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Tag: Obaseki

  • Developing story: APC sues Tambuwal, Ortom, Obaseki others over defection

    Developing story: APC sues Tambuwal, Ortom, Obaseki others over defection

    Sensing the danger ahead, the ruling All Progressives Congress APC has given its legal luminaries go ahead to sue Governors of Sokoto, Aminu Tambuwal, Godwin Obaseki of Edo and Samuel Ortom of over their defection from the party before the 2019 guber elections.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls this is coming after a Federal High Court in Abuja declared Dave Umahi of Ebonyi an illegal occupant of Ebonyi Government House after transferring PDP votes to APC after winning election under the umbrella party in 2019.

    APC is also challenging the defection of the former Senate President Bukola Saraki who also defected from the APC to PDP, asking the court to bar him from contesting any elective position in the country for the next 30 years, as punishment for the defection.

    It was further gathered that the legal luminaries for the job have since commenced the litigation process and will be in court on Monday.

  • Gov. Obaseki approves salaries for newly recruited teachers

    Gov. Obaseki approves salaries for newly recruited teachers

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has approved appointment letters, stipends and salaries for all categories of teachers recently recruited in the state.

    Mrs Ozavize Salami, Executive Chairman, Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) announced this on Friday in her address at the graduation ceremony of pedagogically trained teachers and head teachers in the state.

    According to her, 232 junior secondary school principals, 744 junior secondary school teachers, 148 head teachers and 1,358 EdoSTAR fellows are graduated after the training, to teach in progressive schools and junior secondary schools in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while EdoSTAR stands for Edo Supporting Teachers to Achieve Result under the state’s EdoBest education reform programme.

    Progressive schools are schools in riverine, rural and hard-to-reach communities.

    Salami noted that the state had designed and implementing a robust school supervisory system that would facilitate on the spot teachers support and routine teachers professional development.

    Teachers, she said must be held accountable for translating the investment of the state in education into learning outcome.

    The SUBEB boss said that the era of teachers not being trained or upskilled for 15 years was definitely over in the state because children would have to perform better.

    In his address, Obaseki said the recruitment of the young, vibrant, professional and aspiring teaching personnel was a response to the teachers gap in classrooms.

    The governor described teachers as the most valuable resource in delivery of public service basic education, hence the reason his government prioritised their recruitment, replacement and upskilling.

    Obaseki commended teachers in the state, saying their efforts had changed the culture in all classes in the state to meet international best practice.

    This, he said was achieved through the use of technology as SUBEB now managed attendance, teaching content, and supporting pupils learning process.

    He, however, charged the EdoSTAR fellows to work hard during their three years of fellowship, assuring the committed one of their absorption into the public service.

  • Ayu speaks on Obaseki’s alleged plan to dump PDP

    Ayu speaks on Obaseki’s alleged plan to dump PDP

    Dr. Iyorcha Ayu, National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), on Thursday said that Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo would not leave the party as being rumoured.

    Ayu gave the assurance to party members in Benin, at rally organised in his honour by the Edo Government, where he described Obaseki as an asset to the PDP.

    He also said that many people who left the PDP were already coming back, and many more would still do so.

    The national chairman promised speedy resolution of the crisis rocking the Edo chapter of the party.

    According to Ayu, the people, from next week, will see what the leadership of the party at the national level will do to resolve the crisis in Edo state.

    He said that he was married to an Edo woman who had children for him and could not allow the party in the state to fall apart.

    “My brothers and sisters, divided we fall, united we stand. For many years it was difficult to bring democracy to Nigeria because we politicians were divided,” he said.

    Ayu said he led the PDP in 1999 to ‘conquer’ the presidential villa, and was poised to take the party back there in 2023.

    He promised to go after governors who left the party with its mandates to reclaim them.

    Earlier, Obaseki had said that the party was poised to retain power in the state.

    He reiterated the position of his deputy, Mr. Philip Shaibu, who said that the state would determine the mood of Nigerians in the next general election.

    Meanwhile, Shaibu in his remarks expressed his disappointment on the way they were being treated since joining the PDP from APC and called for a resolution of such problems in the state.

    The state chairman of the party, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, in his remarks, commended the governor for achieving so much despite the skirmishes.

    He expressed optimism that the national leadership of the party would resolve the problems facing the party in the state.

  • Gov. Obaseki aide dumps PDP for APC in Edo

    Gov. Obaseki aide dumps PDP for APC in Edo

    Mr Ikponmwosa Omorodion, a former Special Adviser to Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event took placed on Saturday at Iguogun community, near Iguobazuwa in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo.

    Omorodion, who described his defection as the “Return of the Prodigal Son”, said he was inspired to return based on the good work of Mr Dennis Idahosa, the representative of the Ovia Federal Constituency in the National Assembly (NASS).

    The former Special Adviser, who defected along with some PDP bigwigs in the council area, said they would add value to the APC in Ovia South West Local Government Area and the state in general.

    Omorodion, who described their home coming as eventful, said: “We know where we are coming from and we know the stuff we are made of. The reason for our defection is that we have seen it and not what we heard.

    “We have had history as a people in the federal constituency. Some of us have come of age to know those that have represented us in the past.

    “Today, even to the blind, when you talk of constituency projects, Ovia have never had it this good, even in the entire state. No representative since 1999 that have given effective representation to their people like Dennis Idahosa.

    “History will not forgive us if we don’t align with him (Idahosa) to continue in the same sted and we cannot be seen to be working with him from the other side.

    “We have come to work to support APC and most importantly, to support Dennis Idahosa.”

    The Chairman of the party in Ovia South West, Mr Emmanuel Ogbomo, while receiving the decapees, said in APC, there is no new or old members everyone has equal rights.

    The Chairman said he nursed no fear over the ability of the defectors to add value to the party having worked with them during the 21 years he was in the PDP.

    “We all have equal rights and must see ourselves as leaders of the party in the local government,” he stated.

    On his part, Idahosa commended the defectors for their bold step and tasked them to immediately start working for the party.

  • Edo Assembly confirms 8 commissioner-nominees

    Edo Assembly confirms 8 commissioner-nominees

    The Edo House of Assembly on Monday confirmed eight out of the nine commissioner-nominees sent to it by Gov. Godwin Obaseki on Feb. 1.

    The eight nominees were screened and recommended for clearance by the three-man ad hoc committee led by the Majority Leader, Mr Henry Okhuarobo.

    Obaseki had in a letter, dated Jan. 25, 2022 and addressed to the speaker, Mr Marcus Onobun, requested the house to screen and confirm the nominees as commissioners in the state.

    Those on the list included: Chris Nehikhare, Omololu Ojehomon, Afishetu Braimoh, Stephen Idehenre, Osasere Evbuomwan, Donald Ojemeh, Okojie Newton and Jonathan Lawani.

    The Chairman of the Committee, Okhuarobo, presented the report of the Committee on the screened nominees to the house for consideration.

    Presenting the report at the committee of the whole, Okhuarobo told the house that one of the nominees, Bamidele Obaitan, could not be screened due to unexpected emergency on the part of the nominee.

    According to him, the nominees are physically fit and educationally qualified for the state assignment.

    The committee recommended that the nominees having been found to be eligible be confirmed as commissioners in the state.

    Thereafter, the House unanimously, in a voice vote, confirmed the nominees as commissioners in Edo.

    The speaker, Onobun commended Obaseki for giving youths such as Okogbe Donald and Jonathan Lawani the opportunity to represent the youth in his administration.

    Speaking shortly after his confirmation, Okogbe pledged to help redirect, reengage and refocus the youth’ energy for national development

    Okogbe said, “Edo is privileged to have a development-driven governor. All we need to do is to help prepare our youths to be marketable not just locally but internationally.”

    Also speaking, Afishetu Braimoh said she was committed to making a difference by adding value and aligning with the vision of the governor to make Edo great again.

    Braimoh said, ”We are here to help convert our commodities to value chains so that the world can appreciate Edo for what it is known for.

  • Obaseki swears in 14 new permanent secretaries for Edo

    Obaseki swears in 14 new permanent secretaries for Edo

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, has sworn-in 14 new Permanent Secretaries for the state civil service, urging them to be transparent in the discharge of their duties.

    Obaseki, while addressing the permanent secretaries comprising nine males and five females in Benin on Tuesday said they would be held responsible for corrupt practices even after leaving office.

