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Politics / Edo Unveils Activities For 32nd Anniversary, 60th Year Of Midwest Referendum by UdabaPrince100: 5:45pm On Aug 25, 2023
Edo unveils activities for 32nd anniversary, 60th year of Midwest Referendum

The Edo State Government has unveiled activities to mark the 32nd anniversary of the creation of the Edo State and the 60th anniversary of the Midwest Referendum.

While Edo State was created alongside 11 other States on August 27, 1991, by the regime of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, the referendum for the creation of the then Midwestern region of Nigeria, later renamed Bendel State in 1976, now Edo and Delta states was held in Saturday July 13, 1963 following the March 29, 1963 proclamation of the Federal Government of Nigeria empowering the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs to conduct the referendum.

In a statement, Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor, Andrew Okungbowa, said the celebration will provide a platform to celebrate the remarkable progress made as a State, especially under the sterling leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki, and chart a path for sustainable growth and development.

According to him, “Edo will on August 27, 2021, record another milestone in its history as we will be marking 32 years as a people and State. We will also be celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Midwest Referendum.

“The events marking celebrations will commence with a thanksgiving service at the New Festival Hall, Government House, Benin City, on Sunday, August 27, 2023, by 11 a.m.

“This will be followed by a luncheon to be hosted by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki by 2pm.”

Okungbowa further stated, “The Governor will on Monday, August 28, 2023, host stakeholders to a Colloquium to mark the 60th anniversary of the Midwest Referendum.
Edo unveils activities for 32nd anniversary, 60th year of Midwest Referendum

The Edo State Government has unveiled activities to mark the 32nd anniversary of the creation of the Edo State and the 60th anniversary of the Midwest Referendum.

While Edo State was created alongside 11 other States on August 27, 1991, by the regime of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, the referendum for the creation of the then Midwestern region of Nigeria, later renamed Bendel State in 1976, now Edo and Delta states was held in Saturday July 13, 1963 following the March 29, 1963 proclamation of the Federal Government of Nigeria empowering the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs to conduct the referendum.

In a statement, Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor, Andrew Okungbowa, said the celebration will provide a platform to celebrate the remarkable progress made as a State, especially under the sterling leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki, and chart a path for sustainable growth and development.

According to him, “Edo will on August 27, 2021, record another milestone in its history as we will be marking 32 years as a people and State. We will also be celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Midwest Referendum.

“The events marking celebrations will commence with a thanksgiving service at the New Festival Hall, Government House, Benin City, on Sunday, August 27, 2023, by 11 a.m.

“This will be followed by a luncheon to be hosted by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki by 2pm.”

Okungbowa further stated, “The Governor will on Monday, August 28, 2023, host stakeholders to a Colloquium to mark the 60th anniversary of the Midwest Referendum.

“The event, with the theme, ‘60 years after the referendum, which way Midwest?’ will be held at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, Airport Road, Benin City by 10am.”

“The event, with the theme, ‘60 years after the referendum, which way Midwest?’ will be held at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, Airport Road, Benin City by 10am.”
Politics / Obaseki To Swear In 4 New Commissioners Tomorrow by UdabaPrince100: 2:41pm On Aug 24, 2023
Obaseki to swear in 4 new Commissioners tomorrow

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, will tomorrow, Friday, August 25, 2023, swear in four new Commissioners confirmed by the Edo State House of Assembly.

In a statement, Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., said the ceremony will take place at the New Festival Hall in Government House, Benin City, the Edo State capital, by 1 pm.

The Commissioners to be sworn in are; Asi Surajo Jubril, Zubairu Dada Abubakar, Osilama Okuofo, and Ogbeide Ifaluyi-Isibor.

According to Ogie, “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that the four (4) commissioner-nominees confirmed by the Edo State House of Assembly on Wednesday, August 23, 2022, will be sworn into office by His Excellency, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, on Friday, August 25, 2023.”
Politics / LG Poll: Obaseki, PDP Round Off Campaigns With Rally In Oredo, Ikpoba-okha Lgas by UdabaPrince100: 8:11pm On Aug 23, 2023
LG Poll: Obaseki, PDP round off campaigns with rally in Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha LGAs

…canvasses votes for PDP candidates


says Tom Obaseki has experience, expertise to transform Oredo LGA

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday, concluded the campaign for the local government elections with stops at Oredo and Ikpoba-Okha local government areas (LGAs) amid cheers and excitement.

Obaseki charged voters in the two local councils to come out en masse on September 2, 2023, to vote for candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), noting that they are credible and competent persons with integrity.

On the campaign trail were the Secretary to Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq.; Chief of Staff to Edo State Governor, Hon Osaigbovo Iyoha; Edo PDP Chairman, Dr Anthony Aziegbemi; Member representing Ikpoba-Okha in the Edo House of Assembly, Hon. Nicholas Asonsere and Member representing Oredo East at the Assembly, Hon. Frank Omosigho, among others.

Addressing party faithful at the Urhokpota Hall, the venue for the Oredo campaign rally, Obaseki charged voters to vote for Dr. Tom Obaseki as Chairman of the LGA, adding that he has the experience and expertise to transform the local council.

The governor explained that he is supporting him not because he is his brother but because he is a credible and competent candidate, who has managed men and resources and didn't steal their collective patrimony.

The governor said, “Tom Obaseki is a committed personality. He is a man who loves his people and is ready to work for the development of the Council. He has seen what we are doing in the State and will bring it to the local government area.

“I decided to support him not because he is my brother but because of the work he has done. In the last eight years, he has managed over $200 million projects in Edo State, with the World Bank through the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP).”

Obaseki added, “He has the required experience to transform Oredo. He has been supportive to my administration with his wealth of experience. He has the training and background. He has managed men and resources and will not steal your money.”

On his part, Oredo LGA chairmanship candidate, Dr. Tom Obaseki, while canvassing the people's votes, said he will complement the governor’s efforts at improving the livelihood of the people, ensuring economic prosperity for the local council, focusing on youth and women empowerment, improved security and welfare of the people.

