In a celebratory event held at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub in Benin City, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, marked his first 100 days in office, outlining the significant strides his administration has made despite facing numerous challenges.
Okpebholo highlighted the key achievements in security, infrastructure, agriculture, education, and the economy, emphasizing the foundation laid for lasting progress in the state.
“We have taken significant steps in strengthening our economy by increasing our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by N10 billion,” said Okpebholo. “We’ve also launched interest-free loans for market women, farmers, and artisans, benefiting over 5,000 people in collaboration with the World Bank.”
The Governor also emphasized the importance of healthcare, revealing that his administration has set up the first VVF centre in the South-South region, alongside free malaria testing and treatment at government hospitals for the next two years.
On security, Okpebholo affirmed that his administration has taken bold steps to curb violence, particularly cult-related activities. “We reorganized the Edo State Security Corps and recovered over 3,500 illegal firearms,” he said. “We also procured 75 Toyota Hilux vehicles and 350 motorbikes to fight crime.”
Okpebholo’s administration has also made strides in infrastructure with major road projects underway, including the Ramat Park flyover, aimed at easing traffic congestion in Benin City.
Looking ahead, the Governor said his administration is focused on economic growth, particularly in agriculture and youth skills development, positioning Edo to become the fifth-largest economy in Nigeria.
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Umar Ganduje, commended Okpebholo’s efforts, calling him “a progressive and working Governor.”
In his keynote speech, former Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, praised Okpebholo’s approach to practical governance. “What Edo people want is for your administration to continue creating an enabling environment for them to thrive,” Oshiomhole said. “In just 100 days, we already see a solid foundation laid for growth and development in Edo State.”
The event also saw the unveiling of the SHINE framework, which stands for Security, Infrastructure, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Education – the pillars driving the Okpebholo administration’s policies.
Edesili Anani Okpebholo, the First Lady, thanked the Governor for his efforts and called for more female representation in his administration. “The women will give you their 100 percent vote in the 2028 election,” she promised.
As Edo State looks to the future, the achievements of the past 100 days set the stage for more ambitious plans, with Okpebholo reiterating his commitment to transforming the state into a thriving, economically strong entity.