Senator Monday Okpebholo and Hon. Dennis Idahosa were on Tuesday in Benin City sworn in as Governor and Deputy Governor of Edo State respectively for the next four years amid funfair and wide jubilations.
The ceremony was performed by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, who led the Okpebholo and Idahosa on the taking of oaths of office.
With his Inauguration, Senator Okpebholo became the sixth civilian governor governor of Edo State following the creation of the state in 1991.
Governor Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), emerged the winner of the September 21, 2024, governorship election in the state, defeating Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In his Inaugural address, Governor Okpebholo promised not to betray the confidence reposed on him and his deputy governor, adding that the people’s welfare would be the top priority of his administration.
Hello said: “The welfare of our citizens is top priority for us. To achieve this, we shall implement programmes, carefully outlined in my Five-point agenda, designed to grow a robust economic growth and improve the lives of our people.
“They are: Security; Infrastructure and Road Development; Affordable Healthcare; Water and Food Sufficiency, and; and Value-Driven Education across the state.
“For a long time now, our people have become victims of kidnapping and other violent crimes. To end this ugly situation, we will be firm in dealing with criminals and improve the Security of our land, so that farming and other business activities will flourish again.
“The deplorable condition of our roads has made it difficult for people to move from one part of the State to another”.
Continuing, the Governor said: “Our policy to develop Road Infrastructure is targeted at constructing roads, drainages and bridges, to ease transportation for all. We shall immediately commence work to make the roads passable again.
“We are also ready to partner with the federal government, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, those in diaspora, and other stakeholders, to develop our State across all sectors.
“My administration shall support small businesses and market women with soft loans. Our teeming youthful population will not be left out. We shall support them to acquire relevant skills for self-empowerment.
“My administration shall immediately swing into action to recruit teachers and rebuild the deplorable classrooms. Tertiary education will be strengthened in many ways too, to ensure quality education”.
Hello added: “Fellow citizens, my administration is ready to link communities that have not yet been connected to the national grid, to ensure that they have electricity.
“Our traditional institution shall be given the necessary support to play their role as custodians of our rich cultural heritage. It is in recognition of this that my administration shall support the decision of the Federal Government to uphold the Oba of Benin as the exclusive owner of the returned artefacts, that were looted away by British Colonial Forces during the Benin Massacre of 1897.
“To the Edo State House of Assembly, our people have tasked us to work together for the common good of all. My Administration is ready to work with you to strengthen institutions of governance and accelerate development.
“Recall that on 17th June 2019, 14 elected members of Edo state House of Assembly were denied inauguration into the 7th Assembly.
” It was a big blow to our democracy. My administration is setting up a panel of inquiry to investigate the remote causes of that incident, so as to avoid future occurrence.
“This is very imperative because the legislative arm of government is an essential component for the sustenance of democracy.
“Under the doctrine of Separation of Powers, the Judicial arm of government shall be strengthened to administer justice; fairly and promptly.
“The delay and refusal by the previous administration to swear in three judges recommended by the National Judicial Council is indeed regrettable. The Chief Judge will look into this and take necessary actions without delay”, Okpebholo assured.
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