He said, “Oredo is the heartbeat of Edo State in politics. I promise you that we will prioritise women and youth empowerment. I will support the good works of the governor in improving security at the grassroots level and also ensure the welfare of the people in the council area.”

While in Ikpoba-Okha, the governor urged the voters to cast their ballots for the party's candidates, noting, “Ikpoba-Okha leads while others follow; no problem in Ikpoba-Okha. I am here to celebrate with you and thank you for you are lucky to have chosen a vibrant, committed and dedicated leader to be the chairman of the Council.

“You people have tried very well in your choice of Chairmanship candidate you made in the person of Eric. He is hardworking, committed, and dedicated to work. He has been here before and has done well and is here again to ensure continuity of progress to ensure development in the council area. With Eric Osayande continuity and progress is sure.”

In his remark, Dr. Eric Iyobo Osayande, noted, “During my first term in office between 2018 and 2021, I successfully completed several projects across Ikpoba-Okha that can be verified. Market construction, as well as healthcare centers, boreholes, police stations, toilets, primary schools, and provided transformers to various communities, among others.”

PHOTO CAPTION

DSC_01

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (left), with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairmanship Candidate for Oredo LGA, Dr. Tom Obaseki at the campaign for the local government elections in Oredo LGA, on Wednesday, August 23, 2023.

DSC_02

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (right), with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairmanship Candidate for Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Dr. Eric Iyobo Osayande, at the campaign for the local government elections for Ikpoba-Okha LGA, on Wednesday, August 23, 2023.

Sports / CAF Cup: Go For Victory, Obaseki Urges Bendel Insurance by UdabaPrince100: 5:41pm On Aug 23, 2023
CAF Cup: Go for victory, Obaseki urges Bendel Insurance


...warm reception awaits you back home, gov assures

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has charged Bendel Insurance Football Club team to go for victory as they travel to Algeria for the return leg game against Aso Chlef FC of Algeria, scheduled for Saturday, 26th August 2023.

The Benin Arsenals are heading into the return-leg with a home win advantage after defeating visiting Aso Chlef of Algeria by 1-0 in the first leg of the 2023/2024 CAF Confederation Cup Preliminary Round match played last Saturday, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, the Edo State capital.

Obaseki led sports lovers in the State and other top government functionaries to bid the team farewell ahead of their departure from the Benin Airport as they traveled to Algeria for the match.

The governor said, “I am sure you are prepared for the Algerian journey. I know that the team knows what to do and I am sure you will play better there than in Benin City because you were anxious about the home crowd.

“You have nothing to lose in this encounter but everything to gain. They are old men, and I know they don't have stamina. I am here to see you, motivate you, and ensure you are in good spirits.”

The governor urged them to follow the instructions of the team coach, Monday Odigie as well as his game plan, which had helped the team remain unbeaten throughout the just-concluded season in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

Obaseki charged further, “Follow the instructions of your Coach. You know you have not lost any matches this season. I know you will not lose this one, good luck. Something is waiting for you when you return from Algeria, just put in your best and make us all proud.”

*PHOTO CAPTION*

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, with Bendel Insurance Football Club players, ahead of their return leg game against Aso Chlef FC of Algeria, at the Benin Airport, in Benin City, on Wednesday, August 23, 2023.

Politics / LG Polls: In Orhionmwon, Obaseki, PDP Canvass Votes For Party’s Candidates by UdabaPrince100: 5:23pm On Aug 23, 2023
LG Polls: In Orhionmwon, Obaseki, PDP canvass votes for party’s candidates

_*…assures more dev’tal projects*_

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, leaders and members of the Edo Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Tu[b][/b]esday, took the party’s campaign to Orhionmwon Local Government Area (LGA), urging voters in the Council to massively vote for the party’s candidates during the September 2, 2023, local council elections.

Speaking to party faithful in Abudu, Orhionmwon LGA, the governor said the local council is dear to his heart, noting that his father hails from the local government area.

He was accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Osaigbovo Iyoha and the Edo PDP Chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi, among other leaders of the party and top government officials.

Obaseki said, “Orhionmwon is special to me; the LGA is dear to my heart and I will not play with any issue relating to Orhionmwon. We will do all within our power to develop the area. To make this easy is to have a reliable council chairman. I need a man that will draw my attention to issues in the council area.

“I need a grassroots person, a man that is loved by his people and a good man like Hon. Oghomwen Newman Ugiagbe, who has worked with the people.”

The governor added, “He has worked with me and he did well while working for me. He worked as Special Adviser on Community Matters and his performance was good; he can repeat the same here. Anything you want, just ask him. He knows how to get it from me as you don't have any problem.”

On his part, Ugiagbe thanked the governor and the people for the trust and confidence reposed in him, promising to support the governor in delivering the dividends of democracy to his people.

According to him, “I have worked with the governor before, and now working as chairman of the council will be easy because Governor Obaseki has laid the foundation and my own is to build on the foundation laid.

“He has ensured adequate security in Orhionmwon, and built schools, institutions, roads, and other good infrastructure and my own is to complement him in governance. Working with the governor, good governance is sure.”

Commending the governor, Ugiagbe further noted, “You are a blessing to us. We got electricity after 16 years in Abudu through your efforts. You have laid the foundation for good governance and we are getting the dividends of democracy to our people.”

Also, the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, urged the people to come out in their number to vote for the PDP, adding, “Obaseki has done so much for us in Orhionmwon, including what he did for us at College of Education in Abudu. All the investments here, from the refinery that will be producing gas, to quality roads and other infrastructure across the Council. He needs a reliable, credible and competent candidate and Newman is the man to work with the governor to develop the State.”

The LGA PDP Chairman, Stanley Iduozee, added, “We are all ready for this exercise come September 2, 2023, as Orhionmwon is for PDP. We are not only ready for the LG polls but also for the governorship election come 2024. We are ready as PDP will continue to retain Orhionmwon.”

