Edo Governor, Monday Okpebholo has assured his administration will rebuild the State on the foundation of peace, faith and purposeful leadership.
Okpebholo said his administration remained committed to driving sustainable development across all sectors.
The Edo Governor spoke when he led members of the State Executive Council and top leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Auchi Diocese, for a thanksgiving service to mark his one year in office.
Okpebholo, who expressed profound gratitude to God for His grace and faithfulness, said he made a vow last year to return in thanksgiving upon winning both the primaries and the governorship election.
He said his administration’s prioritised road infrastructure and security as pressing challenges confronting the state.
“Sometimes last year, I was in this church and I said, by God’s grace, that if I win the primaries and the gubernatorial election, I will return here to give thanks to God. Today, I have come to redeem that vow.
“I want to thank the Bishop for your prayers and support. When he was speaking today, he was speaking my mind.
“As I came here today, my mind was on how we will fix the bad roads. The second thought on my mind is about a matter that concerns us all — insecurity. We will continue to do our best to fight insecurity and ensure that the evil ones are driven out of our midst.
“While I sympathise with the Church over the kidnapped priests in recent times, I want to say that there is never a day we are not concerned about the insecurity in our land. We are doing everything possible to bring it to an end. I assure you that very soon, with your prayers and our efforts, we will overcome,” Okpebholo declared.
Catholic Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Rev. Gabriel Dunia, delivered a sermon centered on cleanliness, holiness, and the virtues of gratitude in leadership.
He commended Governor Okpebholo for reintroduction of the State’s monthly environmental sanitation exercise, describing it as a necessary step toward public health and moral discipline.
Bishop Dunia also lauded the Governor for being a man of integrity who keeps his word, recalling the Governor’s vow during last year’s service to return for thanksgiving if elected.
“You made a promise before God and His people that you would return to this altar to give thanks if you emerged victorious. Today, you have kept that promise. This is the mark of a man of faith and truth,” the Bishop said.
