Edo @ 35: SSA Pubic Affairs, Razak Zekeri Urges Okpebholo To Immortalise Founding Fathers As Part Of SHINE AGENDA

Edo @ 35: SSA Pubic Affairs, Razak Zekeri Urges Okpebholo  To Immortalise Founding  Fathers As Part Of SHINE AGENDA


As Edo State marks its 35th Creation Anniversary on August 27, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Affairs, Comrade Razak Zekeri, has called on the working Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to use the occasion to honor and immortalize the founding fathers and past leaders of Edo and the old Bendel State.

A Look Back: How Edo State Was Created
Comrade Zekeri recalled that August 27, 1991 was the day the then military government of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida split the old Bendel State into two Edo and Delta States.

Bendel State, with Benin City as capital, was itself created in 1976 from the defunct Mid-Western Region which was carved out of the Western Region in 1963 through a historic referendum. The Mid-West was Nigeria’s first and only region created by plebiscite, and it gave the country some of its earliest self-governing institutions.

“For 35 years, Edo has carried that legacy forward,” Zekeri said. 
“Bendel and now Edo gave Nigeria leaders who built institutions, not just roads. Men like  Professor Ambrose Alli, Brigadier Samuel Ogbemudia, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and others laid the foundation we are building on today.”

The SSA Public Affairs appealed to Governor Okpebholo to immortalize these past governors and leaders by naming key institutions, hospitals, schools and major roads after them as part of the anniversary celebration.

“I make a passionate appeal to our working Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, that as part of Edo @ 35  and in line with his SHINE Agenda ,we should immortalize our heroes. 

Let us name a Teaching Hospital after Prof. Ambrose Alli . Let us name a major road or sports complex after  Brig. S.O. Ogbemudia. Let institutions be named after  Chief Agbasika Ini, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, Chief Oyegun and other patriots who served Edo and Bendel with distinction.”

According to him, immortalizing these leaders will preserve our history, inspire the younger generation, and reinforce the values of good governance, service and democracy that they stood for.

Comrade Zekeri commended Governor Okpebholo for the visible progress recorded so far under the SHINE Agenda in the areas of  Security, Healthcare, Infrastructure, Education, and Natural Resources/Economic development.

He cited the deployment of medical equipment to General Hospitals, renewed fight against cultism and kidnapping, ongoing road projects across the 3 senatorial districts, and youth empowerment programmes as proof that the administration is committed to moving Edo forward.

He urged all Edo people at home and in the diaspora to use the 35th anniversary to reflect on the journey from Mid-West Region to Bendel and now Edo, and to unite for the progress of the state.

“As we celebrate 35 years, let us remember where we are coming from. From Mid-West to Bendel to Edo. Let us celebrate our heroes, support our present leadership, and work together for the Edo of our dreams,” he added.

Comrade Zekeri, on behalf of himself and stakeholders in the public affairs space, congratulated Governor Okpebholo and all Edo people on the milestone.

Happy 35th Anniversary to Edo State. Edo will continue to shine.

Signed:
Comrade Razak Zekeri
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Affairs
Edo State Government
August 27, 2026

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