*PHOTO CAPTION*

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (middle); Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairmanship Candidate in Orhionmwon Local Government Area (LGA), Hon. Oghomwen Newman Ugiagbe (3rd left); Vice Chairmanship Candidate, Mr. Midwest Ogbebor (3rd right), with other leaders of the party, during campaign for the September 2, 2023 local council elections, in Abudu, Orhionmwon LGA.

Politics / Subsidy Removal: I’m Shocked, Scared Of Fg's Lack Of Plan For Nigerians, Laments by UdabaPrince100: 3:33pm On Aug 23, 2023
Subsidy Removal: I’m shocked, scared of FG's lack of plan for Nigerians, laments Obaseki

...Says palliative is deceitful, promises support for Edo people

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said he is shocked and scared of the Federal Government's inability to plan and effectively respond to the fuel subsidy removal policy that has further improvised Nigerians, inflicting hardship and suffering on the people.



Obaseki, while speaking to journalists in Benin City, said he had raised the alarm following the mismanagement of the nation’s economy, noting that the country’s situation is taking a turn for the worse as a result of bad policies by the government at the centre.



The governor said, “I have always warned. I warned Nigerians during the last May Day this year. I told them that we have come to the end of the road and that the old economic order in Nigeria is gone and we have to come up with a new economic order and stop deceiving ourselves as a nation.



“Now the subsidy is gone; the exchange rate is being aligned. The era of free money has almost come to an end. The consequence is that the weakest and most vulnerable in our society, unfortunately, will carry a huge part of the burden of these policies.”



He stated, “I am shocked that people who campaigned around the Country, saying that they will remove subsidies, had no clear plans on what to do after subsidy removal. They don’t know what to do and how to support those who will be victims of subsidy removal.



“I am shocked and scared of what we are passing through today where the Government doesn't seem to have a plan or solution on how to respond to the consequences of the policy measure put in place by their administration.”



Obaseki added, “With the way they have mismanaged our national economy, we have to deal with inflation, between 20 and 25 per cent. It means that the people will feel more pain, especially the weak and vulnerable in the society, particularly our pensioners as whatever they get as their entitlement will do only little for them.

Reaffirming his government’s commitment to the welfare and well-being of Edo people, the governor further said, “For us in Edo State, we would not abandon you. We don’t like the word palliative because it is deceitful as we would rather use the word ‘support’. We would support those who are already victims of this policy measure.”
Politics / Fg’s Irresponsibility, Bad Governance Nigeria’s Biggest Challenge, Says Obaseki by UdabaPrince100: 4:23pm On Aug 17, 2023
FG’s irresponsibility, bad governance Nigeria’s biggest challenge, says Obaseki

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has linked the aggravating socio-economic challenges bedeviling the nation to the failure of the federal government to live up to its responsibilities.

Obaseki, while speaking to journalists in Benin City, decried the bad state of federal roads in the State, calling for urgent action to salvage the situation and reduce the sufferings of the commuters and other citizens.

The governor, who described the condition of the roads as appalling said he travelled through the federal roads linking Uromi in Esan South East to Agbor in Delta State and saw over 1,000 trailers stuck with goods as a result of bad roads.

He said, “I went to Esan land a few days ago and I passed through Uromi in Edo State to Agbor in Delta State and saw almost 1,000 trailers stuck on that bad Federal Government road. But it took a few minutes to traverse our State roads when we entered from Igueben, Ujogba to Ugoneki in Edo State.”

Obaseki added, “The problem today is the failure of the Central Government. The road network in Edo that ought to be a blessing to us is not. The Federal Government roads in Edo are connecting several locations across the Country but the roads are bad.

“You can't go from the West to the East from the North to the South without passing through Edo State. That is why we have many federal roads here but none are motorable as all are bad because of the failure of the Central Government.”
Politics / Obaseki Congratulates IBB On His 82nd Birthday by UdabaPrince100: 8:46pm On Aug 16, 2023
Obaseki congratulates IBB on his 82nd birthday

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has congratulated Nigeria’s former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd) on his 82nd birthday celebration.

The governor, in a statement, said: “I celebrate Nigeria’s former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd), as he marks his 82nd birthday.

“A consummate statesman, Babangida played a critical role in Nigeria's history and his indelible contribution to Nigeria's progress is undeniable.”

He added: “We celebrate his commitment to Nigeria’s unity and development.

“We applaud his undying love for our dear country, which is often expressed in his frequent interventions in the public space.

“As he marks his 82nd birthday, we wish him long life in good health and sound mind.”
Business / Forex Crisis: We Must Export, Else Things Will Not Get Better – Obaseki by UdabaPrince100: 8:33pm On Aug 16, 2023
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that Nigeria must recalibrate the economy to export semi-finished and finished products else Nigeria’s parlous foreign exchange regime will not get better.

The governor was speaking when he played host to leaders of Edo South Senatorial District of the State, in Government House, Benin City.

The floating of the Nigerian currency, Naira, by the Federal Government, has resulted in a sharp rise in the exchange rate, with $1 exchanging for as high as N945.

According to the governor, “We can't wait for the dollars. We can’t wait for everything to be imported. We need to export our own, as things will not get better soon. If we continue to work for the people in Edo, we will make the life and the future of the people better.”

The governor noted that the state government is working assiduously to improve the state’s economy and build the necessary mechanism to support exports.

He said: “In two years under the Edo State Oil Palm Programme (ESSOP), we have allocated over 70,000 hectares of land for fresh oil palm plantations. Various investors are now cultivating nurseries in the State. We are developing businesses in Edo State and creating an institution to train our people to work for those businesses.”

The governor further stated that the state’s government is building a solid base to promote exports and drive productivity, creating jobs and building wealth for the benefit of Edo people.

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Politics / I’ll Not Be Distracted, But Continue To Work For Edo’s Progress, Obaseki Assures by UdabaPrince100: 6:20pm On Aug 16, 2023
I’ll not be distracted, but continue to work for Edo’s progress, Obaseki assures

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has commended leaders from seven Local Government Areas of Edo State, for supporting his administration in the last seven years.

