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Tag: Godwin Obaseki

  • Obaseki demands Police investigation of New Year’s day shooting in Benin

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has urged the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Johnson Kokumo, to investigate the shooting incident at Ring Road, Benin, the state capital on New Year’s Day.

    In a statement, issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy , Mr Crusoe Osagie, the governor assured that anyone found culpable would be brought to book.

    Obaseki demanded for a clear report on what actually transpired and the condition under which the reported shooting took place.

    He said the administration placed high priority on the security of lives and property with the huge investment in the recently launched state’s security architecture and trust fund.

    “Unconfirmed reports trending on some news platforms claim the incident at Ring Road happened during the frenzied celebration of the cross-over to the New Year.

    “It is alleged that a life was lost, but we are yet to get the details of the incident from the Police and other concerned security agencies,” he said.

     

  • Obaseki okays multipurpose production centres in Edo to boost activities of MSMEs

    Obaseki okays multipurpose production centres in Edo to boost activities of MSMEs

    In a concerted effort to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state for increased productivity, the Edo State Government through its skills development platform, EdoJobs, with development partners, are set for the launch of the Edo Production Centre, a multipurpose, one-stop-shop for small businesses.

    The centre is the brainchild of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration and will be managed in partnership with the Market Development for the Niger Delta (MADE) II programme, Benson Idahosa University (BIU) and the Des Moines Area Community College in Iowa, the United States of America.

    Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Skills Development and Job Creation, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, said that a number of production centres are going to be sited in the three senatorial districts of the state, noting that the pilot centre is situated in Benin City.

    She added that a stakeholders’ meeting has been schedule for January 7, after which different small and medium business owners will be allowed into the centre, which is equipped with 24 hours electricity and other support structures to make them more productive.

    Small businesses expected to be hosted at the centre include welding and fabrication, recycling and waste management, polythene makers, printing press, clothing factories, bakeries and confectionaries, packaging companies, among others. The center is fitted with factory space, security and office space.

    She said there will be live-in desks for relevant government agencies to engage, support and provide services to small businesses at the centre, noting that the agencies to be hosted are the Bank of Industry (BoI), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Edo Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), among others.

    According to her, “The Edo Production Centre is a space where small manufacturing and production businesses can take advantage of constant power supply, advanced training facilities and a space to do their business.

    “We realised that typical skills acquisition programmes need to be revamped to create lasting impact and provide viable paths to prosperity for youths. So, skills acquisition in Edo is currently delivered alongside entrepreneurship and business management, start-up acceleration, digital marketing and branding programmes.”

    She said the project will be made up of a shared workspace for artisans and an efficient delivery and logistics ecosystem, and users will be able to enjoy power and water supply, internet services, warehousing, a shared online portal to improve access to market and in some cases shared equipment.

    “Artisan groups to benefit from the project include welders, furniture makers, tailors, aluminium fabricators, shoe manufacturers, wood processors and so on,” she added.

     

  • Obaseki signs N183.7bn 2019 budget into law

    Obaseki signs N183.7bn 2019 budget into law

    Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo has signed the state N183.7 billion Appropriation Bill for 2019 into law, saying it would be implemented for the betterment of the people of Edo.

    The budget, earlier pegged at N175 billion, was reviewed upward to N183,744,326,962.19 by the Edo House of Assembly.

    Speaking shortly after assenting to the Budget on Wednesday in Benin, the Governor thanked the legislature for the timely consideration and passage of the budget.

    “Last year, when parliament considered our budget and approved the budget before 31st December 2017, people taught we were joking.

    “I recall you said as long as you are Speaker, this will be the tradition.

    “You have kept your word. I want to thank you sincerely for considering the budget in this manner,” Obaseki said.

    He also expressed appreciations to the legislators for being flexible enough to accommodate additions to the budget, due to new developments in the state.

    “We just got the right to host the 2020 National Sports Festival last Sunday.

    ” No sooner an application was made to the committee, you moved into action to incorporate the expenditure that will be required to ensure that we successfully host the game.

    “We want to also thank you for the gesture of putting in reasonable amount to support our security architecture.”

    Presenting the 2019 approved appropriation bill to the governor for his assent, Speaker of the Edo House of Assembly, Mr Kabiru Adjoto, said due consultation was done with the different Ministries, Departments and Agencies before the upward review of the budget.

    Adjoto said the upward adjustment capital expenditure was 4.3 percent of the N175 billion present to the House by the governor.

    He said the increment was to provide funds for the completion of ongoing infrastructure projects across the state.

