Kakaki

Some beneficiaries of Edo Livelihood Support Programme, under the Cash Transfer Unit on Thursday declared support for Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates in the House of Assembly elections scheduled for March 18.

The programme which started in 2022 has impacted no fewer than 169 beneficiaries across the state.

The Programme is one of the Disbursement Link Indicators of the state government targeted at the poor and vulnerable household in the state.

Speaking at a feedback meeting at the State Cash Transfer office in Benin,
a cross section of the beneficiaries from Oredo and Ikpoba Okha Local Government
thanked the governor for the kind gesture.

They opined that Obaseki has impacted their lives positively through the project adding that the project must be sustained beyond 2023

Mr Monday Aideyan, a welder , who appreciated the governor for the project said the fund he received was used to buy welding materials to boost his trade.

“I was surprised that I was selected to benefit from the project. When they came to my work place, they asked what trade I was into and I told them.

” And they trained us on how to grow and sustain our businesses after which we were told to go and open account with Zenith Bank,” Aideyan said.

According to him, I was given N200,000 and the money went a long way for me and my family.

Also, Mr. Martins Idusuiyi, a farmer said he diversified into chicken business with the money he was paid.

Mrs Mariam Abu, a food vendor with eight children said she was paid the sum of N100,000 which she injected into her business adding that, the money has tripled.

” I am a widow, I have not received this kind of support since my husband died. So I will not joke with the business, she said.

According to her, I want to beg everybody to support the government so that the project can continue for others to benefit from.

The head of the State Cash Transfer Unit, Flora Bossey explained that the beneficiaries were being paid between N20,000 and N200,000 to support their businesses.

She revealed that the selection process was purely based on data from the state social register of poor and vulnerable, noting that the objective was to support small businesses mostly affected by Covid 19 pandemic.

The Benin Electricity Distribution Company PLC (BEDC), on Thursday, unveiled ‘iRecharge’, an online payment platform that will enhance efficiency in bill collections and make payment easier for customers in its franchise states of Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti

Dr Henry Ajagbawa, the Managing Director, BEDC, made the announcement during the unveiling ceremony of the iRecharge online payment platform at the company’s headquarters in Benin.

Ajagbawa noted that customers were unable to reach payment points across its operation areas, adding that it has hindered the ability of the company to make collections from the energy sold.

He said” One of the report done by our consultant pointed out the lack of access to payment platform or agents as one of the significant draw backs in our operations.

“On top of that, we met on ground, a monopolist situation, where we had only one aggregator on a payment platform with a limited agents of about 1,600. That further accentuated the problem of reachability.

“What we have done when we came on board, is to institute a new payment platform with about 14 aggregators bringing about 15,000 agents across the four states.

“And iRecharge is one of such aggregators that was onboarded for this purpose. They came with this unique payment system,” Ajagbawa said.

The managing director tasked the management of iRecharge on proper execution of the payment platform, adding that the company had not been pleased with some aggregators in the past.

“Therefore, we are using this opportunity to call on iRecharge to be very astute in execution to ensure that bottlenecks are removed,” he added.

Ajagbawa urged iRecharge to work closely with the BEDC cooperate affairs team to get the information to every nook and cranny of its operation areas.

According to the MD, the communication strategy must be very intense and deep such that you reach the people in the rural areas in manner and language they understand.

Mr Tomi Araromi, the Managing Director, iRecharge Tech-Innovations, said the new payment platform provided and paired a unique NUBAN account number to every prepaid and postpaid meter number.

Araromi noted that payment of electricity bills could be made with just one bank transfer to these account numbers.

“What this means is that your prepaid and postpaid meters now have their own account numbers where electricity bills payment can be made.

“Payment to this account numbers automatically generates and sends a token/receipt to the payee via SMS, Email and WhatsApp without convenience fees.

“To can get your meter bank account numbers via http://www.irecharge.ng, download the mobile App, dial 66061# USSD Code or via WhatsApp through 09096666612,” he said

Also speaking, Mr Victor Olojo, the National President, Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria (AMMBAN) said the association was working with iRecharge to provide a hitch free services.

