The Edo State Government has launched the maiden edition of the Sen. Monday Okpebholo Education Talent Hunt to discover academically talented secondary school students and reward them with fully funded scholarships in state-owned tertiary institutions.
The initiative is designed to identify outstanding Senior Secondary School (SS3) students across the state and support their academic journey beyond secondary education.
The official flag-off ceremony and inauguration of the implementation committee took place at the Conference Hall of the Edo State Senior Secondary Education Board (SSEB) in Benin City, where government officials and stakeholders in the education sector gathered to mark the beginning of the programme.
Speaking during the event, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Rolland Otaru, praised the initiative and emphasised the importance of transparency and fairness in the process of identifying the beneficiaries.
He urged the committee members to carry out their responsibilities with integrity.
“I want to encourage the committee to perform its duties with honesty, fairness and transparency. This initiative is a major opportunity for young students, and it must be implemented in a way that inspires confidence and trust,” he said.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, also commended the leadership of the SSEB for assembling experienced education professionals to oversee the programme.
Afegbua stressed that the initiative should benefit students from all parts of the state, particularly those from rural communities who may lack access to educational opportunities.
He encouraged students to remain focused on their dreams and never allow their background to limit their aspirations.
“Your background should never define your future. If you stay focused and committed to your studies, you can achieve anything. Schools remain the platform where dreams can be nurtured and realised,” Afegbua said.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Edith Ebomwonyi, described the programme as a strategic effort by the state government to discover and nurture exceptional talents among secondary school students.
According to her, many students possess abilities that go beyond classroom performance, and such talents should be recognised and supported.
“This initiative provides a platform to uncover and nurture the unique talents and gifts of students. Education is not only about classroom learning; students also have special abilities that deserve recognition and encouragement,” she said.
She also highlighted the role of teachers and parents in supporting the development of students whose talents are identified through the programme.
The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Senior Secondary Education Board, Dr. Rita Otibhor Erewele, explained that the Education Talent Hunt aims to promote academic excellence while creating opportunities for brilliant students to further their education.
She stated that the programme will identify and reward the best SS3 students in Science, Social Sciences and Arts from all the 18 local government areas of Edo State.
According to her, the selected students will receive fully funded scholarships to pursue higher education in state-owned tertiary institutions.
“The goal of this programme is to identify and reward academic excellence while encouraging healthy competition among students across the state,” Erewele said.
She further explained that the programme will follow a transparent and credible selection process to ensure that the most deserving students are chosen.
“The initiative is designed to promote a strong reading culture, improve academic performance and motivate students to remain dedicated to their studies,” she added.
Erewele also revealed that the programme is funded by the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, as part of efforts to strengthen the education sector and improve academic performance across the state.
Following her address, the committee responsible for implementing the Education Talent Hunt programme was officially inaugurated.
The committee is chaired by Dr. (Mrs.) Umumetu Momoh, with Dr. Dan Ehiremwen Enowoghomwenma serving as Vice Chairman and Mrs. Mabel Fumilayo Oboigba as Secretary.
Other members include Comrade John Osi Akhigbe, Abdulkadiri Ikogbode, Mr. Obarisiagbon Ikponmwosa Michael, and Mr. Idumwonyi Osamede.
Responding on behalf of the committee, the Chairman, Dr. (Mrs.) Umumetu Momoh, thanked the SSEB leadership for the confidence placed in them and assured that the committee would carry out its assignment diligently.
“We appreciate the confidence reposed in this committee, and we assure the government and the people of Edo State that we will carry out this responsibility with dedication and fairness,” she said.
She added that the committee would work in line with the SHINE Agenda of the Edo State Government to ensure the success of the initiative.
