Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Tag: Godwin Obaseki

  • Gov Obaseki begs residents to accept old N500 and N1000 notes

    Gov Obaseki begs residents to accept old N500 and N1000 notes

    The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has appealed to residents of the state to accept the old notes.

    His appeal comes after the Supreme Court ruled that the old N500 and N1000 notes remain legal tender till December 31, 2023.

    The Edo State Government is one of the co-defendants with the federal government against Kaduna and some other state governments that urged the Supereme Court to nullify the February 10 deadline for old naira notes set by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    However, Obaseki in a statement on Thursday, March 9, by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said the old notes should be accepted alongside the new ones to facilitate trade and boost economic activities.

    He said: “With the Supreme Court judgement, the controversy over the circulation of the notes have been put to rest and the people are urged to accept and trade with the notes.

    “We are also exploring other means of transaction such as electronic transfers, among others, as all issues of cash available are addressed by the relevant government agencies.”

  • How we spent $150m on environmental disasters management — Obaseki

    How we spent $150m on environmental disasters management — Obaseki

    Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has said the state government spent $150 million on flood control and erosion management in different locations.

    Obaseki made the disclosure at the official launch of the Edo State Flood, Erosion, and Watershed Management Agency in Benin at the weekend.

    Edo FEWMA is a new agency established by the government to sustain the gains recorded in erosion control and flood management started under the World Bank-assisted Edo State Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Benin, said Obaseki reassured that the government would sustain efforts at protecting the environment and ensuring improved livelihoods for Edo people.

    The governor decried that most of the environmental challenges faced by the state were man-made.

    He noted that the government was taking critical steps at building a progressive and prosperous Edo that was resilient to climate change and anchored on sustainable environmental development and a circular economy.

    Obaseki, therefore, warned that any agency intending to build roads in the state, including the Niger Delta Development Commission, must first register its design with the Edo FEWMA to ensure proper engineering design and erosion control mechanisms.

    According to Obaseki, “Over the last 10 years, we have spent over $150 million trying to repair what we have damaged by ourselves.

    “We should ask ourselves if this is the way we should continue to go. Can we not prevent some of these things that are leading to the environmental challenges we are faced with?

    “Majority of the cases are all man-made. You have a contractor, who was given a contract, and he decides to begin construction, but he doesn’t share the plan, and he doesn’t tell how the water will be terminated.

    “He does his own, collects his money and leaves the problem with the communities. That is a major cause of the problem we are having with erosion control.

    “So, as a government, we will insist, going forward, that no agency, not federal, not local, even the NDDC, will undertake projects without coming to register with Edo FEWMA because you just can’t come to the state to say you have a contract, you begin to work and not let us know the extent of engineering drawings and how you are going to deal with issues of erosion control.

    “As you know in Edo State, over the years, due to neglect, we are now witnessing many challenges that we didn’t see before, particularly gully erosion.”

    He said: “The way we have lived in the last 20 years or more, I don’t think we should continue that way; we behave as if our environment does not matter, and nobody cares about land management.

    “Communities sell and do not care about planning. People build where they should not and the water that should flow through a natural path does not have a way to go and goes where it shouldn’t and begins to wash away the land. As a government, this has become our priority.

    “Our number one priority is our environment because we cannot continue to behave the way we are behaving now.

    “If our forefathers had behaved this way, we will not be living here. We can hardly see trees and this means the land cannot hold water if there are no trees.

    “So, the environment is a very serious area of focus which we must pay attention to and it is because we have not been paying attention to the environment that is why we have the challenges we have today,” he added.

  • Gov Obaseki Commissions two Airbuses for Ibom Air

    Gov Obaseki Commissions two Airbuses for Ibom Air

    By Odo Ogenyi, Uyo

    Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has commissioned two Airbus A320-200 recently acquired by the Akwa Ibom State Government for the fleet of Ibom Air. 

    Performing the ceremony at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo on Tuesday, Obaseki applauded Governor Udom Emmanuel for his significant strides in the aviation sector. 

    The Governor declared Akwa Ibom a flagship state in the country for its effort to invest and expand in a sector that Nigeria as a country has failed.

    “Even Nigeria as biggest country in Africa cannot run an Aviation sector successfully. Ibom Air is always fully booked. Let me thank you on behalf of Nigerians. Don’t be deterred by insult, focus on your goals”. He said.

    Delivering the aircrafts to Ibom Air, Governor Emmanuel said the addition was in  response to the demands of the season.

    Emmanuel said as responsible administration, he has committed huge resources to the development of the aviation sector in the state. 

    He said he had committed more funds than  received from the federal government to the development of the state, even as he was at the verge of commissioning a world class Terminal Building and a Maintainance, Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport. 

    “We did not come to give excuses, we came to do governance. Look at what we have done in the aviation sector, if it is not more than what we have collected, then you can challenge me anywhere. 

    “Our terminal building there is world class in Africa, our MRO is world class . If  you find one today in the entire Gulf of Guinea, tell me I will break down this one and construct another. This MRO can take 24/47 800 series.  Would service eight of the CRJs that we are flying at the same time. This is the only MRO in this part of the world. People are coming, asking us to lease this MRO. 

     “I invest in areas we can have return on our investment. Airbus is on us to come and use our MRO for all their regional flights. We are going to open up this place from January next year for commercial activities and we are going to earn in dollars, not Naira.” He said 

    In his welcome remarks, the Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer, Ibom Airlines Limited, Captain Mfon Udom announced plans to commence regional flight from 2023. 

    He said the new addition to the fleet of Ibom Air would not only expand it carrying capacity but would also boost employment opportunity by 40per cent. 

    In a release earlier, the Chief Operating Officer, Mr George Uries had earlier hinted that, “with this new capacity coming on board, we are delighted to inform our passengers that we have increased our offerings, providing more frequencies for their convenience. 

    “The Uyo-Lagos and Uyo-Abuja route now have three frequencies every weekday, while our passengers between Lagos and Abuja will have seven frequencies to choose from both ways, every weekday.” 

    The two Airbus A320-200 aircrafts were said to have been procured from GetJet Airlines UAB (operating as GETJET), a European aircraft leasing company, on a one year wet-lease agreement.

    The new addition would bring the fleet to  seven Aircrafts; five Bombardier CRJ 900 and two  Airbus A320-300, covering seven  destinations.

  • Nigeria safe under Tinubu – APC replies Gov Obaseki

    Nigeria safe under Tinubu – APC replies Gov Obaseki

    The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council on Tuesday lambsted Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, saying Nigeria will be safeguarded with Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President and equally asked him to apologise to Nigerians over his divisive comment.

    The call was made by the spokesman of the APC Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo.

    Obaseki had warned that Nigeria will collapse completely if APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, wins the 2023 elections.

    The governor, who made the statement in Benin on Monday at the inauguration of the Edo State Campaign Management Council of the Peoples Democratic Party, said no administration had done the kind of damage the APC government had done to Nigeria, noting that the debt profile of the country under the President Muhammadu Buhari government has hit N60trn.

    Keyamo noted that Obaseki is parroting the hateful statement of his party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

    He said, “We are extremely disappointed and shocked at Obaseki’s comment. It belittles his office as governor of Edo State and he has taken politics to an extreme that he shouldn’t have done. He has taken politics to play sentiment.

    “First, it is his candidate (Atiku) who had gone around the country preaching divisive comments and calling on Northerners not to vote for Yoruba or Igbo candidates. That comment to date has drawn outrage from both local and international observers. And up till now, Obaseki and his likes have not apologised to Nigerians over that.

    “What Obaseki is doing with the comment of Atiku is that he is trampling on the heads of his people in Edo State and the South-South. He is denigrating his people over whom he presided as governor.”

    The Director, Media and Publicity of the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, Mr Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Tuesday, also condemned Obaseki’s remarks and described him as “toxic and obnoxious.

    Onanuga said, “For a man who swore an oath of allegiance to the sovereignty and unity of Nigeria to be a purveyor of ill-will towards the same country because of partisan politics smirks of total irresponsibility and recklessness unbecoming of a governor who has a constitutionally sanctioned duty to preserve the unity and indivisibility of Nigeria.

    “It is worth stating that we are not in any way surprised about Obaseki’s outburst about Nigeria’s breaking. He is, by nature, a divisive, obnoxious, and toxic human being that lacks the introspection and contemplation expected of a person occupying the office of a governor.”

  • Edo PDP: Supreme Court Dismisses Dan Orbhi’s suit

    Edo PDP: Supreme Court Dismisses Dan Orbhi’s suit

    The Supreme Court, on Friday, ended the leadership tussle in the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo with the dismissal of an appeal filed by the Dan Orbhi-led faction.

