Tag: Obaseki

  • Gov. Obaseki Explains Naming Edo Arena After Rema

    Gov. Obaseki Explains Naming Edo Arena After Rema

    By Milcah Tanimu

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has revealed the reason behind naming the Edo Arena after the renowned Benin-born musician, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema. The announcement came during a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, where Rema joined Obaseki in laying the first block at the arena’s site.

    Governor Obaseki explained that Rema, known for his hit song “Calm Down,” is a significant ambassador for both Benin and Edo State. By renaming the arena “Rema Dome,” he aims to honor Rema’s contributions to music and elevate the arena’s profile. The newly named Rema Dome, set to be a 6,000-capacity venue located on the former Garrick Memorial School Ground on Ekenhuan Road in Benin City, is expected to attract both visitors and international stars to the region.

    On his X (formerly Twitter) account, Obaseki expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating, “It was a pleasure to have our global music icon @heisrema join me in performing the groundbreaking ceremony for the 6,000-capacity Edo Arena. The arena, now known as ‘Rema’s Dome,’ will not only showcase our rich culture but also enhance tourism and create job opportunities for our youths.”

    Obaseki reiterated his administration’s dedication to boosting tourism and investment in Edo State, emphasizing the role of the Rema Dome in achieving these goals.

  • 2023: Nigeria Will Break Up If APC Wins, Says Obaseki

    2023: Nigeria Will Break Up If APC Wins, Says Obaseki

    The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki on Monday warned that Nigeria will break up if the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu win the 2023 general elections.

    Obaseki spoke at the inauguration of the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party’s Campaign Council in the state.

    The governor said no right-thinking person will vote in the APC and Tinubu in next February’s presidential election.

    He said, “This will be an easy election for us if we campaign right because honestly our heads should be examined as citizens of Nigeria if we contemplate voting a government like APC.

    “In fact like I said, God forbid APC comes into power, this country will break up, this country will fail but it has already failed because nobody has done the kind of damage the APC has done on this country. I don’t know how we will recover.

    “My heart is beating. By the time president Atiku comes into power we will not be able to sleep but to work day and night. As I speak to you today, the debt of this country is going to 60 trillion, when are we going to get out of it? Every day, every month they are printing (money).”

    He also took a swipe at Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, saying the supporters of the former Anambra State governor popularly known as “Obidients” will soon run out of steam.

    Obaseki went further to express confidence in the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar whom he said has what it takes to get Nigeria back on the path of good governance.

    In 2020, Tinubu and Edo strongman, Adams Oshiomhole campaigned for APC’s Osagie Ize-Iyamu against PDP’s Obaseki in the Edo State Governorship Election which Obaseki triumphantly won.

    Obaseki was in APC but defected to the PDP towards the September 2020 governorship election after he failed to get the party’s ticket at the APC primary that produced Ize-Iyamu.

  • Obaseki to Wike: PDP not your personal property

    Obaseki to Wike: PDP not your personal property

    By Joyce Babayeju

    Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has warned his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike, not to cause disruption in Peoples Democratic Party, while maintaining that all members are equal under the platform.

    The governor was responding to Wike’s outburst on his (Obaseki) Deputy, Philip Shaibu, over the concerns Shaibu raised about how they were being treated in PDP after their defection to the party.

    Obaseki, in a statement he personally signed on Monday, said that it was surprising that Wike could resort to personal attacks on Shaibu without reaching out to him (Obaseki) as colleague-governors before his public outburst.

    In the statement titled, ‘Obaseki to Wike: PDP is not your personal property, Edo cannot be procured’, Obaseki described Wike’s attack as “most unfortunate and totally uncalled for”.

    “No one is against his desire to run for president, however, his ambition should not be embarked on in such a way that it would cause disruption at different levels, such as the PDP Governors’ Forum as well as different chapters of the party across the country.

    “It clearly amounts to delusion of grandeur, for any one man to nurse the idea that he owns or has more stake in the PDP and everyone should pander to him.

    “We are all equal stakeholders in the party and an aggregate of the ideas, opinions, and contributions of all leaders and members should form the position of the party and not the view of one individual or a select few.

    “While Governor Wike is free to use his resources as he deems fit in pursuit of his ambition, he should not attempt to cow, intimidate, cajole and threaten others into doing his bidding. Edo State cannot and will not be procured for anyone’s personal ambition,” the statement read in part.

    Furthermore, Obaseki while exonerating Shaibu, noted that it was “Wike, who has at different times, threatened the PDP”.

