Civil servants in Edo state will have every cause to smile on receiving the alert for January 2020 salaries which will reflect the new minimum wage of N30,000.
The state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki gave the confirmation after signing into law the new minimum wage structure for civil servants after a meeting with organized labour at the government house in Benin City, the Edo state capital.
He added that an agreement on the new minimum wage structure was easily reached with the joint negotiating council based on transparency on both sides, with the government willing to provide a conducive atmosphere for workers to deliver their best.
Gov Obaseki said the success recorded owes to the sincerity between government, labour and trade unions, noting “there should not be much difference between a state worker, federal government worker, and a local government worker because it is the same government.”
“What we have done in Edo is to change the narrative by emphasizing on productivity. If you want someone to be productive, the minimum you can do is to pay the person a living wage,” he added.
He said the next phase of welfare package for workers in the state will include capacity building of public servants to be more efficient and productive.
“Every worker must have health cover; every worker who is eligible must have a house mortgage of their own and every worker will undertake, at least one public service training in the public service training academy every year,” he said.
Mr Obaseki in his new year day broadcast had promised that workers in the state will get the new minimum wage of N30,000 from January 2020.
Governor Godwin Obaseki addressing a gathering in Abuja on July 19, 2019.
The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has converted the death sentence given to four prisoners to life imprisonment.
The governor also approved the release of one person from the Correctional Centre.
Mr Obaseki gave the approval in the exercise of the powers conferred on him under section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, on the recommendation of the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.
The four Prisoners whose sentences were transmuted from death row to life imprisonment are Ayo Olofin, Abiodun Uwagboe, Sanni Ladan and Joel Ighalo; while the released inmate is one Emejor Amos.
In June 2019, Governor Obaseki approved the release of eight prisoners who were on death row and transmuted the death penalty of nine others.
Those freed were “Abu Dennis Ulubeka (M) convicted and sentenced to death for the offence of Murder; Tirimisiyu Adebayo (M) convicted and sentenced to death for the offences of conspiracy and Armed Robbery; Tajudeen Fabiyi (M) convicted and sentenced to death for the offences of Conspiracy and Armed Robbery, and Olufemi Ajayi (M) convicted and sentenced to death for the offences of Conspiracy and Armed Robbery.”
Others were “Charles Omowunmi (M) found guilty for the offence of murder and was ordered to be detained in prison at the pleasure of the Governor; Kalu Ojeh (M) convicted and sentenced to 21 years imprisonment on each count, both sentences to run concurrently for the offences of Conspiracy and Armed Robbery; Mathew Idoko (M) convicted and sentenced to death for the offence of murder and Robinson James (M) convicted and sentenced to death for the offences of conspiracy and Armed Robbery.”
Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said that the fire that razed the Ekiosa market and the Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA) building was no accident.
Governor Obaseki after inspecting the affected places at the EDPA building alleged that those who want to see his administration fail are behind the incident.
“If you thought the incidence in the markets were accidents, you cannot tell me that the fire on the sixth floor of this building could have been an accident.”
He assured the traders and residents of the state that the government will ensure a thorough investigation is carried out and those found culpable will face the wrath of the law.
“These are clear incidents of arson and as a government; we will do all that is necessary and required to make sure we get to the bottom of it.”
The inferno on Sunday destroyed goods and properties, leaving traders scampering to rescue some items.
Former National Chairman of the Al Progressives Congress (APC), Mr John Odigie-Oyegun has declared support for the second term bid of the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki.
Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr John Odigie-Oyegun has declared support for the second term bid of the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki.
Speaking at a meeting of Edo State Indigenes in Abuja on Thursday, Oyegun asked those who are against the governor’s ambition to have a re-think.
According to him, Obaseki has been able to do some of the things previous governors were unable to do for the benefit of the people.
The APC chieftain noted that since Obaseki assumed office in 2016, his administration has initiated people-oriented policies that reflect the dreams and aspiration of the founding fathers of the state.
“Mr Governor, you are standing for dignity. Mr Governor, you are standing for the truth. Mr Governor, you are standing for the type of Nigerian nation that we preached in 2015. A nation that will change ethically, morally, a nation that will know truth from falsehood, a nation that is ready to defend what is right at all times.
