Education
Students group issues urgent plea to halt proposed relocation of Edo College of Education, Abudu
Written By: Emmanuel Ikhenebome
03 Nov 2025 05:06 AM
Abudu, Edo – The Orhionmwon Students Union (OSU) has called on the Edo State government to halt the purported relocation of the Edo State College of Education from Abudu to Igueben.
In a statement recently, signed by National President Rt. (Hon) Bolton Osayanuwa Aiyevbomwan, the student body described the proposed move as a "monumental injustice" that threatens the educational and socio-economic future of the Orhionmwon Local Government Area.
The body highlights the college as a vital institution, serving as a "beacon of hope and enlightenment" for the youth of Orhionmwon.
Established to foster academic excellence and local development, the college has been a cornerstone for intellectual growth in the region.
The union warns that relocating the institution would "extinguish the only bright light illuminating the path of our future generations," urging stakeholders to protect this critical educational resource.
The appeal was directed at Governor Monday Okpebholo, the Honourable Commissioner for Education Paddy Iyamu, the Chairman of Orhionmwon Local Government Council, traditional rulers, and political leaders to intervene. The union argues that education is a fundamental right, not a privilege, and calls for unity to preserve the college’s presence in Abudu.
Rather than supporting the relocation, they proposed an alternative strategy: enhancing the college’s infrastructure. The union advocates for upgrading facilities, recruiting qualified staff, and establishing strategic affiliations with reputable institutions to transform the college into a center of excellence.
This approach, they argue, would bolster academic capacity and benefit the region without disrupting its educational ecosystem.
They pledged to engage peacefully and lawfully to defend the college’s location, emphasizing, "We will not be silent while our future is being negotiated away."
No official response has been issued by the Edo State government.
Efforts by Daily South Nigeria to verify the authenticity of the relocation plans have so far been unsuccessful, as calls to the education Commissioner Paddy Iyamu’s phone on Saturday went unanswered, leaving the public and stakeholders in the dark about the government’s intentions.
In a statement recently, signed by National President Rt. (Hon) Bolton Osayanuwa Aiyevbomwan, the student body described the proposed move as a "monumental injustice" that threatens the educational and socio-economic future of the Orhionmwon Local Government Area.
The body highlights the college as a vital institution, serving as a "beacon of hope and enlightenment" for the youth of Orhionmwon.
Established to foster academic excellence and local development, the college has been a cornerstone for intellectual growth in the region.
The union warns that relocating the institution would "extinguish the only bright light illuminating the path of our future generations," urging stakeholders to protect this critical educational resource.
The appeal was directed at Governor Monday Okpebholo, the Honourable Commissioner for Education Paddy Iyamu, the Chairman of Orhionmwon Local Government Council, traditional rulers, and political leaders to intervene. The union argues that education is a fundamental right, not a privilege, and calls for unity to preserve the college’s presence in Abudu.
Rather than supporting the relocation, they proposed an alternative strategy: enhancing the college’s infrastructure. The union advocates for upgrading facilities, recruiting qualified staff, and establishing strategic affiliations with reputable institutions to transform the college into a center of excellence.
This approach, they argue, would bolster academic capacity and benefit the region without disrupting its educational ecosystem.
They pledged to engage peacefully and lawfully to defend the college’s location, emphasizing, "We will not be silent while our future is being negotiated away."
No official response has been issued by the Edo State government.
Efforts by Daily South Nigeria to verify the authenticity of the relocation plans have so far been unsuccessful, as calls to the education Commissioner Paddy Iyamu’s phone on Saturday went unanswered, leaving the public and stakeholders in the dark about the government’s intentions.
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