    He listed the instances to include: “On September 16, 2018, Governor Wike threatened the party that there would be grave consequences if it moved the National Convention from Port Harcourt in the run-up to the 2019 presidential election.

    “On September 12, 2019, Governor Wike also threatened to cause trouble for the party over the emergence of Hon. Ndudi Elumelu as the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.”

  • Obaseki Tasks CITN on Expansion of Tax Net

    Obaseki Tasks CITN on Expansion of Tax Net

    Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo has tasked the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) to be proactive toward expanding the frontier of taxation development in the country.

    Obaseki gave the charge at the CITN 40th Anniversary Dinner on Saturday in Lagos, with theme: ”Evolution Of Taxation As A Profession In Nigeria: The Birth Of CITN.”

    Obaseki, represented by Mr John Inegbedio, Chairman, TaxForce on IGR, Edo, said taxation was the only sustainable source of revenue generation in a nation.

    He said that CITN should be a major stakeholder in coordinating the influence of taxation practice in Nigeria by getting all stakeholders/parties to work together and be fair to taxpayers.

    Obaseki said the Institute should focus more on coordinating, energising and educating the general public on taxation as their civic responsibility.

    “Forty years is a unique achievement for the Institute and is worth celebrating.

    “More importantly, the fact that taxation has become the national discourse as we all can see now that the oil revenue can no longer sustain the country.

    “Clearly, every society that is striving in the advanced economy is taxation, even the politics is tied to taxation. They know who pays what and at what rate.

    “Before now, that was not the case in Nigeria, both national and sub-national are beginning to realise that is the only way forward,” he said.

    Obaseki, who was the Special Guest of Honour, said that CITN stood out as one of the major stakeholders to coordinate, energise and educate the public on issues of taxation.

    “More importantly to provide the needed information to the public on what form of tax to pay, the way the tax should be collected, the rights of taxpayers and the rights of various governments that collect tax.

    “Also, to help eliminate areas of misunderstanding and confusion, so that everybody is on board, and then as a society, we will be able to render the services that will boost the nation’s taxation system,” he said.

    Mrs Morenike Babington-Ashaye, a Founding Father of CITN, called for more collaboration between the Federal Government and the Institute.

    She said that the government should put CITN into more use by ensuring that the institute was always at the forefront of all issues relating to taxation practice in the country.

    Babington-Ashaye said that CITN was well positioned to carry out extensive research concerning all expenditures, finance bills and budget finances before its execution.

    She said that on no condition should the government involve any external body to handle issues relating to budgetary/taxation.

    According to her, taxation is an agent of change; it can be used to control the circulation and inflow of income/possessions among Nigeria citizens.

    “Today, I feel so fulfilled because when we started the institute 40 years ago, no one could have dreamt that it can grow to this height.

    ”So, we are grateful to all who have contributed to this success – those who have worked, those still working and those to work in future.

    “But, we still need to do more.

    ”At the moment, government still spend a lot of money on invisible activities, hiring foreign bodies like International Monetary Fund IMF) or World Bank to come to our aids on issues of taxation/budget, whereas the CITIN is here.

    “Let the government at all levels, organisations, individuals make good use of the CITN.

    “You can use taxation to discipline people, there are a lot of people that are in possession of resources, wealth and property that their sources are not known,” she said.

    Barbington-Ashaye said that if the government could use taxation to discipline these people by taxing everything in their possession, ‘you will see that stealing of government money and property will stop.’

    “These are areas that CITN can come in to collaborate and work together with the government,” she said.

    The First Lady of Ogun, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, urged the CITN to continue in its efforts to promote taxation in Nigeria.

    She said she was particularly impressed by how the institute outlined its plans to grow the taxation system.

    Abiodun said that CITN had all it took to transform taxation practice in the country.

    “We look forward to seeing the transformation role you are going to play in many years ahead in the country’s taxation system,” she said.

    Earlier, Mr Adesina Adedayo, President of CITN, congratulated everyone, particularly the founding fathers of the institute, its past presidents, sponsors, staff and all who had contributed in one way or the other toward the success of CITN.

    “I must confess that it has been a groundswell of positive emotions and excitement across the length and breadth of the country in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Institute.

    “May the God that made it a success for us this 40 years, continue to see us through for the next 40 years and beyond,” Adedayo prayed. (NAN)

  • Gov Obaseki meets President Buhari  in Aso Villa

    Gov Obaseki meets President Buhari in Aso Villa

    President Muhammadu Buhari has received the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday.

    This was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina who shared photos from the meeting on social media.

