TheNewsGuru

Tag: Edo State

  • Why we are interested in Benin Auto Park – Volkswagen, Nissan, others

    Why we are interested in Benin Auto Park – Volkswagen, Nissan, others

    As the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, works to expand the investment inflow into the state, key players in the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM), including Volkswagen, Jaguar Land Rover, Bosch, Toyota, Nissan, among others, have said that they are interested in working with the State Government on the development of the Benin Auto Park because of the state’s strong commitment to industrialisation and its welcoming policy frameworks.

    Members of the AAAM, who disclosed this during the Edo Automotive Industry Investment Forum, in Benin City, said that the association has been keeping a tab on Nigeria, following closely the work of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) and was excited with the proposal of the Edo State government to set up the Benin Auto Park.

    They said that the close proximity of the park to the Benin Industrial Park and the Benin-Sapele Road Auto dealership corridor posed a tantalizing investment prospect, noting that the association is attracted to governments with clear-cut policy frameworks to attract and safeguard investments.

    Chairman and Managing Director of Volkswagen South Africa, Mr. Thomas Scheafer, who spoke at the Forum, said that the delegation came on the mandate of their parent companies, and that they will consider making Edo the nucleus of their investment in Nigeria’s automotive industry.

    According to him, “We are from the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM). We have the mandate of our parent companies to be here. What we are trying to do in Nigeria is to reach out in a brotherly fashion and say to you, ‘come on, let’s get this done.’

    “For years, we have been discussing with the government. But now we are committed to finding out ways on how to get Nigeria to where it should be and play its role on the continent.”

    Noting that Nigeria has a large automotive industry that is worth exploring he noted, “Nigeria is good for at least two million cars a year. That will multiply the jobs on the continent. So where does it start?Edo State will be the nucleus for us. It will create employment at the downstream for industries involved in manufacturing.”

    Emphasising that Governor Godwin Obaseki’s commitment to driving the state’s diversification was a major pull, he said, “It is good to talk with the people in Abuja and we are ready to come to invest in this country. Last week, we invested in Rwanda, one of the smallest countries on the continent. Why? Because they have great policies and because they wanted to create employment. In Rwanda, we put our money where our mouth is. We are ready to invest in Nigeria and today, we are happy with what we have seen in Edo State and the commitment of the governor.”

    Director, Sales/Operations, Nissan South Africa, Jim Dando, said that the automotive industry was excited about the wave of diversification in Nigeria, particularly in the automotive sector, noting that it was pleasurable that Edo State government was taking the lead.

    According to him, “We have been discussing the industrialisation of Nigeria for some time now. With the previous government, we were able to create an industrial and automotive policy. What we need to do now is to put the automotive policy in place and drive it with states like Edo.”

     

  • Global brands commit to partnership with Edo govt

    Global brands commit to partnership with Edo govt

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured global automotive industry players, including BMW, Bosch, Toyota, Volkswagen, Ford, Uber, among others, of the state’s readiness to provide mouthwatering incentives and other business-friendly policies to enable them set up at the proposed Benin Auto Park, opposite the Benin Industrial Park (BIP).

    Obaseki gave the assurance at the Edo Automotive Investment Forum, which hosted members of the Africa Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM), at the Government House in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    He urged the delegation of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Africa Operations of global automotive industry players to explore investment opportunities in the state, with focus on investments to boost the automotive sector in Benin City, one of the most vibrant auto sales and services hubs in the country.

    Governor Obaseki said Edo State is strategically located to become one of the largest automotive hubs in West Africa and maintained that the state has a robust automotive sales and services sector, which guarantees impressive Return on Investment (RoI).

    Noting that the state has a thriving automotive industry that services the Niger Delta market, parts of the North and even South Western Nigeria, he said, “Benin City boasts of a stock of not less than half a million cars. We want the companies to work within and even go beyond what the national automotive council provides.

    He said the Benin Auto Park will transform Nigeria’s automotive industry and help upgrade the used car market, such that more Nigerians would start buying new cars at affordable prices and be assured of top-of-the-range after-sales services.