    The speaker said: “We decided to adjust the budget from N175 billion to N183 billion to accommodate for the state hosting of the 2020 National Sports Festival.

    “We had to make more money available for the Agriprenuer programme, health sector, security and infrastructure; especially the completion of the state high court project and Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.”

     

  • Obaseki unveils Edo security architecture, launches N2bn trust fund

    Obaseki unveils Edo security architecture, launches N2bn trust fund

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Monday in Benin City, the state capital, unveiled the Edo State Security Architecture, a new framework that will boost security in the state.

    The governor also launched the Edo State Security Trust Fund, with the state government committing N2 billion as seed fund.

    The components of the state security architecture include: 50 special security cars fitted with modern communication and security gadgets; 30 Toyota Hilux patrol vans; 30 patrol motor bikes and three Tropicalised Armoured Personnel Carriers; three Ambulances; Integrated Command and Control Centre and five special security check points to be manned at all the entry and exit points in the state.

    Others are Special Patrol Units (land and waterways); Integrated Electronic City Surveillance Unit; Establishment of a Special Force unit/anti-kidnapping squad; establishment of K-9 unit; establishment of paramedics unit; establishment of the Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) scheme with 3000 trained and kitted workforce and a community police radio network.

    Speaking at the launch of the initiative, the governor explained that security is central to his administration’s reform agenda, noting, “Thanks to the chairman of the Edo State Security Trust Fund, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede for kickstarting and donating N200 million to the fund. I call on all Edo State citizens to contribute to the Security Trust Fund.”

    Stressing that the new security architecture is a comprehensive programme, he said, “Apart from the police, Military, Department of State Security and other security agencies, we are recruiting 100 young men and women from each ward across Edo State. The first 1,000 of them have been recruited and trained by the Nigeria Police, as they will help in intelligence gathering, and monitoring of government assets across the state. We believe by involving the community, we would be able to obtain enough information as to what is going on in the state. The effectiveness of our new strategy is based on community participation.”

    The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Idris, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel Inyang, applauded the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led government for embarking on the ambitious project and urged the private sector to support the fund to bolster policing across the state.

    “We are very happy to witness this wonderful gesture. I want to call on all on other private and public enterprises to support this initiative so that what succeeded in Lagos will also succeed in Edo State. Gone are the days that people left policing for the police alone. I also want to thank the Chairman of the Trust Fund for deeming it fit to come and assist the state.

    “With the launch of this security architecture, Edo people and residents will now sleep with their eyes closed. I am also aware that gun boats have been procured in addition to the vehicles and other equipment we are launching today.

    “This means we will be able to cover activities on land and sea which will be augmented with aerial surveillance using the Police helicopter. With all these efforts, Edo will become very safe for everyone. The security architecture will ginger security agencies to collaborate more, and where there is collaboration there will be coordination among us.”

    Chairman of the Edo State Security Trust Fund and Chairman, Coronation Capital, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, commended governor Obaseki for his foresight and his commitment to building a strong and peaceful state with initiatives such as the Edo State Security Trust Fund and Edo State Security Architecture, codenamed “WABAIZIGAN”.

    He assured that he would join efforts with other Edo sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora to replicate the success story of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, in Edo State.

    The former Managing Director of Access Bank, donated N200 million naira to the Security Trust Fund, and explained that he was instrumental to the establishment and success of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund and.

    “I and the companies I represent donate the sum of N200 million to the fund. I call on citizens of Edo State to join hands with the Edo State government and all the security agencies to make the state safe and peaceful for all.”

    “This process is not for the government alone but also for the private sector, companies and individuals to join hands with the state government in pushing the agenda for a peaceful Edo State.”

    Edo State Police Commissioner of Police Johnson Kokumo commended the governor for the support he has extended to the police command, which he said has made the state safer for residents.

     

  • Obaseki gives employment to all physically challenged applicants

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has approved the employment of all 25 physically challenged applicants who participated in the last recruitment exercise by the Edo State Civil Service Commission.

    In a statement, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the governor gave the approval after a review of the last civil service recruitment process showed that a number of persons with physical challenges were screened out either because they applied incorrectly or the system didn’t make provision for their special needs.

    He said that the affected applicants include all persons with visible disabilities who appeared for interview irrespective of their level of performance, noting, “These persons were not initially invited for the Computer-Based Test conducted by the Information Communication Technology Agency due to the fact that they did not apply correctly during the online application stage.

    “These persons were however screened out by the Computer System which had no means of identifying them as persons with visible disabilities,” he said.

