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Tag: Godwin Obaseki

  • Don’t probe Obaseki – Wike tells Gov Okpebholo

    Don’t probe Obaseki – Wike tells Gov Okpebholo

    Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has advised Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo, against dissipating his energy and resources to probe his immediate predecessor,  Godwin Obaseki.

    Wike, who gave the advice during his visit to the state, also urged the governor to concentrate on the development of Edo.

    The minister said in a statement signed by his spokesman, Mr Lere Olayinka, that probing the former governor would achieve no meaningful results.

    Wike stressed that it was better for Okpebholo to deploy his time and the state’s resources towards achieving his developmental goals for Edo people.

    “If there is someone who would have encouraged Okpebholo to probe and prosecute Obaseki, that person should be me.

    “However, what I suffered in ensuring that he returned for a second term and how he paid me back is now in the past. We must pass through this process in life, move on for the development of Edo.

    “Therefore, don’t do it. I’m the one that should have told you to pursue this man because I know what I passed through.

    “If it were to be his power, you wouldn’t be here, but God has told him, ‘you don’t have it and I have given it to whom I want to give it to’” he said.

    The minister also apologised to Sen. Adams Oshiomhole, a former governor of the state, for humiliating him over Obaseki.

    Wike said: Leader, I know how pained you are and what you passed through; I know it was like a humiliation to you.

    “I was part of it because I humiliated you while supporting Obaseki. I apologised to you on national TV and i am still saying sorry for what I did to you.

    “Let Obaseki and his team carry their problems and go. Focus on the development of Edo and you will see what you will achieve at the end of the day”.

    Wike was in Edo to inaugurate the newly constructed Edo Line Terminal in Benin, which is the second phase of the Benin Central Bus Terminal.

    The event was, however, cancelled following the demise of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

  • Edo committee uncovers N200bn contract debt

    Edo committee uncovers N200bn contract debt

    The Edo Assets Verification Committee says it has uncovered some irregularities in award of contracts, including a N200 billion road contract debt owed by the immediate past administration of Godwin Obaseki.

    Dr Ernest Umakhihe, Chairman of the committee, told journalists on Thursday in Benin that some contractors even returned mobilization fees to government officials, which were not properly documented.

    The committee also queried poor supervision of projects by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

    Umakhihe, however, urged the current administration to leverage on the dry season to construct roads, particularly projects hurriedly awarded during the September 2024 election period.

    “As the committee close for the year, we felt the need to brief the public on key discoveries. There are huge outstanding commitments in respect of road infrastructure.

    “No matter how indecent some of our findings are, the government has to explore the dry season to make an appreciable intervention in road construction.

    “Significant breaches of the Edo State Public Procurement Law were uncovered, including dubious contract variations that exceeded initial contract sums.

    “In some cases, the variations were higher than the initial contract sum. The transaction on the Radisson Hotel project leaves so much to be desired.

    “The Radisson Hotel project was another area of concern, with ownership changes reducing Edo State’s equity to 20 percent despite government N17.5 billion investment and an initial payment of N2billion for acquisition of land.

    “The state government must reclaim its primary position as the core investor in the Radisson Hotel,” Umakhihe asserted.

    The committee chairman explained that Opaque operations of agencies like the Edo State Oil Palm Project Office were also discovered, with huge expenditures funneled through consultants.

    He stated that the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA) was found to be an independent trust on government land, with Edo State contributing N3.8 billion but holding no equity in the project.

    He revealed that ICT projects were riddled with irregularities, including a N5 billion payment commitment for cybersecurity software, of which N1.7 billion had already been expended.

    Umakhihe promised a comprehensive final report in 2025, with detailed findings across other sectors, including education, health, and agriculture.

    According to him, we are committed to ensuring that the new government has accurate data to make informed decisions.

  • Obaseki mourns passing of oldest Catholic Priest

    Obaseki mourns passing of oldest Catholic Priest

    Former Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, has mourned the passing of the oldest Catholic Priest in Nigeria, Monsignor Thomas Oleghe, who died on Sunday in Benin City.