    The governor urged them to be digitally compliant as the State Government plans to switch over from analog to e-governance on Feb. 1.

    “You are the chief accounting officers of your ministries, the fact that you are in government for a while does not mean that your activities while in government will not be looked into.

    ”Hence you have to be very, very cautious of the decision you make. Most Nigerians don’t know that even after you retire, you are still liable and culpable for your activities during your time in office.

    “I am pleased to Inform you that we will continue to work on our systems so that you can deliver effectively to our people.

    “We continue to build on human capacity, we will continue to train and retrain our civil and public servants, we are also equipping and investing on the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy to make it second to none in this part of the world,” he said.

    He added: “Effective from Feb. 1, I the governor, will switch over to e-governance platform, which effectively means that I will now approve memos and send e-mails to you vial the e-platform,” he said.

    Obaseki stressed that his administration was working to restore the past glories of the civil and public service.

    He said the permanent secretaries were appointed based on merits and advised them not to seek popularity as they were not politicians.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the permanent secretaries included Mr Anelu Osemen, Mrs Felicia Edwards, Mrs Grace Aihie, Mr Egwakhide Gilbert, Mr Iserhienrhien Efe, and Mr Aikhuomobhogbe Uidia.

    Others were Mr Toritseju Onaiwu, Mrs Ifueko Alufokhai, Mr Osikhena Ojior and Mrs Barbara Osobajo. Mr Asibor Lucky, Mrs Igbinobaro Joy, Mr Washington Abbe and Mr Asemota Uyi.

    Speaking on behalf of the permanent secretaries, Mr Anelu Osemen, said that their task was to work for the progress of the state.

  • Nigeria’s unity achieved on fallen heroes’ blood – Obaseki

    Nigeria’s unity achieved on fallen heroes’ blood – Obaseki

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Saturday said that Nigeria’s unity was achieved on the blood of its fallen heroes and should not be taken for granted.

    Obaseki made the assertion shortly after laying of wreath to celebrate 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Benin.

    “The unity of this country has been achieved on the blood of our fallen heroes; it is not something we should take for granted or joke with.

    “People are still sacrificing in the various arenas and battles in the country today, we shouldn’t take it lightly.

    “We are here today to remember gallant Nigerians soldiers and members of the armed forces who lost their lives in the course of defending our country.

    “We are here today because people gave up their lives,” the governor said.

    He urged the citizens to stop unguarded utterances about the unity of the country.

    “People must understand that such careless talks cause lives, and we should not lead ourselves where history will repeat itself in this country,” he urged.

    The governor said that his administration would continue to take care of the families of those who lost their lives while defending Nigeria.

    He gave the assurance that ex-servicemen were being well integrated into the security system of the state.

    According to him, they supervise certain groups including vigilantes.

    He said that the state government would continue to invest in security and integrate wives of fallen heroes into various empowerment programmes.

  • Ijaws deserve infrastructural development from Obaseki not gunboats – IYC

    Ijaws deserve infrastructural development from Obaseki not gunboats – IYC

    Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has said Ijaw communities deserve more from Edo government than the procurement of gunboats to enhance security in Riverine areas of the State.

    Omaghomi Olu-Derimon, the Secretary, IYC Western Zone, stated this in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin on Sunday.

    Olu-Derimon, who commended Gov. Godwin Obaseki for the enhanced security across the State, said the ijaws desire infrastructural development in their communities.

    He particularly noted that the people would have been elated if the funds used for procuring gunboats were directed to addressing the huge infrastructural deficits bedeviling the riverine communities.

    The Secretary said that the first sets of gunboats procured by the government are yet to be utilised.

    “It will be wrong if we say the governor is not doing his best in terms of security as it affects the State.

    “Even the blind can attest to the fact that security in the State has improved tremendiously under the leadership of the governor.

    “Thanks to all security agencies and the Edo State Vigilante Network who are on ground in almost all communities, including our riverine areas.

    “Just recently, the government announced that it has acquired some gunboats for the riverine areas mostly occupied by the Ijaws of Edo state.

    “Edo State Goverment bought similar boats a while ago and we are equally aware these boats are still very new and are yet to be fully utilised as far as we are concerned, so why buy more?

    “We have cried out severally that ijaws are marginalised in terms of infrastructural development, political appointments and elective positions,” he said.

