When the students of Army Day Senior Secondary School, Benin City went on second term holiday, they did not expect the great transformation their school witnessed within four weeks.

The school, located in the Ramat Park area of the city, was not only completely dilapidated, but it lacked anything that could qualify it for a place learners are taught.
In the words of the Principal, Mr. Osemwenkhae Eseilekhae, the classrooms had nothing to show they were places to teach human beings.

“Most of classrooms had no roofs, no doors, few seats and there was no perimeter fence. Hoodlums were always hanging around for us to close for the day before they would take over. Whenever we closed for the day, the hoodlums would mess up everywhere. Our first duty whenever we resumed would be to start cleaning up the classrooms and the offices.

“There were no laboratories. No blackboards to even write on. Many of the students left because of the terrible situation. We complained and wrote series of letters to the past administration. I was surprised one day when Governor Monday Okpebholo and Commissioner for Education, Dr Paddy Iyamu and others came visiting. The governor went round the classrooms and he left.

“The following day, I was surprised when the contractor came and asked me where he would start work, I replied which work? He said the governor has given him the mandate to start the renovation of the school and now, we have a big turnaround in our school. We say thank you to Governor Monday Okpebholo.

“Army Day Secondary School, Benin City, has been completely renovated by the Edo State Government under the practical leadership of Senator Monday Okpebholo, as part of the declared State of Emergency on Education.

“What was once a school in terrible condition has now become a place of pride — rebuilt, renewed, and ready to inspire learning. The swift action taken by the Governor and supervised by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Emmanuel Paddy Iyamu, ensured that the Governor’s mandate was delivered in record time.

“The students are overjoyed, surprised by the speed of the transformation, and deeply grateful. This is a clear message: the government means business, and the commitment to reviving and elevating education in Edo State is unwavering,” he stated.

Commissioner for Education, Dr Paddy Iyamu, said the governor’s passion for quality education for Edo children is unmatched.

“The governor’s dream is to have all Edo children learn in conducive atmosphere. We are ready to provide quality facilities, buildings and teachers to make this happen and we are not going to relent on that. Education is key and we are giving it top priority,” he said.