The school, named in honour of one of Nigeria’s most fearless journalists and a native of the community, was destroyed by a violent windstorm.

For over three years, more than 100 pupils of the Dele Giwa Memorial Primary School in Ugbekpe Ekperi, Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State have been learning under a roofless structure with no desks, blackboards, or books — despite the Edo State Government allocating over ₦92 billion to education between 2020 and 2023.

The school, named in honour of one of Nigeria’s most fearless journalists and a native of the community, was destroyed by a violent windstorm.

Since the incident, the building has remained in ruins, forcing children to study in dangerous conditions. Classes are often suspended during rainfall due to the exposure.

Between 2020 and 2023, the state government under former Governor Godwin Obaseki allocated ₦33 billion to education in 2023 alone, with ₦19.4 billion specifically for capital projects. Yet, no intervention has been made at the school.

According to civic technology platform, Monitng, “The school has become a symbol of abandonment: no desks, no books, no blackboards, just broken floors and fading hope.”

“The EdoBEST education reform programme has clearly failed to reach the children of Edo North.”

“It is even more disappointing that this neglect persists in a region represented by high-profile politicians like Senator Adam Oshiomhole and former Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu.”

“We are calling on the Edo State government and its current leadership to act swiftly,” Monitng said, demanding urgent attention to the school’s rehabilitation.

Residents say the state’s failure to respond to the situation is a disservice to the late Dele Giwa’s memory and a denial of the children’s right to education.

SHOCKING!!!

Dear Gov @m_akpakomiza

This is Dele Giwa Memorial Primary School in Ugbekpe Ekperi, Etsako Central LGA, Edo State named after one of Nigeria’s most fearless journalists, a native of this very community. Today, the school stands in utter neglect. Over three years… pic.twitter.com/ge490fGf70

— MonITNG (@monitng) July 18, 2025