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Our Efforts At Resetting Education In Edo have Yielded Fruits, Obaseki Boasts

Published

2 years ago

August 24, 2023

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said his administration’s efforts in resetting education in the State have yielded positive fruits with visible evidence to show.

Obaseki said this while delivering his welcome address as the College Visitor at the maiden matriculation ceremony of the Edo College of Education, in Igueben Local Government Area of the State.

The governor said, “We decided to reset education because of the critical and important role that it plays in our lives as individuals and as a nation. That reset button means we have to look at education afresh from the beginning, from the very basic level which is the foundation to the tertiary institution level.

“There was a lot of rancour in the beginning. We shut down many of the schools because we felt they were not doing what they were set out to do in the first place. We changed the laws setting most of them up as we didn’t see the need to have several schools doing the same thing in an uncoordinated manner.

“We decided to look holistically at education in Edo State and thank God for the courage to take those bold moves. Today, what have we achieved? First, we have looked at the entire spectrum, the ecosystem, and certain key pillars which we believe that the pillars will rest.

“Without a foundation, nothing can be built as such we focused on the foundation of education, which is basic education. We quickly realised that for basic education to work and for children to learn, you have to focus on the teachers. Focusing on the teachers meant motivating and giving them tools to work, particularly technology. The key to that is ensuring that you have an institution where you properly train these teachers. That is why the College of Education is key to our education reforms.”

Speaking on the effort made by his government to revamp College of Education in the state, he disclosed that the government decided to create the multi campuses system to allow for accelerated growth and effective management system as well as create room for more students to be given the opportunity to realise their dream of becoming professional and well trained teachers, noting that the teaching profession in Edo has been totally transformed.

Obaseki added, “ We pressed a reset button, shut down the College, and restarted as one College of Education with the headquarters in Igueben.”

To the matriculating students, Obaseki said, “You are the first intake into this College and you are the first matriculating students today. This is why I have taken time out of my busy schedule to wish you well and let you know you are the pioneers of something new, the future that will transform Edo State.

“This matriculation is not only a transformative occasion of your life but also a transformative occasion for education in Edo State. I am glad that I am here to see what is going on.”

Reassuring sustained investment in the Institution, the governor further noted, “A lot of investment still needs to be made on this campus and I am assuring you that I will make those investments. We started with Abudu and the refurbishment is complete and this will be the next Campus. The infrastructure in this campus will be upgraded, particularly accommodation for staff and students.

“My presence here today means that I take the school and what we are doing here very seriously. Rest assured you have my support as I continue to be governor. To also make sure that the person who succeeds me continues to focus and strengthen education in Edo State.”

The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, said the Obaseki-led administration has completely revamped the teaching profession in the State, making it more attractive for qualified people.

“I thank Governor Obaseki for the reforms and rebirth of education in Edo State which started in 2017. He came here several times to understand and figure out how to educate and produce professional teachers in Edo State.

“Through his works, vision and commitment, the governor has restored the pride of the teaching profession which is now for polished, educated, reformed and refined men and women. You are all here because teaching is your first option.”

She added, “The College is to reposition the profession of teaching, find and recruit the best in the system. The vision of the governor is that by the time you are graduating you will have a job in one of our schools and also by the time you are graduating, you are technically vibrant.”

Earlier in her welcome address, the Acting Provost of the Edo State College of Education, Igueben Campus, Prof. (Mrs.) Roseline Osagie, said, “The College in partnership with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria has started the process of offering a one-year Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) especially for the Edo Supporting Teachers to Achieve Results (EdoSTAR) teaching fellows.”

Also, the Enogie of Igueben and Okaigun of Esanland, HRH Ehizogie Eluojierior I, commended the governor for his transformation of the education sector in Edo State, adding, “Obaseki has visited here more than three times as we have governors who have never visited Igueben once. Obaseki is a lover of education and the education sector has benefited from it. We thank him for the school, the competent staff and appeal to him to upgrade the facilities here as he activates his machinery to make this a reality.”

News

FG Makes History Compulsory Subject In Primary, Secondary Schools

Published

7 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government has announced the reintroduction of Nigerian History as a compulsory subject from primary to senior secondary school, 16 years after it was removed from the curriculum in 2009, under the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua administration.

The Federal Ministry of Education announced this in a statement posted on its X handle on Wednesday.

