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Tag: Edo State

  • Nigeria America Chamber of Commerce set to build AGOA Export Park in Edo

    The Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) has expressed readiness to partner the Edo State Government in the development of an export zone to explore opportunities in the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

    This was disclosed by delegation of the Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce led by the chamber’s Vice Chairman, Alhaji Abayomi Adigun, on a courtesy visit at the Government House in Benin City, Edo State.

    Alhaji Adigun said the chamber reached a decision to set-up the AGOA Park in Edo State to facilitate export of Nigerian products to the United States of America.

    Adigun said the NACC will partner with the state to promote investment in tourism, sports and entertainment, adding, “NACC has the capacity to assist the state in training women and youths through workshops and seminars which will focus on economic empowerment.”

    Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki said the project will expand opportunities for industries as well as small and medium scale enterprises to be situated in the Benin Industrial Park complex.

    He noted that the visit by the NACC was timely, as the state was committed to attracting investments that will exploit her abundant natural endowments and engage the teeming youth population.

    According to him, “The state’s institutional reforms would serve as enablers for sustainable industrial growth which would create prosperity for the people. We are ready to partner with NACC to explore opportunities offered by the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and promote the economic potentials of the state on the global stage.

     

  • Why Edo Govt. will not handover schools to missions yet – Obaseki

    Why Edo Govt. will not handover schools to missions yet – Obaseki

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     

  • Edo commences construction of 20 tech-driven Primary Health Centres

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the state has concluded plans to begin construction of twenty technology-driven Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state before the end of the month.

    Obaseki disclosed this when he received board members of Lily Hospital, Warri and Benin Centres, led by the Acting Chairman, Dr. Ovadje Oviemo, on a courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House, in Benin City, Edo State.

    He said, “This month the state government will roll out the first 20 Primary Healthcare Centres. The plan is to ensure equitable distribution of healthcare centres across the state in the next 20 to 30 months. With this, we will be certain that at least one Primary Healthcare Centre is sited in each ward across the state. We intend to construct between 200 to 250 PHCs in the state.”

    Obaseki noted that the centres will be fully equipped with basic technologies to facilitate collection of data and also serve as facilities to train community health providers to improve access to quality healthcare services in rural areas, adding, “This administration has studied the entire healthcare chain and decided to focus on strengthening the basic healthcare system.”

    He said the state’s Health Insurance Bill which will make health insurance compulsory, affordable and accessible for residents is in the final stage of passage into law.

    He added, “It is no longer fashionable for Nigerians to continue to travel abroad for medical treatment. Therefore, it is important for governments to provide access to quality and affordable healthcare services for the people within the country.

    “As a government, our strategy is to use the State Health Insurance Scheme to provide access to quality and affordable healthcare for Edo people. We are working with healthcare providers and consultants to re-think the state healthcare system to complement other economic development initiatives.”

    Obaseki said it was encouraging that the government has continued to receive requests from investors, who have expressed interest to partner with government to develop the health sector.

    Dr. Ovadje Oviemo who led other board members of Lily Hospital on the visit, said “Lily Hospital facilities in Edo and Delta states are being developed to serve as multiple specialist centres and is modeled after the Aravind Hospital in Madurai, India. The centres will offer healthcare services in primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare.”

    He said the hospital has upgraded its facilities with modern equipment for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and other similar services, adding that plans have reached advanced stage for an In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) center to promote reproductive healthcare.

     

  • Edo Govt to run multi-campus college of education

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has disclosed plans to restructure the state’s tertiary education scene for the training of teachers with competencies in different knowledge and skill areas, especially basic and technical education.

    Obaseki disclosed this when he visited the Abudu College of Education, in Orhionmwon Local Government Council, for an on-the-spot inspection of infrastructure at the institution.

    According to Obaseki, “in the plan, the state is to operate the Tayo Akpata University of Education, Ekiadolor, as well as multi-campus College of Education with sites in Igueben, Abudu and Auchi.

    “While the Abudu campus is to serve as Special Training Centre for teachers at the Basic Education level, the campus at Igueben will focus on training teachers for technical and secondary education.”

    He said the state government has concluded arrangement to remodel the college in Abudu, noting, “After revamping this institution, it will serve as a centre for training and certification of new sets of teachers for the basic level of education. This will prepare the teachers to adopt modern teaching methods at that level of education.”

    He added, “We are here to review the plans and designs, which will give way for the remodelling of the campus. This visit will prepare way for the contractors to be mobilised to site immediately. The rehabilitation work at the college will not affect academic work as the campus is currently not in session.”

    He noted that government has a funding plan for the college, which will serve as training centre for basic school teachers, who are instrumental in the state’s government drive to revive public primary education.

    Noting that training has already commenced for some teachers in pilot schools at Benin, the state capital, Obaseki said, “The training will prepare teachers to apply new methods of teaching, which the state government has introduced at the basic level of education. About 2000 teachers from 300 schools are participating in the pilot phase of this training programme.”