    Making a case for the park, he said, “We want you to work with car dealership to create the largest single market location in Benin City, where people can buy cars. We want to properly organise the auto dealers in Benin City, transform the car components sector and attract investment to the state.”

    He said the investment strategy in the first instance will be to attract companies to formalise the auto sales market and thereafter the emphasis will be to assemble cars.

    Other companies in attendance include Graffiti SA, Nissan, Toyota, Deloitte, Gauteng Infrastructure Financing Agency (GIFA), Automotive Industry Development Center, DataDot Technology, Standard Bank of South Africa, International Finance Corporation, Afropulse Group, component sellers in Uwellu, Evgbareke, James Wyatt markets, and Service Providers.

    During a visit to auto dealers along Benin- Sapele Road, a dealer with Idris and Sons Motors, Salihu Abdulahi, told the delegation that the corridor hosts at least 100 dealers and the vehicles in their inventory stretch to thousands.

    Dr. Jelani Aliyu, the Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, said that the council is excited with the proposal of the Edo State Government, and sees at least two scenarios for growth.

    According to him, “with this support by the state government, I see the state becoming a hotbed for automobile sales. The first instance will see the state grow from supplying used cars to brand new cars. Also, we see the influx of automobile component makers, who are also here.”

    Chief Executive Officer, Volkswagen South Africa, Thomas Schaefer, said that the delegation is keenly interested in the Nigerian market, its growth and deepening investments, especially with the increased drive for the Automotive policy.

    According to him, “the automotive industry is quite critical in South Africa. It generates 350,000 jobs. The market boasts of 600,000 new cars. There is zero importation. We hope to replicate this in Nigeria and are interested in the Nigerian market.

    “We are interested in Nigeria and Edo State and impressed with the proposal for the Benin Auto Park. We hope to deepen the partnership,” he said.

     

  • Obaseki mulls Security Trust Fund for Edo

    Obaseki mulls Security Trust Fund for Edo

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has revealed plans to pass into law, a bill to set up a Security Trust Fund for the state, as part of measures to revamp the security architecture.

    Obaseki disclosed this when executive members of the Retired Army, Navy and Air Force Officers Association of Nigeria (RANAO), Edo State Chapter, paid a courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    He noted, “As part of the rethinking of the state’s security architecture, we will, very shortly, pass into law the new Security Trust Fund Bill, which is going to be the anchor on which our security architecture will be built on.”

    The governor commended members of RANAO for their contributions to the security of the country, noting, “Nigeria has been shaped by your activities as retired security officers and you have fought to keep the country as one.”

    He urged the group to provide advice and assistance to improve the security of life and property in the state, adding that security is a major challenge facing the country, and all hands must be on deck to solve the nagging problem.

    Obaseki said, “As a government, we realise that the challenges we face as a country is quite deep and formidable. Without law, safety and order, government will not succeed. That is why we have tried, as a government, to do our best in terms of safety, security and order to enable us build a great state.”

    Earlier, leader of the group, Retired Major General (Retd.) Paul Edomwande, commended Governor Obaseki for the developmental strides recorded since he assumed office as governor of the state.

    “We laud your effort in abolishing the Community Development Associations (CDAs) that had caused carnage in our communities.

    “Nothing should be allowed to disrupt the mop-up that is still going on,” he added.

  • Assembly plant deal: Obaseki hosts 36 automobile CEOs

    Assembly plant deal: Obaseki hosts 36 automobile CEOs

    Efforts by the Godwin Obaseki-led administration to harness the vast economic opportunities in the global auto industry through the state’s economic diversification strategy have begun yielding result as 36 chief executive officers of leading global auto brands and component suppliers, arrive Benin City on Wednesday.

    The high-profile meeting between the Edo State government and chief executives of German, Japanese, American, British and other European top-range car manufacturers, will focus on the emerging investor-friendly climate in Edo State and how the companies can leverage the socio-economic offerings in the Benin Industrial Park by locating their assembly plants in the facility.

    The 36 chief executive officers overseeing the Africa operations of their companies, include those of BMW, NISSAN, Toyota, Volkswagen, Ford, Bosch, Jaguar, and Deloitte, a consulting company, and Uber, amongst others.

    The governor said “the one-day event will discuss our agenda for the auto sector and the opportunities we are creating for investors.”

    He added that “during the meeting, we will showcase the Edo State’s auto trading site on Sapele Road and the future trading site at the Industrial Park also on Sapele Road.

    “There will be a session to discuss government’s blueprint for the automotive sector which includes job creation for Edo people, the local sourcing of car components amid an environment of high exchange rate regime and volatility, which have made local sourcing of components cost-effective.”

    The automotive investment forum follows a recent $500 million auto assembly plant deal with Chinese investors.

    The growing investor confidence in Edo State stems from market-oriented reform of the Obaseki administration, driving the industrialisation of the state.

    Obaseki explained that his administration is vigorously pursuing the goal to turn the state into an industrial hub and a major investment corridor by strengthening the state’s security architecture and reform of critical business-support institutions to improve the ease of doing business.

     

  • Edo Govt. moves to clear LGs salary arrears

    The Edo Government on Wednesday said it had put modalities in place to clear the salary arrears owed by the immediate past Local Government administrations in the state.

    Mr Ebomhiana Musa, the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, disclosed this in a statement in Benin.

    Musa said seven out of the 18 local governments owed their workers salary arrears ranging from six to nine months.

    He gave the names of the seven indebted local governments as Oredo, Egor, Orhionmwon, Uhunmwonde, Esan West, Esan North East and Etsako West.

    He said the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr Jimoh Ijegbai, the council Chairmen and the deputy governor had met over the clearance of the salary backlog.

    Musa gave the salary backlog profiles of the councils as Egor (9 months amounting to N400 million), Uhunmwonde (7 months amounting to N172 million) and Orhionmwon (6 months amounting to N301 million).

    Others are Esan West (6 months amounting to N280 million), Esan North East (7 months amounting to N36 million) and Etsako West (6 months amounting to N233 million).

    The chief press secretary, however, said the level of Oredo local government’s indebtedness could not be ascertained at the meeting due to the absence of the chairman.

    He quoted the deputy governor as warning against use of the dedicated Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for salaries, adding that it was strictly for projects that would bring developments to the grassroots.

     

  • Edo attracts Microsoft, Siemens, others for innovation hub launch

    In furtherance of its commitment to equip youths with skills and expertise to drive inclusive growth and development, the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration, through its skills development arm, Edojobs, is set for the launch of the first-ever state-backed innovation hub to activate and drive the state’s fledgling technology ecosystem.

    Set for launch on June 14, the hub would be run in partnership with Nigeria’s leading technology-based organisations, such as Siemens, Tech4Dev, Microsoft, Impact Hub, Curators University (an American University), HotelsNg, among others. It will train over 1,000 youths will be trained based on their interest in data management, programming, basic digital skills, and artificial intelligence.

    The hub, to be known as Edo Innovation Hub, is to be located at the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE) in Benin City, which is currently being renovated.

    Governor Obaseki said “the innovation hub would serve as a facility for training youths in the state and it would also serve as a center for follow-up trainings for youths who are participating in similar training programmes organised by the state government through its skills development arm popularly known as EdoJobs.

    “Services on offer by the firms include an incubation and pre-incubation programme, acceleration programme, business clinics and co-working facilities.”

    He added that the “Innovation Hub would be equipped with thousands of computers supported with high-speed connectivity.”

    The innovation hub is expected to play a major role in facilitating the realisation of Obaseki’s campaign promise to put an end to unemployment in Edo State by providing 200,000 jobs.

    Head, EdoJobs, and Senior Special Asistant (SSA) to the Governor on Skills Development and Job Creation, Mrs, Ukinebo Dare, said that the innovation hub would open up the space for the development of critical manpower for Edo’s burgeoning investment climate.

    She noted that efforts are being made to ensure that the state integrates and benefits from the gains of a digital economy, which is why digital literacy features prominently in the offerings of the different programmes at the cluster.

    According to her, “There is a focus on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Small and Medium Enterprises development is key for us as they have the potentials to engage a higher number of people.”

    She noted that the hub has a number of programmes that are designed to help small businesses scale up and plug into the digital economy.