It said the reintroduction aimed at strengthening national identity, unity, and patriotism among diverse citizens.

“For the first time in decades, Nigerian pupils will study History continuously from Primary 1 to JSS3, while SSS1–3 students will take the new Civic and Heritage Studies, integrating History with Civic Education.

“Primary 1–6: Pupils will learn about Nigeria’s origins, heroes, rulers, culture, politics, economy, religions, colonial rule, and post-independence governance.

“JSS1–3: Students will study civilisations, empires, trade, European contacts, amalgamation, independence, democracy, and civic values,” the statement read.

The Ministry said the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, CON, together with the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for championing the reform.

“They emphasised that History is not merely a record of the past, but a vital foundation for shaping responsible and patriotic citizens.”

According to the Ministers, the reform is a priceless gift to the nation, reconnecting children with their roots while inspiring pride, unity, and commitment to national development.

The Ministry has released the revised curriculum and will retrain teachers, provide resources, and strengthen monitoring.

The former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua-led government in 2009 removed history from Nigeria’s basic education curriculum.

Then, it was justified that students were avoiding it with the claim that there were few jobs for history graduates, and that there was dearth of history teachers.

In 2022, the Ministry of Education under former Minister Adamu Adamu inaugurated the reintroduction of the subject.

The Ministry also trained history teachers at the basic education level in Abuja.

However, history has always remained optional in the few schools that offer it.

News

Police Announce Burial Arrangements For Ex-IG Arase

Published

7 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has released the burial arrangements for former Inspector-General of Police Solomon Ehigiator Arase, who died on August 31, 2025, at the age of 69.

Arase, who served as the 18th indigenous Inspector-General of Police, was described by the Force as a dedicated officer remembered for his leadership, philanthropy and commitment to police reforms.

According to the programme of events signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, released on Wednesday, the burial rites will begin in Abuja on September 24 with a Day of Tribute at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre, Jabi.

A requiem mass will follow on September 26 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, while a lying-in-state is scheduled for September 27 at his Abuja residence. His body will then depart for Benin City, Edo State.

In his hometown, Sabongida Ora, a candlelight procession is slated for September 29.

A valedictory session organised by the Edo State judiciary and the Nigerian Bar Association will hold at the Edo State High Court, Benin, on October 2.

Other activities include a service of songs at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin, on October 2, followed by a family lying-in-state.

The funeral mass will take place on October 3 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, after which interment will be held at his private residence in Benin City.

A reception is planned at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, while a thanksgiving mass will round off the events on October 5.

Arase, who held national honours including CFR, and was also a PhD holder, was appointed Inspector-General of Police in April 2015 and retired in June 2016.

He died at Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja after a brief illness.

News

Lagos Begins Monitoring As Schools Resume

Published

7 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Government, through the Office of Education Quality Assurance, has commenced the monitoring of schools for compliance with standards as students resumed activities this week.

The OEQA spokesperson, Adepeju Adeyemi, said in a Wednesday statement sent to newsmen that the inspection began on Monday across the state for schools below the tertiary level.

The monitoring team, led by the Coordinating Director of OEQA, Remi Abdul, visited several schools, including Dolphin Senior High School, Lagos Island, where the team was received by the Principal/Director, Comfort Agunlejika.

Abdul explained that the purpose of the monitoring was to ensure compliance with the approved resumption date as stated in the Year 2025/2026 Harmonised Academic Calendar.

The PUNCH reports that basic and secondary schools in Lagos resumed on September 15, 2025, for the First Term of the Y2025/2026 session.

According to the approved 2025/2026 harmonised calendar made available to our correspondent, the First Half of the term is scheduled for September 15 to October 31, 2025, with a duration of 34 days. The second half will commence from November 10 to December 19, 2025, with a duration of 34 days. In between the halves are Open Day and Mid-Term Break.

Abdul noted that the monitoring team deployed was also verifying whether school administrators held pre-resumption meetings and whether key teaching and statutory records, such as lesson notes, diaries, and makeshift attendance registers, were in place for the smooth take-off of the new academic session.

“While addressing SSS 3 students, Abdul encouraged them to take their academics seriously, noting that how well they perform this term would determine their transition to higher education. He urged them to read well, stay focused, avoid skipping classes and begin early preparation for their WASSCE examinations,” the statement said.

He also encouraged teachers to remain dedicated and committed to delivering quality education.