), in Benin City, called for the support and collaboration of all stakeholders for the realization of the big-ticket project.

Obaseki said his administration is developing a community content policy for the Benin Port Project which will ensure that all host communities are carried along as the project progresses to enable them to directly benefit from the project.

The governor, represented by his Special Adviser on Strategy, Policy, Projects and Performance Management, Sarah Esangbedo Ajose-Adeogun, appealed to the host communities to embrace dialogue and engagement so as not to frustrate the progress of the project.

He said, “The Benin Port Project will create employment opportunities for the people of the State, especially for the host communities who will benefit directly from the project. The project will create over 30,000 employment opportunities. Already, scholarships have been awarded to people even before the groundbreaking of the project.

“10 members of the host communities are already on scholarship abroad for professions in the maritime industry. More will benefit from the scholarship programme as each community will register members of their communities to enable them to benefit from the project.”

Noting that the Benin Port is an iconic project that will put the State on the global map, the governor said, “This project will change the State’s economy as Edo will occupy a global stage in terms of logistics and global economy.

“We are building an agro-allied port, allowing us to have access to agro-allied products as the project is very key. This project will elevate our communities, reduce poverty, and develop the State and communities as Edo will become a global player in the maritime industry.”

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Benin Port Project, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, commended the governor for his foresight in developing the project, adding, “With projects like this, States borrow huge resources to fund the project and mortgage the future of the State but the Edo State Government is building the Port without borrowing any money. We are building through the Private-Public-Partnership arrangement policy which the Federal Government is now emulating.”

He assured, “The groundbreaking for the Port will take place this year and I am happy for the cooperation of the host communities so far. I appeal for a more conducive environment to ensure the Port comes into existence.”

The Project Director of Benin Port, Dr. Joe Aigboduwa, said, “The Benin Port will encourage the exportation of agricultural products from the State and also decongest the Lagos Port. The Benin Port will be the closest to the Dangote Refinery and the Lekki Deep Sea Port and will take five hours sailing to other ports when we start operation.”

He noted that after the completion of the Benin River Port Project, a Maritime Transportation Institute will be established inside the Port to train dock workers while the scholarship programme continues for host communities.

PHOTO CAPTION

L-R: Representative of Edo State Governor and Special Adviser on Strategy, Policy, Projects and Performance Management, Sarah Esangbedo Ajose-Adeogun; Chairman of the Benin Port Project, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun; beneficiary of NIMASA scholarship representing Ogbinbiri community, Bulara Edith; Project Director of Benin Port, Dr. Joe Aigboduwa, and beneficiary of NIMASA scholarship representing Egor Community, Yama Favour Afeye, during a meeting with host communities and stakeholders, in Benin City, on Tuesday, July 18, 2023.

Obaseki urges increased global action, synergies to improve food security, climate resilience

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has called for urgent action to improve food security, ensuring increased collaboration among global stakeholders to support more farmers to embrace climate-smart agricultural practices and technologies to improve their yields and ensure food sufficiency.

The governor made the call in commemoration of Nelson Mandela International Day, marked on July 18, each year by the United Nations. This year’s theme is “The Legacy Lives on Through You: Climate, Food, and Solidarity.”

The governor said, “The 2023 International Nelson Mandela Day presents another fine opportunity for governments, policymakers, and other stakeholders to review efforts at addressing one of the world’s most pressing challenges, climate change which poses a threat to our planet and the well-being of our communities, with its devastating impact on agriculture, livelihoods, and the environment.

“It is projected that without a solution, an estimated 43 million people in Africa alone could fall below the poverty line as a result of crop failures and hunger from climate change. This calls for increased action among stakeholders, ensuring better policies and sustained partnerships to support climate-smart agriculture across the agriculture and food value chains to enhance food productivity and improve climate resilience.”

He added, “In Edo State, we are aware of the profound impact that climate change has on agriculture and food production, and are partnering with the private sector and other stakeholders in the State to empower smallholder farmers, providing them with access to resources and technology, and supporting sustainable farming practices that protect the environment while increasing productivity.”

In his message to mark the day, the Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, said, “Today, poverty, hunger and inequality are on the rise. Countries are drowning in debt. The climate crisis is destroying the lives of those who have done the least to cause it, and our unfair and outdated international financial system is not fulfilling its function as a global safety net. We have it in our power to solve each of these problems.

“So, as we commemorate Nelson Mandela’s life and legacy, let us be animated by his spirit of humanity, dignity and justice. Let us stand with women and girls, young people and change-makers everywhere. And let us take action to build a better world.”

