Okpebholo assures Edo residents of better roads, improved security

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Sunday reassured residents that his government remained committed to road infrastructure and security.

The governor stated this at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Auchi Diocese, where he led bigwigs in the state for a thanksgiving service marking his one year in office.

He said he had identified pressing challenges confronting the state and promised to tackle them to achieve a better society.

“As I came here today, my mind was on how we will fix the bad roads. The second thought on my mind is about a matter that concerns us all — insecurity. We will continue to do our best to fight insecurity and ensure that the evil ones are driven out of our midst,” he added.

The governor also sympathised with the church and families affected by recent kidnappings of priests within the diocese, assuring them of the government’s resolve to restore peace and order across the state.

“While I sympathize with the church over the kidnapped priests in recent times, I want to say that there is never a day we are not concerned about the insecurity in our land.

“We are doing everything possible to bring it to an end. I assure you that very soon, with your prayers and our efforts, we will overcome,” Okpebholo declared.

He reaffirmed his administration’s determination to rebuild Edo State on the foundation of peace, faith, and purposeful leadership.

He emphasised that governance must always reflect compassion, service, and accountability, assuring the people that his administration remained committed to driving sustainable development across all sectors.

Okpebholo thanked God for His grace and faithfulness, recalling how he made a solemn vow a year ago to return in thanksgiving upon winning both the primaries and the governorship election.

The officiating cleric, Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Most Rev. Gabriel Dunia, delivered a sermon centred on cleanliness, holiness, and the virtues of gratitude in leadership.

The bishop commended Okpebholo for reintroducing the state’s monthly environmental sanitation exercise, describing it as a necessary step toward public health and moral discipline.

Dunia also lauded the governor for being a man of integrity who keeps his word, recalling his vow during last year’s service to return for thanksgiving if elected.

“You made a promise before God and His people that you would return to this altar to give thanks if you emerged victorious.

“Today, you have kept that promise. This is the mark of a man of faith and truth,” the bishop said.

The thanksgiving service drew dignitaries and worshippers from across all strata of society.

It will be recalled that Okpebholo was sworn in on November 12, 2024, after defeating the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Asue Ighodalo, in the September 21, 2024 governorship election.

Okpebholo hit the ground running by rehabilitating major roads, reclaiming government properties, prioritising education and ensuring that women were well represented in his cabinet.

Meanwhile, his attempt to curb kidnapping has remained challenging, with several cases still being recorded in the state every week. The governor has procured security vehicles, motorcycles and other equipment for all security agencies in the state, but the problem persists.

The issue came to a head on March 28, 2025, when an angry mob resorted to self-help and killed seven travellers in Uromi, Edo Central, over their suspected involvement in kidnapping.

Guns were found in the truck conveying them to the northern part of the country, which triggered the lynching of about 16 of them, with seven dying in the process.