The Edo State Government has offered to sponsor the educational career of stowaway teenager, Daniel Oikhena, up to the university level.

The Edo state offer is coming on the heels of a similar sponsorship promise by Osun State-based voluntary organisation, De Raufs Foundation.

Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Louise Odion, said the promise to sponsor Oikhena’s education was borne out of the determination by Governor Adams Oshiomhole that the JSS  I pupil receive the best education.

Gov Adams Oshiomhole

The commissioner however expressed Oshiomhole’s regret over the seeming crack in the relationship between the boy’s parents which he said had affected the young boy.

He said, “Edo State government is already taking steps to ensure that Daniel gets not just material but also psychological support to enable him achieve his God-given potentials. As a doting parent himself.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole has followed the development closely. As a matter of fact, he personally engaged Daniel.

“From his interaction with him and his parents who unfortunately are separated, it is obvious that there is a deficit in terms of parental care, even though he sounds quite intelligent. We will ensure that

Daniel benefits first of all from the intervention of clinical psychologists. His psyche needs to be weaned off destructive anger.

“Thereafter, Edo State government is ready to assist Daniel to get to university level, consistent with the philosophy of Comrade Oshiomhole that every Edo child gets quality education that not only address the cognitive, but also the affective and psycho-motor domains as well.”

Daniel’s mother, Mrs Evelyn Oikhena, had indicated all was not well between the husband and herself, claiming the man and his family showed up solely because of the offers coming Daniel’s way.

Evelyn had said, “He (Daniel’s father) decided to appear now thinking that money is involved but he abandoned the children all these while, it is shameful.”