Edo govt seeks nurses support to sustain ongoing revamp of health system, assures better welfare

The Edo State Government has called for the collaboration and support of nursing professionals in the State to sustain ongoing revamp of the State's healthcare system, assuring them of improved welfare and other incentives to guarantee effective and efficient healthcare service delivery to Edo people.

The Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Samuel Alli, made the call when he received members of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), led by its chairman, Comr. Nr Catherine Esene, who were on a courtesy visit to his office, in Benin City.

Reassuring the government’s commitment to improving access to quality healthcare delivery to Edo people, the Commissioner said the government is strengthening efforts to address the issue of quackery in the State.

He further noted that the government is strengthening regulations and sustaining investment in the sector to ensure structural improvement in medical facilities throughout the State, as part of efforts to reposition the State as a medical hub in the country.

The Commissioner said, “I deeply appreciate you all for this visit, and for bringing to our attention the issues which you believe are hindering performances in the health sector. The Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration has over the past six years prioritized investment in the healthcare system and is committed to improving access and the delivery of quality and efficient healthcare services to Edo people.”

He further noted, “In terms of quackery, I am glad that you know what we are doing about that. We will continue to ensure that the rate of quackery is reduced to the barest minimum, through appropriate regulations. We are also undertaking holistic projects to ensure that our health facilities are given a well-deserved facelift, in line with the government’s vision to transform the State into a medical hub.”

The Commissioner urged the nurses to key into the state government’s vision, and align with the strategic directions in the ongoing health sector reforms, ensuring the delivery of quality healthcare services to the people.

Alli, who encouraged the nursing professional to see themselves as leaders and problem solvers in the health sector, added, “The Government has a role to play, and you also have a role to play. You must not relent in your quest to deliver quality services to the people of Edo State. If we all do our parts as we should, we will begin to see the progress we desire.”

In her address, the Chairman of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Comr. Nr Catherine Esene, congratulated the Commissioner on his well-deserved appointment, expressing utmost confidence in his ability to drive the vision of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration in the health sector.

While commending the State Government for the recent recruitment of staff into the Ministry of Health, Hospitals Management Agency and the Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Comr. Esene gave insights into some challenges facing the sector, adding that through collaborative efforts, these challenges could be overcome.

Obaseki: Nigeria’s dysfunctional educational system stalling desired transformation of education sector

...says Edo closing 50% gap in education via reforms, programmes

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said one of the nation’s biggest challenges is its dysfunctional educational system, noting that the State has set up parameters to play its part in closing the 50 percent education gap in the country.

Obaseki, who noted that the government is emphasising strengthening foundational learning and improving learning outcomes, said, “The drop in the ratio between primary six and SSS1 is 50 percent and until we focus on that we will continue to have problems in education.”

Speaking recently, the governor said the gap is a result of the lack of communication and close relationship between primary and secondary schools.

He said, “For us, it is about people, focusing on talents. We realised that foundational learning was very weak and we saw this when we had to deal with the issue of human trafficking. We have invested hugely in the past six years to strengthen foundational learning because without that you can't build anything else in terms of developing talents.

“We’ve looked again at the entire educational policy. The biggest challenge we have today is a dysfunctional educational system. 25 years ago, we changed our educational policy but we didn’t realign that change with reality.”

He further said that Edo State is supporting vocational training and partnering with various companies in the area of technology, training children on technology and entertainment.

The governor said, “For us, it’s about less certificates, more handiwork as we're focusing on technical education. So, we have revamped our College of Agriculture, College of Nursing Sciences, Technical College and Colleges of Education.

“We are supporting vocational education because there is a large population of young people who have fallen through the cracks but they are talented. So, we are partnering with various companies in the area of technology. We have a programme with Decagon to train youths on software development and engineering.

“In terms of entertainment, we are working with a number of producers and this year alone, we are shooting in excess of 30 Nollywood movies in Benin City because we have created the infrastructure for artists and producers to come and succeed.”

“Today, we are investing in communities, giving them resources and we have drastically reduced crime rate and acts of violence,” Obaseki said.

Obaseki allocates 100 hectares of land for construction of state-run correctional centre

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state government has allocated 100 hectares of land in Orhionmwon Local Government Area for the development of a state-run correctional facility.

The governor disclosed this during the swearing-in of Justice Daniel Iyobosa Okungbowa as the Chief Judge of Edo State, at the weekend.

Obaseki urged Justice Okungbowa to fast-track the setting up of mobile Courts, embark on visits to correctional Centers, and expedite trials, among other steps to decongest the correctional facilities and provide justice for those awaiting trials for years.

