His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, has spent just over a year in office. Some would argue that such a short period is insufficient to assess a government, given the complexity of leadership, especially against the backdrop of failing infrastructure requiring urgent attention.
However, in his determination to make a lasting impact, Governor Okpebholo rolled up his sleeves and went straight to work upon his inauguration. With a clear understanding of the issues, he immediately embarked on a school renovation programme, including the outright rebuilding of some where necessary. This effort reflects an appreciation of the role of education in human capital development as a panacea for societal advancement.
Consequently, many communities across the three senatorial districts have benefited from the school renewal initiative. To complement this, a sizeable number of teachers who were previously on casual contracts have had their appointments regularised and have been absorbed into the state civil service.
In addition to this, the administration has undertaken extensive road rehabilitation across the state. The impact is most evident on major federal highways, particularly the Benin–Auchi Road, Benin–Agbor Road, and Benin–Sapele Road, which had become largely impassable after years of neglect. Without timely intervention, access to Benin City through these routes would have remained extremely difficult. Today, the situation has improved significantly.
Beyond federal roads, many towns across the state have effectively become construction sites. In the coming months, Benin City is expected to witness the completion of its first inner-city flyovers. The Ramat Park flyover is nearing completion and is expected to ease traffic congestion in that axis while enhancing the area’s aesthetics. Similarly, the Adesuwa Junction flyover is projected to address persistent traffic bottlenecks in that part of the city.
Recently, a large town hall was commissioned in Udomi. The significance of this project lies in its capacity to host government functions and corporate retreats, as demonstrated earlier in the year. This development contributes to opening up rural areas and discouraging unproductive rural–urban migration and its associated challenges. The establishment of a government-owned School of Nursing in the community further strengthens this effort. It is also on record that several primary healthcare facilities across various communities have been rehabilitated, while others are undergoing upgrades or expansion to meet the health needs of residents.
The transport sector has also received attention under the Okpebholo administration. Over 100 air-conditioned buses have been acquired to revitalise the previously moribund Edo Line Transport Services. Now rebranded as the New Edo Line, the organisation has, within about a year of its revival, expanded its presence across several states in the country. In addition to improving mobility, it has contributed to job creation and offers potential for increased state revenue.
Security remains one of the most pressing challenges confronting the Federal Government of Nigeria, and subnational entities, including Edo State, are not immune to threats such as kidnapping and banditry. However, there has been noticeable improvement compared to the situation about a year ago. Areas such as Ekpoma and parts of Edo North Senatorial District, which previously experienced heightened insecurity, have seen some level of relief. While security management is largely outside the direct control of state governments due to the structure of Nigeria’s security architecture, the governor’s approach and responsiveness suggest a measure of progress within existing constraints.
This write-up was not initially intended as a scorecard of the administration, which is still less than two years old. Rather, it began with a different focus entirely. However, upon reflection, it became necessary to acknowledge developments that extend beyond infrastructure and governance.
A few years ago, I contributed features to this newspaper. After publication, I found it difficult to read my work due to poor print quality, which was discouraging. Recently, however, I came across a copy of the same publication. While it was still The Nigerian Observer, the difference was immediately noticeable. The layout had improved, and the print quality was sharp and clear. This transformation appears deliberate and well-executed.
It is therefore fitting to recognise that, alongside other achievements of the current administration, the revitalisation of The Nigerian Observer and its renewed presence on newsstands also counts as part of the broader story of renewal in Edo State. The management of the newspaper deserves commendation, just as the governor does.
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Ebor Cletus Raphael Jr. is a philosopher and management consultant. He writes from Benin City.