Okpebholo Marks One Year In Office, Vows To Deepen Governance

The Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Godwin Obaseki, on Wednesday, expressed gratitude to the people of Edo for their unwavering support as his administration marked its first anniversary.

Speaking at a colloquium held in Benin City, the governor said the celebration was “not just about marking one year in office, but a testimony that God rules in the affairs of men.”

He recalled inheriting a state “weighed down by rot, debt, insecurity, and distrust,” but noted that his team had begun restoring hope and rebuilding institutions.

On security, Okpebholo said his administration inherited a near “war zone” but has taken decisive steps to reverse the trend.

“In 2024 alone, over 300 cult-related killings were recorded. We acted decisively, repealed the weak anti-cultism law, passed a stronger one, supplied 60 Hilux vans and 400 motorcycles to security agencies, and recruited 2,500 officers into the Edo State Security Corps.”

He declared that “Edo will no longer be a safe place for criminals,” noting that crime rates have dropped significantly.

The governor also highlighted major reforms in healthcare, describing the system he met as “collapsing.”

According to him, the government has begun constructing new Primary Health Centres in 18 wards, installed diagnostic machines across local governments, and commenced work on a 100-bed Specialist Hospital in Udomi, Edo Central.

In the area of infrastructure, Okpebholo disclosed that 28 new road projects totalling 255 kilometres have been awarded, alongside the construction of two flyovers at Ramat Park and Adesuwa-Sapele Road, both firsts in Edo’s history.

On agriculture, he credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for inspiring the state’s renewed investment in the sector.

“We raised the agriculture budget from ₦4.5 billion to ₦57 billion. Today, over 400 hectares of farmland have been cultivated, and harvesting has begun. This is Renewed Hope in Action,” he said.

Leaders of the APC, including the National Chairman of the Party, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Dr Pius Odubu, Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, Chief Lucky Imasuen and Prof Julius Ihonbvere, among others.