Tag: Okpebholo

Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo has urged parents and guardians to discourage their children from joining cult groups and engaging in harmful activities.

Okpebholo gave the charge in his Children’s Day message on Tuesday in Benin, reaffirmed his administration commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all children across Edo and Nigeria.

He pledged to provide quality education and create an enabling environment for children in the state to thrive, develop fully, and achieve their potential in life.

The governor described ”Children’s Day” as a day to celebrate youth, their vibrant spirit, innocence, and immense potential as the future leaders of the society.

”Our children are our most precious assets. Their dreams shape Edo’s future. We must protect them, support them, and nurture their unique gifts,” he said.

He emphasised his administration’s full dedication to investing in children development, defending their rights, and providing platforms for discovering and honing their talents.

He highlighted various initiatives geared towards improving children’s lives, especially government investments aimed at enhancing educational quality and access across the state’s school system.

Okpebholo reiterated his administration’s efforts to upgrade school facilities, declared a state of emergency in public schools, and continued major reconstruction projects across educational institutions statewide.

He stressed the importance of shielding children from abuse and exploitation, reaffirming legal frameworks that protect their rights, and guarantee education for all.

He added that his administration was working to creating empowering opportunities for youths while tackling barriers like cultism, violence, and other societal threats to their development.

”Every child, regardless of background, deserves a fair opportunity to succeed,” he stressed.

He called on parents, teachers, and community stakeholders to guide children wisely, instill sound values, and encourage positive ambitions and strong moral character.

Okpebholo further urged children to dream boldly, value education, and pursue excellence, assuring them of steadfast support from his administration.

(NAN)

The Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has disclosed that the state loses over $1 billion worth of investments annually, due to cult-related violence.

He noted that violence, driven by clashes among rival cult groups, had not only led to loss of lives and property but discouraged investments and tourism, ultimately slowing economic growth.

Okpebholo, on Wednesday, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, stated that the high spate of cult-related violence in the last five years, long before he (Okpebholo) assumed office, caused substantial disruptions to economic activities, with investors and business owners increasingly growing wary of the security situation.

He said, “What we have witnessed in Edo was more than a threat to public peace. It was a significant drain on our economic potential.

“According to statistics by The Diaspora Commission, Edo State tops the list of states with the highest remittance from the diaspora. However, 95 per cent of the repatriated funds ended up in different states, because of cultism and other violent crimes, as our people in the diaspora were scared of coming home to invest. This loss in disposable income, closure of businesses, and decline in tourism greatly impacted the state’s business climate.”

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Edo governor also noted that the state’s critical infrastructure and commercial centres were equally affected, with some businesses forced to shut down temporarily or permanently, owing to security concerns, while the fear of violence also deterred potential visitors, resulting in a downturn in hospitality, transportation, and other tourism-related sectors.

He insisted that the narrative had changed since he declared total war on cult-related violence in Edo.

Okpebholo declared that his efforts were already yielding results, with more stakeholders joining the support groups against cult-related violence in Edo.

He maintained that Edo was regaining its lost glory and that sanity was being restored to the state, while urging Edo sons and daughters in Nigeria and in the diaspora to bring their investments home and help in the economic development of the state.

Edo governor said: “My administration is restoring peace to Edo State, especially Benin City, where cult-related violence had held sway for too long. Our hardworking sons and daughters, both in Nigeria and in the diaspora, can now bring their investments to their homeland, Edo State.

“Hospitality is a big business in Edo State. We have real estate. I am also sanitising land administration. This means Edo people can now invest massively in real estate.

“Agriculture is a viable sector in Edo State, and it can bring huge returns on investments and create jobs for our people. I am urging our people to look in that direction.

“We have the skills. The needed support will be given by my administration for Edo people to set up industries, hotels, commercial farms, real estate, and other key investments, which will be protected and guaranteed by the state government.”

Okpebholo also warned Edo youths to completely shun cultism, in order to be alive to contribute to societal development.

He said: “As for the remnants of miscreants still holding sway in some isolated areas, I am engaging community leaders, youth groups, civil society organisations, and security stakeholders to foster peace-building and tackle the root causes of cultism.

“This is not a fight for the government alone. It is a collective responsibility. We are calling on all well-meaning Edo residents to work with me in reclaiming our communities from the grip of violence.

“Edo State has immense economic potential. I will not allow violence and cultism to define our future. With the right partnerships and firm action, my administration will restore peace, attract investments, and reposition our economy for sustainable growth.”

Edo governor also reassured residents of the state that he remained committed to building a safe and secure environment where businesses could flourish and citizens could live without fear. 

Edo State Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, has assured residents that Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration is committed to delivering good governance and upholding the rule of law.

Idahosa gave the assurance on Friday in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Friday Aghedo, following a courtesy visit by the Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Nomayo Street, Benin City, Rev. Fr. Raphael Anojie.

He expressed confidence that the people of Edo State would soon begin to witness success stories, as the governor remains focused on fulfilling his campaign promises.

The deputy governor also noted that both he and Governor Okpebholo are practising Christians, determined to uphold Christian values and make the body of Christ proud through their service.

He appealed for prayers and support from the Christian community, churches, and the wider population to enable the administration to finish strong. Idahosa added that the Okpebholo-led government would strengthen the role of the church and deliver impactful development across all sectors.

He also promised to communicate the needs of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church to the governor and pledged his attendance at the church’s upcoming Feast Day on June 15.

Anojie, who was accompanied by members of the Parish Church Council (PCC) and select landlords of the street, had earlier hailed Edo deputy governor for fulfilling his campaign commitment to the church, and presented him with a customised card, on behalf of the church, which is 40 years in existence, but with Nomayo Street in dire need of road rehabilitation.

Road users in the Sapele Road axis of Benin City and other surrounding areas within the Benin metropolis will soon heave a sigh of relief as Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo,  has commenced the rehabilitation of the old Sapele Road and adjoining roads. The move is  to ease traffic gridlock and reduce congestion on the main roads.

The governor, while inspecting some of the ongoing road projects, said his administration will be judicious in the use of revenues accruing to the State to improve the quality of life. He assured Edo people of transparency and accountability.

Some of the sites visited were Evbukhu, Ogheghe, Old Sapele Road, Catholic Charismatic Way, of Upper Ekenhuan Road, Ugbiyoko, amongst others.

Satisfied with the pace of work, Governor Okpebholo thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for increasing federal allocations to the States.

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He added that his administration is utilizing the resources from the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) in developing and growing the economy of the State and making life better for Edo people through practical governance.

Governor Okpebholo stressed that at completion,  the Old Sapele will divert traffic from the main road, thereby  reducing heavy vehicular movement of goods and services and allowing motorists access to alternative routes to their destination, which he noted will greatly reduce traffic gridlock.

He said: “Whatever we are doing as an administration in Edo State, we are doing for the benefits of Edo people. The President has made it easy for us as he has increased federal allocation, and with that money, we are developing Edo State, working to improve the lives of Edo people.”

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has suspended the Executive Secretary of the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Caulson Oahimire, with immediate effect over alleged grave financial and official misconduct.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Umar Ikhilor, disclosed the suspension on Monday, stating that the most senior officer in the agency will assume leadership in an acting capacity.

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Ikhilor added that a special committee will be constituted by the government to investigate the allegations and submit its findings to the governor. 

However, details of the infractions were not disclosed.