FIC Report (Edo State) – Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has restated his administration’s commitment to using sports as a strategic tool for youth development, leadership building, and social cohesion.
The Governor made the remark at the grand opening of the South-South Basic Education School Sports (BESS) Competition, organised by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in partnership with the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), and hosted in Edo State.
Represented by the Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, Governor Okpebholo said the state has fully adopted school sports as a platform for nurturing disciplined, confident, and future-ready young leaders.
“We are building future leaders in Edo State—future athletes and champions,” he said. “Through sports, our children learn teamwork, discipline, resilience, and responsibility. These are values that prepare them not only for sports, but for life.”
The five-day championship brings together pupils from Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Delta States to compete in football, chess, badminton, scrabble, ayo, and track-and-field events. The Governor described the tournament as a celebration of youthful potential and regional unity, stressing that sports remain a vital bridge for integration across the South-South.
Hon. Samuel Mariere, Dean of South-South SUBEB Chairmen and Chairman of Delta SUBEB, hailed Edo State for hosting what he described as a historic event—the first time the South-South region will jointly stage the UBEC/SUBEB BESS competition. He commended Governor Okpebholo for creating the peaceful, supportive environment needed to host the sporting fiesta.
“The South-South is the home of sports,” Mariere noted. “Today, we thank the performing Governor for making this possible. This competition takes sports back to the grassroots, helping us catch them young and groom future champions.”
The Executive Chairman of Edo SUBEB, Hon. Ebanieta Sonia Omonzane, described the championship as a testament to Edo State’s leadership in grassroots sports and youth development. She emphasised that school sports remain a key pillar in global child development, as they help shape confidence, leadership, teamwork, and character.
“In basic education, sports complement academics by enhancing physical, mental, and social growth,” she said. “This event is more than a competition—it is a celebration of the unity and collective strength of the South-South. Edo is proud to host, given our rich history in sports and sustained investment in education and youth empowerment.”
She added that Edo’s upgraded facilities, targeted sports initiatives, and quality coaching have positioned the state as a model for grassroots development, noting that hosting the zonal competition reflects Edo’s commitment to nurturing talent and expanding opportunities for young people.
Over the next few days, participants will compete in various sports that showcase the region’s cultural diversity and athletic strength. Officials expressed confidence that the event will not only discover future national champions but also instill values that produce responsible citizens.
The opening ceremony affirmed a shared belief across the region: that sports remain a powerful engine for leadership development , social stability, and the rise of a new generation of champions from the South-South.
Signed:
Omoluogbe Ruth
FIC Benin city
19 November,2025
