Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Sunday, led members of the State Executive Council and top All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders to the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Auchi Diocese, for a thanksgiving mass celebrating his first anniversary in office.
Addressing worshippers, Okpebholo expressed deep gratitude to God, recalling a vow he made at the same church before the 2024 governorship election.
“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,” he said.
Naijaonpoint reports that the governor’s comments were contained in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua.
Okpebholo appreciated the Catholic Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Most Rev. Dr Gabriel Dunia, and the Catholic faithful for their prayers and support, describing them as partners in the journey of governance.
“I want to thank the Bishop for your prayers and support. When he was speaking today, he was speaking my mind,” he noted.
The governor used the Thanksgiving service to highlight his administration’s focus on road infrastructure and the fight against insecurity—two issues he described as the state’s most pressing concerns.
“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,” he said.
Okpebholo Comforts Church Over Kidnapped Priests
Okpebholo sympathised with the diocese over recent kidnappings of priests and assured the church that the government was intensifying efforts to restore peace.
“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,” he declared.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building Edo State on the foundations of peace, faith and purposeful leadership, stressing that public service must reflect compassion, accountability and a genuine desire to improve lives.
The Thanksgiving service was officiated by Bishop Dunia, who delivered a sermon centred on cleanliness, holiness and gratitude in leadership.
The Bishop praised Okpebholo for reinstating the state’s monthly environmental sanitation exercise, describing it as vital for public health and moral discipline.
He also commended the governor for honouring the vow he made a year earlier.
“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.
The Thanksgiving service drew political leaders, clergy, community members and worshippers from across the state, reflecting an atmosphere of unity and gratitude.
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