Obaseki said this while addressing leaders from Edo South Senatorial District during a solidarity visit to the Governor in Government House, Benin City, the state capital.

According to him: “I appreciate you all from Edo South Senatorial District for being a source of support all these years, from the very first time I contested to be governor in 2016. There was massive support in 2020 and till date, you are still supporting me. I thank you for the encouragement.

“We have come a long way. We can point to many achievements we have made in the State. Most times, when we rate development work, we are quick to point to physical structures. Thank God we have enough physical structures to point to as an administration, like schools, hospitals, roads and more.

“When we came in 2016, what we take for granted today – which is law and order – was not what we have today. Street trading was rampant. Non-state actors were in charge of our revenue. These activities didn’t attract investment into our State.

“We have transformed our educational system through Edo State Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST), which is now a global programme and our administration is getting commendation around the globe. We have a lot of achievements to point to in the State.

“The drop-off ratio of students between primary six and S.S.1 was over 50 per cent. That was what we met. We met many of them in the street but the system we have created took care of this, ensuring that even those that can't further their education will have the skills to take care of themselves in the future. This is our greatest legacy.”

The governor added that his administration has improved the state’s healthcare system with the Edo Health Insurance Scheme, which many citizens are now benefiting from.

He noted that his administration has created a platform in the entertainment industry for youths in the State to become productive, noting that through the Sound Stage at the Sir Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, over 50 Nollywood movies have been produced.

Noting that he has no time for distraction, the governor said: “In two years under the Edo State Oil Palm Programme (ESSOP), we have allocated over 70,000 hectares of land for fresh oil palm plantations. Various investors are now cultivating nurseries in the State. We are developing businesses in Edo State and creating institutions to train our people to work for those businesses.

“In security, we have trained over 1,500 Vigilante/hunter security networks in the areas of intelligence gathering, and arms handling as we work to train 10,000 more of them to help in securing the State.”

On reforms of the electricity sector, the governor said: “We fought the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and won to get our own freedom to get electricity. Today, we have invested in our Ossiomo Power Plant and will make further investments in these areas to electrify Edo State and attract businesses.”

Leader of the delegation, Senator Ehigie Uzamere, said they came to see the governor and to re-affirm their total commitment to his administration.

He said: “Our leaders from Edo South Senatorial District resolved to visit you. You have done a lot for the State and we are here to support your administration and re-affirm our support and commitment, particularly at this turbulent time in the country.”

“We are aware of what is going on between you and your Deputy and we stand by you and pray God gives you the wisdom to take the right path. The Deputy Governor is younger brother. If he finds time to come to Your Excellency, please accept him, so we can end well,” he added.
Business / Obaseki Divides Contract, Engages Two Contractors To Speed Up Delivery Of Benin- by UdabaPrince100: 6:24pm On Aug 14, 2023
Obaseki divides contract, engages two contractors to speed up delivery of Benin-Abraka Road

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state government has had to divide the contract for the construction of Benin/Abraka expressway so as to engage two contractors to ensure speedy delivery of the road project.

The governor said this during the celebration of the 70th birthday anniversary of former Edo State Commissioner for Agriculture, Sir Chris Agbonwanegbe.

Obaseki, who noted that the celebrant was committed to the development of the state and kept track of his administration’s projects, noted that Sir Agbonwanegbe constantly reminded him of the pace of work with regular messages.

According to the governor, “It is the pressure he mounted on me that made me accelerate the construction of the Benin/Abraka Road, especially the section going to Ugo. For your information, Chris, I have now divided the contract into two. I brought two contractors so that they can finish that road before Christmas.”

He added: “I have known him for the past 10 years as a brother and a friend. He is consistent, reliable and someone who believes in his people. He texts me almost every month to remind me of one issue or the other affecting Iyekeorhionmwon, particularly around Ugo.

Earlier in his remark, the former Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, who was the chairman of the occasion, congratulated the celebrant for his consistency and loyalty.
Politics / Eholor Burnishing His Battered Image With False Patriotism To The Edo Heritage by UdabaPrince100: 1:09pm On Aug 14, 2023
Eholor burnishing his battered image with false patriotism to the Edo heritage

By Christopher Ojekere

Edo people take great pride in the unique history and rich cultural heritage that set them apart from every other civilization. However, when it comes to the defence of their heritage, it also requires that the best take the stead and not some questionable characters seeking personal gains through empty posturing.

In a recent diatribe, a serial fraudster and sociopath, Patrick Osagie Eholor sought fruitlessly to vilify and cast aspersion on a performing Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki over the new regime announced by the state government where all traditional rulers in the State’s 18 local government areas will receive monthly allowances to administer their domains.

In his rambling, the rabble-rouser attempted to drag the highly exalted Royal Palace into his poorly-scripted campaign of calumny and mudslinging aimed to tarnish the very cordial relationship between the Palace, traditional institutions in the State and the Obaseki-led government.

The clout chaser, in his divisive antics, resorted to fabricating lies and spreading falsehoods in his failed attempt to undermine the governor’s sincere efforts at improving the livelihoods of the people and placing the state on a path of sustainable growth and development.

First, Patrick Osagie Eholor is not worth responding to because he is obviously not literate enough to understand the bureaucracy of government and governance or appreciate complex concepts that drive the wheel of governance.

He even lacks the moral authority to speak on the matter because he has never been a good ambassador of the State. The writer is a known fraudster who goes about defrauding Edo people from his base overseas, jumping on social media to pollute the space and cause mayhem.

In his warped thinking, Patrick Edohor believes that Edo people are unaware of his criminal records in Canada. Edohor is a known scammer who fled Canada for Nigeria when his illegal business of defrauding people went bad. To whitewash his already dead image, Edohor repackaged himself as an activist and set up another fraudulent scheme in the guise of a nongovernmental organization, One Love Foundation, where he now parades himself as the Ultimate Equal President.

