Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo and the Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, were sworn in on Tuesday in Benin City.
Following his victory in the state governorship election held on September 21, 2024, Okpebholo officially took over from former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
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Amid heavy crowd and security presence, Okpebholo, accompanied by his two daughters, took the oath of office and allegiance at 1:00 pm administered by the state Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.
Earlier, Idahosa, accompanied by his wife, mounted the podium to take the oath as the deputy governor of the state.
The governor later went ahead to inspect the guard of honour as well as a parade by the officers and men of the Nigeria Police.
Speaking after his swearing-in, Okpebholo unveiled a five-point agenda for the development of the state.
In his inaugural speech, he pledged to prioritise security, infrastructure, healthcare, food sufficiency, and education.
The governor declared war on criminals, saying the era of incessant kidnapping and other violent crimes was over.
“Our citizens are a top priority for us. To achieve this, we shall implement programmes carefully outlined in my five-point agenda, designed to grow robust economic growth and improve the lives of our people.
“We will not betray this confidence you have reposed in me and the Deputy Governor, Rt. Honourable Dennis Idahosa,” Okpebholo said.
Bemoaning incessant cases of kidnapping and other crimes, the governor said his administration would be firm in dealing with criminals and improve the security of 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.
“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 organisations, those in the diaspora, and other stakeholders, to develop our state across all sectors,” he said.
The governor promised that the new administration would support small businesses and market women with soft loans.
“Our teeming youthful population will not be left out. We shall support them in acquiring 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,” Okpebholo added.
He 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, which were looted by British colonial forces during the Benin Massacre of 1897,” he said.
He promised to work closely with other arms of government to strengthen democracy and good governance in the state.
The governor also announced a panel of inquiry into the remote cause of the failure to inaugurate 14 members-elect of the House of Assembly in 2019.
The governor appointed Dr Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, son of the former governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole, as the Commissioner for Health-designate.
In a press statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, on Tuesday, the governor also appointed Musa Ikhilor as the Secretary to State Government and a former member of the House of Representatives, Samson Osagie, as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice-designate.