By Tobore Jerome
“Leadership is action, not position.” – Donald McGannon. This assertion on leadership by Donald McGannon clearly defines the man Senator Monday Okpebholo, who has demonstrated courageous leadership in transforming Edo State, since he was sworn in as the executive governor of the state.
Governor Okpebholo has shown to Edo people and Nigerians that indeed leadership is action, not position, the governor has continued to break records in transforming Edo State and making Edo State an envy in the committee of sub-nationals across the country.
The people’s action governor courageous leadership has been felt totally in every sector in the state, ranging from education, security, road infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, economy and job creation among others.
As a man that has value for education, Governor Okpebholo recently declared a statement of emergency in education following the dilapidated state of most of the public schools across the state.
In a statement on Tuesday March 25th, 2025, and signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, said that Governor Okpebholo expressed displeasure over the state of the schools in Edo State when he took an inspection tour of some schools in Ikpoba-Okha and Egor Local Governments area of Edo South Senatorial District, lamented the sorry state of facilities in the schools located in urban areas.
“I feel very bad about the situation of the schools I inspected today. Look at the type of school that our children are attending; it is not acceptable at all.
“When I was campaigning, I told Edo people that I would declare a State of Emergency in our schools across the State. I will start from this school, Evbareke Secondary School in Egor Local Governments area and the previous one we inspected today, Army Day Secondary School in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, both in Edo South.
“We stopped on the road on our way to the school because erosion had cut off the road. This is not good for our children as we want the best for them.
“From tomorrow, work will commence here as the school visited has no fence, and the road leading to Army Day Secondary School has been washed off by erosion. We must give Edo children quality education to set them for the future.
“The road leading to Army Day Secondary School is known as Boundary Road, off Lucky Way. The road leads to Temboga,” Governor Okpebholo noted.
Similarly, in a bold step to boost agriculture in Edo State and increase food sufficiency across the state, Governor Okpebholo, earmarks 3,000 hectares of land for farming in Edo State.
A statement signed by Fred Itua, said that the Edo State Government has started the cultivation of 3,000 hectares of farmlands across the three Senatorial Districts of the State. Already, it has commenced the cultivation of 60 hectares (148 acres) in Iguoriakhi, Ovia South West Local Governments Area, Edo South Senatorial District of Edo State for the commencement of this year’s farming season.
Itua stated that the move by Edo State Government is the first phase of the back to farm project of Governor Monday Okpebholo, whose administration has keyed into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, part of which is food sufficiency for the nation.
Governor Okpebholo assured the farmers of support to ensure adequate food production during this year’s farming season.
“We have embarked on our drive to embrace agriculture, which we will use to grow and develop Edo economy. This is the second time I have entered the bush for the purpose of ensuring we produce food for our people. We have cleared large numbers of hectares of land as we are ready to clear more. We will clear about 3,000 hectares as we have embarked on the first stage. We will still have similar farm settlements in Edo Central and Edo North.
“We are ready to farm, and we are not going back in line with Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which is part of feeding the nation. We have keyed into the agenda. As far as Edo State is concerned, it is back to the farm.”
Governor Okpebholo courageous leadership in transforming Edo State is been witnessed by every Edolites in the manner at which the people’s “Waka Waka Governor” is leveraging on his relationship with President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government in addressing the plight of federal roads across the state, something the previous administration of Governor Obaseki couldn’t do because his leadership style was centred on position, rather than action.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, in an article titled “GOV OKPEBHOLO’S STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENTS: ATTRACTING FEDERAL PRESENCE FOR EDO’S DEVELOPMENT”, further gave credence to how Governor Okpebholo courageous leadership is transforming Edo State in the area of road infrastructure (both state and federal roads).
Itua gave a good account of how Governor Okpebholo is attracting federal presence to Edo State and why the previous administration of Governor Obaseki failed to attract federal government presence because of his antagonist, adversarial approach and isolationism policy that made Edo people and Nigerians plying federal roads in Edo State for businesses and other purpose to suffer loses and time wasting on the road.
The article reads “In a federal system of government, such as Nigeria’s, subnational governments enjoy a level of autonomy that allows them to pursue development aggressively within their jurisdiction. However, this autonomy does not render federal collaboration irrelevant. On the contrary, history has shown that states that adopt a confrontational stance toward the central government often suffer developmental setbacks, particularly in areas where federal intervention is crucial. Edo State, under the immediate-past administration of Godwin Obaseki, is a prime example of such a miscalculation.