In one of the paragraphs of his hogwash, Edohor presented himself as one who cared for the welfare and wellbeing of the people of Edo State. A known land grabber? His obvious anger with the Governor is because the governor dislodged him and his ilk who superintended over the reign of terror in Edo State, deploying violence to dispossess people of their landed properties and hard-earned money.

Edo people understand his antics and will not be swayed. He is a genius fraudster seeking to exploit the political arena to cleanse his battered image and savor the spoils of his ill-gotten wealth. Imagine entering into politics via the Labour Party when your values negate the values of the Party and your kind, a criminal, is exactly the kind of people that the Labour Party is against and doesn’t want around the corridors of power. What an antithesis.

In trying to understand the idea behind the tirade filled with a personal hatred for the Governor, one may be forced to ask critical questions like: Does Patrick Edohor have a copy of Nigeria's Constitution? Does he know how the law operates? Does he know what it means to enforce a 1979 law?

Edohor, the social media wailer should focus on clearing his name from his fraudulent activities and allow the governor to focus on his business of governance because his cries and wails, no matter how long, will not rewrite the governor’s transformative achievements across all sectors of Edo State, including infrastructure, civil service, economy, education, health and security, among others.

The governor’s commitment to the progress and well-being of Edo State is evident through his actions and policies aimed at driving positive change and engendering economic growth, ensuring improved livelihoods for the people of the State. Some of the efforts include increasing the minimum wage to N40,000 (the highest in the country), regular payment of salaries and pensions, improving the work environment, introducing technology to improve efficiency and easing the work process to ensure better service delivery to citizens.

The governor has been intentional about expanding the state’s economic base by deliberately creating the enabling environment for business to thrive and attract investments into Edo State, as a haven for investment. The governor has transformed Edo from a civil service-dominated State to one which is attracting manufacturing, commercial agricultural concerns, service and technology companies, real estate and several SMEs, among others.

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.

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.

Edo 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 governor's track record of good governance and dedication to transparency speaks to his sincere intentions to lead the state towards prosperity and progress and Edo people are aware of these facts.

I urge the public to disregard the tantrums from Patrick Edohor and reject him in all his form or guise. Allowing fraudsters like himself to cloak themselves in the garb of politics not only threatens the sanctity of governance but also endangers the trust that holds societies together. We must stand vigilant against the manipulation and antics of Edohor and his minions who desire to venture into politics for their selfish gains, including burnishing their battered image to escape justice for their criminal records.

*_Ojekere, a Public Affairs Commentator writes from Benin City_*

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Politics / We've Transformed Public Service To Deliver On Our Agenda, Says Obaseki by UdabaPrince100: 8:17pm On Aug 12, 2023
We've Transformed Public Service To Deliver On Our Agenda, Says Obaseki

...JOOPSA Is To Bridge Knowledge Gap

Edo State Governor Mr Godwin Obaseki said his administration has instituted several policies to transformed the public service ensuring it delivers effective and efficient service to the people of Edo State.

Obaseki said this at the commissioning of the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) in Benin City, in honour of the former Edo State Governor, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, who yesterday marked his 84 birthday anniversary.

The governor expressed appreciation to all the guests present, stating,

"Thank you all for attending this formal inauguration of this Institution of the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy JOOPSA which is an Institution build to transform public and civil service delivery and bridge the knowledge gap of our public servants.

"The ability of a government to execute it's policies is largely is dependent on the quality and ability of it's public servants. That is why from the beginning of our Administration the transformation of the public service of our State has been given priority.

It's was clear in my mind that it will be impossible to deliver on the mandate of our Administration without a strong and effective Public and Civil Service. Unfortunately, the public service we met was very weak in several areas. It's processes and procedures has become blured because they were manual and therefore the civil service sluggish and prone to corruption and environment hazardous, offices without proper toilet facilities.

"Welfare of workers was terrible and wondered why the civil servants themselves allowed their situation to deteriorate to such an extend. Nothing like performance Management, nothing was done strategically and criteria for promotion was never merit based. You must belong to society to be considered and training and human capacity development was relegated.

"It was now important to change the narrative if we are to succeed to reposition Edo for sustainable, socio economic growth".

He further noted that in the last six years his administration has taken a wholelistic approach to revamp the public and civil service in Edo State to enable it function effectively and efficiently.

"Edo State transformation and enhancement projects in the public service which we call Edo Steps has resulted in significant and unpresidented improvement in the capacity of the public servants to delivered optimally.

"Today, the public service in Edo State is the most digitalized public service in Nigeria, with over 5,000 computer and fiber optic connection across offices in the State. By September 1st 2023, Edo State would have achieved a paperless governance environment which will make us the first State to achieve this feats. I will be the last governor to work with physical files in the State.

"The offices of our public servants in Edo State are the best they can be and well equip with State of the art facilities which can be compared to any you can fine in the world with 24/7 electricity and fast internet connectivity.

"We have taken the welfare of our public servants as a priority because we know that if you don't pay people properly, and takecare of them you should expect high productivity from them. The don't joke with the welfare of of our workforce as we ensure that all working with us have heath insurance as you don't need to pay for treatment.

"We have fully funded contributory pension scheme, which we started 1st of January 2017 and the scheme I am told that the savings in that scheme is approaching N10 billion as we will not have a situation when people retired you don't have money to pay them".

Obaseki said in order to curb and deal with the human capacity deficiet in the civil service, his administration embarked on setting up JOOPSA as a centre of excellence to train and build the capacity of public servants to enable them perform optimally.

Stating, "The Academy will undertake training, research, exchange and intellectual linkages with other local and International Institutions. It is clear to us that only a well skill workforce that can drive meaningful and impactful change in governance and sustain our development efforts in Edo State.

"The fact that we have moved Edo State Civil service to an electronic platform makes important to have the facilities where we can train and improve the Knowledge of our workforce given the fact that the training need for efficient service delivery are always going to be reoccurring because technology keeps changing. Therefore, it important we have a Parmanent structure and system to continue to upgrade our workforce in the State.