    Obaseki, in a statement by his media aide, Crusoe Osagie, described him as a great missionary of the Catholic faith.

    “I am deeply saddened by the death of Oleghe, who passed at the age of 104.

    “He was a dedicated and compassionate priest, who worked for the growth of the Christian faith and the development of his community.

    “He remained an inspiration to many and a model that a lot of young people looked up to.

    “I celebrate his impactful service to God and humanity and appreciate his work in the Lord’s vineyard in Edo State, where he served for many years promoting peace and development,” he said.

    According to Obaseki, I commiserate with His Grace, Most Rev. Gabriel G. Dunia, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, and the entire Nigerian Catholic community.

    He prayed that God would grant all the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

  • Gov Okpebholo unveils 14-man panel to probe Obaseki

    Gov Okpebholo unveils 14-man panel to probe Obaseki

    Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has constituted a 14-man state Assets Verification Committee to probe the administration of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki.

    A statement by the chief press secretary to the governor, Fred Itua on Sunday in Benin, said the committee would be inaugurated on Tuesday, Nov. 26.

    Itua listed the members to include Dr Ernest Umakhihe, Chairman, Anslem Ojezua- Deputy Chairman, Frank Edebor, Secretary, while Prince Kassim Afegbua, Patrick Ikhariale and Taiwo Akerele, are members.

    Others members are Patrick Idiake, Rasaq Bello-Osagie, Fredrick Unopah, Mrs. Abdallah Eugenia, Patrick Obahiagbon, Kenny Okojie, Mrs Lyndsey Tes-Sorae and Abass Braimoh.

    The statement said that the committee became imperative to set the state on the path of development and accountable leadership.

    “Despite repeated calls for a more holistic database of the assets and liabilities of the previous administration, the Godwin Obaseki-led government came up with very scanty and limited assets and liabilities of the state.

    “In line with the governor’s campaign promise to ensure probity, accountability and transparency in government, and to deepen the governance process, a committee made up of respected persons is to look into the books,” the statement said.

  • Gov Okpebholo probes Obaseki’s recruitment into Edo civil service

    Gov Okpebholo probes Obaseki’s recruitment into Edo civil service

    Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State on Friday suspended recruitment into the state’s Civil Service until further notice.

    The governor also ordered review of all recruitments carried out by former Gov. Godwin Obaseki between May and November 2024.

    A statement by the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Musa  Ikhilor, accused heads of various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of carrying out clandestine recruitments into the state’s Civil Service.

    “The governor is in receipt of report of the clandestine activities being perpetuated by some Commissions, Boards, Parastatals and Agencies of government in the state.

    “Preliminary investigation reveals that these bodies have continued to issue back dated letters of employment to their cronies without due process.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, this administration believes in the principle of fairness and equity, which expects that all employment exercise should be merit based, competitive and accessible to all Edo indigenes.

    “In light of the foregoing and in order to arrest this ugly trend, the governor has directed the immediate suspension of all employment processes.

    “As well as the review of all appointments carried out since May, 2024 by Commissions, Boards, Parastatals and Agencies of Government.

    “Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies are to note and comply with the above directive,” the statement said.

  • Governor Obaseki dissolves cabinet

    Governor Obaseki dissolves cabinet

    Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has dissolved his cabinet ahead of the November 12  swearing-in of Senator Monday Okpebholo, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the new governor of the State.

    Obaseki who came into office on November 12, 2016 is expected to end his eight years tenure on November 12, 2024. He dissolved the cabinet shortly after a valedictory session held at the Government House on Friday in Benin.

    The motion for the dissolution of the State Executive Council for 2020-2024 was moved by his deputy, Godwins Omobayo, and was seconded by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Osilama Okuofu.

    At the valedictory session, the governor commended members of the council for helping him in driving the government’s vision of making Edo great again.

    Obaseki also commended citizens of the state for supporting, praying and collaborating with his administration throughout his tenure.

