Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, has expressed his administration’s readiness to give Edo Culture its pride of place by promoting the teaching of Edo language in schools and colleges across the state.
The governor, represented by Osaze Osemwegie-Ero, arts, culture tourism and diaspora affairs commissioner, made the assertion in Benin City, the state capital, during the launching of the first Benin Heritage Centre’s Free Edo Language Summer School for children.
The governor, who reaffirmed his vision to ensure that every Edo child speaks and understands Edo Language, added that the teaching of the language in primary and secondary schools would expose the child to the norms and values enshrined in the Edo Culture.
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“Governor Godwin Obaseki is fully in support of our indigenous language. He has promised to promote the centre, particularly in providing an enabling environment for Free Edo Language Summer School,” he said.
While congratulating the organisers of the programme, he urged all Edo children to avail themselves of the opportunity of the training, stressing that it would give them a sense of pride and identity.
Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Benin Cultural Heritage Centre and the Enogie of Evbuobanosa and Abudu, Gregory Akenzua, said the centre, which was established 10 years ago, is aimed at restoring the Edo Language and making sure that all children both in Nigeria and the diaspora understand and speak Benin Language.
He added that the centre would also provide an avenue for Edo children to know about their rich cultural heritage and be abreast of the folklores, stories and wise sayings of Edo people. President of the centre, Ehi Ighile, said the programme is geared towards awakening the interest in Edo language by making it free of tuition fee, transportation, textbooks and feeding costs.
