GOVERNOR OKPEBHOLO HAILS EDO’S REBIRTH, DETAILS TRANSFORMATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS IN ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, marked one year in office with a landmark anniversary address that resonated with optimism, gratitude, and renewed determination, celebrating the state’s rebirth and outlining significant achievements across key sectors. The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, Fred Itua, in a statement, said the governor delivered the address on Thursday before a distinguished audience in Benin City, declaring that his administration had restored hope, rebuilt institutions, and renewed the people’s confidence in government.

Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his commitment to deepening reforms across all sectors of the state’s economy, reflecting on a journey that began with daunting challenges but has evolved into a story of courage, reform, and measurable transformation.

The governor stated that upon assuming office, he met a state weighed down by rot, debt, insecurity, and distrust, but through focus, prayer, and teamwork, his administration had begun laying a solid foundation for a new era of growth. He emphasized that his government is replacing PowerPoint governance with Practical Governance, one that touches lives, revives faith, and renews communities.

On security, Governor Okpebholo said Edo was previously almost a war zone plagued by cultism, armed robbery, and kidnappings, with over 300 cult-related killings recorded in 2024 alone. He declared that his administration acted decisively by repealing the weak anti-cultism law, enacting a stronger one, equipping security forces with 60 Hilux vans and 400 motorcycles, and recruiting 2,500 officers into the Edo State Security Corps, resulting in a safer and calmer state no longer a sanctuary for criminals.

In healthcare, the governor described the sector as one of the worst-hit by neglect before his intervention, noting that hospitals lacked basic drugs and health workers were demoralized. He highlighted the construction of new Primary Health Centres across the 18 wards, equipped diagnostic facilities in local councils, and the start of work on a new 100-bed Specialist Hospital in Udomi, Edo Central, aiming to make quality healthcare accessible to every citizen.

On infrastructure, Itua stated that the governor noted the administration has redefined urban renewal and rural development by awarding 28 new road projects covering over 255 kilometers and constructing two major flyovers at Ramat Park and Adesuwa-Sapele Road simultaneously for the first time in the state’s history.

Regarding agricultural development, Governor Okpebholo revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda inspired aggressive investment in food security, with the agriculture budget raised from ₦4.5 billion to over ₦70 billion. He said over 400 hectares have been cultivated, harvesting has begun, and funds are now producing food instead of funding corruption. In education, the governor reversed years of decay in public schools by permanently employing over 5,000 teachers, renovating and upgrading 63 schools to modern standards, and increasing Ambrose Alli University’s subvention from ₦41 million to ₦500 million monthly, making education a priority.

Itua further reported that on economic reform, Governor Okpebholo inherited over ₦600 billion in local and foreign debts and ₦180 billion owed to contractors, but through prudent management, reduced the burden, created over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs, and launched a ₦1 billion interest-free loan scheme for small businesses and traders while promoting transparency and efficiency.

The governor also highlighted achievements in governance, including restoring judicial integrity by swearing in previously sidelined judges, re-establishing the Customary Court, and strengthening traditional institutions. He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and support, and thanked cabinet members, political leaders, royal fathers, and the people of Edo for their loyalty and cooperation. Itua noted that the ceremony featured goodwill messages from Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Chief Lucky Imasuen, Dr. Pius Odubu, and other prominent leaders, who praised Okpebholo’s reform-driven approach, and a high-level policy panel explored Nigeria’s economic outlook and Edo’s positioning for sustainable growth.

Concluding his address, Governor Okpebholo delivered a rousing message of hope, urging youths that a New Edo has risen built on faith, service, and accountability, and promising to extend the touch of practical governance to every community. The event ended in an atmosphere of celebration, with guests and dignitaries hailing the governor’s performance and reaffirming confidence in his leadership.