NEWS
Okpebholo Connects Rural Communities to National Grid
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has launched an ambitious and far-reaching ‘Rural Electrification Programme’ designed to break the cycle of infrastructure neglect and power deprivation in Edo rural and semi-urban communities.
A government house statement has it that the bold initiative is already lighting up communities, revitalizing local economies, and reshaping the narrative of development across the state.
The programme, being spearheaded by the Edo State Electrification Agency (ESEA), represents a critical component of the Governor’s campaign promises to restore dignity to rural communities, stem rural-urban migration, and stimulate economic development at the grassroots level.
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The State Government’s mission is to deliver electricity across all strata of the State: urban, semi-urban, and rural through a blend of national grid access, independent power generation, and renewable energy sources, such as solar mini-grids.
At the heart of this transformation lies the Edo State Electricity Law, recently signed by Governor Okpebholo, which deregulates the State’s electricity sector and provides a legal framework for private-sector participation, investment, and localized energy solutions.
“Before now, Edo was limited by national regulations. With this new law, we have our own electricity commission, empowered to license, regulate, and attract investments in generation and distribution. This is not just reform. It is a revolution,” Hon. Egbadon Hon. Saturday, Director-General of Edo State Electrification Agency, stated.
Negotiations are in advanced stages with several independent power providers, one of which is poised to commence operations within months. These providers will generate and distribute electricity directly within Edo, reducing dependence on the overstretched national grid and ensuring more reliable access for residents.
The electrification initiative is being rolled out rapidly across under-served communities. Several villages in Edo Central Senatorial District, including Ibore, Atuagbo, Ugbaro, and Ikilor, have been reconnected to the grid after decades of darkness. In the case of Ikilor, the village received electricity for the first time in its history, marking an emotional and historic milestone.
“The programme goes beyond infrastructure. It inspires hope, trust, and collective ownership. In some villages, local residents have voluntarily cooked for contractors, supported their work, and celebrated the return of electricity as a communal victory. What was once dismissed as mere campaign rhetoric has become a living reality.”
Governor Okpebholo’s strategy is anchored not only on delivery but also on sustainability. The administration is actively engaging public-private partnerships to ensure the continuity of projects beyond the current government.
“We are building systems that outlast personalities,” Egbadon explained. “Private investors are part of the architecture to guarantee expansion and maintenance.”
To protect investments and infrastructure, the government is also intensifying efforts against vandalism, a recurring challenge. Through widespread community sensitization, legal enforcement, and collaboration with local leaders and youth groups, the ESEA is promoting a culture of public ownership.
“This infrastructure belongs to the people. We are urging communities to protect what is theirs. Vandalism is sabotage against progress, and we are enforcing laws that will bring offenders to justice,” Egbadon said.
The administration has also taken a firm stance on metering and billing transparency. In response to longstanding complaints over estimated billing, the state government has mandated that no household will be connected to power without a meter. Through the national Mass Metering Programme and partnerships with local manufacturers, the delivery of meters is now capped at 10 working days post-payment.
“In every newly electrified village, full metering will be completed before the end of the month,” Egbadon affirmed.
This electrification drive is a central pillar in Governor Okpebholo’s broader vision of inclusive growth, where infrastructure serves the people, and development is felt across every ward and community, not just urban centers.
The Edo State Government calls on all citizens to embrace this transformation by protecting public infrastructure, supporting local development, and reporting acts of sabotage or non-compliance.
As Governor Okpebholo’s administration accelerates this electrification agenda, more communities will be reached, and more lives will be uplifted.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, on Thursday visited Bauchi State for a closed-door meeting with Governor Bala Mohammed amid growing political realignments in the country.
Obi, who is also a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) opposition coalition, arrived at the Bauchi State Government House where he proceeded to a private meeting with the governor at the Presidential Lounge.
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The purpose of the visit was not immediately known as both politicians held discussions behind closed doors.
Details of the meeting remained undisclosed at the time of filing this report.
However, sources within the Government House suggested that the meeting may be connected to recent political developments and possible alignments ahead of future elections, though this could not be independently verified.
Both leaders are expected to brief journalists after the meeting concludes.
Governor Bala Mohammed, who serves as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, has recently been at the center of political speculation regarding his party allegiance.
On March 31, he reportedly hinted at a possible political shift during a meeting with a delegation of the African Democratic Congress led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, at the Government House in Bauchi.
However, his political engagements appeared to take a different turn shortly after, as he also hosted the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on April 1 at the same venue.
The latest meeting with Obi has further intensified speculation about ongoing political consultations and possible future alignments among key political actors.
President Bola Tinubu has requested the approval of the Senate for a fresh external borrowing of $516.33 million, in a move that is expected to further raise concerns over Nigeria’s growing debt profile.
The request was contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and was read during plenary on Thursday at the National Assembly.
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According to the letter, the proposed loan is to be sourced from Deutsche Bank and will be used to finance a key infrastructure component under the government’s already approved borrowing programme—the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway project, a major road corridor designed to enhance connectivity across the country.
President Tinubu, in the request, urged the Senate to give the proposal expedited consideration and approval, stressing the importance of the project to national infrastructure development and economic growth.
Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the request to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, directing the committee to examine the proposal and submit its report within one week.
The latest borrowing request comes amid ongoing national debates over Nigeria’s debt sustainability, as the federal government continues to rely on external loans to fund large-scale infrastructure projects.
A Kaduna State High Court has rejected the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, ordering that he remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) pending the determination of his trial.
The ruling was delivered by Justice D.H. Khobo, who held that the seriousness of the allegations against the former governor, as well as concerns over possible interference with ongoing investigations, made the grant of bail inappropriate at this stage.
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El-Rufai had approached the court seeking release on bail pending trial over a nine-count charge filed by the Federal Government through the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
He argued that the offences were not capital in nature and that he posed no flight risk, citing his community ties, fixed residences, and willingness to cooperate with investigators.
He also told the court that he voluntarily returned to Nigeria to honour official invitations and challenged the validity of the charges, describing them as defective.
Additionally, he raised health concerns, requesting bail on medical grounds.
However, the prosecution opposed the application, insisting that the alleged offences were serious and economically damaging, with a likelihood that the defendant could interfere with witnesses and ongoing investigations.
In his ruling, Justice Khobo held that the gravity of the charges and the risk of interference outweighed the arguments for bail.
The court also ruled that insufficient medical evidence had been provided to justify release on health grounds.
The judge therefore ordered that El-Rufai remain in ICPC custody and directed that the trial proceed on an accelerated basis, fixing early hearing dates for the case.
The former governor will remain detained as proceedings continue in the high-profile corruption trial.
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