    According to him, the governor also approved the employment of two physically challenged persons to work at the Information Communication Technology Agency, who fell below the Commission’s established standards and one-visually impaired person, into the civil service.

    Osagie said the governor has mandated the State Civil Service Commission to develop a database of persons with physical disabilities who are employed by the state government.

    He said the 25 persons with disabilities whose appointments have been approved will be evaluated by the Commission based on their academic qualifications and the approved scheme of service for placement into the civil service and provision made to take care of their special needs.

    He said plans are also in place to provide appropriate facilities that will enable the physically challenged persons to carry out their roles effectively.

     

  • Breaking: Obaseki proposes N175bn 2019 budget for Edo State

    Breaking: Obaseki proposes N175bn 2019 budget for Edo State

    Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Monday presented a budget proposal of N175 billion for 2019 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly.

    The budget proposal is 9.2 per cent above the 2018 budget of N146 billion.

    The proposed budget tagged: “Budget of Socio-Economic Inclusion’’ has N95.8 billion as capital expenditure, while N79.9 billion is proposed for recurrent expenditure.’’

    The governor said the budget proposal had a deficit of N27.4 billion which would be funded through internal and external financial interventions from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s Special programmes and World Bank.

    He said the budget was planned with 60 dollars benchmark crude oil price and increased state internally generated revenue.

    ‘‘The 2019 budget will consolidate on the infrastructural and socio-economic gains of the outgoing year 2018,’’ he said.

    The budget breakdown shows that N42.7 billion is allocated to infrastructure development, N9.3 billion for health, N26.8 billion for education and N7 billion for investment promotion.

    Others are N2 billion for security, N9 billion for payment of pension, while N967 million is proposed for the judiciary.

     

  • Edo Govt. partners British Council on judicial reform

    Edo Govt. partners British Council on judicial reform

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo says the state government is partnering with British Council on implementation of judiciary reforms.

    The governor made this known while declaring open the Network of Justice Reform Team (JRTs) conference on Tuesday in Benin.

    Obaseki said the administration aimed to drive reforms that were geared toward upholding the rights of citizens and improving the cause of justice in the state.

    He added that “the first thematic pillar of my administration is institutional reforms, which include reform of the judicial sector.”

    Represented by the state’s Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Employment and Cooperatives, Mr Emmanuel Usoh, Obaseki said his administration had since inaugurated the Administration of Criminal Justice Law Monitoring Committee.

    He explained that the committee was to ensure that the Criminal Justice Law was properly administered.

    He added that “we want to ensure that there are fully functional multi-door house and family courts in the state for quick dispensation of sensitive issues relating to families.”

    The governor said that his administration was also collaborating with other agencies and foreign governments to put in place laudable initiatives to curb the abuse of young men and women who were trafficked to countries in Europe.

    He listed other judicial reforms being implemented in the state to include efforts to decongest the prison, renovation of the high court complex and construction of a new court to increase the number of courts in the state.

    Mr Dayo Apata, the Solicitor-General of the Federation, who is also the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, said that the conference was significant in reforming the judicial system for effective and efficient justice delivery.

    Akpata said that one of the reforms being advocated by the Network of Justice Team was the implementation of Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

    He said “the Act has continued to engage the attention of the Federal Justice Sector Reform Coordinating Committee due to its far-reaching reform of the administration of criminal justice.”

    Dr Bob Arnot, the Programme Director, British Council/European Union Rule of Law on Anti-Corruption Programme (ROLAC) commended the network of justice reform teams for the progress being made in getting 27 states in the country to implement the reform teams in their domains.

    He said “15 years ago, there were only 2 Justice Sector reform teams in the country; it is very gratifying to see 27 Justice Sector reform teams after 15 years.”

    He added that a major challenge the conference needed to tackle was getting internal financing for the teams to allow for sustainability.

    He noted that “the conference needs to address the funding of the reform teams because it cannot continue to depend on external support.

    “ROLCP will be ending in 2021: the teams need to source for support.”

    Arnot urged states attending the conference but yet to implement the Justice Sector Reform Team Model to do so for improved justice delivery in their states.

  • 2 Years in Office: Obaseki presents score card to Edo people

    2 Years in Office: Obaseki presents score card to Edo people

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Monday presented his administration’s score card to people of the state, with assurances of better days ahead.

    Speaking at the Edo Summit held in Benin as part of activities to mark his second anniversary in office, the governor said his administration was enhancing confidence in leadership, governance and government.

    Obaseki said that with the support of President Muhammadu Buhari, the ruling All Progressive Party, the Benin, Monarch, Oba Ewuare 11, as well as the good people of Edo, his administration had achieved a lot of transformation and reforms in many sectors of governance.