According to him: “The Constitutional amendment has paved the way to end the menace of congested correctional facilities and endless wait for trials.

“I urge the new Chief Judge to take advantage of the development and provide leadership in resolving this challenge of prison congestion which has become a national embarrassment and crisis. We would like you to provide direction for us in the development of correctional facilities in Edo State.

“I have allocated 100 hectares of land in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the State for a new State Correctional facility as the design is ready but we can't proceed to award the contract to build without seeking clarification, assistance and support from you.

“We believed that the correctional facility will set the template and example of what State Correctional facilities should look like when it's completed under your tenure. I urge you to fast track the setting up of mobile courts to visit correctional centers and conduct institute trials to decongest the correctional facilities and provide justice for those awaiting trials for years.”

He added, “The Judicial system in Edo State has benefited from years of serious spirited and sincere efforts to improve the processes of justice administration, ensuring the prerequisites infrastructure and manpower are available to facilitate timely delivery of Justice to all.”

Benin Port: Jilted Mayaki dizzied by Obaseki’s success

By Crusoe Osagie

Breathtaking accomplishments often elicit some measure of envy.

However, some level of maturity is expected from naysayers who are miffed at the fact that the target of their envy is making remarkable progress.

In his most recent diatribe filled with personal hatred for the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, over the progress of the Benin Port project, John Mayaki signed off as a Chieftain of the APC and former Media Aide to the Edo State Government.

I have never heard of a government having a media aide. It is people who have aides. Mayaki was just too embarrassed to truthfully describe himself as a former interim Chief Press Secretary to Governor Obaseki who sacked him for incompetence.

With this background honestly established, anyone who reads Mayaki’s hogwash against the governor can understand the basis for his attacks and lies in the pursuit of what now looks like his only purpose for being alive, which is to denigrate Obaseki.

Mayaki for the past six and half years has acted like a jilted lover who is so obsessed with his former partner that he can't seem to move on. Otherwise, how do you describe such deliberate falsification of facts?

In Mayaki’s narration of his own misery, the losses suffered by other people who ran for office in the 2023 election in Edo State is Obaseki’s fault and Obaseki’s liability.

I must have underestimated Mayaki’s bitterness against the governor. He wants the governor to fail so badly that he directly appropriates the misfortune of other people to Obaseki.

Mayaki’s situation is similar to what is described in a Benin parable which explains that a bitter person gazes at his enemy and hopes that the ground would collapse under his enemy's feet.

Unfortunately for Mayaki, such wishes against enemies – people have chosen to hate for no justifiable reason – usually do not come to pass. Rather, the more you hate them, the more progress they make.

The announcement on Monday, July 10, 2023, of the emergence of Mota Engil Africa, the company handling the Kano-Maradi rail project of the Federal Government, as the preferred bidder for the development of the Benin Port Project, seems to have rattled Mayaki and his ilk, waking them up from the short hiatus they seem to have drifted into in their pursuit of political appointments from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

But last week, the President named his media aides with competent hands like Tunde Rahman, former Editor of Punch and former Editor of ThisDay and O'tega Ogra, former Head of Media Relations at BUA Group, among several others making the list, while the likes of John Mayaki and his minions were ignored because they were not qualified to make the list in the first place.

Whether Mayaki drowns in unnecessary resentment against Obaseki or not, the governor’s legacies cannot be blemished. After a 75-year journey, the governor has broken the jinx and the Benin Port Project is now set to be constructed and commissioned, opening a new vista of economic opportunities for the State and Country.

It’s undeniable that Obaseki has transformed Edo into an industrial hub with the establishment of at least two modular refineries that are currently refining crude oil.

The refineries as of June 2023 had placed an order for 300,000 barrels of crude for refining in their facilities. The refineries are the 6000bpd facility operated by the Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company (ERPC) in Ologbo, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area and the 2500bpd Duport Refinery run by Duport Refinery Company Limited in Egbokor, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the State.

Another industrial concern in the State is the development of two ethanol plants that are nearly completed and are set to be commissioned before the end of the governor’s administration next year. The plants include the Greenhill Ethanol Plant, sited in Ologbo, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of the state, which is expected to produce food-grade ethanol for use in the confectionery and beverage industry and the Dufil Ethanol Plant which is expected to create employment opportunities and boost manufacturing in the Ovia region of the State.

Whether Mayaki likes it or not, Edo has become a frontier State in electricity reforms in the Country with a power plant that generates, transmits and distributes electricity across Benin City. This remarkable project is being expanded to other parts of the State, in line with the government’s plan to guarantee the required stable power to drive industrialization in the State.

