By Sebastine Ebhuomhan
There is an aura of love, calmness, tenderness, patience, empathy, simplicity, orderliness and courage that nourishes the life of Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, which his rivals, opponents, and enemies erroneously see as weakness. Beneath those characteristic traits lie his likeable personality, immeasurable belief and unbreakable spirit to conquer new grounds and attain hitherto impossible heights.
Akpakorescue, as he has been renamed, presents himself at every particular material time as a man that is ready to listen, learn and lead inspiringly. Even as the executive governor of a cosmopolitan Edo State, aptly dubbed the Heartbeat of Nigeria, Okpebholo still keeps his calmness, trusts people with tasks, and gives them space to achieve results in tandem with expectations of governance, despite knowing so much. These are just a few of the secrets behind the growing, incontrovertible achievements of his administration in a short time compared to the laborious and empty sloganeering of his predecessor.
In nine months since Governor Okpebholo took his oath of office last November 12th, he has not only become a trusted man of his words but is already ticking fulfilled campaign promises one-by-one. With his SHINE Agenda, the Okpebholo administration has achieved far greater than any other administration of Edo State within the same period of time since the creation of the state 34 years ago.
Just three days before, he inspected the ongoing reconstruction work of the Oba Market that burned down under the administration of Mr. Godwin Obaseki but which the ex-governor blatantly refused to rebuild before escaping into self-exile because the traders refused to relocate to nowhere or stop trading outrightly. The sprawling structure is now being fitted with a fire service, a clinic, a restaurant and a crèche along with parking space for July 2026 completion.
Before the inspection that literarily halted buying and selling when traders temporarily abandoned trading to salute their action leader, Okpebholo banned graduation parties for Edo nursery, primary and junior secondary school pupils, an exploitative practice of most private school proprietors for milking parents of cut-throat fees.
Earlier in August, Okpebholo commissioned the hitherto dead and buried New Edo Line, the pivot intra and inter-state transport company of Edo with about 120 brand new buses operating at affordable costs for the safety, convenience and comfort of road travellers. To ensure safe, smooth and swift movement, however, he made sure Edo Government fixed most of the deadly potholes on federal roads within the state: for which Obaseki had wickedly contracted, procured and erected several huge bill boards with the inscription: ‘This road belongs to the Federal Government. Please, bear with Edo State Government,’ at different places. As a consequence of Okpebholo’s responsible leadership, many state and local roads spread across the 18 local government areas of the three districts are presently undergoing total reconstruction along with some federal roads, too.
The first flyover ever built in Edo State by Edo State Government is progressing towards completion at the busy Ramat Park in Benin City. Plans are concluding to start work on a second and third one soon.
For the first time in Edo State, appointment of public officials is being carried out with equity, ensuring a fairer distribution of key positions across the three districts based on the population of each district. Yet, it is just nine months into a long journey of four years.
Security, education, health, law and justice, sports and human capital development through the employment and training of civil servants have all received remarkable facelifts during this short period, too. For examples, cultism and kidnapping are being tackled venomously; educational institutions are well funded now; land have been acquired for large-scale farming to enhance food security; just as farm implements including brand new tractors have been procured to aid farming.
The first time I met Senator Okpebholo in my life, about six months after I picked his name from a field of 30 aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, he was sitting like any other participant at the church programme held in honour of a birthday celebrant and party chieftain, Comrade Romeo Aloaye Omoike. That was 5th of December, 2023 at Maitama in Abuja. He had arrived early and quietly sat down without fanfare instead of breaking protocol midway.
Until a friend introduced him to me after the church programme as “the man you have been supporting and writing positively about,” I had passed him thrice without recognising him as the Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria proudly representing Edo Central Senatorial District then.
During meetings in his house in Abuja held to strategize for the APC ticket and subsequently campaign for votes after he became APC candidate, a first-time visitor hardly recognises Okpebholo as the householder. Instead of exercising overbearing power, he would sit with everybody, participate with laughter and jokes, display a heart willing to listen, learn and lead inspiringly. It is to his credit that as the opposition personalised the election campaigns, he never replied to their insults, abuses and curses once. Rather, he focused on connecting with the people to understand their challenges, pains and needs. He is fulfilling those needs now.
Today, power has not changed Okpebholo from who he has been or from doing good. Characteristically, he remains respectful, gentle, simple, calm, determined and courageous. He is a beacon of joy, hope, belief and passion for all as the People’s Governor. He is fast evolving to be Nigeria’s best. This is the Monday Okpebholo the world is yet to read as a book.
On this August occasion of your birth anniversary, I extend my heartfelt felicitations and good wishes on behalf of my family, friends and good people of Edo State and beyond.
Happy birthday, Your Excellency.
Mr. Sebastine EBHUOMHAN is an award-winning journalist and a media consultant from Edo State, who freely supported Monday Okpebholo to become state governor. He can be reached on: usie007@yahoo.com and 08037204620.
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