Okpebholo’s reforms get UK diaspora backing

By Jude Opara

Governor Monday Okpebholo’s trip to the United Kingdom (UK) has been described as a resounding success which will attract huge investments from various investors, including Edo professionals who have pledged their confidence in the development of the state.
Dr. Patrick Ebojele, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okpebholo in a statement on Monday, said the recent engagement with Edo professionals and investors in the UK was a major breakthrough that has boosted international confidence in the state’s development agenda and opened new investment opportunities.
Ebojele also dismissed criticisms that the trip was merely a “jamboree,” insisting that it was a serious business and investment forum aimed at reconnecting Edo indigenes abroad with their home state.
He explained that the interactive session brought together Edo professionals, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, researchers, medical practitioners, artisans and business leaders living in the UK, many of whom he said had relied on social media narratives about developments in their own state.
“The governor used the opportunity to present firsthand evidence of his administration’s achievements, particularly in security, infrastructure, and industrial development, which changed the perception of many attendees.
“Many of them admitted they had been misled by negative reports on social media. After seeing presentations of ongoing projects and hearing directly from the governor, they acknowledged that Edo has changed and expressed readiness to invest,” he said.
According to Ebojele, the event provided participants the ample opportunity to engage Governor Okpebholo directly, ask questions, exchange ideas, and discuss investment prospects in various sectors of the state’s economy.
He revealed that several diaspora groups submitted proposals aimed at partnering with the State Government in business, industrialization and community development, following assurances that the administration has created and will sustain an enabling environment for investment.
The governor, he said, reiterated that security remains the foundation of his administration’s “SHINE” agenda, stressing that no meaningful development can take place without peace and safety.
The Chief Press Secretary further disclosed that the governor also addressed concerns surrounding land administration, explaining that reforms were introduced after investigations uncovered cases where minors allegedly held hundreds of plots of land under questionable circumstances.
To further encourage investment, Governor Okpebholo reportedly announced incentives, including the allocation of free land to the first set of qualified investors willing to establish businesses in the state.
“The diaspora community contributes millions of dollars annually in remittances. What the government is doing is creating a structured platform that will channel those resources into productive investments that will benefit Edo State,” Ebojele said.
On the governor’s entourage included: former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Bessing Agbebaku, Secretary to the state governor, Umar Musa Ikhilor, and Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon Jonathan Ibhamawu, were all in attendance and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jareth Tenebe, and other top government officials.