Edo News Panorama

AU Heads of Govt Meeting: Obaseki, Okonjo-Iweala mobilise support for anti-corruption fight*

… as Edo gov enlists AU for state’s industrialisation drive

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and the former Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, have made a strong case for Nigerians to support the effort of President Muhammadu Buhari to stamp out corruption from the country.

In separate interviews on the sideline of the just-concluded 31st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of Government of the African Union in Mauritania, with the theme: ‘Winning the Fight against Corruption, A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation,’ Governor Obaseki and the former Minister of Finance urged Nigerians to back President Muhammadu Buhari's anti-corruption fight for a prosperous Nigeria.

According to Obaseki, "the African continent has not given up hope on us because they see in our leader someone who has the willingness to tackle this problem, which we have as a country and so I urge Nigerians to understand that it is not a personal battle.”

He emphasised that the fight against corruption "should not be a solo effort. It is about us, as we have one more opportunity as a country to deal with this cancer, this cankerworm that has held us down.”

Okonjo-Iweala said: “We are here at the African Union because the AU is very concerned about corruption on the African continent. Obviously, the body has asked our President to lead the fight against corruption. What that means to me is that in Nigeria we also need to strengthen our effort, work very strongly to make sure that we set an example.

“I think all of us should be involved. I want to repeat that fighting corruption is a task for every Nigerian. I believe that majority of Nigerians are honest, hardworking people who just want to get on with their lives. So we must not allow the majority to be overtaken by the minority of people. We must fight them, we must put in place the systems and these should be done by all of us.”

However, Governor Obaseki enlisted the support of the AU in the state’s industrialisation drive, in a spirited effort to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the state.

The governor, who was part of Nigeria’s delegation to the 31st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government AU, stressed the friendly investment climate in the state and the support structures put in place by the state government to promote and protect investments.

The governor brought his experience as an investment banker to bear in sessions on business as well as other discussions relating to doing business in Nigeria at the AU summit.

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*Obaseki showcases Edo's ease of doing business reforms in Mauritania*

To increase the state's attractiveness to investors, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, has said critical reforms have been udertaken to plug leakages and de-risk investments.

Obaseki disclosed this during meetings with African leaders, as part of the Federal Government's delegation to the 31st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) in Mauritania.

The governor shared experiences and insights from foreign investors, who are operating in the different sectors of the state's economy.

*Police nab official of fake recruitment agency in Edo*

The Edo State Government says the persons behind the fake recruitment agency that defrauded over 500 job seekers in Benin City, of millions of naira, for nonexistent jobs, have been arrested by the police.

According to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, an official of KAI Consulting, the fake recruitment agency has been arrested by the police.

"The suspect, Benjamin Amachi Chukura, is a graduate of Public Administration, from Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Ekpoma.

"He claimed that his organisation wrote a letter to Edo State Government in November 2017 seeking recognition and partnership with the state on environmental issues.

"Chukura told security agents that KAI Environmental is a voluntary organisation operating in Delta State with about 60 workers," Osagie said.

The governor's aide further said that Chukura is being interrogated by the police to explain the roles of his colleagues in the employment scam.

The news of the employment scam broke few days ago that over 500 job seekers in Edo State were made to pay over N10 million for jobs, by KAI Consulting, which claimed that it was recruiting workers for the Edo State Ministry of Environment and Sustainability.

But the Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability in the state, Omoua Alonge Oni-Okpaku, debunked the claim and said that all state government jobs are handled by EdoJobs, a government jobs portal.

Media reports quoted Chukura as saying that KIA Consulting received 113 applications from applicants who paid them for training them in preparation for their recruitment into the government agency.

He admitted that the Chief Executive officer of the agency collected about N180, 000.

Some of the money collected from the unsuspecting job seekers include: N5,000 for Uniform; N2,000 for handout; N1,000 for Identity Card; N500 for examination fee; and another N2,000.

*Benin Club lauds Obaseki govt for job creation, education reform, achievements in agric*

The Benin Club has commended the Governor Obaseki-led administration for its developmental strides, particularly in job creation, education and agriculture sectors.

President of the club, Sir Ade Edeki, who led other officials and members of the club on a courtesy visit to the governor, at Government House in Benin City, said the achievements were laudable and have brought hope to Edo people and residents.

Edeki described the leadership style of the governor, who is the patron of the club as people-oriented.

"We commend you for your achievements so far especially in the areas of education reform in the state, for creating jobs for our people, repositioning the agriculture sector and for assisting security agencies to do their jobs better," Edeki said.

He urged the state government to deploy Closed-circuit Television (CCTV) cameras to flash points in the state as part of the new security architecture of the state.

The president also intimated the governor of the club's plan to organise a Governor's Games that would feature several sporting events, as part of the club’s plan to engage Edo youths in creative ventures.

Obaseki congratulated the new executive members of the Benin Club on their victory and urged them to hit the ground running and execute impactful projects for the club.

The governor expressed his delight at the proposed Governor's Games and assured that the state’s commissioner for youths and special duties would work out modalities for the sporting events.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of a birthday card by officials of the club to the governor, whose birthday was on Sunday, July 1.

