The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has described the father of the Chairman of Alaghodaro Economic Summit LTD/GTE and Chairman, Sterling Bank Plc, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, late Chief Jeremiah Aghedo Ighodalo as a patriotic Edo man who stood for unity and togetherness.
The governor made the remarks during the 10-year remembrance service in honour of late Chief Jeremiah Aghedo Ighodalo, at the weekend, in Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area of the state.
Dignitaries at the event include First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; former Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke; President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq.; Special Adviser on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie and other members of the state executive council.
Obaseki said, “He pulled his whole clan along with him and valued education. He became the beacon of hope for all Mid-Westerners and Edo people who had the privilege of being in Ibadan when he was there.
“We are here to celebrate the achievement of our late father in the old Mid-West Region, Bendel and Edo State. I commend the children for keeping the legacy of education and discipline of their father and his memory still alive. We thank God for his life. We will continue to celebrate his life and time.”
The governor commended the Ighodalo family for adopting Ewohimi Primary School, noting that the government alone cannot fund education but would require partners to develop the state’s education system.
“We are not surprised that the family has taken this position as their father stood for education. We need to work with them and show them our design for disarticulation of schools and ensure it’s followed all the way,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Chairman, Alaghodaro Economic Summit LTD/GTE and Chairman, Sterling Bank Plc, Dr. Asue Ighodalo expressed appreciation to the governor and his entourage for gracing the 10-year remembrance service of his late father.
He said the family has resolved to adopt the Ewohimi Primary School and make it one of the best in the state, adding that a microfinance scheme has been funded with N25 million to empower women of Ewohimi.
“We are also going to set up a foundation in the memory of our father to award scholarships to four brilliant Ewohimi students who are good in English, Medicine, Economics and Accounting.”
The officiating minister, Pastor Lawrence Ebhodaghe commended late Ighodalo for the legacy he left behind. He encouraged members of the congregation to emulate the good life Chief Ighodalo lived and encouraged the children to follow the footsteps of their late father.
