DIPLOMAN TIMES

Edo State Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo has felicitated Chief Gabriel Igbinedion on his 92nd birthday, effected minor cabinet redeployments, and inspected progress on the 8.6km Amufi-Okpagha road reconstruction.

Edo State Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo has extended warm felicitations to the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Dr. Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, on the occasion of his 92nd birthday. In an executive tribute released in Benin City, Governor Okpebholo commended the elder statesman for five decades of pioneering entrepreneurial investments and philanthropic contributions across tertiary education, commercial aviation, private broadcasting, and healthcare infrastructure in Edo State and Nigeria.

In executive administration, Secretary to the State Government Umar Musa Ikhilor announced a strategic cabinet redeployment designed to optimize operational efficiency under the administration's 'SHINE' policy agenda. Under the new executive structure, Dr. Felix Akhabue was redeployed to direct the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, while Barrister Vincent Uwadiae assumed leadership of the Ministry of Water Resources.

Concurrently, Hon. Andrew Momodu was appointed to lead the Ministry of Oil and Gas Resources, while Professor Omorodion Ikponmwosa was redeployed to oversee the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy with immediate effect. The cabinet realignments aim to accelerate digital transformation, resource management, and urban infrastructure execution across state departments.

Transitioning to field operations, Governor Okpebholo conducted an inspection tour of the ongoing reconstruction of the 8.6-kilometer Amufi–Okpagha Road. The major civil engineering corridor connects seven agrarian and residential communities from the Agbor Park axis to the Benin–Auchi Bypass, featuring reinforced concrete side drainages, heavy-duty culverts, and high-durability asphalt surfacing.

Speaking during the site inspection, Governor Okpebholo assured residents that the completed road will significantly reduce transit times, facilitate the evacuation of farm produce to urban markets, and boost logistics corridors across Edo South. The administration reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining aggressive infrastructure delivery across all senatorial districts.