    Members of the cabinet  took turns to eulogise the governor and acknowledged his many achievements in various sectors.

    They also commended the governor for the opportunity given to them to serve the people of the state in their various capacities.

    The outgoing commissioners and Heads of Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) also took turns to present awards and gifts to honour the governor.

    The valedictory session for the outgoing state executive council climaxed with a dinner in honour of the state governor.

  • Gov Obaseki marks end of tenure with thanksgiving service

    Gov Obaseki marks end of tenure with thanksgiving service

    Governor Godwin Obaseki, on Sunday, led members of the State Executive Council, religious, political leaders and other stakeholders to a thanksgiving service to mark the end of his eight-year tenure as governor of Edo.

    The service was done held in the newly renovated Interdenominational Government House Chapel, in Benin.

    Speaking during the service, Obaseki acknowledged God and the people of the state for his achievements over the last eight years.

    Obaseki said his government had addressed the diverse needs of Edo people and worked tirelessly to leave an enduring impact across all sectors, including education, healthcare and infrastructure, among others.

    “As we gather here to dedicate the Government House Chapel to God and render a thanksgiving service to mark the close of my tenure, I am deeply reminded of the many ways God has held us together.

    “The ways God upheld our vision and helped us to accomplish the monumental task which he set before us.

    “In the past eight years, my administration had been able to address diverse needs and improve lives and service delivery to Edo people.

    “Today is a day of thanksgiving as God has been our source of strength and has guided us through every challenge and given us victory in all our adversity.

    “The renovation of this Chapel draws from my deep inspiration and inspiration of many others.

    “I stand before you today not only as governor but conscious of the divine responsibility we all share to honour God in every area of our lives and our governance, ” he said.

    Obaseki continued, “This chapel stands as a physical symbol of that commitment, a commitment to build a state on a foundation of faith, unity and reverence for God.

    “It’s my hope and prayers that this Chapel will serve as a place where future leaders will seek the face of God and solace just as we have done, ” he added.

    The governor acknowledged the church and religious leaders for their steadfastness, moral support, and spiritual encouragement, which helped them during their dark hours over the last eight years.

    According to him, let this chapel be a place where leaders are grounded , where prayers for our people are lifted and where the vision for a brighter and prosperous future for every Edo citizen is birthed and nurtured.

    “We must continue to have faith. As my tenure comes to an end, I urge each and every one of us to carry this vision of a state rooted in love, faith, and respect for one another.

    “Let this place serve as a daily reminder of the divine calling upon our lives and inspire us to serve our community with passion and unwavering commitment.”

    He said that the Chapel would be a house of prayers for Edo State, adding that it would be a sanctuary for future leaders of Edo State who will come to seek God’s guidance.

    Obaseki was joined by his wife, Betsy, his Deputy, Engr. Marvelous Godwins, Chief Judge of Edo, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, candidate of the PDP in the 2024 governorship election, Dr Asue Ighodalo and his wife, Ifeyinwa.

    Others include the Chairman of CAN, Edo State Chapter, Apostle Irekpono Omoike, Catholic Archbishop of Benin, Archbishop Augustine Akubueze, Chairman PFN, Edo chapter, Pastor Mrs Margaret Agbonifo, among others.

  • Don’t waste your time fighting Obaseki – Ganduje tells Okpebholo

    Don’t waste your time fighting Obaseki – Ganduje tells Okpebholo

    Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, the APC National Chairman on Thursday in Abuja, advised Sen. Monday Okpebholo, Edo Governor-elect against probing the out-going administration of Gov. Godwin Obaseki.

    He gave the advice when Okpebholo paid a courtesy visit on the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), saying he should rather focus on enthroning good governance when he assumed office.

    “The ideals of democracy were upheld, the election was executed, and we are on the winning side, you should not focus on the previous administration.

    “Look forward, don’t look back, and don’t waste your time fighting the person you took over from, there is no need. A progressive government does not have time for that.

    “Focus on the manifesto you painstakingly produced, follow it to the letter with the socio-economic development of the people, build bridges.

