Okpebholo Marks One Year in Office, Showcases Gains in Security, Healthcare, Infrastructure, Agriculture, and Education

By Rosemary Okoduwa

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Wednesday rolled out the major achievements of his administration in its first year, declaring that his government has restored hope, rebuilt public institutions, and renewed citizens’ confidence in leadership.

Speaking at an anniversary event in Benin City before an audience of dignitaries, the governor described his one year in office as “purposeful, focused, and people-centered.” He thanked the people of Edo State for their unwavering support before and after the 2024 elections, adding that the milestone was “a testimony that God rules in the affairs of men.”

Okpebholo recalled that he met a state “weighed down by rot, debt, insecurity, and distrust,” but said his administration has begun laying a solid foundation for sustainable growth through strategic reforms and bold interventions.

The governor said the security situation before his assumption of office was alarming, citing over 300 cult-related killings in 2024 alone.

“We acted decisively,” he said. “We repealed the weak anti-cultism law, enacted a stronger one, equipped security agencies with 60 Hilux vans and 400 motorcycles, and recruited 2,500 new personnel into the Edo Security Corps.”
According to him, these measures have made the state safer, calmer, and unfriendly to criminals.

Okpebholo described the health sector as one of the most neglected before his intervention.
“We met a collapsing system where hospitals lacked basic drugs and health workers were demoralized,” he said.

The administration, he noted, has commenced the construction of new primary health centres across all 18 local government areas, equipped diagnostic centres, and begun work on a new 100-bed Specialist Hospital in Udomi, Edo Central.
“Our goal is to make quality healthcare accessible to every Edo citizen,” he added.

The governor said his team has redefined urban and rural development within just one year.

“We inherited deplorable roads and abandoned communities,” he said.
“Today, we have awarded 28 new road projects covering more than 255 kilometers. For the first time in our history, two major flyovers at Ramat Park and Adesuwa-Sapele Road are under construction simultaneously.”

The administration, according to Okpebholo, was inspired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to pursue aggressive agricultural investment.
“We raised our agriculture budget from ₦4.5 billion to over ₦70 billion,” he said.
He added that more than 400 hectares have already been cultivated, with harvesting underway.
“This is Renewed Hope in action. Funds meant for agriculture are now producing food, not funding corruption,” he declared.

The governor said the state of public education when he took office was distressing.
“Our children were studying in leaking classrooms without teachers or learning materials,” he lamented.
He announced that over 5,000 teachers have since been employed, while 63 schools have been renovated and upgraded.

He also revealed a major boost for tertiary education:
“We increased Ambrose Alli University’s subvention from ₦41 million to ₦500 million monthly. Education is no longer a slogan it is our priority.”

Okpebholo disclosed that he inherited over ₦600 billion in local and foreign debts and an additional ₦180 billion owed to contractors.
Through fiscal discipline, he said, the administration has reduced liabilities and stabilized public finance.

He added that the government has created more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs and launched a ₦1 billion interest-free loan scheme for small businesses and traders.
“We have restructured our financial management to promote transparency and efficiency,” he said.

The governor highlighted reforms in the judiciary and traditional institutions, including swearing-in judges who had been previously sidelined and re-establishing the Customary Court system.
“Governance in Edo today is no longer about noise it is about measurable impact and restored dignity,” he said.

Okpebholo expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his guidance and support. He also thanked his cabinet, party leaders, and the people of Edo State for their dedication, patience, and prayers.
He promised continued progress, especially for young people.