    The governor said his administration had holistically transformed the education sector, putting in place a framework that had brought about institutional transformation in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.

    “We are improving infrastructure in our schools, trained over 7000 teachers on digital learning in our basic education sector, completed the revamping of Benin Technical College, as well as consolidation of our College of Education.’’

    In the heath sector, the governor said he had strengthened all aspects of the health value chain, including that of the Primary Health Centres (PHCs), which were ongoing.

    “We have rolled out the remodeling of 20 PHCs across the state and intend to do 200, and have initiated the Edo Healthcare Improvement Programme (EDOHIP) to achieve improved health structure and the wellbeing of the citizens.

    “The state and local governments saved 1 per cent of their federal allocation to make investment in the health sector.’’

    The Governor said his administration on assumption of office promised the creation of 200, 000 jobs, noting that 77, 200 jobs had been created in both private and public sectors in the state.

    “We have initiated job matching, skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development, Edo Innovate, Train-to-Hire, Edojobs Internship scheme for graduates and artisans, Edo Food and Agricultural Clusters, Edo Film and TV Village and the Edo Production Centre.

    “All these initiatives are to develop the entrepreneurship skills of our people, as well as create massive employment and jobs in the state.’’

    He said much investment was also being made in the housing sector, as the first phase of the Emotan Garden Estate which started a year ago would be delivered before the end of year.

    Obaseki listed his other achievements to include reduction of the cost of acquisition of Certificate of Occupancy to N50, 000, spear-heading the installation of night landing facilities at the Benin Airport, reformation of Bendel Insurance Football Club, as well as the ongoing construction of the Edo Public Service Training Academy, among others.

    He added that the Edo Summit was focused on job creation, Education and Primary Healthcare with the aim of sensitizing the people of the state on possible opportunities open to them in those fields.

     

  • Gov. Obaseki charges security agencies on safety of corps members

    Gov. Obaseki charges security agencies on safety of corps members

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Monday in Okada charged all the security agencies on the safety of the National Youth Service Corps members posted to the state as the 2019 general elections draw near.

    Obaseki, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Philip Shaibu, gave the charge during the closing ceremony of 2018 Batch “C” stream 1 orientation course.

    He said that the government on its side would do everything possible to guarantee their safety in the state.

    The governor assured the corps members that his government would create an atmosphere conducive for them to showcase their talents and capabilities.

    He said that the corps members who may be co-opted as ad-hoc staff during the 2019 general elections needed to prepare their minds to perform the exercise with diligence and high sense patriotism.

    The governor appealed to them to avoid temptation that could lead them to doing those things that might threaten the smooth conduct of the elections.

    Earlier, Mr Adebayo Ojo, the NYSC state coordinator, in his speech, said that the corps members had exhibited a high level of discipline.

    Ojo, who presented a total of 1882 corps members comprising of 890 male and 992 female, encouraged them to take the skills acquisition training they had in the camp seriously.

    He, however, urged them to continue with the post-camp arrangement with the trainers.

     

  • Edo Govt to set up “Advisory Council on Persons with Physical Disabilities”

    Edo Govt to set up “Advisory Council on Persons with Physical Disabilities”

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo says his administration would, within the next few weeks, constitute an Advisory Council on Persons with Physical Disabilities, to help implement policies geared towards integrating such persons into the society.

    Obaseki made this known when he received the report of the Committee on Integrating the Physically Challenged Persons into the workings of Edo government at Government House, Benin on Tuesday.

    He said that there was need for a governance structure to be put in place to evolve specific plans as well as monitor implementation of policies that would make life meaningful for persons with physical disabilities.

    “As a society, we should show concern and empathy for the most vulnerable and among these categories are persons with physical disabilities.

    “We will ensure that all of our programmes will have components for persons physically challenged and with special needs.”

    Obaseki commended the committee for its report, saying that the data generated would help the state government in its policy formation.

    He said his administration would also work on a policy that would see that employers of labour engaged persons with physical disabilities in their work place

    Presenting the report to the governor, the Chairman of committee, Dr Vivian Audu, said no fewer than 3,015 physically challenged persons were captured during the statewide survey.

    Audu said majority of those sampled were between ages 18 to 51 and had primary education.

    She recommended empowerment such as skll acquisition and giving of interest free loans, saying “when they are empowered, they will not be a burden to themselves and the society

    She also recommended that the government should formulate a policy that would make 10 per cent of persons with physical disabilities employed in work places.