Edo indigenes plan N500m education, security trust fund

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, and the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, will lead the launch of a N500m education and security trust fund for Uneme communities in the northern part of the state.

The event, slated for September 14, 2024, at the La VOD Hotel in Benin, is aimed at addressing the deteriorating educational and security situations in nine Uneme communities as well as honour illustrious sons and daughters who have contributed to the development of their communities.

Speaking on the launch, the President of Uneme National Development Association, Babatunde Obabori, said the education and security situations in the Uneme had become worrisome to sons and daughters at home and the diaspora, hence, the need for quick intervention by the national body.

He said Governor Obaseki would serve as the Chief Guest of Honour while the Oba of Benin is the Grand Royal Father.

Also billed to grace the occasion are traditional rulers of Uneme communities, including the Chairman of Uneme Traditional Rulers Council, the Oliola of Anegbette, and the Clan Head of South Uneme, Alhaji Yakubu Ugbodaga, and the Ogienoruele of Erhurun and clan Head of Central Uneme, Oba Moses  Braimoh.

He said, “The N500m funds will, among others, be channelled into renovation and furnishing of classrooms and residential accommodations for teachers, provision of classroom furniture, building of libraries, purchase of library materials and encourage the recruitment and sponsorship of community teachers for schools in the various communities.

“The money will also be used for the provision of scholarship, grants and bursaries to students in tertiary institutions, the establishment of a pan-Uneme security architecture and the provision of vehicles and motorcycles for vigilante groups in the communities.”

While calling on indigenes of the communities across the world to support and make donations towards the noble projects, the UNDA President outlined benefiting communities to include Uneme-Anegbette, Uneme-Akiosu, Uneme-Apama, Uneme-Ekpedo, Uneme-Enekhua, Uneme-Erhurun, Imiava-Oghomeze, Uneme-Udochi and Uneme-Uzanu.

He said, “Inasmuch as communities look towards the government to provide basic amenities for the people, indigenes should also learn to contribute in such areas they feel are not getting the desired attention. A lot is on the table of governments and sometimes we cannot continue to wait, hence, our intervention in areas we feel are very critical to the well-being and development of our communities and the future of our young ones.”