Gov Okpebholo: Because I am Involved

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From Fred Itua

At every defining moment in a nation’s journey, the call to give account of stewardship becomes not just necessary but inevitable. This duty is more profound for those whom providence has favoured to sit at the helm, guiding the affairs of the state and shaping the future of the people. In 1989, the late Ikemba Nnewi, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, published ‘Because I Am Involved’, a 208-page introspective chronicle that offered a gripping account of his political convictions, nationalist ideals, reflections on Nigeria’s unrealised potentials, and the personal sacrifices he made for a country he so deeply loved.

In that same spirit, this article borrows its title and energy from Ojukwu’s classic. ‘Because I Am Involved’ is not merely a declaration; it is a commitment. Today, in Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo personifies that commitment. Since he assumed office, it is no longer business as usual. The tides have shifted, and the wheels of governance are now being turned by a sense of duty, urgency, and resolve.

Because Governor Monday Okpebholo is Involved, educational transformation is underway, and a solid foundation is being built for tomorrow’s leaders. Governor Okpebholo’s approach to education is holistic and strategic. His administration is actively implementing a three-pronged intervention model: infrastructure, manpower, and pedagogy.

Firstly, several dilapidated schools across the three senatorial districts are undergoing comprehensive rehabilitation to create safe and conducive learning environments. Secondly, the recruitment of qualified teachers is ongoing to plug manpower deficits in critical subjects. Thirdly, the retraining and retooling of educators is being carried out to align teaching methodologies with 21st-century pedagogical standards, including digital literacy and learner-centered techniques.

Because he is involved, agriculture has received unprecedented attention. Governor Okpebholo’s administration has significantly increased budgetary allocation to the agricultural sector. Over 3,000 hectares of arable farmland are being cultivated under various agricultural empowerment initiatives.
Beyond mere cultivation, partnerships with private investors are being explored to establish agro-processing hubs that will reduce post-harvest losses, promote value addition, and create employment opportunities, especially for youth and women in rural areas.

Governor Okpebholo has embarked on an ambitious infrastructural renewal programme, particularly in road construction. His administration has flagged off several strategic road projects that serve as vital arteries, linking communities, enhancing commerce, and easing transportation.

Among these are the Ekpoma-Uromi-Ubiaja Road and the Uromi-Onewa-Udomi-Ibhiolulu-Afuda-Idumoza axis, all crucial to inter-community trade. Urban renewal projects in Benin City are also receiving a facelift, with several roads being re-asphalted, drainages reconstructed, and streetlights installed for enhanced security and aesthetics.

Because he is involved, security is being tackled both in policy and practice. Governor Okpebholo has led the enactment of anti-cultism and anti-kidnapping laws to strengthen the legal framework for fighting insecurity. Complementing this legislative stance is the purchase of thousands of operational vehicles and logistics support for the Nigeria Police and other security agencies across the state.
Community policing structures are being revived, and a feedback mechanism has been introduced where citizens can report threats anonymously to a centralised command center.

In the health sector, the renovation of primary health care centers and recruitment of frontline health workers have been intensified. Governor Okpebholo’s administration is also working toward the expansion of the Edo Health Insurance Scheme to cover more vulnerable populations.

His interest in digital governance is birthing innovations that streamline internal processes, curb leakages, and promote transparency. This includes the digitization of land administration, tax payments, and record-keeping for government workers.

Ojukwu once wrote, “I do not seek to please, I seek to serve”. Governor Monday Okpebholo, through his visible and people-centred governance, has made it clear: he is not in power for fanfare or personal gain. He is in office because he is involved — involved in the pains of his people, the cries of rural dwellers, the frustrations of commuters, the dreams of school children, and the aspirations of a new Edo State.

The journey is not without its challenges, but one truth is undeniable: under Governor Monday Okpebholo, Edo State is no longer on autopilot. There is direction. There is purpose. Above all, there is involvement.

Fred Itua is the Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor.