Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has promised to connect the campus of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) with free internet connectivity.
This announcement was made during his speech at the League of Brainiacs academic competition held on the campus. The governor emphasized his commitment to supporting young people and ensuring their access to quality education. He also encouraged students to play an active role in government, stating that their contributions are vital for the nation’s development.
Governor Obaseki, accompanied by his wife, Betsy, and members of the State Executive Council, commended the students for organizing the academic event, which showcased their intellectual prowess and academic excellence.
He said, “I am pleased you organised this academic event yourselves which emphasises the reason why you are in school: to learn and acquire knowledge. I am totally committed to this event and what you have done here today.
“Our priority as a government is to be committed to young people who will lead tomorrow. This has made my administration emphasise basic education, ensuring we focus on the foundation, with the quality of education that will make the Edo child compete with any other child across the globe.
“We must look for ways for the government to support you. I urge you to play more roles in government as it’s your government. Nobody will come to fix the nation for us but we will fix it ourselves. We all can’t run away from this country but we will encourage you as youths to contribute to the development of the nation.”
On their performance at the competition, the governor further noted, “Listening to your various presentations, I said to myself how can this programme be sustained and ensure it continues. I am going to advise the Students Union Government (SUG) President to institute a Trust in his time and I will support that Trust to keep the programme going annually. I will put the first ₦10 million into the Trust so that it wouldn’t be a one-off event but will continue beyond the tenure of this administration of SUG.”
He added, “I assure you of my support before leaving office as governor. My present to you is that within 30 days from today, I will give you free Wi-Fi to ensure connectivity in the institution’s premises.”
The Edo First Lady, Betsy Obaseki, affirmed the government’s commitment to youth development and good governance. She criticized the prevalence of illiterate individuals in Nigeria’s political space and highlighted the importance of grooming knowledgeable leaders to govern the country.
She said, “You are in an environment of people who know and are grooming young people who will know and people we need to govern Nigeria. Nigerians have suffered in the hands of illiterate people in government and politics as they have stolen our patrimony and impoverished the people.”
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Lilian Salami, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Ekenwan Campus, Dele Ayinde, extended gratitude to the governor for investing in infrastructural development at UNIBEN.
The President of the SUG, Comrade Israel Monye, commended the governor’s efforts in the education sector and emphasized the event’s role in harnessing students’ talents.
