‎
‎The Edo State Government through the Office of the Edo State First Lady, has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering quality education in the State.
‎
‎The assurance was given by the Coordinator, Office of the Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, during a two day training organized by the Senior Secondary Education Board (SSEB), at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) in Benin City, themed, “Repositioning SSEB for Effective Service Delivery, Through Team Work, Technology and Transformation”.
‎
‎Mrs. Anani commended the SSEB for the training initiative, noting that the programme’s theme aligned with the State Government administration’s educational goals. She urged participants to seize the opportunity for learning and networking, stressing that their combined efforts would play a pivotal role in shaping the State’s educational future.
‎
‎According to her, “The theme of repositioning SSEB for effective service delivery through teamwork, technology, and transformation aligns with His Excellency’s commitment to quality education. As the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, I’m delighted to witness this transformation and its initiatives that empower our educators and staff. This workshop demonstrates the Government’s dedication to excellence in education, which requires teamwork, technology, and transformation. I commend the SSEB for organizing this workshop and urge all participants to take full advantage of this opportunity to learn, network and collaborate. Your collective efforts will shape the future of education in Edo State.”
‎
‎Mrs. Anani emphasized the society’s critical role in ensuring equal access to quality education for children with autism, while recognizing and nurturing their unique strengths. She cited the inspiring example of an exceptional autistic teenager, who broke the Guinness World Record for painting the largest canvas, highlighting the importance of integrating and supporting autistic children in society.
‎
‎In her words, “As a society, we have a responsibility to ensure that children with autism receive the same quality education as their peers, recognizing their unique strengths and abilities. The remarkable achievement of Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, a 15-year-old autistic child, who holds the Guinness World Record for creating the largest canvas, is a testament to the potential of individuals with autism.
‎
‎“By dedicating three months to painting a massive canvas twice the size of a football field, Kanyeyachukwu showcased his exceptional talent and perseverance. This achievement highlights the importance of identifying and nurturing the strengths of children with autism, empowering them to contribute to the world. By providing supportive environments and opportunities, we can help them reach their full potentials and make meaningful impact.”
‎
‎On his part, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Emmanuel Paddy Iyamu, emphasized on the importance of teamwork and collaboration, stating that by pulling our diverse skills and strengths together, we can achieve greater success collectively than we can through individual competition.
‎
‎In his words, “We are supposed to be complementing each other and not competing with each other. Where you have someone who is skilled in a particular area and you are skilled in another area, you need to come together, and that’s why it’s called teamwork. Collaborating for the good of the State or the educational ecosystem, we see that competition is not the answer. Teamwork makes the dream work. So, let’s collaborate for the good of the average Edo child on the streets, because that’s the only way we can deliver on our mandates”.
‎
‎Dr. Iyamu emphasized the importance of leveraging technology to drive change and encouraged individuals to take advantage of online learning opportunities, assess themselves regularly, and utilize technologically driven skills to add value and achieve their goals, adding that by doing so, they can contribute to creating positive change.
‎
‎He underscored the significance of transformation in driving change, emphasizing that personal transformation is a prerequisite for effectively bringing about change. He highlighted the Government’s initiatives aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering children to achieve their dreams, thereby leaving a lasting impact.