Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State on Tuesday issued a strong call of action to the state’s young population, urging them to “Say No to Cultism” during the 2025 Children’s Day celebration.
The Governor’s plea came amidst a day dedicated to emphasizing collective responsibility for child safety, culminating in the thrilling finals of the Governor’s Cup for secondary schools in the state, where significant prizes were announced to support educational and sporting excellence.
In his speech, Governor Okpebholo unequivocally reaffirmed his administration’s “zero-tolerance” stance on cultism in schools.
He implored students to avoid such harmful activities, emphasizing their immense potential and the importance of nurturing their dreams.
To further empower students and create safer learning environments, the Governor announced substantial government efforts, including the hiring of more teachers and the provision of vital digital skill acquisition opportunities.
In a powerful demonstration of his commitment to education and youth development, significant awards were announced. The Governor proudly revealed a N5million award each for two exceptional girls from Edo State who excelled in national competitions, achieving second place nationally in the NDDC award.
Further underscoring his support for both academic and extracurricular achievements, the Governor donated two Hiace buses, one for the winning male school football team, Ogbe Secondary School and one for the winning female school football team, India College, Benin City.
These donations underscore the Governor’s dedication to providing resources and recognizing the hard work of Edo’s brightest young talents.
According to him, “Let me share something inspiring. Two students from Itohan Girl’s Grammar school represented Edo State at the grand finale of the NDDC Quiz Challenge. Edo came first in the South- South region and second nationally. We proudly rewarded them with cash prizes.
“In future competitions, the Edo State government will sponsor the winners abroad because excellence deserves to be celebrated beyond our borders”
The event, which was held at Ogbe Stadium in Benin City on Tuesday May 27, 2025, saw the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Emmanuel Paddy Iyamu set the tone by highlighting the crucial role of government, schools, parents, and communities in safeguarding children.
He stressed the importance of parental engagement and encouraged children to report bullying to foster a supportive environment.
A major highlight of the day was the highly anticipated finals of the Governor’s Cup 2025, which showcased the athletic prowess of secondary school students across Edo State.
In the fiercely contested female category, Indian College, Benin City, emerged triumphant, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over St. Angela’s Grammar School, Jattu, to claim the coveted trophy.
The male category final presented an equally exciting spectacle between St. Peter’s Grammar School, Agenebode, and Ogbe Secondary School, Benin City.
The 2025 Children’s Day celebration served as a potent reminder of the collective responsibility to protect and empower the younger generation. Speakers reinforced calls for parents and guardians to remain actively engaged in their children’s lives, for teachers to foster kindness and discipline, and for community leaders to drive awareness on child safety, according to a statement signed by
Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor.
