Obaseki seeks CSOs’ buy-in, monitoring of Edo BEST programme

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has called on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to join forces with the state government in deepening the impact of the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) programme by monitoring its implementation in local government areas across the state.

Obaseki made the call during the courtesy visit by board members of Enibokun-Edoror Foundation, at Government House, in Benin City, Edo State.

He urged the Enibokun-Edoror Foundation to support the programme by monitoring its implementation in Edo Central Senatorial District, to ensure efficiency and accountability.

He said, “As an organisation, we would like you to assist us in monitoring schools in local government areas where Enibokun-Edoror Foundation operates to ensure that teachers are always present in schools to teach our children.”

Explaining that his administration is keen on curbing human trafficking and irregular migration by providing access to qualitative basic education for citizens, he noted, “One of the ways we are curtailing human trafficking is to improve education particularly at the basic level, so as to instill confidence in our youth. This is why we launched the Edo-BEST programme.”

The governor commended the Foundation for its various skills acquisition programmes, adding, “the state government would work with you to broaden the scope of the Foundation. When we see people like you, who are concerned about the situation of young people and ready to empower them with hands-on skills, we have no choice but to work with and support you.

“We will visit your skills acquisition centres to see what you have on ground and areas where we can support you,” he added.

President of Enibokun-Edoror Foundation, Mrs. Rosemary Edoror, commended governor Obaseki-led administration for its transformational leadership as well as the development of the state, especially in the area of road infrastructure.

Edoror said the Foundation has members drawn from the five local council areas in Edo Central and is involved in youth empowerment and provision of financial assistance to indigent students and women.

She added, “In our five skills acquisition centres, we train youths on fashion design, bead making, cosmetology and electrical repairs. The Foundation seeks support from the state government to purchase more training equipment which we enable us sustain our skills acquisition programme.”