    “President Buhari receives Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State in State House on 13th Oct 2021,” Adesina captioned photos.

    The presidential aide, however, failed to give details of the meeting.

    More to follow…

  • Olajide Sowore’s Killers Will Be Brought To Book – Obaseki

    Olajide Sowore’s Killers Will Be Brought To Book – Obaseki

    Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has mourned Olajide Sowore, assuring that the state government will bring his killers to book.

    Obaseki gave the assurance on Saturday while commiserating with a former presidential candidate and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, over the killing of his brother.

    Olajide, a student of Pharmacy at the Igbinedion University Okada, was killed by kidnappers on Saturday in the Okada area of Edo State.

    The Edo State Police Command had earlier confirmed his death via a statement issued by its spokesman, Kontongs Bello, noting that the remains of the deceased had been deposited at IUTH Mortuary, Okada.

    But Governor Obaseki assured that the state government will work with relevant security agencies to investigate the unfortunate incident.

    “I commiserate with the Sowore family and the Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, over the death of his brother, Olajide Sowore,” the governor said.

    “The news of Olajide’s death is heartbreaking and we will make all efforts to bring the perpetrators of the dastardly act to justice.

    “On behalf of the people and Government of Edo State, I condole with the Sowore family and pray that God will grant all the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

  • Buhari, Obaseki mourn passage of Captain Hosa Okunbo

    Buhari, Obaseki mourn passage of Captain Hosa Okunbo

    By Doris Ferdinard

    President Muhammadu Buhari and the Edo state governor Godwin Obaseki have sent condolence messages to the families, friends and associates of the late Captain Hosa Okunbo who passed away early Sunday morning in a private hospital in the United Kingdom.
    In a condolence message signed by presidential spokes person Femi Adesina Buhari commiserated with the family and associates of the late Captain Idahosa (Hosa) Okunbo, who is the Chairman of Ocean Marine Solutions Limited describing him as a renowned businessman and philanthropist.
    The President noted that the late Okunbo with investments spanning the petroleum, telecommunications, maritime, and power sectors, among others, contributed immensely to the development of the Nigerian economy, providing sustenance to many families in the process.
    He prayed for the repose of the soul of the late Captain and urged those who mourn him, particularly the people of Edo State to whom he devoted time and resources, to sustain his legacies of well-spiritedness and large heartedness.
    In a message he personally signed the Edo state governor Godwin Obaseki decribed the late Captain Hosa as a brother, “It is with a heavy heart that I mourn the passing of a great son of Edo State, a brother, a distinguished Nigerian, an illustrious businessman and an accomplished philanthropist, Captain Hosa Okunbo.
    “A man of unparalleled energy and accomplishments, Captain Okunbo saw opportunities in adversity and from an early age in life, carved a niche for himself to become one of Nigeria’s most outstanding businessmen”.
    A trained pilot, he conquered the air at an early age and set for the waters and land, building enterprises that distinguished him in the business world and embodied the hard work, perseverance, dexterity and acumen that espoused his Edo heritage.
    Okunbo was a philanthropist who gave lavishly of himself and his resources; thousands of Edo sons and daughters benefited from his charitable works and benevolence.
    As a mortal, Captain Okunbo was not a perfect person just as none of us can claim to be, but he will be remembered for his undying love for Edo people.

    His desire for the development and progress of our dear state, the Niger Delta region and Nigeria as well as his invaluable contributions to building bridges of peace across the country will never be forgotten.

    I commiserate with the Okunbo family, friends and associates of our departed brother and pray that God will grant all the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss”.

  • Obaseki blows hot on finance minister, insists FG printed N60bn

    Obaseki blows hot on finance minister, insists FG printed N60bn

    Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki has faulted the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, for denying that the Federal Government printed N60 billion in March to support allocation to states.

    The governor, who accused the Federal Government of “monetary rascality’, also tackled the finance minister for “playing the Ostrich”.

    Obaseki said this in a series of tweets to react to the denial by Zainab that his claim on FG’s printing of N60bn was “untrue”.

    Obaseki said, “While we do not want to join issues with the Federal Ministry of Finance, we believe it is our duty to offer useful advice for the benefit of our country.

    “The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, should rally Nigerians to stem the obvious fiscal slide facing our country.

    “Rather than play the Ostrich, we urge the government to take urgent steps to end the current monetary rascality, so as to prevent the prevailing economic challenge from degenerating further.

    “We believe it is imperative to approach the Nigerian project with all sense of responsibility and commitment and not play to the gallery because ultimately, time shall be the judge of us all.”

