Gov Okpebholo Approves Return of Pubic Schools to Missionaries

By Simeon OSAJIE

The Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo has approved the return of public schools to missionaries in the state.

This is disclosed in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary (SPC) to the governor, Mr. Fred Itua and made available to newsmen in Benin.

According to Itua, the decision to return the schools to missionary followed a meeting between the governor and the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Gabriel G. Dunia, in Government House, Benin.

The governor clarified that any of the affected schools currently undergoing renovation by the state government would remain under its supervision until their completion.

Among the affected schools named by the governor are Our Lady of Fatima College, Auchi; St. Angela’s Grammar School, Uzairue; St. John Grammar School, Fugar; St. Peter’s Grammar School, Agenebode; St. James’s Grammar School, Afuze; St. Joseph College, Otuo; St. Mary Grammar School, Eme-Ora; and St. Aloysius Gonzaga Grammar School, Ososo.

In his response, Bishop Dunia revealed that despite persistent appeals to previous administrations, the state government did not positively respond to the Church’s requests for the return of their institutions until now.

Bishop Dunia underscored the strategic importance of these educational institutions to the Catholic mission, emphasizing their role not only in the intellectual formation of children but also in fostering “ideal moral character, which constitute the bedrock of good society.”