“Given the way you became governor, given the role that you are playing today, given the kind of example that you are showing to Nigerians, people should be ready to fight for the truth. They don’t know how difficult it is to reconcile a man who has truth with a man who wants to compromise those principles at all cost.
“So it is our prayer that courage will not fail you. That the people of your state will stand by you and to assure you that we will stand by you,” he stated.
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has reacted to comments by the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and his deputy Philip Shaibu, that he (Oshiomhole) taught them all they are executing today in the state including the fight against godfatherism.
Oshiomhole who reacted in a television programme at the weekend said he never thought them the violence that is being exhibited today in the state as well as losing elections.
“I have always been a winner,” he said.
“I have read several sayings that I thought them all they are doing today. This is laughable because I never thought them how to lose elections. As we speak today, the governor (Obaseki) lost his ward, Local Government and senatorial district in the last Presidential election.
“As we speak, the governor is being represented by the PDP in his Federal constituency and senatorial district. These in my view were early warning signals about need to change tactics. Stop threatening people, saying you will crush. Who are you crushing?
“I won my entire senatorial district for Mr President and I am being represented by an APC senator and House of Representatives. Then, his Deputy, Philip, in Jattu where he comes from, in his polling booth where he and his family voted, lost.
“He lost his booth during his own governorship election in which he was standing as Deputy governorship candidate. So if he learnt from me, he should have learnt well because I never lost election in my village.
“There is no body in my village who can work against me because when I go home I relate with them, I am an ordinary man. You see when you have power and you don’t use it you are even more powerful. And you must know when to talk tough and when to talk soft. When I am in my village I am just like an ordinary man. I argue and play with my people”.
According to Oshiomhole, the only man that was in the PDP in his village, is now one of his PA’s through persuasion and not force.
Lamenting that Governor Obaseki and his deputy have unleashed mayhem on APC members in Edo State, Oshiomhole stated that even as a professional fighter one must choose their fight.
“It is only Philip and his boss that talks about crushing APC members. If you become a crushing machine and God enable you to crush your people who will you govern assuming you win,” he asked.
“A political party is like a forest, in that forest you have many animals. The politician is the guy who goes into this forest, knowing fully well that all the dangerous animals are there but he is going for the antelope or the grass cutter which he wants to use to feed his family. He goes there get his antelope or grass cutter home and feast without being crashed.
“So the minimum requirement of political leadership is to be able to deal with all kinds of characters”.
A file photo of APC National Chairman, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, addressing a press conference in Abuja.
The crisis in the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a new twist with the suspension of the party’s national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.
The decision followed the vote of no confidence reportedly passed on Mr Oshiomhole on Tuesday by the Chairmen of the APC in the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
A statement jointly signed by the APC Chairman and Assistant Secretary in Edo, Anselm Ojezua and Ikuenobe Anthony, respectively explained that Oshiomhole was suspended for his alleged role in the crisis rocking the state chapter of the party.
“Consequent on the development, the State Executive Committee has adopted the vote of no confidence passed on him and the subsisting suspension order from the organs of the party in the state.
“The vote of no confidence on Oshiomhole and the suspension are the fallout of his role in trying to disintegrate the party in Edo State,” it said.
The state party chieftains stressed that the suspension was necessary to prevent a repeat of what happened in Zamfara State, where the APC was unable to field any candidate in 2019 general elections.
The statement added, “Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is the one behind the crisis in Edo APC. We have passed a vote of no confidence in him and he stands suspended from the party.
“We don’t want what happened in Zamfara State or other parts of the country to happen in Edo State.”
In another statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the body and Etsako West Chairman, Ibrahim Akokia, as well as his Etsako Central and Owan West counterparts, Suleiman Bagudu and Lugard Alukpe respectively, the 18 LGA Chairmen of APC in Edo distanced themselves from Oshiomhole’s suspension.
They insisted that they were not aware of such a meeting where a vote of no confidence was passed on Oshiomhole who they said was “doing very well”.
On the contrary, they accused the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, of harassment and intimidation, adding that his actions could pull down the APC in the state.
They, therefore, called on the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to expel Governor Obaseki from the party over allegations of anti-party activities.
A file photo of Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, addressing a gathering in Abuja 2019.
The 18 Local Government Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State have called on the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to expel the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, from the party.
They made the call on Tuesday in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the body and Etsako West Chairman, Ibrahim Akokia, as well as his Etsako Central and Owan West counterparts, Suleiman Bagudu and Lugard Alukpe respectively.