    Obaseki was last week quoted as raising the alarm over Nigeria’s financial position which he said made the CBN print about N60billion to augment allocation shared by states in March.

    “When we got FAAC for March, the Federal Government printed additional N50-N60 billion to top-up for us to share.

    “This April, we will go to Abuja and share. By the end of this year, our total borrowings are going to be within N15-N16 trillion,” Obaseki had lamented over the weekend.

    But while answering questions from State House correspondents on Wednesday, the minister said Obaseki’s claim was not factual.

    Ahmed said, “The issue that was raised by the Edo State Governor, for me, is very sad because it is not a fact.

    “What we distribute at FAAC is revenue that is generated and in fact, distribution revenue is a piece of 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.”

  • Obaseki’s claim on revenue, debt sad, untrue – FG

    Obaseki’s claim on revenue, debt sad, untrue – FG

    Two claims made by Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki last week were yesterday punctured by the Federal Government.

    Finance Minister Mrs. Zainab Ahmed said the government neither padded the Federation Account revenue nor exceeded the debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio.

    Speaking at the Edo Transition Committee Stakeholders’ Engagement last Thursday, Obaseki claimed that the Federal Government used quantitative easing to add N60 billion to the March revenue before being shared by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

    He also alleged that the Federal Government is borrowing without a sustainable plan to sort out the debt load.

    In the event that government needs money, or funds to finance its various activities, it can resort to quantitative easing, or monetary policy instrument whereby the central bank would purchase bonds, or any other financial assets and inject the money into the economy, or make such resources available to the government so as to expand and drive economic activities in the needed sectors.

    Speaking to State House correspondents, the minister said distributions at FAAC were revenues from various federal agencies.

    “The issue that has been raised by the Edo State Governor, for me, is very sad because it is not a fact. What we distribute at FAAC is a revenue that is generated and in fact distributed revenue is a public information. We publish it.

    “So, it’s revenue generated by the FIRS, the Customs and the NNPC, that we distribute at FAAC. It is not true”, she said.

    Speaking to the issue of borrowing without a repayment plan, Mrs. Ahmed said the nation’s debt profile remains within manageable realms. She said the plan for the country is basically to improve its revenue generation in order to take care of both debt servicing and running of government.

    “On the issue of the borrowing, the Nigerian debt is still within sustainable limits. What we need to do, as I have said several times, is to improve our revenue to enhance our capacity to service, not only our debt obligations, but to service the needs of running government on day to day basis.

    “So our debt, currently at about 23 per cent to GDP, is at a very sustainable level. You can look at all the reports that you see from multilateral institutions, those facts are stated”, she added.

    Last night, a source close to the governor who craved anonymity said the onus is on the Federal Government to disprove Obaseki’s claim.

    The source added: “He will not want to take up issues with the Federal Government since they are reacting to what he said.

    “The truth is known to the Federal Government. It is for the government to clarify it. It is not for the governor to revalidate what he said.”

  • Obaseki, Oshiomhole Meet Publicly For The First Time Since After Edo Polls

    Obaseki, Oshiomhole Meet Publicly For The First Time Since After Edo Polls

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki at the weekend maintained that he has no personal grudges against his predecessor and former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, but only dislikes his style of politics, Igbere TV reports.

    Obaseki disclosed this to journalists in Auchi, Etsako-West Local Government Area of the state, at the Centenary Birthday Thanksgiving of Msgr. Thomas Oleghe and 18th Canonical Erection Anniversary of the Diocese of Auchi held at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Auchi.

    Obaseki, who exchanged greetings with an elbow-bump in compliance with COVID-19 preventive protocols, with his predecessor, said they are both sons of Edo with interest of the state at heart.

    The governor said: “I don’t have anything personal against Oshiomhole. I may not like his politics, but he has not done anything personal against me. We all are interacting with the interest of the country and the development of our community at heart.”

    The governor said the Zonal Congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which was scheduled to hold this Saturday, was postponed due to the local government elections taking place in Delta State.

    “The Zonal Congress, which was to hold today has been postponed to Tuesday and it’s a normal routine to satisfy the party’s constitution; there is nothing amiss,” he added.

    On his part, Oshiomhole, who was a guest at the event, hailed his successor, Governor Obaseki, describing him as ‘his brother and friend.’

    Oshiomhole stated: “Once the governor speaks, the matter ends. The governor knows that pensioners here might not be able to do much, that is why he said every other thing required to complete the hostel of the Catholic School of Nursing and Midwifery in Uzairue, his government will do.”