Edo students decry closure of state-owned institutions

TWENTY months after closure, students of two state-owned tertiary institutions in Edo State – College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi and Tayo Akpata University –have called on the government to immediately put machinery in motion with a view to reopening the schools.

The aggrieved students are also lamenting the demolition of the Center for Community Development Education, Benin.

The students, under the aegis of Nigeria Students and Youths Association (NISAYA) who spoke at the weekend during a visit to the Edo State council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) said the state government has taken education out of the reach of children of ordinary citizens.

President of the students/youth body, Osamudiamen Ogbidi, who spoke for the executives said it was worrisome that the College of Education, Ekiadolor, is no longer in existence.

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Ogbidi recalled that the last time he and his colleagues visited the school, they shed tears, adding that it is shameful that in this 21st century where people are investing more in education, institutions are being shut down in Edo State.

Former Governor Adams Oshiomhole had converted the College of Education, Ekiadolor, to Tayo Akpata University of Education in the twilight of his administration.

Incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki closed down the College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi, early last year and disengaged all members of staff of the institution under the guise that the government wanted to revamp it, with upgraded infrastructure.

He said: “The College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi, the only college of agriculture in the entire South-South Nigeria, has been shut down. It is so painful. The school has been taken over by giant trees. How long are we going to continue like this?

“Just yesterday, we got information that the only Centre for Community Development Education, behind the Vegetable Market, has not only been shut down; it has been demolished by the state government. The school is affiliated to the University of Benin, where you can do a diploma for a direct entry into UNIBEN.

“We are using this medium to appeal to the government; we are not fighting, but we are demanding, because education is out right, that the state government look into the tertiary education sector.

“If you continue to say that the future of this country is in the hands of the youths, is it going to be uneducated youths? If we have paralyzed and killed the state, and continue to say that there is higher level of thuggery, when I am educated and empowered, there is no way I can be a thug to a politician or constitute nuisance to the society.

“The government has somehow taken education away from us. The only one working is the Edo University, Iyamho. The school fees is over N500,000. How can we afford that fee? We are calling on Governor Godwin Obaseki, he is a good man and we know that, but he should prove it in the education sector. Education is out right and not a privilege.

Chairman of the NUJ, Edo State council, Sir Roland Osakue, urged the students to seek ways to dialogue peacefully with the government.

Represented by the secretary to the council, Mr. Titus Akhigbe, Osakue also urged them to shun thuggery and cultism.

The Commissioner for Education, Mr. Emmanuel Agbale, said the state was already addressing the issues raised by the students.

“We have addressed and will continue to address those issues raised by the students,” he said.