Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, on Friday, pledged the partnership and support of the Edo government to Igbinedion University, Okada, in the delivery of its mandate.

Mr Obaseki made the pledge in Benin when the governing council of the university paid him a courtesy call ahead of the 25th anniversary of the institution, reputed to be Nigeria’s premier private university.

The governor, who was elated by the visit, said that the reason for the support and the partnership was that the bulk of graduates being produced by the tertiary institution work with the government.

“So in providing social services, there is no distinction, whether it is private or public, because the people you are training are going to be contributing to the economy of the country,” he said.

Mr Obaseki congratulated the council on the milestone achievement, particularly for pioneering a lot in tertiary education in the country.

“Edo state is known for pioneering a lot in tertiary education. The state over 40 years ago, founded the second state-owned university.

“In terms of tertiary education in Nigeria, we have a record of pioneering, and it is the tradition we are proud of and which we would like to sustain.

“The desire is to sustain what the fore-leaders of the state had started,” he said.

The governor also commended the choice of the topic chosen for the anniversary colloquium, saying “rethinking tertiary” was, more than ever, necessary for new roles and opportunities.

The governor, who recounted his administration’s achievements in the area of education reform, said that all the tertiary institutions in the state had been connected to the high-speed fibre internet connection for easy learning.

Earlier in his address, chairman of the governing council, Prof. Ahmed Abdullahi, formally invited the governor to the silver jubilee event as the “host”.

Mr Abdullahi, who was represented by the vice-chairman, Prof. Abiodun Ilesanmi, also pleaded for remedial work on the road linking Okada town to the Benin-Sagamu highway ahead of the event.

He, however, commended the education reform of the Obaseki-led administration, the result of which, he said, had begun to manifest.

Mr Abdullahi urged the governor to help invite his colleagues in the South-South to the occasion, being the first private university, not only in Edo but in the region too.

(NAN)