"Edo State have decide to go digital as the world has taking that direction and Edo is leading the way as we invest in extensive digital infrastructure as we are now on the verge of completing the link of 2000 KM of fiber optic connection across Edo State to connect every local government area to enable people link up to what we are doing in JOOPSA.

"Our workforce will continue to receive continue training to opt and deliver effective and efficient service delivery to contribute to the development and growth of the State.

"We decided to name this academic after the first executive governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, because he is an example of what the State tries to propagate. That of integrity, fidelity, interlectualism and excellence.

"We are standing on platform played before our time and important to honour those who started the journey to encourage others to sacrifice for the Country".

*PHOTO CAPTION*

*DSC_01*

L-R: Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Iyobosa Okungbowa; Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; former Governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie Oyegun and his wife, Mrs. Victoria Oyegun, during the commissioning of the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) in Benin City, in honour of the former Edo State Governor, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, who yesterday marked his 84th birthday anniversary.

*DSC_02*

L-R: Former Governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie Oyegun; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sir. Dr. Gabriel Igbinedion, during the commissioning of the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) in Benin City, in honour of the former Edo State Governor, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, who yesterday marked his 84th birthday anniversary.

Politics / Obaseki Sends Names Of Four New Commissioner-nominees To Edo Assembly For Confir by UdabaPrince100: 7:00pm On Aug 10, 2023
Obaseki sends names of four new commissioner-nominees to Edo Assembly for confirmation

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has sent the names of four new commissioner-nominees to the Edo State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., communicated the nomination of the four persons to the House.

According to him, “I write at the instance of His Excellency, the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, to forward herewith the underlisted names of commissioner-nominees to the Edo State House of Assembly for consideration and confirmation.

“They are: Asi Surajo Jubril, Zubairu Dada Abubakar, Osilama Okuofo and Ogbeide Ifaluyi-Isibor.”

Ogie added, “Please find attached thirty (30) copies each of the nominee’s curriculum vitae. I also request that the nominees be expeditiously screened and confirmed.

“Please accept the assurances of the warm regards of the Governor.”

Politics / Shaibu Joins APC Next Week, To Be Received By Party’s NWC by UdabaPrince100: 4:49pm On Aug 10, 2023
Shaibu joins APC next week, to be received by party’s NWC

The Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comr. Philip Shaibu has finalized plans to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), ending the speculations amid the political turmoil between the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his deputy.

A high-ranking member of the APC, who disclosed this to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said Shaibu will be received into the party early next week by the APC National Working Committee (NWC).

The decision by Shaibu to pitch tent with the APC, which was predicted by political analysts, followed his move to the Federal High Court to seek an injunction against an alleged impeachment plot against him.

Governor Obaseki had however said the move by Shaibu to seek a court order to stop his purported impeachment is preemptive ahead of his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to the source, “It has been confirmed. We have on good authority that the Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon Philip Shaibu has concluded plans to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“He is to be received along a few of his supporters into the party early next week by the National Working Committee of the party. Shaibu has been in talks with the state and national leadership of the party even before the feud between him and the governor went public and has been negotiating his way back into the party.
“The deputy governor has now perfected his defection to the party and we are glad and ready to receive him into our folds.”

Obaseki had while addressing leaders from Edo North Senatorial District, the senatorial district of the deputy governor said the he was “not aware of any plot or any scheme to impeach the Deputy Governor Comrade Philip Shaibu. I have also checked and there was no such plan.

“So, the Court action taken, for me, is a thing of shock and disappointment. I believe that this action by him is a preemptive move to get a court order, keep his ticket and move to another party. I think it's unfair for our party. We don't need this sort of crisis.

“I am trying to reflect on the move made by somebody that I have given a broad latitude to do his work as deputy governor. So, for him to take this kind of action is shocking.”
Business / We’ve Grown Edo’s Budgetary Performance By 85% Annually To N320 Billion, Says Ob by UdabaPrince100: 5:42pm On Aug 09, 2023
We’ve grown Edo’s budgetary performance by 85% annually to N320 billion, says Obaseki

…says Edo best at deploying technology in public governance in Nigeria

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said e-governance reforms by his administration to improve governance and public service delivery have transformed the State as the best at deploying technology in public governance in the country.

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has disclosed that through the government’s transparency, accountability and prudent management of resources, the budget performance for the State has continued to grow significantly from N116 billion when he came into office in 2016 to N320 billion, recording 85 per cent growth annually.

This is as the governor Godwin also noted that E-governance reforms by his administration to improve governance and public service delivery have transformed the State as the best at deploying technology in public governance in the country.

Obaseki said this when he declared open the sixth Southern Zonal Accountant's Conference of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) in Benin City, the Edo State capital, with the theme, “Quest for Good Governance in Nigeria: The Chartered Accountants’ Perspective.”

The governor said his administration is undertaking nuanced reforms across various sectors of the State’s economy to ensure economic prosperity for the State, building a robust and sustainable economy driven by energy, agriculture and technology.

He noted, “The role of professional bodies like ICAN in proffering solutions that will enhance the delivery of the dividends of democracy to our citizens can't be overemphasised.

“It’s clear that, however, when you describe good governance, there must be key elements in that description. For good governance to be achieved, the processes and institutions that should produce good governance must produce results that meet societal needs while making the best use of resources at its disposal.

“Good governance in Nigeria must refer to the process where public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources that guarantee to realise political, economic, educational and environmental objectives.”

The governor further noted, “Under my watch as governor of Edo State, several reforms have been undertaken to promote accountability, transparency, and prudent management of resources to meet the peoples’ needs and promote good governance.

“Our collective approach as a government agrees with that of the Prime Minister of India who said good governance with good intention is the hallmark of our government implementation with integrity as our core passion.

“This passion accounts for the development of a well-thought-out six thematic pillars strategy in pursuant to our vision and mission. These six thematic pillars that have been driving our government to deliver good governance to Edo people include reforms of institutions; creating a citizen-centric leadership; making government an enabler and relying on technology.”

