We, the ‘Edolites’, should count ourselves lucky to have always had dynamic and committed administrators at the helm of the affairs of our state. The trend dates back to the creation of the defunct Bendel state through the era of various military regimes to the present times.

It is an uncommon good fortune that the state has had great leaders in the mould of late Generals David Ejoor and Samuel Ogbemudia in the era of military regimes and, selfless, dynamic elected leaders such as Professor Ambrose Ali in the Second Republic through to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in the ongoing Fourth Republic.

Barely two years of his taking over the mantle of leadership, Governor Monday Okpebholo is already making tangible marks as a great leader. Rapidly, he has been charting an amazing developmental trajectory that shows the zeal of a visionary young man driven by a pressing sense of mission. 

From the start of his journey, Okpebholo exhibited the streaks of successful administrators, either in politics or in business, by constituting a team of competent men and women who share his vision while yet, taking care of the imperative of inclusiveness and other pragmatic, conventional political exigencies.

For instance, the choice of Chief Denis Idahosa as his running mate and eventually, his deputy, instantly revealed Okpebholo’s ability to blend political considerations without sacrificing the critical elements of quality. A man with impressive political track records, Idahosa has since justified Okpebholo’s sound judgment by proving to be a competent and reliable partner.

As a vindication of Okpebholo’s sense of inclusivity regarding gender representation in governance, a sizeable number of women are in the state’s cabinet and in other strategic departments of government. 

The appointment of Mr Martin Anyaochukwu Oli, an Igbo man from the South-east, as a commissioner in his government and the appointment of Mr Melody Omuja as the first ever visually impaired permanent secretary in the state, further highlights a unique sensitivity to inclusivity, integration, and broad-based representation.

Though now a commissioner and member of the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Honourable Patrick Aisowieren has remained a crucial ally of Governor Okpebholo who has been unrelenting in his support towards the progress and stability of the government.

A renowned grassroots mobiliser and respected politician across the state, Aisowieren was a leading light of the electioneering campaign that ushered in the epochal victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2024 governorship contest. As events thereafter have been proving, it is in the best interest of the state and the APC that the two political titans have maintained the rapport between them.

Okpebholo’s strategic planning, alliances, and selection of his frontline players and lieutenants have so soon in the day been yielding a myriad of concrete political dividends.

In line with his campaign promise to frontally tackle the menace of insecurity that had bedeviled the state prior to his election, Governor Okpebholo has since initiated a series of drastic measures against cultism, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, and other forms of violent crimes.

Beside extending vast logistical and sundry critical material support to the security agencies and the legitimate state-owned vigilante groups, his administration has since enacted a law, through the state parliament, that prescribes stiff penalities for terrorism.

Consequently, the wave of violent crimes in the state has been going down drastically. The, hitherto, audaciously, seemingly impossible marauding herdsmen, bandits, and other social miscreants have virtually disappeared from the state.

In terms of infrastructure development, the entire landscape of Edo state has today practically become a construction site. This is the outcome of the governor’s policy direction of keeping his pre-election promise of turning around the state’s abysmal infrastructure. The objective, according to his repeated explanations, is to boost transportation, social mobility, and enhance local trade and agriculture.

Under two years, the Okpebholo administration has phenomenally performed and delivered in this regard. The government has constructed over 400 kilometres of roads in all its three senatorial districts. 

That is just as the government has within the past two years, constructed 36 kilometres of rural road network that connects many communities in the Edo  central and 18 kilometres of rural roads in Edo North for the same objective of connecting communities.

On his milestones in road construction, special mention must be made of the construction and rehabilitation of the Eguaholor-Isi Oghuogho road, a major link to Oza Abiokunla in Orhionmwon local government area.

The many benefits of this road which had been abandoned for 50 years by successive governments, include the enhancement of the evacuation of agricultural produce to the Oza Abiokunla and Iru Egbede markets. This feat amounts to a giant stride in rural socio-economic transformation.

To solve the age-old frustrating traffic hold-ups and gridlocks in many parts of Benin metropolis, multiple flyovers have either been constructed or, are under construction. This practical measure in road traffic management and control has since led to the easing of traffic flow at the Sapele/Adesuwa road junction which was, hitherto, a notorious spot for its hellish traffic hold-up.

To enhance rapid realisation of the state road construction and rehabilitation programmes, the state government has adopted a three-pronged strategy. There is first, the Local Empowerment strategy, which entails giving local government councils needed tools and resources to handle grassroots and neighbourhood roads.

There is also, the Rapid Response strategy under which there are Emergency Maintenance teams deployed for instant road repairs. The third prong, carters for major road projects such as highways and flyovers which are handled by reputable and experienced firms.

The Okpebholo’ administration has been applauded across the state, the entire country, and even beyond, for some of its human-centred programmes and actions. An example is the provision of IVF equipment to the Edo state Specialist Hospital. This measure has brought closer home affordable medical intervention for couples in desperate search for children. 

Governor Okpebholo also demonstrated his compassion for citizens of the state in distress, through his response to the 41 indigenes of the state who were among Nigerians recently deported from South Africa.

Besides promising to advance financial support to the returnees to enable them start rebuilding their lives, the governor announced a donation of N1 million to each returnee as immediate palliatives.

With the unfolding pace of infrastructure development, Edo state under Okpebholo is clearly headed for another golden era. At a relatively tender age, the phenomenal, enthusiastic, physically, and mentally ebullient young man, Okpebholo appears to be sincerely and single-mindedly committed to the course of taking Edo state to higher heights. 

…Aghedo is Secretary, Nigerian Professionals in the UK