    “Establish good relationships with the stakeholders, think forward and be an action governor,” Ganduje advised.

    He noted that during the campaign, Okpebholo was an action candidate and now, an action governor-elect, saying the APC had believe that he would succeed and make the people of Edo proud.

    Ganduje said the party was ready to assist the governor-elect to deliver on his campaign promises, but said he must ensure that from the Ward to Local Government and State levels, all party offices were functional and physically habitable.

    “We have recently established a progressive institute, the intellectual wing of the party, which will assist in the training of your personnel.

    “Especially at the local government level, help to harness the demands of the Nigerian people to form a political agenda for the government,” the APC national chairman said.

    He said the institution would not only be active during election period, but throughout the year, creating programmes and projects to enthrone good governance.

    Earlier, Okpebholo said winning the election held on Sept. 21, was not an easy task, adding that the presence of Ganduje in Edo days before the election, played a significant role in the party’s success at the poll.

    “It wasn’t an easy one. I know how many times the chairman called me asking how I was preparing for the election.

    “He said I want to be in Edo five days before the election, yes, he came to the state, he was there, and everybody knew he came, and his impact was great,” Okpebholo recalled.

    He expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu , saying he helped the party to secure Edo and ensure absolute peace in the state during and after the election.

    He added that in spite of the fears ahead of the poll, no death was recorded on the Election Day and the people of the state were happy with the party’s victory because it signified a new dawn.

    “A new dawn has risen. I want to thank the APC NWC once more for the job well done, I pray that God gives all of you long life and gives us prosperity,” he said.

    Obaseki-led administration in Edo, is expected to hand over the leadership of the state to Okpebholo on November 12.

  • Edo: Obaseki tells Okpebholo not to reverse his reforms

    Edo: Obaseki tells Okpebholo not to reverse his reforms

    The outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has expressed optimism that some of his administration’s reforms will outlive the incoming government of governor-elect , Monday Okpebholo.

    Obaseki, whose second and last tenure would expire on Nov. 11,expressed the optimism in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.

    Speaking on concerns about continuity of some of his reforms after his administration, Obaseki said that his government had made efforts to institutionalise some of them.

    Obaseki said: “The people are very aware of our reforms and legacies we are leaving behind. I don’t think because there is a change in government, they will change some of these reforms.

    “Even if the government this is coming doesn’t support or encourage them as we used to, they (reforms) will not disappear.

    “Beyond this, in the reforms we have undertaken, we have institutionalised or started the process of institutionalising some of them.

    “The people know, and I doubt if they will keep quiet for long, allowing things to go back to what it used to be without complaining or shouting. I’m optimistic that they (reforms ) will last,” he said

    He said that workers and parents, whose children were enjoying EdoBEST e-learning education and other initiatives, would not allow the incoming All Progressives Congress -led administration to tamper with them.

    He said that his administration had restored respect to civil service, revolutionalised education,improved electricity, internet connectivity and road infrastructure ,among others.

    According to him, the role of government is to provide infrastructure and to create an enabling environment for citizens to do what they need to do.

    “What are the critical infrastructures we need today? Fundamentally, in Nigeria, people need electricity, connectivity, and roads,” he said.

    The governor said that with robust partnership with the private sector, the state government had succeeded in encouraging electricity generation by attracting firms like Azura and Ossiomo Power.

    He said that this was to create the state- own electricity markets and to encourage investments in distribution of power within the state.

    Obaseki said that his administration had ensured stable electricity to power public institutions and infrastructure in metropolitan Benin city.

    “We are lucky in a way in Edo,  because of our location, we are a core, a hub for electricity. Edo is the cheapest point to generate electricity because it costs about a million dollars for a kilometer of gas pipeline.

    “And it also costs about a million dollars for a kilometer of transmission. Edo is that point where electricity transmission meets gas transmission. So, if you generate electricity in Edo today, you can upload and sell it into the grid.

    “Edo also has the largest onshore reserves of gas. Most of our gas is either deep offshore or in the swamp,” he said.