The Benin Electricity Distribution plc has entered into patnership with an independent power company to restore power supply to four local government areas of Ondo State that were long disconnected from the National grid.

This is contained in a press statement made by the Managing Director of the company, Dr Henry Ajagbawa during an interactive session with newsmen in Benin city.

Ajagbawa, spoke through the Head, Community Engagement and Special Project director of the company, Mr Curtis Nwadei.

He noted the partnership was to render excellent services to the company’s numerous customers in BEDC franchise states

He directed that no community should be out of supply on the account of BEDC policy, which is also in line with NERC regulations and guidelines.

According to Ajagbawa, BEDC decided to partner with the independent power company to restore supply to Four LGAs that made up Ondo South Senatorial District.

” in a bid to ensure our customer satisfaction, despite the massive destruction and vandalism of BEDC electrical fittings, transformers and injection sub stations in the network.

” The management of BEDC still went ahead to restore power supply to the local government areas of the state.

‘The task of restoring power supply to the communities were sequel to limitations of funds, as the company’s funds cannot accommodate the project.

“Hence BEDC has to go into pathnership so that areas the company’s allocation from the National grid couldn’t cover will benefit from the partnership initiative.

‘The company’s Geographic information system (GIS) team were already on ground for Enumeration while the Admin/ Services department were taking inventory of these areas.

According to him, we are going to lease out our infrastructure to the company to distribute energy which will be a win-win scenario for both companies and a happy story for our esteemed customers in these areas.

The Management of BEDC electricity Plc on Sunday vowed to arrest and prosecute any fake agent caught collecting cash from unsuspecting customers under the guise of bill payments in its franchise states.

The Acting Head, Corporate Communications, BEDC Evelyn Gbiwen told newsmen in Benin that security agencies in the state have been alerted following several complaints from customers.

BEDC operation areas include Edo Delta Ondo and Ekiti.

Gbiwen urged customers to desist from giving money to staff and fake agents who were not known to the company.

She appealed to customers to report all fake agents going around defrauding them of their money to security operatives in the state.

“Customers are encouraged to make bills payments through approved payment agents that would give them receipt for every payment made.

“We have always enlightened our customers through the print and electronic media on bill transparency, the need to always insist on collecting receipt for every payment made.

” We also encourage them to be vigilant by making sure that the receipt issued to them contains all the details of payment made.

“BEDC is determined to fish out and prosecute all fake agents with the extant laws.

“BEDC approved agents do not need to be paid in cash as they are fitted with customized POS machines to make payments and provide receipts.

“The receipt would show the customers details such as customer account/meter name, address, amount paid, date and time.

“Customers who continue to patronize these fake agents are only giving away their money and would still be made to pay their bills through the proper channels,” she said.

According to her, customers are encouraged to explore alternative e-payment channels.

She explained that BEDC had increased the number of aggregators and payment agents across its franchise states to facilitate seamless bill payment.

The management of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company PLC on Tuesday held a first of its kind special valentine party for members of staff at its headquarters in Benin with exchange of gifts and fun activities.

The MD/CEO, Dr. Henry Ajagbawa, kick-started the gift exchange with a whooping sum of fifty thousand naira (50,000) to some staff as part of valentine celebration amongst other gift items.

Ajagbawa who briefly appreciated every one of his staff, encouraged them to love one another adding that there is love in sharing.

The ambience was jolly and exciting as staff engaged in singing competitions, karaoke, comedy, dance and much more happily.

The Valentine’s day outting ended with smiles as staff had an armful of gifts exchanged with love.

No fewer than 1,400 students of Igbinedion University, Okada at the weekend took the matriculation oath of allegiance to be of good conduct through out their stay in the university.

Speaking during the 24th matriculation ceremony held at Okada, Benin, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Lawrence Ezemonye urged the students to be committed to promoting the culture of unity in diversity for personal and national development.

