One of the biggest challenges facing public leadership in Nigeria is trust. Over its six decades of existence, many citizens have become disappointed because political promises are often made with enthusiasm but forgotten once those who made them take office. That is why Governor Monday Okpebholo’s recent action is germain.
41 Edo indigenes were forced to return home from South Africa after the recent xenophobic attacks. They came back carrying painful memories and an uncertain future. Many had lost their jobs, businesses and the lives they had struggled to build. They needed more than sympathy. They needed practical support.
Governor Okpebholo welcomed them home and announced that each returnee would receive ₦1 million to help them settle down and start life again. Initially it sounded like another government promise that could take weeks or months to materialise.
Instead, within 24 hours, the beneficiaries began receiving credit alerts.
That single act spoke louder than any speech. It showed the kind of governor Senator Monday Okpebholo is. One who believes that government should respond quickly when its people are in need. At a time when many Nigerians have become used to waiting endlessly for official promises to be fulfilled, the prompt payment is a radical departure.
The excitement among the returnees is understandable. Some could not believe the bank alerts were real until they checked their phones themselves. Their reaction reflected genuine relief and appreciation for a governor that backed words with action; one that bypassed bureaucracy.
The gesture has not gone unnoticed. On Arise Television’s The Morning Show, veteran broadcaster Dr Reuben Abati commended Governor Okpebholo and suggested that other governors should emulate the example. His colleague, Rufai Oseni, also praised the intervention, noting that the governor did more than receive the returnees with kind words; he immediately backed his promise with action.
Their comments highlight an important point. While the Federal Government often takes the lead in responding to emergencies involving Nigerians abroad, state governments also have a responsibility to care for their citizens. Edo State has demonstrated that such support is both possible and necessary.
The governor’s promise of soft loans for beneficiaries who want to establish businesses is another positive step. Financial support can ease immediate hardship, but helping people rebuild sustainable livelihoods is what creates lasting impact. If properly implemented, the programme could enable many of the returnees to become business owners and employers instead of remaining dependent on government assistance.
Leadership is often tested during challenging moments. Anyone can make promises, but not everyone keeps them. Governor Okpebholo has shown that leadership is ultimately about action. By fulfilling his pledge without delay, he has given the returnees more than financial support. He has given them hope and renewed confidence that government can still stand with its people.
In a political environment where public confidence has been weakened by broken promises, keeping one’s word has become a powerful statement. Governor Monday Okpebholo has reminded both leaders and citizens that credibility is earned not through rhetoric but through timely action.
For the 41 Edo returnees, the ₦1 million grant is the beginning of a new chapter. For the rest of the country, it is a reminder that responsive and compassionate leadership is still possible.
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Dr. Ebojele has his PhD in Public Administration and is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State.