Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Wednesday personally supervised the distribution of employment letters to 5,000 teachers in the state — officially transitioning them from contract workers to full employees of the Edo State Government.
The teachers, who had been working on contract and earning a monthly stipend of ₦65,000 during the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki, received their appointment letters at a ceremony held at the Government House, Benin City.
Speaking at the event, Governor Okpebholo said the exercise was a deliberate effort to appreciate and empower teachers who had shown dedication over the years.
“Teachers, I am happy to see you today,” he said. “I wanted this to happen in my presence because I asked several times if you had received your letters, and the answer was always no. So, I decided to come and supervise it myself. As you receive your appointment letters, you will also get transport fare because I know many of you came from far distances.”
Okpebholo emphasized that teachers are the foundation of the state’s future and deserve proper recognition and reward.
“You are very important to us,” he continued. “Your reward is no longer in heaven — it is here with us in Edo State.”
Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, commended the teachers for their patience and dedication over the past three years.
“You have endured hardship, yet you remained committed to shaping the lives of our children,” he said. “A school without teachers is just an empty building. Today, you are being rewarded by a leader who truly values education.”
Iyamu also highlighted the administration’s achievements, including the construction of over 68 schools within one year, improved funding for Ambrose Alli University — increasing its monthly subvention from ₦41 million to ₦500 million — and the construction of a 1,500-capacity lecture theatre and a 600-bed hostel.
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He further mentioned the launch of the EDU-Rescue Programme, which provides children from poor backgrounds access to quality education.
The event was attended by top government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor; Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa; and several commissioners and special advisers.
Governor Okpebholo’s administration has continued to implement sweeping reforms across the civil and public service, including the direct employment of 1,000 cleaners as civil servants after ending outsourced cleaning contracts.
In less than a year, over 3,000 new employees have been added to the state’s workforce in key sectors such as health, education, and agriculture — a move widely seen as a reflection of the governor’s commitment to rebuilding Edo’s public institutions and improving the welfare of its workers.
