… Earmarks 3,000 hectares for farming
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has declared a State of Emergency on public schools, condemning their appalling and deplorable conditions as a disgrace.
During an inspection tour of schools in Ikpoba-Okha and Egor Local Government Areas of Edo South Senatorial District, the governor was visibly disturbed by the shocking state of decay in schools, even in urban areas where better facilities were expected.
At Army Day Secondary School in Ikpoba-Okha and Evbareke Secondary School in Egor, the governor was met with scenes of collapsed buildings, leaking roofs, crumbling walls, and classrooms filled with broken furniture.
He was horrified to see students struggling to learn in dilapidated structures, with no proper desks or chairs, forcing some to sit on the bare floor.
The stench of neglect was everywhere, overgrown weeds, abandoned school blocks, and surroundings that looked more like ruins than places of learning.
Governor Okpebholo expressed outrage at the total absence of basic amenities, including running water, toilets, and even electricity.
Many schools had no perimeter fencing, leaving students vulnerable to intruders. The roads leading to these schools were nearly impassable, destroyed by years of erosion and neglect, making it difficult for teachers and pupils to even reach their classrooms.
Determined to put an end to what he called a “shameful and unacceptable” situation, the governor announced immediate action, starting with the worst-hit schools.
He assured residents that his administration would waste no time in rehabilitating public schools, ensuring they become safe and functional learning spaces.
Edo State Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, admitted that reports of students enduring such extreme hardship had been piling up, with many forced to learn in roofless classrooms under the scorching sun or heavy rain.
He commended the governor’s decision to witness the crisis firsthand, stating that no child in Edo State should be subjected to such harsh conditions.
Chairman of the State Secondary Education Board, Omonzane Ebanehita, confirmed that schools had repeatedly cried out for help, but their pleas had been ignored for years.
Vice Principal of Students’ Affairs, Mrs Mary Izewingie, recalled that despite desperate attempts by staff and students to carry out minor repairs, the scale of damage had made their efforts futile. With each rainy season, classrooms flooded, and sections of buildings collapsed further.
Governor Okpebholo assured the people of Edo that his administration would prioritise public schools, vowing to restore dignity to education by transforming these crumbling institutions into places where students could learn in safety and with pride.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Government has started the cultivation of 3,000 hectares of farmlands across the three Senatorial Districts of the State.
Already, it has commenced the cultivation of 60 hectares (148 acres) in Iguoriakhi, Ovia South West Local Governments Area, Edo South Senatorial District of Edo State for the commencement of this year’s farming season.
The move by Edo State Government is the first phase of the back to farm project of Governor Monday Okpebholo, whose administration has keyed into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, part of which is food sufficiency for the nation
Governor Okpebholo was taken on an inspection tour of the farm settlement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Osagie Peter.
Okpebholo, after inspecting the farm, noted that his administration would replicate the farm settlement in Edo Central and Edo North to ensure food sufficiency in the State.
He explained that his administration is keying into the Federal Government’s plan to feed the nation with the initiative.
The Governor assured the farmers of support to ensure adequate food production during this year’s farming season.
“We have embarked on our drive to embrace agriculture, which we will use to grow and develop the Edo economy.
“This is the second time I have entered the bush for the purpose of ensuring we produce food for our people. We have cleared large numbers of hectares of land as we are ready to clear more. We will clear about 3,000 hectares as we have embarked on the first stage. We will still have similar farm settlements in Edo Central and Edo North.
“We are ready to farm, and we are not going back in line with Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which is part of feeding the nation. We have keyed into the agenda. As far as Edo State is concerned, it is back on the farm.”
On his part, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture Edo State, Dr. Peter noted that about 250 farm heads will benefit from the first phase of the project.
He noted that the Government’s Iguoriakhi Farm Settlement, with about 2,300 hectares of farmlands, already has a significant portion allocated to permanent crops, such as palm and rubber trees.
“Welcome to the Government’s Iguoriakhi Farm Settlement. It was acquired in 1962, and it is 2,350 hectares. A great part of it has been dedicated to permanent crops, including oil palm and rubber.
“We have already cleared about 60 hectares (148 acres), ready for tractorization. By the time we are through with the tractorization, about five hectares will be given to a farm group. This place will be able to accommodate 250 active farm heads, and it will guarantee food security in Edo South and beyond.
“I welcome you to the farm for you to see how far we have gone as there is still some work left in the tractorization before our farmers can come here and we will give them seeds as promised so that they will be able to produce food for the people of Nigeria. We will start planting with inter crops, maize, and cassava.”
The Governor and his entourage also visited the Benin Owena River Basin Development Authority Integrated Farm at Obayantor in Ikpoba-Okah Local Government Area, Edo South, in Edo State.