This comes as the crisis rocking the state chapter of the party deepens, following the suspension of the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, by the party’s leadership in Edo State.
The state leadership had explained in a statement issued earlier that Oshiomhole was suspended following the vote of no confidence passed on him by the APC LG chairmen.
The LG chairmen, however, distanced themselves from the said suspension of the APC national chairman, saying the claim of passing a vote of no confidence on Oshiomhole was not true.
On the contrary, they accused Governor Obaseki of harassment and intimidation, adding his actions could pull down the APC in the state.
“He is on a mission to destroy APC in Edo State but we will resist it,” they said.
The chairmen added, “We are the chairmen of the party in the 18 LGA s and we are not aware of the meeting where a vote of no confidence was passed on the national chairman of our party, Comrade Oshiomhole who is doing very well.
“Rather we are aware that majority of the chairmen haven suffered intimidation, harassment and assault in the hands of the Governor Godwin Obaseki led administration, what we have never seen in the politics of our dear state.”
The chairmen, thereafter, passed a vote of no confidence on Governor Obaseki and the embattled state chairman of the party, Anslem Ojezua.
They alleged that both men have not only failed the party but the people of the state, adding that they have been involved in anti-party activities and lacked the moral rights to remain in the APC.
“Oshiomhole remains our leader and we pass vote of confidence on his leadership.
“It is sad that the governor and his cohorts are using money to induce our members but majority of them, we are happy, have resisted his moves to intimidate them,” the LG chairmen alleged.
Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has apologised to commercial motorcyclists popularly known as ‘Okada riders’ in the state on behalf of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for describing them as thugs.
Mr. Shaibu’s apology is connected to the claims by the APC leader that the convoy of the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, was attacked by motorcyclists at the home of Mr. Oshiomhole, after the Edo state university’s convocation ceremony.
Mr. Oshiomhole had linked the thugs who attacked the convoy of Governor Obaseki as loyalists to Mr. Shaibu.
The deputy governor who hosted a delegation from the motorcyclist union at the government house in Benin City, the Edo state capital, explained to them that the comments were a slip of tongue from the part of Mr. Oshiomhole.
“I want to correct the news by our national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole that the Okada riders are thugs, you are not thugs and I want to apologise on his behalf to tell you people maybe it was a slip of tongue.
“You people are never thugs; you cannot be thugs because if what we have done with you and you are technology-driven and you are talking, you can’t be referred as thugs; not even when he rode on your back to victory at the tribunal.”
He added that after a long-serving relationship with the APC national chairman, it was unexplainable to have such comment served at the motorcyclists.
“Every morning, you were always at his house in your hundreds and most cases we rode on your back to the tribunal. So how come now you are being referred to as thugs, I think it was a slip of tongue, so on his behalf, I apologise to all of you.”
A file photo of Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State speaking to reporters.
Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has condemned the attack on the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, the Chancellor of Edo State University, Dr Aderemi Makanjuola, and other guests at the residence of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole.
He stated this during an interview with reporters on Saturday after he and the other dignitaries escaped an attack by suspected thugs at the residence of his predecessor.
Governor Obaseki took exception to the resort to violence, noting that it was shameful for such an attack to take place at the residence of the leader of the ruling party in the state and at the national level.
He described the attack as an unfortunate incident, saying, “It is very unfortunate that we can’t feel safe in the house of our National Chairman.”
The governor added, “I am not sure that if I visit the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), they will attack me the way they did in the house of the APC National Chairman.
“It is unfortunate that things have degenerated to this extent but we will continue to pursue peace; we cannot afford to lose the gains of the last three years.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole has linked the thugs who attacked the Edo state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu and the Chancellor of the Edo University, Iyahmo, Dr. Aderemi Makanjuola, to the Deputy Governor of the state, Philip Shaibu.
Mr. Oshiomhole in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Simon Ebegbulem, after the incident, described the thugs who invaded his Iyamho country home as loyalists to Mr. Shaibu.
Dignitaries including Governor Obaseki had attended the maiden convocation ceremony of the Edo University, Iyahmo and honoured a lunch invitation at the home of Mr. Oshiomhole, when the thugs launched an attack on the vehicles belonging to the APC Chieftain kinsmen.
The statement narrated that tension in the community started on Friday when the deputy governor imported thugs into the community with a view to intimidate political opponents.
