By Gloria Osemudiamhen
As a demonstration of its commitment to driving a sustainable basic education system in Edo State, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, has on behalf of the State Government commissioned renovated classrooms and a borehole in Oza Primary School.
The basic school, which is situated in Oredo West Local Government Area, has undergone massive renovation by the member representing Oredo West Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Richard Edosa, as part of efforts toward providing pupils with conducive learning environment and other benefits.
In an address, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, expressed gratitude to stakeholders including the headmistress, Mrs. Tom Edna. While emphasizing the importance of education, she commended Hon. Edosa for his outstanding performance for renovating the school.
Mrs. Anani stated, “I want to thank everyone for coming out today. I want to encourage us, especially parents, to ensure no child is left behind when it comes to education. For you to have successful people, they must go to school and at least be able to read and write. I would also like to applaud the headmistress for her selfless act of buying water for the children. Your kindness towards our children is appreciated, and I’m sure the Lord will bless you.
“I want to say Oredo West is blessed to have Hon. Edosa. It’s not every time you come across a young man that is full of passion for his people. Just like the headmistress said, in a short time he has been in office, he has accomplished a lot. Two key points she mentioned, which I would like to reiterate, are water and education. Water is life, and education is the bedrock for success in every community. His efforts on behalf of our children are truly commendable.”
Reiterating the State Government’s dedication to facilitating people-centric policies and programmes, Mrs. Anani asserted, “This is what this administration is about under the leadership of distinguished Sen. Monday Okpebholo and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Denise Idahosa, and all the principal officers. They are focused on enhancing the lives of the people who live in Edo State and bringing the dividends of democracy to everyone; adult or child. The policies you see are people-friendly and will benefit every resident, indigene or not, as long as you reside in Edo State. You will enjoy the mandate they have been given.”
Hon. Edosa reaffirming his commitments to his Constituency, stated, “This project you see here today, is by the grace of God and by the dream and vision I have and also a fulfillment of my campaign promises. When I was campaigning, I spoke about the tripod stand agenda, tripod stand means that thing that stands on three legs. This is a tripod stand, one leg is education, health and the other one is security and others.”
He harped on the importance of basic education as a necessity for every child. According to him, “Education is the bedrock upon which any form of civilization is built. There’s formal and informal education, what we are seeing here is formal education and basic education because basic education is the foundation upon which every other education you will ever acquire in life stands. So, if the foundation is faulty, then you can’t build on anything that is sustainable. Basic Primary Education is only possible when you provide a good environment for children to learn.
“We see our children in schools; some of them lying on the floor, some of them sitting on blocks, some sit under leaking roofs to receive lessons. How do you expect a child who is receiving tutelage from that kind of environment to assimilate properly; it is almost impossible. Our desire is to ensure that as much as possible, primary schools that represent basic education in my constituent would be given a conducive environment for children to learn.
“I am happy to announce today that the borehole here is now functioning and children have clean water to drink and to clean their environment. When I came here, it was a dungeon, all these classrooms were used as toilets, feces everywhere, ramshackle, they could not use it anymore, today the story has changed.”
Mrs. Tom appreciated the State Government for its prompt intervention and as well appreciated Hon. Edosa for the great Job done in the School.
