Tag: Godwin obaseki

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Rema Was A Backstage Artiste At My 2016 Inauguration – Governor Obaseki Reveals

Godwin Obaseki, the Edo State Governor, has disclosed that Rema was one of the backstage artistes at his inauguration ceremony in 2016.

Obaseki stated this in a post via his X praising Rema for his achievements in the music industry.

The Governor said Rema, who was only a backstage performer in 2016, has become a global sensation in 2024.

“Only few could have imagined that @heisrema, who was one of the backstage acts at my inauguration in 2016, would achieve global sensation status by 2024.

“Or that Edo Queens, who joined our women’s football league barely three years ago, would go on to conquer West Africa and be poised for African dominance.

“But these are just a few anecdotes of the resurgence of the great Edo nation,” he wrote.

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Edo: I Am Not Obaseki’s Governorship Candidate – Akpata

Olumide Akpata, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA has denied reports that his governorship ambition is bankrolled by Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki.

Akpata clarified that there is no truth to the suggestion that Obaseki would support him if his preferred candidate in the People’s Democratic Party does not secure the ticket.

He also countered allegations of attempting to purchase the Labour Party ticket with money, labeling such claims as immature.

Akpata made these remarks in Benin while attending the award day of the 2023 Press Week of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as a Special Guest.

He said, “That I am sponsored by Godwin Obaseki is an unfounded and baseless rumour. It was bandied around by two irresponsible online blogs that I shall be going after with all the venom that I can muster because my approach to fake news is that you nip it in the bud and you deal with it before it festers.

“It has also been bandied around by some disgruntled politicians including my party and I said to them that it is a very weak argument or reasoning.

“My relationship with the governor has never been hidden so it is only politicians who don’t know how to agree to disagree that quickly conclude that when two contenders sit together, they must belong to the same camp.

“In the old Bendel State, my father’s elder brother Sen Olu Akpata was in the UPN in 1979, and his cousin Tayo Akpata was the chairman of NPN in the same state. They had lunch and dinner together.

“The family I belong to are honourable people. Those who know the Akpata family in Benin know that we are honourable people. If I cannot go into politics on my own, and get the prize that I am looking for I will stay at home.

“I am a successful lawyer. Politics is not my job. It is out of interest that we have come to the rescue of this state and Nigeria. I cannot be the hireling of anybody,” he added.

On the issue of being a money bag, Akpata said, “As the Americans would say, I put my money where my mouth is and you know, these people who say I am a money bag, have been spending before I came into the scene. So I just wonder what the issue really is. You know when people get uncomfortable with a competition that they cannot match up to, they must look for something to say.

“They are only giving a dog a bad name to hang it. The LP is not as financially buoyant as the other parties. So all of us who are true party members must come together and help our party. I shrug off the claim that I am a money bag. However, Politics is expensive all over the world.”

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NFF Applauds Obaseki For Supporting Sunshine Stars After Robbery Attack

Gov Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has been applauded by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over the assistance he rendered to Sunshine Stars of Akure who were involved in an armed robbery attack.

Recall that armed robbers attacked Sunshine Stars on the Ore-Benin Highway on Thursday, 7 December, while traveling to the city of Benin for the scheduled NPFL Matchday 13 game against Bendel Insurance.

There were no reports of stolen attempts but it was reported that the team’s ball boy was shot in the stomach and he is currently responding to treatment in Edo state.

Other members of the team from Ondo state were also injured and some were said to be traumatized due to the attack which forced their game this weekend to be postponed.

According to a statement signed by NFF director of communication, Ademola Olajire, Governor Obaseki has volunteered to pay for the hospital bills of the victims of the armed robbery attack.

The statement claimed that the governor had sent officials of his government to the hospital where some members of the Sunshine Stars are currently receiving treatment to console with them.

While reacting to the gesture of Governor Obaseki, NFF president, Ibrahim Gusau, wished the victims of the attack a speedy recovery.

Gusau was quoted as saying: “We thank the Executive Governor of Edo State, His Excellency Mr Godwin Obaseki for this kind gesture. It is a commendable move in which nobility cannot be over-emphasized. We appreciate him immensely, as we pray for a quick recovery for the injured ball boy and the traumatized players and other officials.”