It added that during the convocation ceremony, the Central Bank governor, Godwin Emefiele who delivered a lecture, had called for calm when the thugs who had gained entrance into the school premises, started disturbing the public.
“Security agents helped to ensure peace before the event started. As a matter of fact, Comrade Oshiomhole left the event through the back so as to avoid being attacked by the thugs who laid siege at the entrance gate of the university.”
It further recounted the build-up to the attack, adding that; “the governor, the National Chairman of APC, Comrade Oshiomhole and other guests were already in the hall when at about 11:30 am, the deputy governor stormed the University with over 200 Okada riders and thugs.
“The deputy governor rode to the event in one of the motorcycles. Security operatives accosted them at the gate and refused them entrance. The thugs started threatening the security operatives who insisted the deputy governor can enter the venue but they will not allow the thugs to gain access.
“Following their threats the security operatives tear-gassed the thugs and the deputy governor; the thugs were dispersed while the deputy governor joined other dignitaries at the venue.
“This created tension already in the small community,” it added.
After the incident in the school, the statement explained that the invited guests made their way to Mr. Oshiomhole’s country home, where the whole attack happened.
“After the event, Comrade Oshiomhole left instructions at the gate that he was expecting these respected leaders. So when the visitors came, the governor (Obaseki) drove in a bus with other officials but following the incident that occurred earlier where thugs sponsored by the deputy governor invaded the university, Iyamho youths barricaded the gate of the national chairman with a view to protecting him against any harm.
“These youths sighted Andrew Momodu, Osaigbovo Iyoha on the bus which conveyed the governor to Oshiomhole’s residence. They decided to stop them from entering the compound because these were the same people who led the thugs that attacked Oshiomhole’s residence in Benin City penultimate week.”
The statement clarified that no vehicle in the convoy of Governor Obaseki was destroyed.
“The thugs targeted the vehicles belonging to Oshiomhole’s relations and friend and destroyed them. Thank God for the intervention of soldiers and other security operatives who came to restore peace.
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu and the Chancellor of the Edo University, Iyahmo, Dr. Aderemi Makanjuola, were attacked by suspected thugs at the house of National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
Governor Obaseki and the other guests had attended the maiden convocation ceremony of the Edo University, Iyahmo, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie said the Oba of Lagos and the governor had gone to Comrade Oshiomhole’s house to honour an invitation for a lunch after the ceremony at the university.
“The former governor’s house is just opposite the university. Governor Obaseki, the Oba of Lagos and other guests had gone to Oshiomhole’s house for lunch when they were attacked by thugs led by one Romeo, said to be one of Oshiomhole’s nephews,” he said.
It took the intervention of the governor’s security to prevent a blood bath as several vehicles were smashed by the thugs.
Meanwhile, Governor Obaseki condemned the attack noting that it was shameful for such an attack to take place at the residence of the National Chairman of the ruling party in the state and at the national level.
He stressed that the resort to violence was inappropriate and an unfortunate incident.
“It is very unfortunate that we can’t feel safe in the house of our National Chairman.
“I am not sure that if I visit the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that they will attack me the way they did in the house of the APC National Chairman.”
“It is unfortunate that things have degenerated to this extent. But we will continue to pursue peace. We cannot afford to lose the gains of the last three years. We will continue to pursue peace,” he added.
An automobile crash has claimed the lives of at least seven people as the advance Protocol Team of the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, was involved in a head-on collision with an Audi car.
The accident happened at Ehor Village on the outskirt of Benin City the Edo State capital.
Confirming the tragic incident in a statement, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the Audi vehicle lost its tyre and ran into a pothole, before colliding with the Hilux vehicle.
Several other persons including one of the governor’s drivers were injured in the incident.
The governor’s spokesman conveyed the state government’s condolences to the victims and their families.
“We have confirmed from the Police and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) details of the accident involving the advance team of the Governor’s Protocol team.
“The development is extremely sad. We commiserate with the families of the victims and pray that God grants them the fortitude to bear the painful loss.
“From our findings, the Audi vehicle lost its tyre and ran into a pothole, before colliding with the Hilux vehicle, which was conveying protocol officers from Edo State Government House.”
He said the state government would ensure that the affected families get the necessary support to lessen the impact of the sad incident, noting that more information on the development will be released to the press soon.