    The governor explained that in the long-term plan, the state plans to continue with the training of teachers, noting, “The training of teachers will be on a permanent basis as we intend to have a system that focuses on special training for teachers at the basic education level.”

     

  • Gov. Obaseki swears in 2 new judges in Edo

    Two High Court judges, Orobosa Omotoso and Terry Momodu, were sworn in on Monday by Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo.

    Speaking at the occasion, Obaseki said that his administration remains committed to strengthening the state judicial system for optimal justice delivery and sustenance of the democratic process.

    He said: “We realize that without an effective judicial system it will be impossible to practise our democracy.

    “We are proud of the reputation of the entire judiciary in the Edo State for its independence, integrity and its industry.

    “We constantly celebrate the fact that at a certain time when allegations were being regularly made regarding judges, our judiciary remained well respected and scandal-free.”

    He expressed optimism that the newly sworn in judges would build on the legacies left behind by their predecessors.

    Omotoso, in her response, commended the governor for his administration’s resolve to re-position the state’s judicial system.

    She pledged the commitment of the new judges to the discharge of their duties to the best of their abilities.

    Omotoso was born in 1967 and called to the bar in 1989 while Momodu, also born in 1967, was called to the bar in 1991.

     

  • Govt pays Libya Returnees 3 months stipends

    Govt pays Libya Returnees 3 months stipends

    The Edo State government has approved verification exercise and payment of three months stipends for new batch of Libya returnees of Edo State origin.

    Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Anti-Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration, Solomon Okoduwa, disclosed this during the verification exercise.

    “The approval for the verification exercise and payment for the new batch of returnees are part of the promises made by the governor to assist victims of human trafficking and illegal migration and reintegrate them into society,” he noted.

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

    “The verification exercise for the new batch of returnees will be processed in the next 12 days, after which payment of their stipends will commence.

    “Each returnee will be paid a stipend of N20,00 per month for three months. Among them, pregnant women will be entitled to N25,000 each, while those with babies will get N30,000 each,” he said.

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

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

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

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

    Oghogho Moses, who turned up for the exercise, commended the governor for keeping to his promise to pay returnees three months stipends.

    “Obaseki has done well for the returnees, he is the first if not the only governor in the country to make provision for stipends to returnees and other packages to assist the returnees’ reintegration into the society,” he said.

     

  • JUST IN: Obaseki places 90-day total ban on grazing

    JUST IN: Obaseki places 90-day total ban on grazing

    As an interim measure to forestall further killings and destruction of property, Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has placed a 90- day total ban on grazing in Odighi, Odiguetue communities and environs.

    Obaseki announced the ban during a meeting with members of Odighi, Owan and Odigwuetue communities at the palace of the Enogie of Odighi Community in Ovia North East Local Government Council of the state.

    The governor said the ban became necessary to stop further killings as the duty of his administration is to protect lives and property of the people of the state.

    “We have set up a special taskforce made up of the Army, Police, State Security Service, hunters and vigilante groups to comb the bushes and dislodge squatter camps of killer herdsmen and ensure no grazing takes place in Odighi, Odiguetue communities and environs”.

    He added that within two weeks, the taskforce will go round the affected communities to get information that will help dislodge the criminals who pose as herdsmen in the forest.

    Obaseki noted that “before now fulani herdsmen were known for carrying sticks around to control their cattle” and lamented that “today some of them have become criminals.”

    He said there is need to separate herdsmen from cattle rustlers who steal cattle, invade farms, rape and kill people, and assured that efforts are being made to identify the real herdsmen in the state.

    Obaseki said his administration is set to scale up agricultural activities in Odighi Community which was once known as the food basket of the state, and pledged to fix the water system in the area and re-construct the old roads in the community to open up the area for development.

    “We have taken the designs of the old roads in these areas and in two weeks’ time we will start the re-construction of the roads. Tomorrow, government officials will be here to check the water system in the communities and fix it so that the people will have access to potable water.

    A resident of Odighi Community, Uyiosa Okundia, said the people lived together peacefully with herdsmen until they started invading their farms with their cattle and eating their crops, killing their men and raping their women.

    Ebohon Pius from Odigwuetue community said the only source of water in the community has been taken over by herdsmen as they now buy water and food to feed their family because they cannot farm anymore.

    “We now have kidnappers, robbers and criminals in our community who operate under the cover of herdsmen”.

    Earlier, the governor worshiped at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church Odighi, where he assured the vicar of the church Rev. Canon David Obakozuwa-Edokpolor, the members and people of the community of the readiness of his administration to restore order and peace in the communities.

     

  • 253 teachers to teach Benin language, history – Obaseki

    Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the state government has completed the training of 253 teachers, who will be deployed to teach Benin culture, language and history in secondary schools and selected primary schools across the state.