    Olu-Derimon said that Ijaws in Ovia South west could not access Benin City because of the deplorable state of Udo Ofunama Inikorogha Road

    He said that people in those communities had to travel through water to Gelegele or Sapele, Delta State, before embarking on a road journey to access the State Capital or their local government headquarters.

    Olu-Derimon said that Gelegele Ekewan barracks Road which served as a major access route to the State Capital is now bad.

    According to him, “we have been crying for a long time that Mr Godwin Obaseki should cover up with the infrastructural underdevelopment in the riverine areas of the State since he came onboard but the story is almost similar with that of the previous administrations in the State.

    “I know if the story does not change under this present government, a 100 gunboats will not be able to change the insecurity that will greet the water ways which will extend to the hinterlands. I am saying this based on past experiences.

    “We have over time demanded for three development centers for the three local government areas where Ijaws are domiciled.

    “We also demanded for Edo State Riverine Development Agency and a Marine Academy in the areas,” he said.

    Olu-Derimon said that their demands were to fast-track development in the communities.

    He added that none of their requests have been attended to instead they are acquiring gunboats which would be in use only when the governor visits or any other VIP visits the areas.

    “It’s a new year and we want to urge the governor to change the narrative in our area by giving us adequate development attention,” he said.

  • Why Nigerian youths are not happy with political leaders – Obaseki

    Why Nigerian youths are not happy with political leaders – Obaseki

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki believes Nigeria’s political system has failed the nation.

    According to him, the kind of politics played in 1999 is no longer relevant as young people are set to take over.

    The Governor made the comments during a Peoples Democratic Party stakeholders meeting in Benin-City on Sunday.

    “Nigeria is going to a new stage; there is a new paradigm,” Obaseki said. “The politics we started in 1999 has now expired or is expiring.

    “So anybody who is playing politics the way it was played in 1999 cannot succeed because the children who were five, six years old in 1999, today are now getting married. They are now the ones that are going to be in charge.

    “So if we don’t provide leadership, they will push us aside. They are more than us, I have their data. they are not happy. They did not like what we did to them during #EndSARS. So we don’t have to wait for them to express themselves again.

    “Let us provide leadership. Because as you know, those who make peaceful change impossible, make violent change inevitable. So what you are seeing in insecurity today, in hunger, in the desperation of our people, is the sign of the failure of our political system. And we have to correct it.

    “We have started in Edo and we must continue. The old order can no longer hold. There is a new order. We have a choice, either to shape the new order or the new order will overwhelm us.”

  • Population growth big risk for us in government— Gov Obaseki

    Population growth big risk for us in government— Gov Obaseki

    Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has called for urgent measures to check Nigeria’s population growth.

    The governor made the call during a courtesy visit by the Secretary-General and Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund, Dr Natalia Kanem, at the Government House, Benin City.

    He said, “For me, one of the key risks we face in Nigeria, both as an advantage and also as a key risk factor, is our population. If we do not do something about controlling our population growth, there will be a huge gap between our capacity to narrow the growth rate and our development.

    “Yes, we could turn the 200 million-plus people we have today into a huge economic asset if we manage that growth. If we don’t and allow it to grow without proper planning, we will continue to play catch-up for decades to come.

    “For us in government, it is a big risk that we must now begin to address and put our acts together. We believe in what you are doing. From that starting point, we believe in what you are doing and will need guidance and support on how to make sure that this issue becomes prominent on the agenda.

    “Right now, it’s not taking the place it needs to take in our conversations about our development. One of the roles we expect and hope you will help us to play is just getting this debate about our population control on the agenda.”

    Speaking further, he said “For us in Edo, it’s about our people. It is about capacity, education and health, which is at the base. We have strengthened our basic education. The kids are now learning; our teachers are motivated and there are significant outcomes in our learning process.

    “We are pushing the same model in our healthcare space. Thank you so much for the push for vaccine manufacturing. It is so important. As a country, we must build our capacity. The pandemic will be with us for a while. We can’t continue to be dependent.

    “We need help to carry out our own sub-national census. We just commenced a 30-year planning process. We cannot do socio-economic planning, as well as our physical and urban planning without data. While working on the national population census, we also have to commence our own census with our planning process.”