Follow Governor Obaseki on Social Media

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Twitter: @governorobaseki
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*Benin Auto Park: Obaseki hosts global automotive industry players, assures on incentives*
...as Edo holds automotive investment forum

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured global automotive industry players, including BMW, Bosch, Toyota, Volkswagen, Ford, Uber, among others, of the state's readiness to provide mouthwatering incentives and other business-friendly policies to enable them set up at the proposed Benin Auto Park, opposite the Benin Industrial Park (BIP).

Obaseki gave the assurance at the Edo Automotive Investment Forum, which held at the Government House in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

He urged the delegation of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Africa Operations of global automotive industry players to explore investment opportunities in the state, with focus on investments to boost the automotive sector in Benin City, one of the most vibrant auto sales and services hubs in the country.

Governor Obaseki said Edo State is strategically located to become one of the largest automotive hubs in West Africa and maintained that the state has a robust automotive sales and services sector, which guarantees impressive Return on Investment (RoI).

*Obaseki mulls Security Trust Fund for Edo*

*… Commends retired military officers' sacrifice*

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has revealed plans to pass into law, a bill to set up a Security Trust Fund for the state, as part of measures to revamp the security architecture.

Obaseki disclosed this when executive members of the Retired Army, Navy and Air Force Officers Association of Nigeria (RANAO), Edo State Chapter, paid a courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

He noted, “As part of the rethinking of the state’s security architecture, we will, very shortly, pass into law the new Security Trust Fund Bill, which is going to be the anchor on which our security architecture will be built on.”

The governor commended members of RANAO for their contributions to the security of the country, noting, “Nigeria has been shaped by your activities as retired security officers and you have fought to keep the country as one.”

He urged the group to provide advice and assistance to improve the security of life and property in the state, adding that security is a major challenge facing the country, and all hands must be on deck to solve the nagging problem.

Obaseki said, “As a government, we realise that the challenges we face as a country is quite deep and formidable. Without law, safety and order, government will not succeed. That is why we have tried, as a government, to do our best in terms of safety, security and order to enable us build a great state.”

Earlier, leader of the group, Retired Major General (Retd.) Paul Edomwande, commended Governor Obaseki for the developmental strides recorded since he assumed office as governor of the state.

“We laud your effort in abolishing the Community Development Associations (CDAs) that had caused carnage in our communities.

“Nothing should be allowed to disrupt the mop-up that is still going on,” he added.

Follow Governor Obaseki on Social Media

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Facebook: fb.com/godwinobasekiofficial
Twitter: @governorobaseki
Instagram: @governorobaseki

*Benin Auto Park: Obaseki hosts global automotive industry players, assures on incentives*

...as global brands commit to partnership with Edo govt

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured global automotive industry players, including BMW, Bosch, Toyota, Volkswagen, Ford, Uber, among others, of the state's readiness to provide mouthwatering incentives and other business-friendly policies to enable them set up at the proposed Benin Auto Park, opposite the Benin Industrial Park (BIP).

Obaseki gave the assurance at the Edo Automotive Investment Forum, which hosted members of the Africa Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM), at the Government House in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

Noting that the state's thriving automotive industry services the Niger Delta market, parts of the North and even South Western Nigeria, he said, "Benin City boasts of a stock of not less than half a million cars. We want the companies to work within and even go beyond what the national automotive council provides to explore the market."

He said the Benin Auto Park will transform Nigeria's automotive industry and help upgrade the used car market, such that more Nigerians would start buying new cars at affordable prices and be assured of top-of-the-range after-sales services.

Making a case for the park, he said, “We want you to work with car dealership to create the largest single market location in Benin City, where people can buy cars. We want to properly organise the auto dealers in Benin City, transform the car components sector and attract investment to the state.”

He said the investment strategy in the first instance will be to attract companies to formalise the auto sales market and thereafter the emphasis will be to assemble cars.

Other companies in attendance include Graffiti SA, Nissan, Toyota, Deloitte, Gauteng Infrastructure Financing Agency (GIFA), Automotive Industry Development Center, DataDot Technology, Standard Bank of South Africa, International Finance Corporation, Afropulse Group, component sellers in Uwellu, Evgbareke, James Wyatt markets, and Service Providers.

During a visit to auto dealers along Benin- Sapele Road, a dealer with Idris and Sons Motors, Salihu Abdulahi, told the delegation that the corridor hosts at least 100 dealers and the vehicles in their inventory stretch to thousands.

Dr. Jelani Aliyu, the Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, said that the council is excited with the proposal of the Edo State Government, and sees at least two scenarios for growth.

According to him, “with this support by the state government, I see the state becoming a hotbed for automobile sales. The first instance will see the state grow from supplying used cars to brand new cars. Also, we see the influx of automobile component makers, who are also here.”

Chief Executive Officer, Volkswagen South Africa, Thomas Schaefer, said that the delegation is keenly interested in the Nigerian market, its growth and deepening investments, especially with the increased drive for the Automotive policy.

According to him, “the automotive industry is quite critical in South Africa. It generates 350,000 jobs. The market boasts of 600,000 new cars. There is zero importation. We hope to replicate this in Nigeria and are interested in the Nigerian market.

“We are interested in Nigeria and Edo State and impressed with the proposal for the Benin Auto Park. We hope to deepen the partnership,” he said.