FROM IKHILI EBALU , BENIN CITY
Edo State government has condemned the recent comments made by a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Prince Kassim Afegbua, which seeks to undermine the recruitment of dedicated teachers for Edo children.
These educators are essential for advancing the transformative Edobest programme, which has made significant strides in improving educational standards in the state.
It said Afegbua’s remarks are not only vacuous, but also highlight a lack of understanding of the current political landscape. His statement is amusing on several fronts.
Commissioner for Communication and Orientation and member of the Transition Committee, Chris Osa Nehikhare, stated this in a statement made available to journalists in Benin City on Sunday.
Nehikhare reminded Afegbua that “according to the Nigerian constitution, only one governor holds authority at any given time. Until November 12, they lack the power to influence policy decisions, hence their attempts to dictate educational policies are not only premature, but also legally unfounded”.
According to him, “The qualified teachers who were recently engaged were not appointed on a whim; they began the application process months ago, long before the recent elections. This demonstrates the commitment of the current administration to ensure that our educational system is staffed with competent professionals who are prepared to serve our children.
“The repeated vituperations from the APC suggest a deeper issue—they appear unprepared for the challenges ahead and are resorting to excuses to mask their potential failures. This pattern of behaviour is not conducive to fostering a constructive dialogue about education in Edo State.”
Government urged the people of Edo, particularly teachers, parents and students to dismiss these unfortunate comments. It is crucial to recognise that our government is committed to upholding the constitution and prioritising the welfare of our children over the whims of individuals.
“Let us continue to focus on the positive progress being made in our education system and support the engaged and dedicated teachers who are working tirelessly to ensure a brighter future for our children,” he concluded.