Ezemonye who admonished the students to be of good behaviour throughout their stay in the institution, said the 1,400 students were christened the 2022/2023 set of matriculantsas Sapphires.

He noted that foreign students were also admitted into various accredited academic programmes of the seven colleges in the institution.

“This unique composition reflects the university’s irrevocable commitment to diversity and inclusion in all ramifications.

“It is my hope thay you will leverage on the unique opportunity of being in a cosmopolitan and inclusive community to promote the culture of unity in diversity.

” At this ceremony, students will be matriculated into the various colleges and departments of the university.

“From the records, all the 36 states of the federation and the FCT, including some foreign students are represented in the current matriculation.

“The demography also reflects students from both gender and different religious backgrounds.

“This ceremony is also significant because it provides the opportunity for the fresh students to pledge their unalloyed and total allegiance to the authority of the university,” he said.

Ezemonye commended parents of the matriculating students for choosing to invest in their wards’ education for a better future.

“To invest in formal education is to push the limits of your world a bit further away towards realising your full potential.

“By pushing your limits, you improve your ability to think creatively and come up with powerful and innovative ideas required for personal and national development,” he added.

According to him, I congratulate you for being lucky to gain admission into Igbinedion university out of the several thousands that applied.

I can assure you that your choice of Igbinedion university is not misplaced.

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) on Monday inducted 26 newly qualified medical doctors of the 2021/2022 session of Igbinedion university, (IUO), Okada into professional practice.

The Registrar of the council, Dr
Tajudeen Sanusi, represented by Dr Henry Okwuokenye, a deputy Registrar of the council, administered the oath.

Sanusi advised the new doctors to embrace specialisation in the field of medicine to enable them remain relevant and for global competitiveness.

Speaking during the 17th oath-taking and induction ceremony in Okada, Benin, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye noted that 18 out of the 26 new doctors were females.

Ezemonye who draw the attention of government to the massive ongoing brain drain in the health sector, said the phenomenon was affecting and depleting the number of doctors in the country .

“Today’s event provides a further opportunity to draw attention to the massive on-going brain drain in the health sector.

“The phenomenon is affecting medical doctors and all cadres of health workers. It is depleting the number of doctors in the country.

“And impacting negatively on the doctor to patient ratio and contributing to worsening of the unacceptable high morbidity and mortality data for the country.

“The urgency for government and all stakeholders to address the issue cannot be over emphasised,” he said.

Ezemonye noted that Igbinedion university places premium on high ethical standards in the training of its medical students.

“We will therefore continue to collaborate with the council to produce doctors that will uphold the hippocratic oath and practice the profession with honour, dignity and fear of God.

“Altogether, 26 medical doctors produced by the Oba Sijuade Okunade College of Health
Sciences who have been found worthy in character and learning will be inducted into the medical profession at this ceremony.

“An induction ceremony for newly qualified doctors is certainly an opportunity to reinforce the ethical basis of the noble profession of Medicine and Dentistry,” he added.

He commended the visionary leadership of the Founder and Chancellor, Chief Dr Gabriel Igbinedion for his foresightedness in
establishing the university.

The Guest Speaker, Dr Osahon Enabulele, President, World Medical Association, called on the federal government to address all the push factors pushing medical doctors out of the country.

Osahon said” Insecurity must be resolved if we must have our workforce intact. No doctor will want to work in an environment where he or she will be kidnapped.

“No doctor will also want to work in an environment where there are no working tools and medical equipment to work with,” he said.

According to him, the brain drain in the health sector need the transparent and sincere efforts of government to tackle.

Osahon, however, urged the young doctors to equip themselves with the rules and guidelines governing the profession for them to be aware of their rights in the workplace.

The Vice-chancellor of Igbinedion University, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, has advised students to embrace international conferences to broaden their academic and employability horizon to make them competitive.

Ezemonye gave the advice at a one-day students internationalisation workshop held on Tuesday at the University campus in Okada.

Ezemonye stressed the immense benefits derived from exposing undergraduates to international conferences, saying that the university had designed its programmes in that direction.