    According to her, “We have several programmes in place to work with SMEs to incubate start-ups and develop them and assist them to grow. All of these form the strategy in place to create jobs.”

    She said the Pan Atlantic University is also expected to come in and with an SME tool kit boot camp for entrepreneurs to better prepare them for wealth creation.

    Other programmes on the lineup are those of Prof. Laura Kinnard of Drake University, United States of America (USA), who would train executives on leadership, organisational behavior, management and marketing.

    Impact Hub will create a co-working space and incubation center where individuals can interact with other start-ups; Curators University, will teach Edo youths the rudiments of data science and artificial intelligence, among others.

     

  • Children’s Day: Edo Govt commits to creating safe spaces for children

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the gamut of reforms and initiatives to improve the quality of life of children in the state demonstrate the state government’s commitment to providing spaces for children to fully realise their potentials.

    Obaseki gave this assurance on the occasion of the 2018 Children’s Day celebrations, held at the University of Benin Sports Complex, in Benin City, on Sunday.

    Obaseki, who was represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, said the theme for this year’ s Children’s Day celebration, Creating Safe Spaces for Children: our Collective Responsibility, is apt and reflects the commitment of the Edo State government towards creating secure environment for the overall development of children and the prosperity of families.

    He said the state was committed, more than ever before, to creating safe spaces for children with its aggressive fight against human trafficking, which is one of the greatest crimes against humanity.

    According to him, “The setting up of the Anti-human trafficking Task Force attests to the fact that government places priority on the issue. On my part, I am committed to protecting the total wellbeing of the Edo Child. The office of the First Lady in 2017 launched the Children’s version of the Child Rights Law. In 2018, we launched the state’s version of Ending Violence Against Children in Nigeria (EVAC).

    Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, who was represented by the Deputy Governor’s wife, Mrs. Maryann Shaibu, said, “We launched the Betsy Obaseki After School Club and Betsy’s Angels Shelter and Training initiatives to provide skills for our secondary school children and give second chance to returnees in the state.”

    Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Magdalene Ohenhen, said between last year’s celebration and this year’s, the state government has initiated policies and engaged in collaborations that have impacted on the wellbeing of the Edo Child.

    Meanwhile, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), has hailed the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration for the commitment, innovation and foresight in adopting technology driven reforms that midwifed the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo BEST) programme.

    Acting Chairman of Edo SUBEB and Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic Education, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, who disclosed this to journalists in Benin City, the Edo State capital, said that the board has fully integrated the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools for teaching and administration in selected schools in the pilot phase of the Edo BEST programme.

    Dr. Osa Oviawe, reflecting on the governor’s initiatives, explained that the reforms are to create a conducive learning environment for children to excel in their academics, noting, “We have launched registration of pupils using ICT in schools where the Head Teachers were trained in the Edo BEST pilot programme.

    She added, “The Head Teachers were trained to create an electronic profile for each child in these schools. Every child is now being registered using smart phones distributed to the teachers. The head teacher takes a picture of the child, records the vital information: name, date of birth, name and phone number of parents and guardians, among other data.”

    “The idea behind the registration using ICT is to enable Edo SUBEB develop personal record for every child in public schools, so that when a child transfers to another school, their electronic profile will be easily transferred to the new school the child resumes,” she noted

    Speaker of the Edo Children’s Parliament, Hon. Abieyuwa-Ereomo Omoregie, called for a collaborative effort from all stakeholders to address all forms of abuse against children.

    During a media chat with journalists in Benin to mark the 2018 Children’s Day celebrations, Omoregie said: “Insulting or flogging a child as a method of correction is harmful and wrong and it is a form of Mental and emotional abuse. Such forms of abuse are painful and put scars in the mind of the child and these scars are difficult to erase,” she added.

     

  • PDP chairman, four others sent to prison until they meet bail conditions

    Justice P. I Adjokwu of a Federal High Court in Benin on Thursday granted the Edo chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Dan Orbih and Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the 2016 governorship candidate, N10 million bail each for alleged N700 million fraud.

