The Edo State Government has assured that it will continue to provide a conducive environment and durable infrastructure to sustain the gains recorded in the education sector, ensuring the state regains its pride of place in education in the country.

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, represented by the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Marcus Onobun gave the assurance while speaking to journalists in Benin City, at an award ceremony for some cabinet members who were recognized for their sterling contributions to the growth and development of the state.

The cabinet members were honoured by the Immaculate Conception College Old Boys Association (ICCOBA).

The award recipients include the Chief of Staff to Edo State Governor, Hon. Osaigbovo Iyoha; Special Adviser on Media Projects, Mr. Crusoe Osagie; Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Joseph Eboigbe and Permanent Secretary, Edo State Hospital Management Agency, Dr. Efosa Aisien.

Others are Engr. Newton Nosawe Okojie, Edo State Commissioner for Roads and Bridges; Prince Bamidele Obaitan, Edo State Commissioner for Art, Culture and Tourism; Hon. Christopher Nehikhare, Commissioner for Youth and Humanitarian Affairs; Mr. Lucky Omokhegbele Asibor; Mr. Julius Anelu, Edo State Accountant General, and Pastor Kennedy Osifo, Chairman of the Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC).

The governor said, “ICC has the enabling environment and good standards which is evident in the quality of education they offer to students. This further buttresses the fact that Edo State has taken its pride of place in the area of education. We will continue to encourage those in the educational sector, especially through infrastructural development, regular payment of teachers’ salaries, and the training and retraining of teachers.”

He further noted that the “Government is contemplating the idea of returning schools to the missionary as they keep to standards. The government is considering it in order to help bring back strong ethics and values in the education system and by the time the decision will be taken, it will be taken for the interest of Edo people.”

On his part, Osaigbovo Iyoha said the “award gives me more sense of responsibility as more people are looking up to me and others; the expectation is now high.”

Welcoming old boys of ICCOBA, the president of ICCOBA Worldwide, Engr. Ighodalo Edetanlen said the ceremony was to honour 13 of the old boys of the College who have distinguished themselves and made the association and the state proud.