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.

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“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.

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“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.

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“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.”