The General Superintendent of New Covenant Gospel Church (NCGC), Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude, has commended Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo for his administration’s urban renewal drive and efforts to tackle insecurity, saying the initiatives have improved residents’ sense of safety.
Dr Omobude,a former President of the Penticostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) gave the commendation at the church’s Bible Alive Believers International Convention 2026, held under the theme, “Stir It Up,” at the Peniel Convention Centre, Ohovbe Road, opposite Agbor Park, Benin City.
He described Governor Okpebholo as a Christian who believes in Jesus Christ and praised the transformation of Benin City through his government’s urban renewal projects.
The cleric singled out the flyover at Ramat Park, saying it had eased traffic congestion and made movement around the city more convenient.
He said the project had also made it easier for members of the church and other participants to travel to and from the convention venue.
“We have held this convention a few times, but navigating Ikpoba Hill has always been very difficult. This time, your infrastructural development has made it easy for us,” Omobude said.
The cleric also praised the governor’s efforts to tackle crime, noting that large gatherings such as the convention required a secure environment.
“We also thank you for the fight against crime and criminality. It is in an atmosphere of safety that we can gather like this. It is God who put you in office, and God will protect and guide you,” he said.
Dr Omobude, however, appealed to the governor to extend the urban renewal and infrastructure projects to Ohovbe, the community hosting the church, which he said was facing serious erosion challenges.
He urged the state government to send officials to assess the affected area and determine the necessary intervention.
“It is as if some elders of this community knew you were coming today, and they asked me to appeal to you to extend your developmental stride to the area. Erosion has almost driven them out. Please, my governor, send your people to assess the place and find out how to help them. The church will stand in prayers for you,” he said.
In his remarks, Governor Okpebholo called on the church and residents of Edo State to pray for his administration, saying the fight against cultism, kidnapping and other forms of criminality required both security measures and spiritual support.
He assured residents that his administration would sustain its efforts until the state was safe and free from crime.
“I am here to receive prayers from our father. The work we are doing in the state is huge. The fight against kidnapping and cultism needs prayers. I will continue to fight them, and I will never be afraid, because He that is in me is greater than he that is in them,” the governor said.