    Justice Adjokwu also ordered them remanded in prison until they perfected their bail conditions

    Also granted bail in the sum of N10million each were the former deputy governor, Mr Lucky Imasuen, a former member of the House of Representatives, Tony Azegnemi and Efe Anthony.

    Justice Adjokwu ordered the defendants to produce a surety each in like sum.

    The judge ordered that the sureties, who must not be below grade level 16, must be house owners, with Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) that should be deposited with the court’s deputy registrar.

    Adjokwu, who rejected the plea by defendants’ counsel, Mr Charles Edosomwan that they be remanded in the EFCC custody, until they meet the bail conditions, ordered them remanded in prison.

    The Judge adjourned the case till July 4.

    EFCC had arraigned the defendants on an eight-count charge of laundering the sum of N700million.

    The EFCC alleged that the defendants were arraigned for receiving N700 Million prior to the 2015 general elections, from former oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke. The money was part of the $115 million that Diezani pilfered from the treasury.

    He said the offence contravened Section 15(2)(d)of the Money Laundering (Prohibited) Act 2011(as amended by the Money Laundering (Prohibition) punishable under section 15(3) of same Act.

    NAN

  • Police establish marine base in Edo

    The Nigeria Police Force has established a marine base at Iguobazuwa in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo.

    DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, the command’s Public Relations Officer, in a statement on Tuesday noted that the base was sequel to request by the State’s Commissioner of Police, Johnson Kokumo.

    “This is sequel to the kidnapping of three Reverend Sisters in November 2017 by armed men,’’ he said.

    He explained that the incident happened at the Catholic Convent House, located at the bank of Ovia River in Iguoriskhi village near Iguobazuwa.

    Nwabuzor also said that two armoured personnel carriers had been acquired in addition to the existing ones to support the ground anti-crime operations of the command.

    “The Edo CP Johnson Kokumo on behalf of officers and men of the command wishes to appreciate the I-G Ibrahim Idris and his management team for the support accorded the command to ensure that crime is reduced to barest minimum.

    “On assumption of office on Oct. 23, 2017, the Commissioner observed that criminals, especially kidnappers, were using the porous waterways and creeks for criminal activities.

    “And this was because of the non-existent of a marine police base in the state and neighbouring state, Delta.

    “Consequently, the command requested for a marine base, which the I-G acceded to without delay,” he said.

    Nwabuzor, however, appealed to people of the state to go about their lawful businesses and abstain from acts likely to cause breach of peace, as the command had the capacity to fight crime and criminality via air, water and land.

     

  • Edo Govt. trains 1,500 persons on ICT-based teaching

    The Edo Government has trained no fewer than 1,500 teachers in the public primary schools in the state on Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-based teaching.

    Mr Mike Itua, Secretary, Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Edo wing, disclosed this in an interview on Monday in Benin.

    Itua said that the trained and certified teachers had, since the resumption of the present term, been teaching online in the 300 pilot schools marked out by the state government.

    “Another batch of 2,000 will commence training in August as the training is in line with the Edo government’s vision and desire to digitalise education in the state.

    “The 300 pilot schools are spread across the wards in the state as teachers’ participation in the training for now is voluntary.

    “It is expected that in due course, all teachers in the state will be ICT compliant.

    “The programme is presently for teachers handling primaries one to three classes and the essence is to regenerate the old order and turn it anew.

    “It is expedient that you get it right with the pupils in their formative years as that is the foundation period,’’ he said.

    The NUT scribe said that the programme was saving teachers lots of man-hour deployed in lesson note preparation and planning, as this had been built into the programme.

    He said that the trained teachers were provided with working tools like tablets and iPads.

    Itua explained that government was considering the provision of solar energy in the public schools.

    He said that funds for the payment of promotion arrears for the primary schools teachers for 2013 to 2015 had been provided.

    Itua remarked that the teachers were now at par with other workers in the state civil service in that regard.

    The NUT secretary expressed optimism that the financial benefits of the promotion would be worked into the pay roll in June.

    “Pensions for the retired members of the NUT have been paid as at when due.

    “The gratuities and the arrears will be paid from the N1.5 billion approved by Gov. Godwin Obaseki on May 1,” he said

    Recall that early this year, Obaseki approved the ICT- based training to be done in phases.