    Obaseki disclosed this at the weekend during the presentation of a book titled: “Ogiamien And The Illusion of Kingship,” written by the Esogban of Benin, Chief David Edebiri, in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    He said the deployment of the teachers to the schools is in line with the state government’s policy to preserve Benin’s rich history and culture, noting, “We are emphasising the study of Benin language, culture and history to preserve it for the present and the future generations. This is to ensure that we preserve our identity.”

    The governor said a major focus of his administration is to reform basic education in the state, adding, “In few years to come, children who complete basic education in the state would have obtained quality education, similar to the quality of education obtained by the author of the book.”

    According to him, “During the last book presentation by Chief Edebiri, I made a commitment to restore the teaching of history in our school curriculum. We have not only achieved the promise but happy that the Federal Government is following suit by reintroducing the teaching of history in the national curriculum.”

    He commended the author of the book, whose generation, he said, has helped build local communities, the state and country.

    The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, also commended Chief Edebiri, noting that the book has revealed more historical facts about the Benin monarchy by dispelling the wrong perception relating to the defeat of Ogiamien by the Oba of Benin in the 13th Century.

    The Benin monarch, who was represented by the Oliha of Benin, Chief Edionwe Oliha, noted that the book is significant in presenting the real issue about Ogiamien, adding, “I commend the author in going the extra mile to present such a book. I have confidence that the book will serve as valuable research material for researchers and all those interested in Benin history.”

    The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonaya Onu, said the heritage of Benin Kingdom is significant to the social development of Nigeria, noting, “When I visited the Benin Museum and Igun Street, where the great Benin art works are made, I was marvelled by the resourcefulness put into creating such works. The Federal Government will review how such resources can be used in deepening the development of science and technology in the country.”

    The author of the book, Chief David Edebiri, expressed appreciation to dignitaries who were at the event, noting, “The book is the 8th in the Benin historical essay series. I realised that if I fail to document these aspects of our history, it would mean denying the present and future generations the knowledge of these facts in our historical development.”

     

  • 2019 polls: PFN urges Nigerians to shun divisive speeches

    The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has urged Nigerians to shun divisive speeches which create tension among various ethnic and religious groups in the country.

    Deputy National President of PFN, Bishop Wale Oke, stated this at the Edo State Government House in Benin City, at the weekend on a courtesy call to Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    Bishop Oke said political and religious leaders, Nigerians in general must work towards promoting unity among the people.

    “We all as Nigerians should emphasise what unite us as a people rather than what will create lines of division amongst us,” he said.

    He noted that Nigeria as a country is stronger together, adding, “Political, religious leaders and other Nigerians must avoid politics of ethnicity and religion which are capable of dividing the country”.

    “Nigeria belongs to all of us and as such, we must make effort to build the country through collective efforts. Let’s emphasise what unites us, as one indivisible nation,” he further stated.

    The cleric urged Nigerians to hold leaders accountable by ensuring political office holders deliver on campaign promises such as security, education and other dividends of democracy.

    “Let our political leaders tell us in concrete terms what they are doing to protect lives, stop the killings, kidnappings and other issues confronting the country,” Bishop Oke said.

    He tasked political office holders to be more responsive to the people and urged those yet to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to do so in order to participate in the forthcoming elections.

    Governor Obaseki tolled the same lines with the Bishop, saying, “We should always remember that we are our brothers’ keeper and must imbibe the teachings of our faiths on peaceful coexistence by shunning acts that divide rather than unite us as Nigerians”.

    The governor noted that the peace being experienced in the state could be attributed to prayers of religious leaders, adding, “I will continue to encourage spiritual leaders to always pray and work for the peaceful coexistence of all the people in the state and country”.

     

  • Science Ministry to assist Benin bronze casters to modernise production

    The Ministry of Science and Technology will assist Benin bronze casters to modernise their production processes, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbananya Onu, has said.

    Onu made the statement during a one-day working visit to Benin Museum and the Igun Bronze Village in Benin on Saturday.

    He said arts and artifacts were vital for science and technology development.

    Onu said by assisting in developing bronze casting production processes, the ministry would be creating jobs in the artifacts sector.

    He said the ministry would use one of its agencies, National Technology Incubation Centre, to provide modern technology for the sector.

    He said the government would leverage on the ingenuity of bronze casters to create lots of jobs as arts and crafts had a large market.

    The minister said the country had a great past and the need for the Edo Government to organise exhibition of the arts, especially bronze works.

    He said the ministry was determined to take Nigeria away from its past to enable it to create wealth and jobs as well as defeat poverty.

    He said arts and artifacts were important in science and technology, as the production of artifacts could be described as mastery of technology.

    Onu said the country needed science and technology in every facet of life, including culture and security.

    “We want to draw attention of the nation to what our ancestors have done so that we can be proud and build on their achievements,” he said.

    Onu said it was gladdening history had been reintroduced in the school curriculum in Nigeria, stressing that no enlightened person could do without history.

    The minister was conducted round the museum by Mr Ikhuehi Omonkhua, the Chief Exhibition Officer, on an inspection of artifacts at National Museum in Benin and Igun Bronze Village.