Benin City – Edo State Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo has announced reintroduction of Edo languages into school curriculum across Edo State reaffirming his administration’s commitment to preserving the State’s rich cultural heritage and promoting indigenous knowledge.
In a statement issued by Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, Fred Itua, Governor Okpebholo made the disclosure during a courtesy visit by leadership of Esan Okpa Initiative at the Government House Benin City.
Fred Itua highlighted Governor Okpebholo expressed gratitude for Esan people’s support describing them as “critical pillar” that guaranteed his success in office. Okpebholo directed Ministry Education to intensify school rehabilitation efforts.
“I have told my Commissioner for Education, we have provided seats and desks to schools. We will continue massive renovations, fencing, provide boreholes, toilets, we will start installing solar lights in schools,” Okpebholo said.
“We are already working on school access programme where our children can have hands-on experience on computer studies—so they can see and touch technology real time. On language, we must start from home, because charity begins at home. We will reintroduce vernacular into our school system. Let every tribe begin learning to speak their language so that no language goes into extinction.”
Esan Okpa Initiative President Rt. Hon Mathew Egbadon applauded the Governor’s achievements and underscored urgent need to protect and advance Esan language culture. Egbadon noted: “Protecting and advancing Esan language, culture is critical. Your Excellency, you now need to reintroduce teaching Esan language in our schools.”
Egbadon reaffirmed Esan Okpa Initiative remains a non-partisan socio-cultural and intellectual movement dedicated to unity, progress and well-being of Esan people. He lauded the Governor’s achievements in education, employment generation and infrastructure renewal. Fred Itua conveyed Governor Okpebholo’s determination to also revive Ambrose Alli University describing the restoration “victory people”; a substantial progress underway to return the institution to it’s former glory.
