Group tasks Obaseki on Ogbemudia model school, water storm project, others

A rights group, Talakawa Parliament, has urged Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to within two weeks put to use the remodelled Samuel Ogbemudia Model School for academic activities.

It said that the continuous closure of the school was a great disservice to the legacy of former military administrator of the Old Mid-West Region, Brig.-Gen. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia (rtd) of blessed memory.

The Speaker, Talakawa Parliament, Marxist Kola Edokapyi and Secretary, Imasuen Wilson, in a statement in Benin City yesterday, said President Muhammadu Buhari on November 2016 inaugurated the remodelled Samuel Ogbemudia College (formerly New Era College) when he paid a two-day working visit to Edo State on the invitation of the immediate past governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole, but wondered why activities at the remodelled school were at their lowest ebb following the under-utilisation of the classrooms.

Edokapayi, who expressed their commitment as critical stakeholders and advocate of peace, justice, equity
and good conscience, said the fundamental reason for building the school was not only to immortalise the late elder statesman, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, but also for students of the former New Era College to have access to quality education.

“The same classrooms were used by Edo State Government to train Edo Best Teachers while the hall is open for political activities like the just-concluded Alaghodaro Youth Summit,” Edokapyi said.

The group lamented that three years after the inaugural ceremony of the remodelled part of the school, students of New Era College are still taught in the old and dilapidated classrooms not conducive for learning.

“It is poignant to ascertain that India hemp smokers, rodents, snakes and other reptiles have taken asylum in the building encircled by grasses to the extent that kidnappers now take their victims to the premises that is not fenced,” he added.

Besides, the group has urged completion of the Benin water storm master plan project and renovation of the water fountain at popular King’s Square called ‘Ring Road’, among others.

Edokapyi, who stated that members of the Talakawa’s Parliament protested more than 10 times before the Edo Central Hospital was reluctantly opened by the governor, said: “We commend the governor for meeting our demands. His Excellency would have called for a town hall meeting
to brief Edo people on the true state of the hospital.

“The governor should consolidate on the project executed by his predecessor by completing the Benin water storm project and resuscitate the water fountain at Ring Road, which gave beauty to King’s Square. The entire illumination of Benin has been taken over by the spirit of darkness as the street-lights are no longer working effectively.”