Edo Communities Appeal For Urgent Action On Education, Security

The Uneme speaking people of Edo State have appealed to the state government to address the fallen education standards and insecurity in their communities.

Leaders from Anegbette, Udochi, Erhurun, Akiosu, Enekhua, Imiava, Uzanu, Ekpedo, and Akpama communities made the appeal at the the launching of a N500 million Education/Security Trust Fund and Award ceremony in Benin City, held recently.

The indigene of the community highlighted the deterioration of primary and secondary education due to the absence of qualified teachers and expressed concern about the increasing insecurity in their communities.

President of the Uneme National Development Association (UNDA), Babatunde Obabori, urged Edo State and local councils to provide social amenities to attract and retain teachers in rural communities.

Obabor stressed UNDA’s mission to promote educational excellence, support a safer society and complement government efforts at all levels.

The representative Akoko-Edo Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Assembly, Honourable Peter Akpatason, highlighted families’ financial challenges in paying school fees and stressed the importance of community support in preventing children from dropping out of school.

The Chairman of Uneme Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Yakubu Momodu Ugbodaga, called on Uneme people living abroad to contribute to the fund to address the current challenges in their communities.

In his welcome address, His Excellency, High Chief Alhaji (Dr) Aliyu Umaru, AmP-UN, who was Chairman of the occasion, while expressing his joy about the event, appealed to the guests to donate generously to enable communities to achieve the goals as spelt out invitation cards.

Alhaji Umaru said: “It is my honour and privilege to welcome you all to this august occasion, to share and partner with us on our vision to make Uneme great in terms of socio-economic and infrastructural developments. The historical antecedents of the Uneme people are well known. Our ancestry from the revered Royal Palace of Benin Kingdom is well documented. We are glad to be in our home today.

“Our unprecedented creativity and innovativeness at that pristine time evolving from the legendary Igun Quarters in the arts of blacksmithing, forging of farming implements, weaponry and raw valour are the gold standards that set us apart and have continued to propel us to the locus of recognition and reverence irrespective of primordial sentiments.

“It is germane to recall that we had a similar event in the past, precisely
on the 12th of October, 2013, and it brought about the provision of some critical infrastructures that partly provided the panacea, among others, for the educational needs of our various communities. With the agonizing and seemingly unabating insecurity nationwide, you will agree with me that as the dynamics of living keep unfolding there is a concomitant need to meet those mutable challenges.

“May I, therefore, appeal passionately that you donate generously to enable us to achieve the goals as spelt out in your Invitation Cards.”

A prominent son of the community, Mr. Charles Daodu, who spoke with the medium from his United Kingdom, also expressed his joy and happiness about the event, which he said will go a long way in developing the community.

“I am happy and proud of the Uneme nation, as well as the current community development initiatives,” Mr. Daodu said.

The event raised approximately N40 million, which will be used to provide classrooms, educational materials, and teacher accommodation in Uneme communities.

Pic’s caption: High Chief Alhaji (Dr) Aliyu Umaru, AmP-UN, Who Chaired The launching of a N500 million Education/Security Trust Fund and Award ceremony.