“This university has, for a long time, placed greater premium on exposing its undergraduates to opportunities in academics internationally to prepare them to be major players in the global space.

It may interest you to know that this university has a master class concept designed to get experts to talk to students on industry, career and investment as a way of exposing them to international skills and programmes.

“What we are doing is to prepare you for the future. In the next few weeks, our final year students in entrepreneurship programme will be starting a course in career enhancement.

“It is a virtual programme which internationalises the career desire of our students. So we want to expose our students to international skills
acquisition.

“So if any of those skills are introduced to your programme, please embrace them, they are part of the Internationalisation of students programme.

” I am using this opportunity to introduce you to America window platform being hosted here. That window has trained over 11,000 participants, many of whom have been given scholarship to study in the United State of America.

“I urge you to be attentive and pay attention to all the presentations as certificates that have the potential to open doors of opportunities will be issued to you,” Ezemonye said.

Speaking virtually, the guest speaker, Mr Allessandro Dimauta, the executive director and project Manager of Associazone Diplomatici said conferences are platforms for opportunities.

Dimauta said “we are working with universities around the world to make sure that they see possibilities outside the shores of their countries.

“Through the Change the World Model United Nations Academy, a global platform where students came together to internationalise and gain opportunities, we have trained quite a number of students globally.

“Annually, we graduate more than 50,000 students through conferences that are related to academic fields,” he said.

According to him, over 300,000 students are expected at this year’s conference coming up in United Arab Emirates (UAE) and in Singapore.

In their separate presentations, Queen Egbumukei and Dr Uche Ibezie both alumnus of Igbinedion university advised the participants to take interest in students Internationalization programmes.

Caption: Okomu oil palm company MD, Dr. Graham Hefer, presents certificate to one of the 44 recipients.

Leadership of the Workers Union of Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, says rewarding excellence is a catalyst for improved performance, growth and cordial relationship between the management and workers.

Its Chairman, Mr Kennedy Onyesom, made the assertions on Monday at the long service award ceremony, held at the company’s headquarters in Okomu, near Benin.

No fewer than 44 workers, comprising junior and senior staff members, received certificates, cash award and household items for their long and dedicated services to the company.

Onyesom, while appreciating the management of Okomu, said the gesture was one of the incentives to motivate the workers for enhanced productivity, efficiency, improved and better working environment.

He said: “Workers of Okomu Oil Palm Company have every reason to be thankful to the management.

“This is because for the past 28 years, the management has not reneged on its promise to reward staff members with long service award annually.“The management has been consistent and this is evident in the strong cordial relationship between the management and union, which has also contributed to the successive achievements of the company over the years.

“We will continue to be grateful to the Managing Director, Dr Graha Hefer and his team for their commitments, especially,  to the workers’ welfare.

“While I will continue to praise the managing director for his magnanimity toward the workers’ welfare, I will also call on the employees not to fail in putting in their best.

”Earlier, Hefer, felicitating with recipients of the awards, said it was nice to see the excitement on the faces of the workers at such occasion.

He said: “Today, it is my turn to thank you. I salute you all, the recipients with a big thank you, because you deserve these awards.

“These awards are rewards for the dedication and direction you have shown these past years that you have contributed to the company’s achievements.

“It is my turn to say congratulations to you for working hard for the growth of the company.

“It is through your hard work that the company attained what it has become today.

“I am asking for one thing from you, that is, you should continue to be loyal staff of the company as well as remain being good ambassadors of the company.

“Anywhere you go, always speak good of the company and that is the only way the company can grow and maintain its growth as I look forward to celebrate many more long service award ceremonies,” he said.

A recipient of the long service award, Mrs Adesuwa Uwujaren, who had spent 20 years in service, thanked the management on behalf of other recipients.

Some of the items gifted the recipients, who had spent between 15 and 25 years of service, included 5kv generators, complete set of settees, deep freezers and Plasma Televisions.

The 44 recipients were drawn from different Departments namely; Plantation, Rubber, Estate, Workshop, Finance, Administration and Oil Mill.