Thirty three years ago, August 27th, 1991, Edo State was created. The state government is celebrating the epoch event with a chain of activities lined up to commence on Sunday, August 25th and end on Saturday, August 31.
Having ‘the glory of the new Edo nation’ as its theme the six days activities according to the state Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon. Chris Nehikhare, will capture all aspects of the developmental strides of the state viz in education, housing, culture, tourism, economy, security etc.
Billed as the poster personality of the celebration is Edo born Divine Ikubor(aka Rema) who is expected to lead in other top-of-the-shelf performers mainly of Edo State extraction to the stage to give a live performance in commemoration of the event.
According to Isoken Omo, the Commissioner for Physical Planning, Housing, Urban and Regional Development, “we are resilient people; we are beautiful people; we’re cultured people; we’re strong people. Edo is power; Edo is resilient; Edo is culture; Edo is education; Edo is planning. There are so many things coming out about Edo. And this is just telling our own story the way we know it.
“Yes, we’re a sub national, we’re not just sub national we are a big subnational,” she intoned.
She disclosed that the celebration, which was supposed to have been held some three years ago as Edo at 30, was shifted to this year because of the Covid-19 worldwide pandemic which was prevalent then.
Omo asserted that one of the highlights of the six days show will be the launching of the Edo State regional development and Benin City master plan. The segment is billed for Tuesday, August 27th at the Victor Uwaifo Centre on Airport Road, Benin.
Another interesting segment is the award night which Omo stated, “is to recognize people who have contributed to Edo State growth in the last 30 years. And not only that, going back to Bendel. You cannot talk about Edo story without going back to Bendel and Midwest.”
Joan Oviawe, the Commissioner for Education in her submission, said: “If you’re talking about the glory of the new Edo nation it’s only important that our young people understand that and imbibe it.”
Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Uyi Oduwa-Malaka said, “for us, it’s the rebirth, the renewal of all our hopes, all our aspirations. It’s indeed the celebration of our achievements as a people.”
Discussion about this post