    The suit is seeking a court order to authenticate the ad hoc delegate elections conducted by Mr Orbhi’s faction and to invalidate another one conducted by Governor Godwin Obaseki’s faction.

    In a judgment by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court held that the issue of leadership by political parties is an internal affair, with the courts having no jurisdiction.

    In the appeal marked SC/CV/979/2022, filed by Monday Osagie, the Supreme Court said it lacked merit because it is not justiciable.

    Mr Agim, who delivered the unanimous judgment, asked political parties to always adhere strictly to their guidelines, rules and regulations to promote genuine democracy.

    Messrs Obaseki and Orbhi have been at each other’s throats over who controls the party in Edo.

  • Gov Emmanuel is leader of Modern Nigeria Politicians, says Gov Obaseki

    Gov Emmanuel is leader of Modern Nigeria Politicians, says Gov Obaseki

    Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has said that Nigeria is producing a new set of politicians, and that his Akwa Ibom counterpart, Mr Udom Emmanuel is the leader of the new set.

    Obaseki who made this known at the inauguration of a 9.5Km road in Udung Uko Local Council, the first in the area said Emmanuel has remained strategic in his infrastructural  development and has shown vision in  repositioning the business environment of the state. 

     ” This is not just a road, but a social and economic connection between Udung Uko people and the rest of the state, because a road does not mean anything if it doesn’t bring economic benefits to the people “. 

    The Governor in a remark said he would continue to work for the development of the state despite having few months left in his tenure saying, ” I want to assure you that till the last day that I would exit office, I will continue to work for our people”. 

    On the extension of the road to Mbo LGA, which is less than 10Km drive from Udung Uko, Mr. Emmanuel said the contract has also been approved, and assured that it would be completed before the end of his administration.

    The Paramount Ruler of Udung Uko, Edidem Bassey Edet, on behalf of other royal fathers in the area commended the Governor for fulfilling his promise after his predecessors could not do so.

    “Through this project, you’ve proven your worth, and the social contact you signed with Udung Uko people, you have fulfilled it.” Edet said . 

    The royal father added that with the new road in place, the area would begin to generate income in order to finance some of its projects, which he said would yield benefits to the people. 

  • Gov Obaseki swears in new Edo Chief Judge

    Gov Obaseki swears in new Edo Chief Judge

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo State on Wednesday in Benin, the state capital, swore in Justice Joe Acha as the new Chief Judge of the state.

    Justice Acha has been acting in that capacity for more than four months.

    Performing the ceremony, Obaseki stressed the need for the three arms of government to collaborate with one another to deliver good governance.

    The governor said Justice Acha’s appointment was in recognition of his illustrious and unblemished career at the bar.

    “I am certain that Your Lordship will live up to the highest ideals of your illustrious predecessors at the helm of the judicial arm of government in our state.

    “Our state has been blessed over the years with titans of the judicial space and this appointment will surely follow in that long-established tradition.

    “This government has always considered itself to be Judiciary-friendly with the knowledge that our efforts to make Edo great will come to nothing without the solid foundation of law and order and the rule of law.

    “I enjoin Your Lordship to embrace the same institutional reforms that would ensure that our judiciary is fit for purpose and meets with international best practices in all respects.

    “We look forward to collaborating with the Judiciary as led by Your Lordship in pursuing the goal of ensuring the greatest good for the greatest number of people through modernisation, digitisation and efficient management resources.

    “This government stands ready to provide all the support required to ensure that our judicial officers and the entire bureaucracy that supports them, are provided with all necessary modern tools, technology and welfare that would ensure optimal performance.

    “We hope to be handing over the newly-built judges’ quarters and the modular courts being rolled out in all the local government areas across the state.

    “We hope in return that the Judiciary will provide support for the efforts of government particularly in revenue generation and the prevention of lawlessness and impunity manifested in various facets of our public and private lives,’’ the governor said.

    Responding, Justice Acha said that Gov. Obaseki and the Executive were not in any way responsible for the delay in his confirmation as the substantive Chief Judge of Edo.

    “The unusual delay in bringing today to bear led to so many insinuations, speculations and even assertions that Gov. Obaseki was not disposed to my appointment as the Chief Judge of Edo.

    “Stories were fabricated, created and weaved together to give credence to this claim,’’ he noted

  • Edo Govt Will Respect Judiciary’s Financial Autonomy, Says Obaseki

    Edo Govt Will Respect Judiciary’s Financial Autonomy, Says Obaseki

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured that the state government will continue to obey and respect the relevant section of the 1999 constitution on judicial autonomy.

    The governor gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by executive members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Edo State chapter at the government house, in Benin city, the Edo state capital.

    He said the autonomy and independence of the three arms of Government is best for Nigeria’s democratic system, noting that his administration has continued to obey and respect the relevant section of the 1999 constitution on judicial autonomy.

    “The issue of judicial autonomy and independence should not be in question or in doubt, as the functionality of the three arms of government independently is best for Nigeria’s democratic system.

    “I have listened to your presentation and wondered what the real issues are. But I think it is one of communication. It is not in the best interest of our democratic system for the three arms of government not to be independent and autonomous as one has to check over the other. The issues of autonomy and independence should not be in question or doubt.”

    According to him, “Section 121 (3) of the 1999 constitution states clearly that any amount and outstanding to the credit of the Judiciary in the consolidated revenue fund shall be paid directly to the head of the courts concerned; it is clear. In Edo State, that is what we do for the legislature, judiciary and the local governments.”

    “We have no issues with judicial autonomy but we need to state, understand and interpret the provision of the constitution and begin to adapt to them,” he added.

    Obaseki said his administration and the Edo State chapter of the NBA can almost be described as one, as both have become partners in moving the judiciary forward, adding, “Our administration is full of members of the NBA. The government and the NBA can be described as one in Edo State.”

    On his part, Chairman of the Edo State Chapter of the NBA, Pius Oiwoh, said: “We are here to present the issue of judicial autonomy. We have been canvassing and agitating overtime for financial autonomy for the judiciary across the country. We are here to present a letter as directed by the National Secretariat of the NBA.

    “It is going to be a continuous engagement so that the provision of section 121 subsection 3 of the constitution, which makes provision for financial autonomy of the judiciary, will be guaranteed and complied with. We have heard from his Excellency and are satisfied.”

  • Off printing N60 billion and our obtrusive Economy

    Off printing N60 billion and our obtrusive Economy

    By Adefolarin A. Olamilekan

    The history and development of the Nigerian State and its economy has been greatly affected by fundamental factors. And it obvious that we need to understand it in order to proffer soluble packages of intervention, that is relevant, practical and sustainable.  For instance, the situation across the developing world, particularly in sub Saharan Africa economies have been marked by significant vulnerabilities in the last two decades, courtesy of price shock and uncertainties in commodity prices, as well as consequent fiscal deficits.

    This has compelled most of these sub Saharan African countries in recent times to resort to fiscal stimulus to sustain macroeconomic stability, development and economic growth. Conversely, the condition of the uncertainties and the accumulation of deficits and national debt have impaired the usefulness of fiscal stimuli and palliatives measures. Indeed, this has formed a greater part of the ongoing narrative around the woeful economy indices in Nigeria and the cost push inflations of about 18 per cent, 33.4 % unemployment and accumulated public debt of $32.9 billion today.

    However, as the title of this piece quote on the argument and counter argument from Governor Obaseki, Minister of Finance Zainab Ahmed and the Central Bank of Nigeria on the printed N60billion to support FAAC Allocation to state and Federal Government in March, 2021. The response of the Finance Minister to Governor Obaseki assertion that “N60billion was printed to augment the short fall in revenues sharing for the month of March” underpinned the dissection of this piece perspective, most especially from the angle of the obtrusiveness of our economy. She responded thus. “What we distribute at FAAC is revenue that is generated and in fact distribution revenue is public information. We publish revenue generated by FIRS, the customs and the NNPC and we distribute at FAAC. So, it is not true to say we printed money to distribute at FAAC, it is not true,” she said. The import of her a statement is tied to prolonged debate over the state of our revenue generation, even with the recent upward rise of oil price that is the biggest source of our economy stay. 

    It is interesting at this juncture to say that the hydrocarbon of oil and gas economy which has come to dominate foreign exchange earnings and accounts for much of what is called the federation account money provides the funding for emoluments and overhead costs of the public sector and finances the capital projects that are implemented mainly by contractors. This is the money that is appropriated and expended by the President, Ministers, Federal Agencies and Departments, the National Assembly, Governors, Commissioners, State Assemblies, Local Government Chairmen, and Councilors as well as sundry government contractors (who inflate contracts) consultants  and others.

    However, in Nigeria there is strong violation of the rules of optimal allocation of resources. Over time the federal, state and local government of Nigeria has been engaged in wasteful spending on projects that has no bearing in the economic development of the country. This mis-appropriation and mis-allocation of the limited resources is responsible for the slow pace of the economy development.

    One imperative metric to ponder on is the obtrusive economy situation in the country that relates to cost push inflations prices of household items. Nigerians and traders alike across the country are lamenting the sustained foods price and decline in patronage. The persistent increase in the price of food items continues to hit harder on consumers. For instance, local and foreign rice, tomatoes, pepper, flour, meat, spaghetti, amongst others, recorded significant surges in their prices.

    The rising cost of living and deplorable standard of living amongst Nigerians point to the fact of inept government and governance policy failures. And the concern is that things could go ‘deep south’. Although, the government put out various policy of palliative to cushion it effect and other economy challenge. These notwithstanding, contraction in economic activities, resulted in plunging production, reduced capital inflows, and reduced government revenue.

    One sad tale to this is the government penchant to borrowing. Off which the Buhari administration in 6 years borrowed via multilateral, development, bilateral and commercial loans (Eurobonds and Diaspora bonds). In a recent statement by the DMO on scorecard on the country’s rising debts situation, state that “from October to December, the public debt profile from N32.2 trillion to N32.9 trillion, showing a moderate rise of N0.7 trillion in the figure.” Consequently, the top-up may have worsened the fiscal imbalance, but the cost of the liability is deeper.

    This is scary, disruptive and heart breaking from a nation with abundance of both human and material resources. Meanwhile in countering critics, the government claims, it had no choice, seeing its “oil revenues and others fail to meet up with target and unable to fund Nigeria’s huge infrastructural deficit required to propel economic growth”. In fact many critics and heterodox political economist are not happy about the debt service commitment of about $1.5 billion at the current debt levels.

    Arguably, Nigeria could have done better but it seems to have missed it. And this was caused by past and present crop of political leaders that cumulatively and conjointly corrupted the nation and robbed it of sustainable development and well being for citizens. Some of the present crops of political leaders in Nigeria are probably not helping matters.

    In moving forward, there are three approaches at solution: One, Nigeria must push towards a citizens centred economic and political system; Two citizens themselves regardless of clan, ethnicity, religion, section, zone or region must rise up to enthrone a leadership that is people centred in economic policies substantially and punishes corruption and crime severely. Three, it clarion call on the government at all level to see reason to be critical on making sure Nigerians get value for money, especially from the FAAC allocation. Poignantly, borrowing should be for sustainable project not for odious necessity.

    Adefolarin A. Olamilekan
    Political Economist & Development Researcher
    Email:adefolarin77@gmail.com
    Tel: 08073814436, 0810740787

  • It Is Our Job To Print Money, Lend Govt – Emefiele Replies Obaseki

    It Is Our Job To Print Money, Lend Govt – Emefiele Replies Obaseki

    The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has replied Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, concerning his claim that the apex bank printed an additional N50billion to N60billion to make up for state allocations.

    Emefiele while addressing journalists in Tunga, Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State said printing money is a key mandate of the central bank, and the bank must always act to support the government at times of financial difficulties.

    He added that it is “unfortunate and totally inappropriate” for some people to give colouration to this.

    “If you understand the concept of printing money. The concept of printing of money is about lending money. That is our job – print money. So there is no need to put controversy about the printing of money as if we are going into the factory, printing naira and distributing on the streets.

    “In 2015/2016, we were in a similar [fiscal] situation, but it is far worse today. We provided a budget support facility to all the states of the country and that loan remains unpaid till now. We are going to insist on the states paying the loan back since they are effectively accusing us of giving them loans.

    “Most countries of the world today are confronted by not just the health crisis from the COVID pandemic but also economic crisis. I keep saying this: it would be irresponsible of the central bank of Nigeria or any central bank to stand idle and refuse to support its government at this time. Whatever we do in Nigeria is being done in any clime.”

    Obaseki last week raised an alarm over the country’s rising debt profile, saying the situation is more critical now because of the huge amount borrowed to service the ailing economy.

    He also claimed that the Federal Government printed an additional ₦50 to ₦60 billion to top-up for FAAC.

    The Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning Zainab Ahmed debunked in her reaction described the governor’s claim as very sad and untrue.

    According to her, monies distributed at Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) are revenues generated from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigeria Customs, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), etc adding that revenue distribution is information that can be publicly accessed.