2024 Children's Day In Edo State And Matters Arising

   Schools getting ready for the march             pass parade

By Bernadette Idalu
After almost eight (8) years in government, Governor Godwin Obaseki signed off on a high note, today, May 27, 2024, bringing students from the three senatorial zones of the state to interact and compete healthily against each other for laurels and acclaim in athletics, at the march pass parade as well as provide an opportunity for musically inclined students to etch their names in the grains of sand of the state by being part of the music ensemble that officially performed the Edo anthem at a public gathering, during the 2024 Children's Day celebration at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.

The event which had the theme, "Strengthening supportive system for the protection of the children, A wake up call," in Edo State, had the Edo State First Lady, Dr. Betsy Obaseki conducting the Orchestra at the official launch of the Edo State Anthem.

Dr. Betsy Obaseki effortlessly interpreted her score, using her baton to direct the ensemble to a final treble which stretched the musical notation of the chorale, thus, earning a loud ovation from the audience.

The ceremony was also occasion to give a ten million naira cash reward to the victorious and mesmerizing Edo Queens Football Club for winning the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership "Super Six," to emerge champions for the very first time, in the annals of Nigerian female football.

The real McCoy's savoured their victory with elevated dance steps and poise, backed by their charismatic hand signs 'to reflect peace and victory.' Their smiles were simply infectious, caressing the belief and pride of an Edo nation, effortlessly pulling at the tugs of unity and statehood as reflected in the earlier performed first stanza of the Edo anthem, "The ancient city is calling, Oh arise son's and daughters of the land, the king of the city is marching, stand up high to the pride of the land, the founding fathers have laboured, and our time to serve is now, the glory of a new Edo nation, will forever be our pride..."

The proud Edo Queens FC footballers did the "photo ops" with their dummy cheque. However, on a note of serendipity, it is worthy of note that the Edo state government has always serenaded and rewarded members of the Bendel Insurance FC and Edo Queens FC at public foras to boost their morale.

At one of such occasions, at the old Festival Hall at the Edo State Government House, the government launched a new set of jerseys for both teams replete with public displays and fanfare.

The First Lady, Dr. Betsy Obaseki was gracious enough to promise gifting every female in the hall with a kit of Edo Queens Jersey and other freebies which reflect the theme/signature of the club. Names were penned down. Sadly, that promise is yet to be redeemed, four years down, to my knowledge, at least.
 
Knowing full well that the first lady is a person of integrity, one wonders if there was perhaps a glitch along the line of communication or a failure to carry out laid down directives? It certainly wasn't a political statement as claimed by some. 
  

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