…anthem our commitment to Edo’s unity, love for our heritage, says Edo First Lady

…gov hails support for education reforms, others

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has felicitated with Edo children in commemoration of the 2024 Children’s Day celebration, reassuring that his government will continue to support children in the State to become globally competitive and reach their full potential.

The governor spoke while delivering his address at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, the venue for the 2024 Children's Day celebration and official launch of the Edo Anthem.

Obaseki who reeled the impact of his administration’s reforms in the education sector, which is today benefitting over 400, 000 children in the State, improving learning outcomes and tackling learning poverty, especially at the foundational level.

Reassuring that the reforms will be sustained beyond his government to assure a better future for Edo’s next generation, Obaseki said the government has built institutions and systems to ensure sustainability.

He said, “I want to thank all of you, particularly our young ones who have made us very proud.

“Only yesterday our girls, Edo Queens won the National Championship of the round of six and will be going to represent Nigeria on the continental football stage. These are the sort of achievements some of you, the young ones continue to achieve that make me proud.

“I am here to thank all of you for accepting the reforms we made in our educational system. I thank you for staying in school and learning. I thank you because with what you are doing today, Edo will certainly be a great State.”

The governor added, “I thank the Education Commissioner and all of you in our educational ecosystem who continue to nurture, support, and make sure that our young ones continue to be in school. Also, I thank the communities who have supported our reforms over the last eight years.”

The Edo First Lady, Dr. Mrs. Betsy Obaseki who conducted a mass choir comprising Edo children from various schools in the State, said the State Anthem is being considered by the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) to be legislated as a law in the State.

She noted that the anthem is a result of the many battles fought and won, as it's the re-enactment of a rich and glorious heritage.

Mrs. Obaseki noted, “The anthem is an acknowledgment and a call and the determination of Edo people to rise up and take our rightful place in the scheme of things. It's a commitment of the Edo people saying to the world that we are all united in love with a good heritage. We are committed to strengthening the good work of the new Edo we see.”

Dignitaries at the event include the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2024 Governorship Election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo; Secretary to Edo State Government and PDP Deputy Governorship candidate, Osarodion Ogie Esq.; Edo PDP Chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi; Edo State Chief Judge Justice, Daniel Okungbowa, Edo State Head of Service (HOS, Anthony Okungbowa and Chief of Staff to Edo State Governor, Dr. Osaigbovo Iyoha.

Others are serving Commissioners; members of Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA); the Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Darlington Obaseki; Permanent Secretaries from various ministries; students and teachers from various schools in the State as well as traditional and religious leaders, amongst others.