Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday continued his one-year anniversary inspection tour of key infrastructure projects across the state, with jubilant residents in the Southern Senatorial District celebrating what they described as a new era of purposeful governance and rapid development.
From the newly renovated Army Day Secondary School in Ikpoba Hill to the ongoing Adesuwa Junction Flyover and the 8.23-kilometre Okpagha–Amufi Road, Governor Okpebholo’s convoy was met with cheers, music, and dancing as communities turned out en masse to express support for his administration.
At Army Day Secondary School, students, teachers, and parents welcomed the governor with songs and placards reading, “Okpebholo, the Hope Restorer!” and “Edo is Shining Again!” The governor, visibly moved by the transformation of the once-dilapidated institution, lauded the quality of work done.
“When we came here last time, there were no roofs, no windows, and no proper learning environment. Today, we have air-conditioned laboratories, renovated classrooms, and a secured perimeter. This is what true change looks like,” Okpebholo said.
He further announced plans to install solar-powered streetlights across the school premises to enhance security and enable nighttime study, crediting his administration’s successes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which he said inspired his people-centered governance model.
Commissioner for Education, Hon. Paddy Iyamu, described the project as “a total rewrite of the story,” noting that the school, once neglected, has become a model for public education in Edo State.
“Children used to clean their own classrooms before learning could begin. The governor has restored dignity to education in Edo State,” Iyamu said.
Prominent PDP chieftain Otunba Segun Sowunmi praised the governor’s leadership and commitment to human capital development.
“Every investment in education is an investment in the future. If this is what one year looks like, then the future of Edo under Okpebholo is bright indeed,” he said.
Chairman of the School Management Development Committee and an alumnus, Dr. Oduwale Egwaigie, recounted the school’s years of neglect, calling the governor’s intervention “nothing short of historic.”
“For eight years, we pleaded for help to no avail. But this governor acted within weeks. Parents are now transferring their children from private schools to Army Day. That says it all,” he noted.
The governor’s tour then moved to Adesuwa Junction, where construction of the state’s second flyover is progressing ahead of schedule. Residents lined the streets chanting and waving as Okpebholo inspected the project.
Engr. Phoebe Williams-Bello, Special Adviser on Project Monitoring, confirmed that the flyover is slated for early completion—six months ahead of schedule—and that all affected property owners had been compensated.
“This is not a promise on paper; it’s tangible development taking shape before our eyes,” she said.
At the Okpagha–Amufi Road, linking Ikpoba-Okha and Uhunmwonde Local Government Areas, residents erupted in celebration, calling the project a “dream fulfilled.”
“For years, this road was a nightmare. Today, we can drive freely. Governor Okpebholo has restored our faith in government,” a community leader said.
The tour concluded amid a carnival-like atmosphere, with traders, artisans, and students flooding the streets in celebration.
For many, the day marked more than just a milestone in office—it was a celebration of renewed hope, tangible progress, and a leader who has matched promises with action.
