…Says quality education must be democratized
NOSAKHARE AGBONIGIARHUOYI, Edo Communication Office
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has harped on the need to democratize quality education in Nigeria. He made this remark on Friday, October 13, 2023, during a courtesy visit to the Governor by the alumni association and administrative staff of Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC), Benin, at the Edo State Government House, in Benin City.
Addressing the visitors, the Governor congratulated the school’s management staff and alumni association, on the celebration of its golden jubilee, at the same time acknowledging the minds behind the formation of the school 50 years ago.
According to Obaseki, “The issue of educating the girl child is not a new phenomenon, and that is why we were very concerned seven years ago when we got in as a government, with what was going on with the girl child in Edo State, in terms of trafficking and irregular migration.
“That was what advised our prioritizing education, and particularly education for the girl child. We want to appreciate all of you who supported us, and acknowledge that we have turned the situation around. From number 1, Edo is no longer one of the top 10 states in terms of human trafficking. But we are not where we want to be.
“We want to ensure that the example of institution building that we have seen in Federal Government Girls’ College, Benin, and in some other federal government colleges, are trickled-down across our educational system as a country, so that we do not create the dangerous situation that is emanating in our country with the opportunity divide, because of the educational divide that we have created. We must democratize quality education and make sure we remove the issue and incidence of learning poverty from our country.”
The Governor noted that the biggest challenge in education, which has made his administration reemphasize education in Edo State, is in foundational education, which is basic education.
“We are ensuring that every child, particularly the girl child, has the benefit of high-quality basic education, because that is the foundation on which everything else rests; and we are glad today that we have almost 400,000 of those children in our school system, and we know each of them, because we see them on our portal every day. We know when they have not gone to school and we know when their teachers are not in class”, Obaseki noted.
Charging the association towards advocacy for the reawakening of the nation’s education system, the Governor said: “I want to highlight that you have to be part of the group to advocate for the proper education transformation in Nigeria.
“Our education is in crisis because our education managers in this country have messed things up. We have found out that the drop out ratio of children between primary 6 and SS 1 is almost 50 percent.
“So having benefitted from a very robust educational system and policy, I think it behoves on all of us today to put pressure on the authority in this country to make sure that, beyond rhetoric, we rethink and rebuild our educational system in Nigeria, without which, we will not be able to attain the goals for us to optimize the opportunities God has given us.”
Speaking during the visit, the Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, who is an alumna of the school, expressed delight over the 50th anniversary celebration of her alma mater.
The First Lady said in her remarks: “Today is indeed a day of great joy and pride for me personally, and for all my sisters here and our school. This weekend, we are celebrating 50 years of our school’s existence.
“When I was here studying as a little girl, I never imagined I would end up marrying a Benin man. But obviously, that was God’s plan, and that is why He brought me here.
“While other government colleges are celebrating theirs, no one has a First Lady sitting. No one also had a governor among the all-boys school sitting. So, we are highly privileged and blessed, and we are thanking God for that.”
She appreciated the Governor for the support so far rendered her alma mater, in terms of facilities upgrade, security intervention, and a host of other interventions.
On her part, the Chairperson, Board of Trustees of the association, Mrs. Eyono Fatayi-Williams, represented by Mrs. Christy Okugbor, appreciated the Governor for his immense contribution to the development of the school, particularly for the installation of solar street lights and the upgrade of its sick bay into a primary health care centre.
She said: “The joy and excitement of the students is palpable. It has made a difference in the lives of the students. Most importantly are the benefits of health, safety, and security that these facilities have provided. These benefits cannot be quantified.
“Unsurprisingly, this ties in with Your Excellency’s track record; holistic and excellence in education; exemplified by your digitalization in governance.”
Fatayi-Williams continued: “We note, particularly in the education sector, your programme, EdoBEST, which has resulted in the massive recruitment of teachers and the continuous retraining of teachers. And these have impact in the lives of the Edo child and youth, because they are given access to quality education. We also note the introduction of digital tablets for use by teachers in preparing their lesson notes for quality education; introduction of several youth reforms that have helped in taking the youths off the streets of Edo State.
“These are but a few of the many programmes you have implemented since coming into office. We thank you, Your Excellency, for making education a priority during your tenure. We thank you, Your Excellency, for upholding and promoting merit and excellence.”
Also present were: Deputy Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Mariam Edeko; Secretary to Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq.; Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa Esq.; Commissioners, top government functionaries, amongst others.