Obaseki added, “Edo is number one when it comes to technology adoption in public governance in Nigeria as we have E-governance software that helps us drive and run our civil service. Our goal is to build a large, sustainable economy driven by energy, agriculture, and technology and build the infrastructure that drives everything in the State.”

According to him, “In the last six years, we have reviewed our financial instructions (FI) which were used in the Western and Mid-West regions and today our FI reflects the current reality of modern public service governance.

“In the last decade, we have taken a fundamental review of our public procurement sector and undertaken fundamental reforms through the amendment of the Edo State Public Procurement Law 2012 and a review in 2020.

“As a State, we have adopted the IPSA Accounting basis of accounting in our financial reporting, and in 2020, the World Bank adjudged Edo State audited financial report as meeting the IPSA requirements.

''In 2018, we enacted the public financial management and fiscal responsibility laws in our State. We have increased Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) substantially in the State by granting administrative and financial autonomy to EDIRS.

“We have undertaken fundamental debt management reforms and adopted open governance partnership principles. E-governance reforms and leveraging technology to promote transparency, accountability and fighting corruption is one of our major achievements.”

He further stated, "The budget performance for the State has continued to grow significantly from N116 billion when I came into office in 2016 and today it has grown to about N320 billion and the performance is in excess of 85 percent annually.

“Edo State Government under my leadership has decided because of the experience and gains from your members to recruit more of you into the Edo State Civil Service.”

On his part, the 59th President of ICAN, Dr. Innocent Okwuosa, commended the governor for the prudent management of scarce resources to better the lives of the majority of Edo people, adding, “Our collective patrimony must be administered with equity, justice, transparency and accountability. Despite the compelling capacity and accountability to promote good governance and national development, the attention given by successive administrations has yielded little results.

“Nigeria can only emerge from its current State of poor governance and development if good governance is prioritized comprehensively.”

*PHOTO CAPTION*

L-R: Edo State Commissioner for Finance, Budget, Economic Planning and Development, Mrs. Adaze Aguele-Kalu; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; President, Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN), Dr. Innocent Iweka Okwuosa; Chairman, Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), Hon. John Osagie Inegbedion, and Edo State Accountant General, Mr. Julius Osemen Anelu, during ICAN’s 6th Southern Zonal Conference in Benin City, on Wednesday, August 9, 2023.

Crime / Edo Arrests 2 Fake PUWOV Officials For Impersonation, Extortion by UdabaPrince100: 7:29pm On Aug 04, 2023
Edo arrests 2 fake PUWOV officials for impersonation, extortion

Officials of the Edo State Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) have apprehended two suspected impersonators of the scheme, who are in the business of impersonating, extorting, assaulting, and impounding vehicles of unsuspecting members of the public at the Ramat Park axis of the Benin metropolis.

The PUWOV State Commander, Mukhtar Yusuf-Osagie, who disclosed this to journalists in Benin City, said the suspects, Fidelis Ugbenna and Alletor Lucky, have been handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.

He said the duo were apprehended by the officials of the scheme around the Mami Market at Ramat Park, Benin City, following tip-off by a victim of their illegitimate dealings.

Yusuf-Osagie said, “Officials of the Edo State Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) have apprehended two suspected impersonators of the PUWOV scheme who have been operating at the Ramat Park axis of the Benin metropolis.

“The suspects, Fidelis Ugbenna and Alletor S. Lucky, were arrested around the Mami Market at Ramat Park, while on their illegal operations.

"The suspects have been in the act of extorting, assaulting and impounding vehicles of unsuspecting members of the public while posing as officials of PUWOV.”

According to him, “The suspects were arrested following an anonymous tip-off to the Edo PUWOV Office from one of the victims of the illegal operations of the culprits. They were arrested on August 3rd while trying to illegally arrest and extort a motorist they unlawfully apprehended at the Ramat Park axis.”

“The suspects have been handed over to the Oregbeni Police Division for further investigation as the case is presently being charged to court and the suspects prosecuted accordingly.”

The state commander further stated, “While we reassure our commitment to sanitise the volunteer scheme and rid it of bad eggs, we urge members of the public to be mindful and watchful of impersonators operating and extorting motorists while posing as PUWOV officials. You are urged to report the same to the appropriate authorities and always call the following helplines 09150322999 and 08132030846 to report unlawful acts.”

Politics / Like The Biblical Sinner, Deputy Governor, Shaibu Flees When No Man Pursues by UdabaPrince100: 6:56pm On Aug 04, 2023
https://nigerianews./posts/like-the-biblical-sinner-deputy-governor-shaibu-flees-when-no-man-pursues

Like the biblical sinner, Deputy Governor, Shaibu flees when no man pursues

...Shaibu, like a spoilt child, steering crisis because Obaseki is opting for governance instead of politics

By Dennis Osaretin

The most outstanding characteristic of a spoilt child is the attitude of entitlement and the self-embattled Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu has displayed this feature manifestly in the last six years.

The rabble-rouser deputy governor has now taken his indiscipline and hubris to the zenith by trying to create crisis for his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki because of his inordinate and self-serving ambition to succeed the governor by all means, no matter whose ox is gored.

Like the biblical sinner who runs when no one pursues him, Shaibu has ran to the Federal High Court in Abuja, asking for a restraining order to stop Governor Obaseki from impeaching him – which is at best, a completely false allegation.

As a Deputy Governor, Shaibu has always been indisciplined and impudent. Imagine a deputy governor who on sundry occasions saunters and gallivants into the State Executive Council (EXCO) meetings while the meeting is ongoing and the governor already superintending.

The governor in most of the cases has to pause the important sessions and allow his deputy take his seat like a king. He then says hello to his superior, the governor, who continues to superintend the crucial proceedings. These are no secrets. Any Executive Council member from November 12, 2016, when the governor became the State’s helmsman till date can attest to this fact. But for the governor’s maturity, tolerance and carriage, Shaibu’s fecklessness would have hit the vortex long before now.

