By Aichienede Akhabue Goodluck
The Edo State Government has presented keys of two 2-bedroom bungalows to Mrs. Benedicta Idele and Mrs. Mrs. Noragbon Enogiomwen Osaro for bringing laurels to the State through their outstanding performances as the Best teachers in the 2018 and 2021 Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition.
Also, subscribers for the first batch of 68 housing units could not hold back their excitement as they were presented with keys to their houses.
The event which was held at the Emotan Gardens Estate in Upper Sokponba axis of Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of the State, was in fulfilment of Godwin Obaseki’s promise to the teachers and subscribers who bought into the housing project.
Presenting the keys to the awardees and subscribers of the estate, the Managing Director of the Edo State Property Development Agency (EDPA) Mr. John Zedomi, described the event as a remarkable one, stating that the Governor Obaseki-led Government remains committed to providing quality and affordable housing to Edo people and residents.
He said: “Today is the handing over ceremony of the 68 housing units in the first phase of the Emotan Gardens Estate and we have some of the subscribers who have been handed their units. We expect that others who could not make it to today’s event will come in for their keys.
“Two of the recipients today; Mrs. Idele Benedicta and Mrs. Noragbon are people who the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki pledged to give housing units as rewards for their hard work and dedication to their duties as teachers. Both of the teachers have been officially handed over their keys as gifts for their services to the State.”
The Managing Director explained that the second phase of the Emotan Gardens Estate comprising 140 housing units has been mapped out.
He added that the estate will have a central sewage system and constant power supply from Ossiomo Power Plant as well as a Police post.
In her response, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Benedicta Idele who emerged the 1st runner-up in the 2021 Maltina Teacher of the Year competition, could not curtail her joy as she went on her knees giving thanks to Governor Obaseki for honoring her with a house in fulfillment of the promise he made earlier.
She said, “I am grateful to His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki. It’s a dream fulfilled and you have proven that you reward hard work, excellence and dedication to duty.”
She promised to keep doing her best in making Edo State proud both at the State, National, and International levels, just as she advised other teachers and workers in the State to remain committed to their duties as they may be next in the reward chain.
In a similar vein, Mrs. Noragbon Enogiomwen Osaro who emerged as the best administrative teacher in 2018, and 2nd runner-up at the 2020 Maltina Teacher of the Year competition, also could not hold her ecstasy, as she poured out encomiums on Governor Obaseki for rewarding her with a housing unit at the Emotan Estate.
She said: “I want to express appreciation to Governor Obaseki for this kind gesture, I never expected it, he is a Governor that has the people at heart. I was almost retiring when he came on board, and when he was coming, teachers were afraid that he was going to drive every one of us thinking we were not competent enough, but instead of driving us he trained us through the EdoBest program, where we were equipped with modern teaching tools and education came alive again in Edo”.
In attendance at the presentation ceremony were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Dr. Peter Osagie, Director of Policy, Research and Statistics (EDPA), Mr. Godfrey Omoragbon, Executive Director, Technical( EDPA), Arch. Bosede Idegbesor, Director of Shared Service (EDPA), Mr. Henry Edo, Quantity Surveyor (EDPA), Mr. Okorobo Best Edo amongst others.