The State now also has a fast-expanding retail sector, with the latest entrant being the Benin City mall, which will host a cinema, library, entertainment centre and other hospitality businesses.

The Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub and Sound Stage is now brimming with verve, with youths engaged in various artistic productions, including films, theatrical works, music and photography.

Amid Mayaki’s misery, Edo State has continued to record a boom in its tourism receipts and recently sealed a deal with Radisson Hotels, an international hotel chain headquartered in the United States for the construction of a 172-room hotel in Benin City. That project is in progress to the amazement of naysayers.

It’s to the credit of the Governor that Edo currently has the largest oil palm plantation programme in Africa, championed by Dufil, Saro Africa and other new entrants into the Edo oil palm industry in addition to the already established ones like Presco and Okomu, among others.

Edo State is today the most connected state digitally in Nigeria and operates the most digitized civil and public service in the Country, with all local governments connected to fibre optics. The State runs an e-governance system and is on the verge of becoming the first State in the country to have entirely shifted to a digital mode of administration.

The nuanced reforms in the education sector which have improved learning outcomes in the State have continued to get recognition and accolades from the World Bank, UNICEF and other national and international development agencies and organisations.

Governor Obaseki has set a new benchmark for accountability and transparency in public procurement in the Country, elevating the state’s procurement system and processes to unprecedented levels of efficiency, fairness, and compliance, with different countries and over 19 Nigerian States coming to understudy the transformational changes.

The governor has continued to blaze the trail since he assumed office in 2016, ensuring bold and transformative reforms and programmes to reset Edo State and place it on the path of sustainable economic growth and prosperity and no amount of pointless articles can change this truth.

In concluding this piece, I have a word of advice for John Mayaki, and that is: when you nurse bitterness against somebody, particularly someone who doesn’t deserve it, it is similar to taking a bottle of poison and consuming all of it and hoping that your enemy will die from the poison that you have consumed yourself.

A word is sufficient for the prudent.

Osagie is the Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media Projects

Benin Port: Col Imuse’s grasp of Nigeria’s history shameful, betrays rank he parades from the Nigerian Army, says Osagie

… ‘APC working aggressively to keep Edo underdeveloped’

Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media Projects, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, has described as laughable and incredibly ridiculous, comments by Col. David Imuse rtd., the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, that there was no Nigeria or Edo State 75 years ago, noting that the comment betrays the rank Colonel Imuse parades from the Nigerian Army.

In a statement, Osagie noted that opposition politics does not automatically translate to cynicism, urging the Edo APC chairman and his cohort to desist from scheming to undermine efforts by the Obaseki-led state government to transform the State and place it on the path of economic prosperity.

He said, “We are quite perplexed to learn of the laughable and incredibly ridiculous comment by the APC Chairman in Edo State, Colonel David Imuse that there was no Nigeria or Edo State 75 years ago, in a desperate attempt to undermine the remarkable achievements of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration on the progress made with the Benin Port Project.

“Colonel Imuse’s comment betrays the rank he parades from the Nigerian Army, leaving many to wonder if he really earned it.

“His claim that Nigeria and Edo did not exist 75 years ago leaves even elementary school pupils to wonder and ask in what country their grandparents who are 75 years and above were born. The fact of the pre-independence and post-independence Nigeria is lost on Imuse whose only vocation these days is reactive opposition politics.”

Osagie continued: “Going by Col. Imuse’s line of thought, the great and then sovereign Benin Kingdom which traded with the Portuguese in the 14th century using the location of the Benin Port must have carried out the well-documented transactions in space.

“Someone should draw Imuse’s attention to the Western House of Assembly and enlighten him about the over seven-decade-old documentation of efforts to get the Benin Port on stream.

“Imuse should be told that opposition politics does not automatically translate to cynicism.”

He added, “The humongous victory of the Obaseki administration in making the Benin Port vision come to pass is a win for Imuse even though his present politics of self-service does seem to becloud his sense of good judgment.”

The governor’s aide noted that the bitterness displayed upon hearing the news of the progress with the Benin Port Project clearly shows that Edo APC and its leaders have been working aggressively to keep Edo under-developed.

According to Osagie, “Imuse’s tirade and baseless attacks on the governor and the progress with the Benin Port Project show that he and his paymasters in the APC do not understand the workings of governance and complexities involved in large-scale infrastructure projects, further exposing him as one who is backward, illiterate and uninformed. He should be ignored by Edo people, alongside his ilk as they offer no constructive input to the development and growth of Edo State.”

