Governor Okpebholo lambasts Obaseki for Withholding Educational Resources, Promises Overhaul

From Moshood Karim

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has accused his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, of deliberately withholding vital educational materials meant for school children across the state’s 18 local government areas.

The criticism came as Okpebholo supervised the immediate distribution of the books, which were provided by the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

 

During a visit to New Era College in Benin City, a school known for nurturing young athletes, Governor Okpebholo expressed outrage over the State of the institution. Students were seen sitting on the floor due to a lack of furniture, highlighting what he described as the “rot” in the State’s educational infrastructure under the previous administration.

 

“These books, generously donated by President Tinubu for our children, were left to gather dust in a warehouse because Obaseki refused to distribute them,” said an indignant Okpebholo. “This is not just negligence; it’s outright wickedness.”

 

Okpebholo, accompanied by key officials, including Dr. Paddy Iyamu, the Chairman of the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), and Omoregie Ogbiede-Ihama, a former House of Representatives member, personally oversaw the release of the materials to schools across the State. He emphasised the urgent need to restore the State’s educational infrastructure, starting with New Era College.

 

The governor revealed plans for an immediate renovation of the school, pledging, “In the coming weeks, we will begin the reconstruction of this institution. It is unacceptable for our children to learn under these deplorable conditions.”

 

The controversy over the books is not the first instance of alleged resource hoarding during the Obaseki administration. Similar criticism arose over the reported failure to distribute federal palliative rice during a period of economic hardship. Okpebholo’s administration has vowed to address these lapses and ensure that resources reach their intended beneficiaries.

 

Dr. Iyamu confirmed that the governor has issued a directive to distribute the books across all local government areas without delay. “These materials will finally be in the hands of the children for whom they were intended,” he said.

 

The governor also took aim at the widely publicised EdoBEST educational reform initiative introduced by Obaseki, calling it a failure. “What we see today in schools like New Era College is far from the best. It’s an embarrassing legacy of neglect,” Okpebholo remarked.