Obaseki officially kicks off construction of the Edo Education Hub.

On Friday, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of an Education Hub in the state, promising that the finished product will be made available to residents by May 2024.

At the groundbreaking event in Benin City, Edo State, the governor announced plans to construct a state-of-the-art library stocked with at least 50 million volumes.

During the groundbreaking ceremony for the education centre, Obaseki said, “We are here today to remember that education broke down in Edo State exactly like all these structures. The state of education in Edo State is rapidly deteriorating, much like these facilities.

In transforming the educational system and leaving behind this framework to manage and regulate the sector, the government would not have finished its mission. We need to restore this educational centre to feel like we’ve succeeded in our purpose.

He elaborated, saying, “The Library Board will have a facility in the education hub. We plan to launch our Edo Mall library location in May of this year. Opening a satellite office is impossible without first establishing a home base. Our new library system will have space for at least fifty million books. We’re replacing the antiquated library infrastructure with a statewide network of digital libraries. Our kids from all around the state will be able to access the books in the Edo library with just an internet connection. The library board and library system they create will be unparalleled in quality.

“It will also serve as the administrative headquarters for the Secondary Education Board and the Ministry of Education. We’re paying special attention to the separation of lower and upper-level secondary institutions.

Because we want as many kids as possible to be self-sufficient in the event that they are unable to continue their education, the State’s newly established “Offices for Technical Education” will be centrally located there. While kids head off to class, the office responsible for ensuring school quality will be empty.

Within this central area, including the playground, we will construct three schools. Levels 1 through 6 of elementary school, levels 1 through 3 of junior high school, and levels 1 through 3 of high school would be offered. As one of our lofty goals, this one will bring you back to this place in May of 2024. Even though we hate commissioning projects, we would definitely commission this one.

He said, “We would ensure that world-class facilities are available to support this centre.” We are also constructing a cafeteria and restaurants for employees, as well as a state-of-the-art conference facility with seating for at least 500 people.

“In order to control education effectively, you must establish the physical structures and administrative structures necessary for this task. They were carried out by our leaders fifty years ago. We are not here to mourn but to mend and provide hope for the future.

Everything we’ve done to improve our educational system has been widely praised. The governor of Edo State proudly said, “The Economics of London produced a piece on education this week and referenced what we are doing in Edo State.”

Shaibu remarked, “We’ve been able to improve our education beyond merely studying. As a result, parents are now more involved in their children’s classrooms than ever before, as they recognise that they, too, must do their part to help teachers provide their children with the greatest possible education.

Dr Joan Osa Oviawe, the state’s commissioner of education, chimed in as well, saying, “This idea is the brainchild of Mr Governor.” That work will be done before the governor leaves office, I promise you that. Before the end of the year 2024, we will all assemble here to officially open this project to the joy of the people of the State.

Early on, Dr Omosigho Izedonmwen, Executive Secretary of the Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), stated that the state government is on track to build a primary healthcare facility in each of the state’s local councils.

He stated, “By the end of 2024, there will be PHCs in all the 192 wards of the state to deliver the best of basic healthcare to the people of the state coupled with the state’s health insurance scheme.” This is in addition to the 14 PHCs that will be operational in March 2023 to form a cottage hospital. The primary health care centre for Ward 6 will be housed in the hub’s buildings so that it can better serve the community as a whole.