Speaking during an engagement with Edo indigenes in the United Kingdom tagged: “Shine Beyond Borders,” the governor said the removal of fuel subsidy and other fiscal reforms initiated by the President had ended the era when states depended on federal bailouts to meet basic obligations.
Okpebholo said the increased revenues accruing to states had enabled his administration to embark on major infrastructure, security and social development projects that are changing the face of Edo.
According to him, governors now have sufficient resources not only to pay workers’ salaries but also to invest in critical infrastructure that directly impacts citizens.
“The era of governors queuing up in Abuja for bailouts before paying salaries is over. Today, states have more resources to execute projects that improve the lives of the people, and Edo is a clear example of what is possible under President Tinubu’s reforms,” he said.
The governor cited ongoing projects including the Ramat Park Flyover in Benin City, the reconstruction of the Ekpoma-Auchi section of the Benin-Okene Highway with concrete pavement, and the extension of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway through Edo as evidence of the state’s development drive.
He also highlighted improvements in security, including the establishment of an Army Forward Operational Base, the siting of the MOPOL 82 Squadron, the recruitment of 500 Forest Guards and the approval of a new Army Division for the state.
Okpebholo said the achievements aligned with his administration’s SHINE Agenda, which focuses on security, healthcare, infrastructure, education and economic development.
Addressing Edo professionals and entrepreneurs living abroad, the governor urged them to complement government efforts by investing in the state and bringing home their expertise, technology and international networks.
He described the diaspora gathering as a family meeting rather than a formal event, noting that many Edo indigenes abroad had maintained strong emotional ties with their ancestral home despite living overseas.
The governor also appealed to members of the diaspora to assess his administration based on its performance rather than narratives circulating on social media.
He urged them to become ambassadors of Edo State by promoting its investment opportunities and projecting a positive image of the state.
As part of the engagement, Okpebholo presented branded souvenirs bearing the image of President Tinubu to participants, reaffirming his administration’s support for the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The session also provided an opportunity for members of the Edo diaspora to interact with the governor on issues affecting the state and explore areas of collaboration in investment, knowledge transfer and sustainable development.
