Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Wednesday, declared open the second edition of the Edo International Book and Arts Festival, noting that the festival will showcase efforts by his government in the last seven and a half years to develop the skills, talents and creative minds of young people in the State.
Obaseki who spoke with children and students across various schools in the State as well as international guests and other stakeholders during the event’s opening ceremony at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, Benin City, said the event is about literacy, knowledge, and expression through arts and poetry.
He noted that the festival scheduled to run between June 5 and 8, 2024, will showcase the successes recorded by his administration in developing the skills, talents, and creative minds of young people in the State as part of efforts to make them globally competitive and contribute effectively to the State’s development.
Other dignitaries at the event with the theme, “Every Child, a Reading Champion,” include Deputy Governor of Edo State, Engr. Marvelous Omobayo Godwins and Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, among other international guests joined the governor to inspect the exhibition of the book stands.
Obaseki noted, “This festival is about Edo children. This is the second edition and it has come to stay. When we came to office about 8 years ago, we told you that our purpose of being in government is about you and we have no regrets making all the investments we made in education.
“The festival is all about literacy, reading, and knowledge. What we are doing is not new to us in Edo State. Throughout our history, we expressed ourselves very creatively through our arts and poetry and were able to build an empire that lasted centuries.
“You can be creative just like our ancestors; Edo children are genetically designed for creativity. As a government, we have done everything possible to revamp our educational system. From early age in life, our children know how to read and write. I am not surprised that today, with what we have done with our education system in the State, especially in foundational education, you compare favourably with your peers in the world in terms of reading and numerative skills.”
He added, “This festival has been put together to showcase what we have done in our education system in the last eight years which is the emphasis we have been putting in developing the talents and skills in our young ones. You are here to see the exhibition done by people like you and to relate with authors and people who write books.”
Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe said the festival is about literacy and appreciating learners in both private and public schools across the State.
“We have over 60 exhibitors here and majority of them are book publishers and authors,” she added.
