Edo Recommits To Technical Education, Hosts Award-winning Edo-born Italian Master Chef, Tracy Eboigbodin*

The Edo State Government on Monday, hosted Edo born Italian chef, Tracy Eboigbodin, who won the Master Chef Italia 11th edition, reassuring that the Government will continue sustain the investment in technical and vocational education.

The Master Chef, who arrived Benin City during the sixth Alaghodaro Summit on the entourage of the Deputy Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, won the Master Chef Italia 11th edition by throwing in a menu that featured meals from both her current and native hometowns – Nigeria and Italy.

The government engaged the Master Chef in a one-day interface with students of Benin Technical College (hospitality trade) in furtherance of efforts to prepare the students for international hospitality business.

Welcoming Eboigbodin, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Joan Osa-Oviawe, said, “We are building a system where we can deliver quality education across all tiers of education; this is serious work and not a one-off show.

“Any opportunity we get to expose our students in line with Mr. Governor’s vision on education reforms captured in our EdoBest 2.0 programme, we will do it.

“Mr. Governor is very keen on education from basic education up till tertiary as well as adult and special education, which are all part of our EdoBest 2.0 initiative. We want to educate and train the next generation of Edo young people who can find work in Edo state, Nigeria and any part of the world.”

The Commissioner added, “Technical education is very important to us in Edo and that is why Governor Godwin Obaseki has pledged to build 20 additional technical schools in Edo State.”

She further noted that the success story of the Master Chef has inspired the ministry to organize similar events to promote healthy competition in the education sector.

Oviawe noted, “We have been inspired by her win and success to also do our own version of Master Chef Edo involving our students, and the Deputy Italian Ambassador has promised that the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria will be one of the judges.

“Also, we now have a policy that all the catering that we will do in all our events will be catered by these students because the governor has given us a marching order to ensure all technical schools have centers of excellence and production centers so that as soon as they are leaving school, they will be able to be entrepreneurs or get a high paying job.”

On her part, Eboigbodin while sharing her success story charged the students, “Don’t waste opportunities; study a lot because you never know who will cross your way. If it needs you putting 120 percent, put it. You still have the strength and the zeal”.

Highlight of the interface was the exhibition of delicacies including Nigerian jollof rice, fried rice, meat pie, cake, parfait by the students and a presentation of gift to Miss Tracy by the Commissioner.

Other guests at the interface include the Coordinator and Partner of Miss Tracy, Samuele Tobaldo; the Functional Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Oni Ekhosueyi; Board Secretary TVET, Austin Ighodaro, and the Managing Director, John Odigie-Oyegun Public Service Academy, Precious Imuwahen Ajoonu, among others.