Benin Port: Mota-Engil Nigeria receives another batch of equipment ahead of commencement of construction

The preferred bidder for the Benin Port Project, Mota Engil Nigeria, has said plans are ongoing to commence the development of the port project, which remains one of the most ambitious legacy projects of the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

The company disclosed this after receiving a new batch of equipment at the PTML terminal in Lagos, which adds to an initial haul of heavy-duty equipment received from the $200m worth of equipment it had procured for projects across Nigeria.

Logistics Manager, Mota-Engil Nigeria, Mr. Nuno Colaço who led the company’s team and some maritime journalists to inspect the new equipment at the PTML terminal in Lagos, reiterated Mota-Engil’s commitment to delivery of infrastructure projects in Nigeria.

He said over 200 heavy duty machinery were earlier received in the first week of July, noting that the company’s improved stock of machinery will enable it complete projects on schedule.

He added that the company now boasts of the most modern fleet of equipment in the construction industry in Nigeria and these will be deployed to its ever growing number of project sites to ensure timely and quality delivery.

Chairman of the Benin Port Project, Dr. Greg Ogbeifun, recently confirmed the emergence of Mota Engil Africa as the preferred bidder after a one-week evaluation exercise conducted on the bids received in response to the Request for Proposals, from the three pre-qualified bidders.

Governor Obaseki had said the Benin Port project will serve as a launchpad for the expansion of Edo’s $11.8bn economy, noting that it will catalyse the growth of the agriculture, real estate, manufacturing, food processing, automotive, power, retail and extractive sectors.

The Benin Port is designed to be a unique agro-based Port in Nigeria that encompasses a complete smart Port Community Complex for industrial processing and export of agricultural produce and other goods, with independent, clean and renewable energy installations.

The container and multipurpose terminals of the port will also have RoRo facilities to enable direct importation of vehicles for the thriving automobile industry in Edo State, among other commercial activities that would spring from the port operations.

Obaseki prioritizing investment in health sector to improve health expectancy, enhance access to quality services, says Dr. Alli

The Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Samuel Alli, has said the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led state government is prioritizing investment in the healthcare sector, focusing on the primary healthcare system, to improve the health expectancy of Edo citizens and enhance access to quality and efficient healthcare services.

The Commissioner, who spoke to journalists in Benin City, said the government has introduced the State’s Health Insurance Scheme to reduce out-of-pocket health expenditure and is strengthening the primary healthcare system to bring healthcare closer to the people.

He noted that the upgrade and revamp of health institutions in the State including the Stella Obasanjo and the Edo Specialist Hospitals and other reforms in the healthcare sector are aimed at repositioning the State as the healthcare hub of the nation.

According to him, “One of the key sectors that this government focuses on is the health sector because it’s a developmental programme and to carry this out, the governor has instituted reforms to improve the health expectancy of Edo citizens and improve their access to quality health care.

“Specifically, the Edo Health Insurance Scheme was launched for Edo State citizens to reduce the out-of-pocket health expenditure in the State. Before now, Edo State had one of the highest out-of-pocket expenditures in the whole country. The global average of health expenditure is supposed to be 20% of your income, but in Nigeria, it’s estimated to be about 75% and Edo State is 90%. So, you can see it’s even 15% more than the national average. That means a lot of healthcare expenditures are carried out by the people themselves.”

The Commissioner further noted, “In the past, there was a lot of quackery and malpractices in the system, accessibility and delivery of the healthcare system was poor. This gave birth to the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, whose primary objective is actually to bring healthcare closer to the people.

“Before now, we had a very dilapidated primary healthcare system. But currently, 18 primary healthcare centres are being renovated and are to be completed by December. The target is at least to construct 45 in all.”

Dr. Alli added, “Coming to secondary and tertiary healthcare, we have the infrastructure upgrade in Edo Specialist Hospital which has been completed. The facility is well-equipped and has been running for the past four years now, providing quality services. It’s a multi-specialist hospital, and it’s able to provide a different range of services to our citizens.

“Work at the Stella Obasanjo Hospital is ongoing. It’s another multi-specialist hospital that will promote the state as a destination for medical tourism.

“To build capacity in the health sector, the Edo School of Nursing that was closed down for more than 10 years was renovated, refurbished and fully accredited to provide training for the personnel to drive the reforms in the healthcare sector. We are also looking at various hospitals across the state to see how we can upgrade these secondary healthcare hospitals and make them more functional than they currently are.”