Governor Monday Okpebholo ‘s 100 Days of Wonders
5 min read
Governor Monday Okpebholo ‘s 100 Days of Wonders
By: Douglas Ogbankwa Esq
It was James Freeman Clarkson that said “A Politician thinks of the Next Elections , while a States Man thinks of the Next Generation”.
By all standards, I am not a politician, but a Policy Analyst.Those who reckon with me recall that I hardly award marks .But , what endears me to any one is the mastery of pragmatism, speed and accuracy.
I can not boast to know Nigeria much , but I know when a leader is genuine and sincere .Love him or hate , the Edo State Governor- Monday Okpebholo is an enigma of a sort .A man of few words and profound action , he has come to depict the meaning of the time honoured English Aphorism that *Actions Speak Louder than Voice*
It is not a surprise that the opposition has unleashed an avalanche of lies just like winter ice precipitated by snow , to want to slow Senator Monday Okpebholo down .
One thing that stands the Governor out is his seamlessness in achieving alot of actions with little fan fare , bureaucracy and scribbles .If the Governor wants some thing achieved , he does not go on endless trips or sign MOUs of Mirage .He just does it .
The immediate past Governor was avowed for his MOUs , so much so that he was aptly dubbed “the MOU Governor”.He was also known for talking more than he performs .He used some social media influencers to cover up his inadequacies.
The performance of Governor Monday Okpebholo in 100 days in Office is akin to the biblical signs and wonders.He has worked tirelessly and he has worked with so much precision .
Governor Monday Okpebholo has flagged off the inner city by passe from Teboga Road to Ugbowo.This will lessen traffic in the Ugbowo Axis of theb ever busy Benin Lagos Road .This will also open up the communities around the new by pass and improve economic activities.He has started building the first Fly over in the Benin Metropolis, to decongest traffic and open up new vistas.
The Governor has appointed over 460 cleaners and he has put them on the minimum wage of 70 thousand naira as opposed to the 20 thousand naira being paid them by his predecessor.
The Governor swore in , in about 4 weeks the Edo State High Court judges that Obaseki did not swear on in about 84 weeks .Obaseki swore in the Judges he liked and left those he did not like .The Governor in the swearing stated that you can be any thing in Edo State with out having a god father , or you have to do is to be God fearing .
The Governor bursted the facade called Edo Best when he visited some schools and exposed the debauchery that has been used to deceive Edo lites for about 8 years and he even renovated one of the schools in about 6 weeks through rapid response intervention, a novelty that never happened in Obaseki’s ill-fated 8 years of motion with out movement.
Governor Monday Okpebholo is currently addressing the issues of the night Inauguration of the Edo State House of Assembly.A sore and sordid reminder of our past when the then Governor Godwin Obaseki like a thief in the night, orchestrated the Inauguration of Members of the Edo State House of Assembly in June,2019 at about 9:30pm.This was done when even one of the Members of the house wore knickers , as he was picked up from where he went to buy Suya in Ihama to the hallowed chambers of the house to have a date with infamy.
Governor Okpebholo has for that first time in about 8 years provided brand new Hilux Jeeps ,other vehicles and one thousand motor cycles for Security Agencies in Nigeria.This has paid off with the recent mopping up of about 5000 arms and ammunitions and some suspects .This is opposed to the fairly used Sienna that was too little , far and in between.
He has revitalised Edo Broadcasting Service and returned it to terrestrial TV, for the first in over a year .The Ihevbe transmission station is not running for the first time in 5 years .There is a massive digitalisation going on there .He has appointed a world class broadcaster , who is even an EBS Veteran Suleyman Aledeh to run the Institution.
Governor Okpebholo has brought about double digits in billions for the Internal Revenue Service , for the very first time .This has brought Edo State into the main stream of one of the sustainable State Economies in Nigeria.
He has restored the full privileges of His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare 12 , the Oba of Benin as he has stopped those who were simulated by elements under the former Government that attempted to balkanize the Great Benin Kingdom , who however failed .
He ensured that he handled the issue of those whose houses were demolished for a so-called Coral City at Obazagbon and Okuoroma Communities and same is being resolved with a human face .
He has constructed and tarred the Ekpoma Auchi Road , ensuring pleasurable travels for commuters and reducing the risk on the road .This was done by the State Government even as it is a Federal Road .This opposed to the complaint prone and Grammar blaring Governor , who put a sign boards there with the inscription “Please bear with us , this is a Federal Road”.But , the road is being used by Edo People.What a paradox of conviction!
The Governor has stopped the incessant cult killings in the State by providing leadership for the amendment of the Edo State Anti Cultism Law and also making practical decisions that nipped the hydra headed problem in the bud .There are now consequences for such dastardly act and consequences deter impunity.
Governor Okpebholo has distributed the books hoarded by his Predecessor and this opened up the learning space for pupils and students.He has opened up the school system for the innovations and development.
He has taken over the Edo Specialist Hospital from the shy lock consultants that made the hospital a business centre and has made the hospital accessible to Edo People .He is also going to bring back our Central Hospital that is over 100 Years old .The ostentatious and white elephant project -the museum will give way for the life saving hospital.It is only a person that is alive that can see artefacts .
In sports , he has constituted the full compliments of all Sorts Association for all to prepare for the forth coming National Sports Festival in May .
He has conducted a thorough investigations into the activities of the out gone Government, which has revealed mind blowing revelations and has given the State the requisite information to bring the State to a new beginning .
He has flagged off many other roads which in are in all parts of Edo State. Edo State under Governor Monday Okpebholo is a work in progress.It has been 100 days of breath taking activities and 100 days of a new Edo Rising .
Indeed, a new Edo has risen .
It was John Fitzgerald Kennedy , former President of the United States that said :*Think not of what your country can do for you , but what you can do for your country*
Douglas Ogbankwa Esq, is the President of Benin Writers’ Society.
About The Author
