Education: Okpebholo Orders Distribution of Books Hoarded By Obaseki To Schools

By Reporter

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has ordered the immediate distribution of books that were hoarded by former Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Governor Okpebholo also reiterated his earlier charge for a state-wide remodeling of public schools.

He gave the order when he visited the State Universal Basic Education Board warehouse in Benin City, today, Monday December 9, 2024.

The governor who frowned at the discovery, described the act of hoarding the books as an act of wickedness.

Okpebholo also inspected the popular New Era College, also in Benin City, where he promised the rebuilding to serve the original purpose the school was designed for by late Dr Samuel Ogbemudia, then governor of Old Bendel State.

Speaking, Okpebholo said: “These books you see here were donated by the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for use by Edo children, but Obaseki refused to distribute the books to our children because the President’s face is affixed.

“I want to thank the President for his kind gesture, and for me, the action of the former governor, Godwin Obaseki, is an act of wickedness.

“This warehouse is filled with books donated by the President of Nigeria, but because of the wickedness, he prevented the books from being distributed to the children. Today, we are here to distribute the books to our children.

At New Era College, Okpebholo expressed disappointment and said: “This is New Era College at the centre of the City. You are here. See for yourself the rot in the system. We just entered a classroom where our children were taught sitting on the floor. This is the kind of Edobest programme Godwin Obaseki brought to Edo children.

“I am here with the SUBEB Chairman and I am giving him an instruction to put all the modalities on ground for the commencement of the reconstruction of this school. This school is for Edo children.

“Obaseki refused Edo children the use of these books provided by President Bola Tinubu, but he could not provide seats for the children to sit comfortably while learning. The action of the former governor is an act of wickedness of the highest order.”

While promising his government readiness to bring the old glory of New Era College, he said, his government is “…coming back to renovate the school, and in the next few weeks, you will start seeing transformation in this school in terms of reconstruction.

“We have gone round to look at the facilities and structure of the school, and it is in a serious state, desiring attention, and the Governor failed to develop the State and the school. It is not acceptable.

The SUBEB Chairman, Dr Paddy Iyamu, added that: “Obaseki deprived Edo children of using these books provided by the President of Nigeria, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, and was stored away from the reach of Edo children.”

He reassured that he will carry out the governor’s order for the distribution of all the books across the 18 Local Government Areas of Edo State.

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