By Ogochukwu Isioma
Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on International Development Partners, Hon. Collins Edomaruse, says his principal is intentional with his development programmes for rural communities across the state.
Hon. Edomaruse said this when he met with members of the Igbanke Youth Professional Graduates Association (IYPGA) during their monthly meeting in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
Giving the group a lowdown on the governor’s interventions in the community in the last one year, Edomaruse, who described Senator Okpebholo as an incredible performer, informed the group that Igbanke community has benefitted from the governor’s employment and infrastructure programmes.
Speaking on electricity, Hon. Edomaruse said the Governor, in his magnanimity, recently approved a giant step-down transformer to address the lingering power challenge in Igbanke.
“His Excellency has approved the provision of a giant step-down transformer for Igbanke. The process is ongoing, and once completed, it will significantly resolve the power supply challenges the people have endured for years,” he stated.
He also told his hosts that several hundreds of poles of high wattage solar-powered street lights have been installed in Igbanke through the Okpebholo-led administration’s partnership with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
“Through our partnership with the NDDC, hundreds of solar street lights have been installed in Igbanke. Beyond illumination, this intervention has improved security and restored confidence in the community,” Edomaruse noted.
In the area of employment and empowerment, Edomaruse disclosed that a number of Igbanke indigenes, consisting of a medical doctor, pharmacist and nurses, were recently given full-time jobs by the Edo State Hospital Management Agency (HMA) and the Edo Specialist Hospital (ESH).
He added that over one-half of a dozen others are awaiting onboarding in another critical public sector in the state.
“This administration believes in empowering people, not just building structures. Only recently, three qualified Igbanke indigenes were employed into the Hospital Management Agency, and more opportunities will continue to open up, especially in the health sector,” he said.
He said the Governor’s SHINE agenda, which prioritises Security, Health, Infrastructure, Nutrition (Agriculture) and Education, remains the guiding framework for sustainable development across Edo State.
“The SHINE agenda of His Excellency is not just a slogan. It is a working document guiding everything this administration is doing, and Igbanke is already benefiting across key sectors,” he said.
He added that Igbanke indigenes have also been employed by the state security sector – as vigilantes, as well as by the New Edo Line transport company.
The Special Adviser assured residents that more developmental projects were underway for the community, especially some interventions at the General Hospital, Igbanke. He appealed to the community for patience as the administration is just only 13 months old.
“There are more projects coming to Igbanke. Roads, water supply and other critical systems are already being considered, and His Excellency is committed to sustaining this momentum,” he assured.
Hon. Edomaruse appealed to the people of Igbanke to continue to support the Governor Okpebholo administration, stressing that unity and cooperation would accelerate development.
“When the people support a government sincerely, development comes faster. I urge you to continue to stand with His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo so that together we can achieve more for Igbanke,” he said.
The Special Adviser also urged all eligible voters to take advantage of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise to register and participate actively in the democratic process.
“I encourage our people, especially the youths and professionals, to register and vote. Those living outside Edo State should also consider transferring their voter cards back home so that Igbanke’s political strength can truly reflect our population,” he added.
Responding, members of the association including the President, Prince Ideh Felix praised Governor Okpebholo for the developmental strides recorded in Igbanke while appealing for sustained interventions, particularly in the area of security.
They also thanked the Special Adviser for making his office accessible and expressed gratitude to the Governor for finding him worthy of appointment.
The high point of the meeting was the formal induction of Hon. Collins Edomaruse as an honorary member of the Igbanke Youth Professional Graduates Association (IYPGA).