A work trip to Benin city

What an amazing and charged week!

In Benin city Monday through Friday on an education project mission. It was my first field mission in Nigeria after working on the country for more than two years! Coincidentally, my first field mission in Afghanistan was also on an education project in 2007 to Bamyan province.

It was a packed week with meetings, school visits, social events and catching up with work post dinners. And it was wonderful to meet those officials behind the names that I have been coordinating with over emails and virtual meetings all this while. We visited a rural primary school and an urban Junior Secondary School, met with the principals, teachers, Learning Development Officers and students. Also visited the Innovation Hub that provides various trainings, and provides working space for remote work.

We had the opportunity to meet with Edo State Governor, it was impressive to hear him speak and to learn of the vision he has for the state. The Governor graciously hosted a formal dinner. We also met with the Honorable Commissioner for Education, where after our meeting she proudly showed us around her office and her collection of artifacts from Nigeria. She also joined for dinner one evening where the conversation was surprisingly light and was largely about travel. She wanted tips on where to travel in India :-) 

The project team itself, particularly the Chairperson of SUBEB (State Universal Basic Education Board) and the Project Coordinator, was amazing and made everything smooth for us. The team of seven I traveled with was so much fun, we bonded greatly and also celebrated a colleague’s birthday.

We didn’t really see much of the city but atleast made time the last day to go the craft market in Igun street, famous for its bronze casting work. My souvenir shopping was done. Benin has been on my ‘must visit’ cities in Nigeria after I moved to the country and I am so glad it happened. Visit to the Oba’s palace…if there is a next time. 

Here is an interesting (it’s long) article a colleague shared about the Benin bronzes…

https://www.theatlantic.com/.../benin-bronzes.../671245/

                                                                       Oct 24-28, 2022