Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, has reintroduced Edo languages in the school curriculum across Edo State, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to preserving the state’s rich cultural heritage and promoting indigenous knowledge.
The governor made the disclosure during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Esan Okpa Initiative to Government House in Benin City.
Led by its president, sHon. Mathew Egbadon, the delegation comprising technocrats, business leaders, and community stakeholders, commended Governor Okpebholo for the remarkable progress recorded in less than one year of his administration.
Governor Okpebholo who expressed gratitude to the Esan people for their support, described them as “critical pillar” to guarantee his success in office.
He also revealed that his administration had directed the Ministry of Education to intensify school rehabilitation efforts.
“I have told my Commissioner for Education, we have to provide seats and desks for schools. We will continue massive renovation and fencing, provide boreholes and toilets, and we will start installing solar lights in schools.
“We are already working on a school access programme where our children can have hands-on experience in computer studies—so they can see and touch technology in real time.
“On language, we must start from home, because charity begins at home. We will reintroduce vernacular into our school system. Let every tribe begin to learn and speak their language so that no language goes into extinction.”
Appreciating the visit, Governor Okpebholo noted: “When you see your people behind you, there is nothing to fear. The strength of a man lies in the backing of his people. With your continued support, I will succeed, by the grace of God.”
Okpebholo reiterated his determination to revive Ambrose Alli University (AAU), describing its restoration as “a victory for the people,” with substantial progress already underway to return the institution to its former glory.
He revealed that 50 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses had been ordered to enhance public transportation across the three senatorial districts in the state.
Speaking earlier, the president of the Esan Okpa Initiative, Hon Mathew Egbadon, applauded the governor’s achievements and underscored the urgent need to protect and advance Esan language and culture.
Egbadon noted: “Protecting and advancing Esan language, culture, and values is critical. Your Excellency, you now need to reintroduce the teaching of Esan language in schools. Esan language is far disappearing because many people of Esan extraction are not speaking it, and the language is not taught in schools. It should be reintroduced into the school curriculum.
“This will align with the 2022 National Language Policy of the Federal Government, which mandates the use of indigenous or community languages as the primary medium of instruction in the first six years of primary education. So, it’s a natural policy.”
He reaffirmed that the Esan Okpa Initiative remains a non-partisan socio-cultural and intellectual movement dedicated to unity, progress, and the well-being of the Esan people.
He lauded the governor’s achievements in education, employment generation, and infrastructure renewal, noting Edo’s inclusion in the federal government’s ₦142 billion modern bus terminal project, the only state in the South-South region, as proof of the governor’s visionary leadership.
