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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