Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, will this week officially launch EdoNet in over 60 locations across the state in a bid to offer fast, free and reliable internet connectivity across multiple locations in the state.
This is in line with the Governor’s dedication to opening rural communities and unlocking the potentials of young Edo residents in order to avail them the opportunity to explore their creative and technology potential.
The state Commissioner for Digital Economy, Science and Technology, Hon. Ogbeide Ifaluyi-Isibor, disclosed this in a statement sent to The Nigerian Observer.
He said the world is increasingly focused on technology-related jobs and the creative economy is taking centre stage in discussions bordering on job creation and GDP growth, and Edo State Government is at the forefront of seeing Edo creatives take their rightful place on the global stage, especially as Edo is the centre of arts, culture and tradition in Africa.
Dome of the locations where the free public wi-fi will be launched, according to Ifaluyi-Isibor, include Oredo LGA Headquarters (HQ), King Square, Benin City; Egor LGA HQ, Uselu; Ikpoba Okha LGA HQ, Idogbo; Ovia North-East HQ, Okada; Ovia South LGA HQ, Iguobazuwa; Orhionmwon LGA HQ, Abudu; Igueben LGA HQ, Igueben; Esan North-East LGA HQ, Uromi; Esan South-West LGA HQ, Ubiaja; Esan Central LGA HQ, Irrua; Esan West LGA HQ, Ekpoma; Owan West LGA HQ, Sabo-Ora; Owan East LGA HQ, Afuze; Uhunmwonde LGA HQ, Ehor; Estako West LGA HQ, Auchi; Estako Central LGA HQ, Fugar; Estako East LGA HQ, Agenebode, and Akoko Edo LGA HQ, Akoko Edo.
Other locations are Edo State Government Secretariat Link Road; Edo State Secretariat Complex, Benin City; Edo State Government House, GRA, Benin City; John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy, Okada Avenue, GRA, Benin City; Edo State College of Nursing & Midwifery, Limit Road by Sapele Road, Benin City; University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Ugbowo, Benin City; Faculty of Engineering, University of Benin, Ugbowo; Faculty of Law, University of Benin, Ugbowo; Sports Complex, University of Benin, Ugbowo; University of Benin, Ekehuan Campus; Nigeria Union of Journalists, Reservation Road, Benin City, and Youth House, Akpakpava Road, Benin City.
EdoNet will also be launched at Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, Airport Road, Benin City; Ekiosa Market, Upper Sakponba Road, Benin City; New Benin Market, Benin City; Egor Local Government Headquarters; College of Education, Igueben; College of Education, Abudu; Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma; College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi; College of Health Technology, Sapele Road, Benin City; Edo State University, Uzairue; Institute of Physical Education, Afuze; Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, among others.
Recall that in September 2023, the Edo State Government officially became the first paperless government in West Africa. Government processes and correspondences moved from analog to digital, launching Edo into the top cadre of tech communities across Africa.
The Commissioner said the Obaseki-led government has also laid over 2,000 km of fibre optic cables across the state, making it the first and only state in Nigeria to provide that much public digital Infrastructure. This made it possible to connect all local government councils to the internet and give them access to the e-government enterprise resources planning software system that helps to run and coordinate government.
After LGAs were launched, the state spread the fibre optic connectivity to Primary Healthcare facilities across the state.
Since then, Edo residents have continued to enjoy free public wi-fi in a few areas around the Secretariat Complex on Sapele Road, Oba Market Area, John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Benin, and a host of other locations.
The launch of the free wifi in more locations, he said, is aimed at spreading the reach across the state and improving the quality of internet connectivity available.
He directed Edo residents to the EdoNet website, https://edonet.edostate.gov.ng, for further information.