Imagine a deputy governor who insists that all other vehicles on the governor’s convoy must be behind his own vehicle when he and the governor are travelling together. Any vehicle in the convoy that dares to overtake his vehicle, Shaibu directs his security agents to descend on the driver and unleash mayhem on same.

A particular driver in the governor’s convoy on a trip to a Niger-Delta State in 2020 was beaten to stupor under the supervision of the Deputy Governor and his wife, Maryann. His crime was that he dared to overtake Shaibu’s vehicle in order to catch up with the governor’s convoy, where he is supposed to be. That driver is disfigured till date with a missing tooth as a mark of the beast to remind him and his unborn generations that their father dared and played in the terrain of the ultimate bully. This is the kind of person that Philip Shaibu is.

The most blame, in all honesty, goes to the governor for trying to adopt a civilized manner in relating with his deputy governor in a society where such gesture is taken for weakness. Imagine having the governor officially transferring full executive powers to the deputy governor to act on his behalf anytime he proceeds on leave.

Even though this is the right thing to do, most governors will never do it. The reason is because of characters like Philip Shaibu who in his selfishness resorts to tantrums like a spoilt child whenever he cannot have his way.

Philip Shaibu always plays the card of a very loyal deputy, but this is far from reality. His only proof of loyalty is his involvement in the faceoff between the governor and the immediate past governor of the State and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole. What Shaibu will never do is to disclose the benefits that accrued to him in the course of this contention.

The Deputy Governor, Shaibu who has worked with Obaseki over the past six years should know the Governor very well. No amount of pressure, distraction or blackmail will make Obaseki support him in his inordinate and desperate ambition to become the governor of Edo State at all cost, sacrificing competence on the altar of mediocrity and in flagrant disregard for every other interest.

Obaseki was under intense pressure from the legacy PDP group to sacrifice Philip Shaibu’s position as the Deputy Governor to the old PDP as part of their reward for offering a platform for the Governor to seek reelection after he left the APC. It was Obaseki’s insistence on retaining Shaibu’s position as Deputy Governor that caused the crisis between the Governor, his followers, and the old PDP.

Is this not sufficient reward for Philip Shaibu’s support for the governor? Or is Obaseki to sacrifice the destinies of over four million Edo people just to satisfy Shaibu?

It is Obaseki’s well-considered position that abandoning governance to pursue intense politics at this time is not in the best interest of Edo people. Shaibu should take a cue from his boss and focus on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of the State who he swore to serve.

The Bible says in the Book of Proverbs 28:1 that “the wicked flee when no one pursues.” Shaibu flees when no one pursues, but Obaseki remains unperturbed. No matter the controversy, Governor Obaseki will not abandon governance in pursuit of senseless politics.

The resort to the courts at a time when there is practically nothing to be scared about gives Shaibu away as a man haunted by his own demons – if indeed he has the interest of the State at heart, he need not flee.

Come to think of it, during the administration of Chief Lucky Igbinedion between 1999 and 2007, the Deputy Governor at the time was Chief Mike Oghiadomhe from Etsako; he did eight years. Then came Comrade Adams Oshiomhole from Etsako West as Governor; he did another eight years. This was followed by Comr. Philip Shaibu, from Etsako West as Deputy Governor; he is almost completing another eight years.

Does Shaibu therefore think that it is fair and equitable for him to become Edo’s next governor, particularly when he is from same Etsako West where the immediate past Governor, Comr. Oshiomhole is from? Are there no other competent hands from other ethnic groups? What happens to the people from Owan East and Owan West, Akoko-Edo and the Esans? Are they not part of Edo State?

If these people are constantly disenfranchised by Edo South and Etsako people, would the consequences not be dire? Shaibu must be called to order to temper his ambition with reason.

*_Osaretin, a Public Affairs Commentator writes from Benin City_*
Business / Edo Sets To Roll Out Phase II Of ESOPP Programme by UdabaPrince100: 6:46pm On Aug 04, 2023
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.”
Politics / *obaseki Warns Of Looming Crisis Without Remedial Works On Federal Roads In Edo* by UdabaPrince100: 7:50pm On Aug 03, 2023
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.

Business / Obaseki Inspects MOWAA, Says Project ‘ll Create Over 30,000 Jobs For Nigerians by UdabaPrince100: 6:19pm On Aug 02, 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.

Sports / Obaseki Reaffirms Commitment To Developing Young Athletes To Become World Record by UdabaPrince100: 6:55pm On Aug 01, 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.

Business / Edo Commissioner Inspects Ongoing Road Projects, Reassures Of Speedy Completion by UdabaPrince100: 6:47pm On Aug 01, 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.

Crime / Edo Trains Over 1,500 Vigilante Operatives, Hunters On Weapons Handling, Intelli by UdabaPrince100: 5:58pm On Aug 01, 2023
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.

1 Like

Agriculture / Edo College Of Agric Set For Reopening As Obaseki Positions School To Drive Stat by UdabaPrince100: 6:05pm On Jul 28, 2023
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.

Politics / Obaseki Mourns Passing Of Hon. Samson Abu by UdabaPrince100: 7:38pm On Jul 27, 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.”

Sports / Obaseki Hails Super Falcons For 3-2 Triumph Over Australia by UdabaPrince100: 6:33pm On Jul 27, 2023
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.
Politics / Mayaki’s Infantile Tantrums Reveals Him As Textbook Definition Of A Stalker by UdabaPrince100: 3:09pm On Jul 27, 2023
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

Politics / Elempe’s Flimsy Attacks Can’t Dim Obaseki’s Unparalleled Legacies by UdabaPrince100: 12:09pm On Jul 27, 2023
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

Politics / N16b Refund From Oshiomhole’s Prodigious Usage On Federal Roads Belonged To Edo by UdabaPrince100: 5:20pm On Jul 25, 2023
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*
Politics / Obaseki Appoints Andrew Okungbowa As CPS by UdabaPrince100: 2:34pm On Jul 25, 2023
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).”

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