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Obaseki Should Have Discussed Successor’s Choice With Me, Not Intimidate Me — Shaibu

Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu has accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of intimidation and harassment.
According to him, Obaseki should have discussed his choice of a successor with him.
Shaibu made this known on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Tuesday.
The 53-year-old politician had on Monday officially declared to run for the September 21, 2024 governorship election in the state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Shaibu insisted that despite his not-so-smooth association with his principal, it is his constitutional right to contest the number one office in the state.
The deputy governor said, “He (Obaseki) said I am the type of deputy governor any governor will wish to have. So, what has changed? What has changed simply is that I want to be the governor of Edo State.
 
“Possibly, maybe he (Obaseki) wants somebody else. In a situation like that, what you do is not intimidation, it is not harassment; you call a family together, you call all of us (aspirants) together and give us reasons why you feel certain things should be. Tell us what you want. You don’t intimidate, you don’t harass.

 

 

 
“If I am governor tomorrow and my deputy wants to contest, he has the right to contest. If I want to support somebody else, I also have the right to support somebody else, not intimidation.
 
“No conversation and then the next thing is intimidation and harassment, not to somebody that has sacrificed for the government.”
 
Philip Shaibu during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on November 28, 2023
The PDP governorship aspirant said he won’t cave in to pressure or intimidation but can be won over through engagements and discussions.
“I am someone that can easily give in after engagement but I am not somebody that can give in to intimidation. If I am to give in to intimidation, we won’t have
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Gov Obaseki Swears In SAs, SSAs

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has inaugurated 44 Special Assistants (SAs) and 10 Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) in Owan West and Owan East Local Government Areas of the State.

The governor, while swearing in the new aides at the Edo State College of Education in Afuze, called for a paradigm shift in politics in the country to a new era centred on genuine service, development and bettering the lives of the people.

Obaseki said, “I am here to tell you that I care about you and it will not be business as usual. I will take care of you.

“Politics must change, politics is about the people and politicians must care for their people. Enough is enough. We cannot say we are in politics and are poorer for it. Politics must help us to get out of poverty.

“If I can come here to inaugurate you that means I don’t want you to leave here. You cannot be in Benin or Auchi and be working here. If I get a report that you are not in your base, you will get a letter from me replacing you. You are not absentee SAs or SSAs. If you know that you will not be in the community, let me know now so that I can get those ready to work for us in the party.

“It’s not just another employment but we are here to deliberately make sure that in every ward we have one SA and in some cases, one SSA. They are to take care of and be my eyes and ears in every ward. No week must pass without me getting a report through the SSA of what has happened in your ward.”

The governor further noted, “I want to know if the teachers we are paying are working. I want to know the state of our primary health care centres in each ward, and also that of security in each ward before I hear from other sources. I want to know how people are living in your ward and community. Are they able to eat? Can they go to the farm? If not, why and what can we do about them?”

On his part, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, commended the people of Owan West and East local government areas for their continuous support, which led to victory in the last local government elections in the State.

He said, “We are here in Afuze for the inauguration of Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Assistants (SAs) to the Governor in both Owan West and Owan East local government areas. We acknowledge what you have done for the party and the role you have played in the last election that resulted in the massive win at the polls.”

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Gov Obaseki Commiserates With Families Of Delta Tanker Explosion

Gov Godwin Obaseki has extended his heartfelt sympathy to the families of the victims of the petrol tanker explosion at Koko Junction, in Delta State.

In a statement late Sunday night, the governor expressed sadness over the unfortunate incident, noting that the loss of lives was regrettable.

He said, “We are saddened by the news of the petrol tanker explosion in Koko Junction, Delta State.

“We commiserate with the government and people of Delta State over the tragic incident. We sympathise with the families of the victims.”

Obaseki urged, “Nigerians to desist from attempting to scoop petrol whenever there is an accident involving tankers. It is pertinent to consider safety first and report to appropriate authorities in such instances.”

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Police Begin Investigation Into Killing Of Two Voters In Edo

Gov Godwin Obaseki of Edo state has disclosed that the police have begun investigation into the killing of two voters in the state during the presidential and National Assembly elections held on Saturday, February 25.

Festus Idahosa, 33; and Mrs Elizabeth Owie, 43, were killed during an attack at a voting centre in Upper Sakpoba area, Ikpoba Okha Local Government, Edo South Senatorial District.

He said, “It’s very sad as the young man came to perform his civic responsibility and duties and his life was cut short because of people’s perception of what power should be.

“It’s sad that this sort of electoral violence still happens at this stage of our development. As a government, we would put all measures in place to find out the perpetrators and find out what truly happened and make sure appropriate steps are taken for us to get to justice.

“I was told that the investigation is in top gear but we need to wait for a few more days and hear what the police need to say about the incidents.”