‘Obaseki’s tenure was marked by an adversarial approach to governance, one that alienated Edo from the federal government’s intervention programs. His refusal to engage constructively with the federal government resulted in a near-total absence of federal presence in the state. Federal roads in Edo were left to deteriorate, and instead of engaging the necessary channels to seek intervention, Obaseki resorted to a public relations gimmick—erecting signposts on failed roads that read: “Bear with us, this is a federal road.” This was not just an abdication of responsibility but a demonstration of political naivety. Federalism does not preclude negotiation, collaboration, and engagement; rather, it demands it.
“The consequences of this isolationist posture were dire. Travelers and residents bore the brunt of the neglect, with highways in deplorable conditions. The state House of Assembly made repeated calls for federal intervention, but the efforts of legislators were limited without executive backing. Even the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi explicitly stated that Obaseki was the problem with federal roads in Edo. According to Umahi, a simple WhatsApp message or phone call from the governor would have sufficed to secure approvals for remedial work on federal roads—approvals that could have led to refunds. Obaseki was not daring enough—how could he be? The few state roads he managed to construct barely lasted three months before deteriorating. He understood that attempting to build federal roads, only for them to suffer the same fate, would be a monumental failure. Knowing he couldn’t rely on quality construction to secure federal refunds, he chose to do nothing. Instead, he resorted to erecting signposts in Benin, Ekpoma, and Auchi, shifting blame rather than taking initiatives. What a shame! His refusal to engage meant that Edo missed out on opportunities that other states readily capitalized on.
“Contrast this with the approach of Governor Monday Okpebholo, who has, in just over four four months, rewritten Edo’s developmental trajectory. His ability to leverage his strong political standing with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has already begun yielding tangible results. Two major road infrastructure projects have been launched: the dualization of the Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi-Okpella-Okene-Ajaokuta Road and the 125km Benin-Asaba Highway. These are not just ordinary road projects; they are critical arteries that will drive economic growth in Edo State.
“Road infrastructure is the backbone of economic prosperity. The Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi-Okpella-Okene-Ajaokuta Road is one of the most significant commercial corridors in the country, linking Edo to the northern parts of Nigeria. It facilitates the movement of goods and services from key economic hubs like Lagos to the northern states, passing through Edo. The reconstruction of this road will reduce travel time, lower the cost of transportation, and ease business operations for traders, manufacturers, and logistics firms. The mining sector in Okpella and the industrial hubs in Auchi stand to gain immensely, as smoother road networks translate to reduced wear-and-tear on vehicles and lower operational costs.
“Similarly, the 125km Benin-Asaba Highway is another strategic infrastructure upgrade. It connects Edo with the commercial nerve center of Delta State and, by extension, the South-East region. This road is a crucial link for businesses engaged in interstate trade, enhancing Edo’s position as a transportation hub. With its reconstruction, commercial activities between Edo and Delta will flourish, attracting more investors, boosting tourism, and facilitating seamless logistics for industries operating within these two states.
“Beyond the politics of governance, Okpebholo’s actions signify a leader who prioritizes the well-being of his people. His early commitment to road infrastructure aligns with his broader vision to make Edo a construction hub—a vision that is steadily gaining momentum. Infrastructure development is a fundamental driver of job creation, and with major road projects underway, thousands of direct and indirect jobs will emerge. From engineers and construction workers to suppliers and small businesses that provide support services, Edo’s economy is poised for a boom.
“This is what true leadership looks like—a governor who understands that politics is not just about occupying an office but about making strategic moves that translate into real benefits for the people. Okpebholo’s engagement with the federal government is not about political loyalty but about securing the necessary partnerships that will transform Edo into a model state for development.
“For the first time in years, Edo is no longer an isolated island. It is firmly reintegrated into national development plans, leveraging federal resources to accelerate progress. Okpebholo has demonstrated that leadership is about foresight, engagement, and execution. His promise to make Edo a hub for construction is not just a rhetoric; it is being fulfilled at an unprecedented pace.
“With a governor who understands the power of relationships and strategic governance, Edo’s future has never looked brighter.” He wrote.
Governor Monday Okpebholo courageous approach to leadership in transforming Edo State, has actually shown that leadership is action, not position as stated by Donald McGannon. Indeed a new Edo has risen.