    According to him, Edo remains one of the few states that can have their  own electricity market.

    Obaseki said that his administration also prioritised fibre optics infrastructure for connectivity across the 18 Local Government Areas in the state.

    He said: “In today’s world, without connectivity no country is going anywhere in the world. So, we have also invested heavily in this to give  access. We built networks across all the 18 local governments in the state.”

    Obaseki will hand over to Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), following his victory in the Sept. 21 governorship election in the state.

  • What my administration would be remembered for – Gov Obaseki

    What my administration would be remembered for – Gov Obaseki

    Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State on Sunday said that his administration would be remembered for restoring respect and credibility to the State’s civil service through bold reforms.

    Obaseki, who spoke with newsmen on Sunday in Lagos, said he had been able to transform the service to one of the most respected and best motivated in the country.

    He described the civil service as a critical vehicle for the implementation of government policies and vision.

    Obaseki said before the coming of his administration in 2016, there was so much decay in the civil service and that things were not just working.

    He said things were so bad that civil servants depended on filling stations  to use toilets as the ones in their offices were bad.

    According to him , his aggressive reforms have changed the situation completely.

    “The owners of government are the civil servants. What we had done for some 30 years or 40 years was to denigrate them, to make them feel like they are the problems. We had not encouraged them.

    “We had  not supported them. We had  not enhanced their ability to deliver. When you go into areas where they worked in those years, you would not encourage your children to go into the civil service with the infrastructure on ground.

    “When I came into office, sometimes, you call an officer, and ask ‘where is so-and-so?’The answer would be, she is not on seat, or he is not on seat. He or she has gone across the road to a filling station to use the toilet, because the toilets in their own offices are bad.

    “One of the things we did was to restore respect, credibility to them. And today, you want to be a civil servant in it, because their offices are perhaps the best office or workplaces. They have everything,” Obaseki said.

    The outgoing governor said that all civil service operations in the state had also become digitalised and no file gets missing again in offices.

    According to him, if anyone imagines government as a vehicle that is moving people in a certain direction, then the engine of that vehicle is the civil service.

    “if that engine is faulty, that vehicle is not going to move anywhere. It is going to be stalled all the way.

    “So, from that perspective, one has to understand that for government to work, the civil service, the bureaucracy, has to work.

    “Whatever government has decided it wants to do, whatever the policy, the people that will make it happen are the civil servants. And they have a process through which they make it happen.

    “So, if that institution is not working, if it is being castigated like we have done in the past, if there is uncertainty, of course, you will get much out.” he added.

    Obaseki ,who noted that his administration had invested heavily in training and retraining of civil servants, said that workers in the state had access to uninterrupted electricity and Internet facilities in their offices.

    “We have connected fibre optics. So there is high-speed internet. Now, we have gone digital. So they don’t carry files again.

    “No file gets missing in their door. Your file will not be lost again, because everything is digital.

    “One of the things we have done is to set up the John Odigie Oyegun Training Centre for continuous training of workers ,” Obaseki said.

    On compensation and remuneration, Obaseki said that the state never waited for the Federal Government to set minimum wage for it before raising the minimum salary of workers to N70,000.

    “We just believe that, if you do not pay people well, you won’t get their loyalty,” he said.

    Obaseki said that his administration had provided incentives to workers, including provision of health insurance and building of a functional school system to give access to workers’children.

    The governor said that his administration never neglected retired workers as their pensions were paid regularly.

    According to him, his administration has prioritised policies to reinstate pride in the service and give workers a sense of belonging.

    “I am proud. It is like the kind of people, the kind of quality of staff I worked with in the private sector. So, that’s the reason why we did what we did.

    “And for me, if Nigeria is going to move forward, we must rebuild your civil service. It is about digitisation, data, Internet and artificial intelligence,” he said.

    The second and last tenure of Obaseki will end on Nov. 11. Obaseki will hand over to the governor .- elect, Sen. Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), following his victory in the Sept. 21 governorship election in the state.