Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo has taken a decisive step toward reshaping governance in Edo State with the inauguration of his administration’s first Orientation and Strategic Leadership Retreat. Held over three days at the Udomi Townhall in Esan Central Local Government Area, the retreat brought together top government officials in what the governor described as a purposeful and results-driven engagement, not a ceremonial gathering.
Opening the retreat, Governor Okpebholo set a clear tone, stressing that the meeting was designed to strengthen governance and reposition the public service for effective delivery. He emphasized that the retreat was aimed at orientation and capacity building, signaling a deliberate move away from routine bureaucracy toward performance-focused leadership.
For the governor, the retreat represents a fundamental reorientation of the public service. By convening senior officials in one forum, he underscored the need for a shared understanding of responsibilities, standards, and expectations across government. This collective alignment, he noted, is essential for building a public service that delivers measurable results to the people.
Central to the retreat is the SHINE Agenda, which Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed as the administration’s guiding development framework. He described the agenda as a practical vision for governance that prioritizes outcomes over rhetoric, adding that the retreat would ensure all officials are fully aligned with its objectives. He pointed to progress already recorded in infrastructure and economic development as evidence of what focused leadership can achieve.
The governor also highlighted the importance of teamwork and collaboration, noting that effective governance depends on strong inter-agency cooperation. He called on participants to break down institutional barriers, strengthen coordination across ministries, departments, and agencies, and eliminate bureaucratic delays that hinder government action.
Capacity building featured prominently in the retreat’s agenda. Participants are expected to undergo practical training in areas such as governance, budgeting, procurement, accountability, and performance monitoring. According to the governor, these sessions are designed to equip officials with tools they can immediately apply in their daily responsibilities.
Ethical leadership and accountability were equally emphasized. Governor Okpebholo reminded participants that public office is a call to service, not personal gain, stressing that every public resource must deliver value and every policy must produce tangible results. He made it clear that performance would be closely monitored and that excellence and results would determine relevance within his administration.
Beyond institutional reforms, the retreat also provides an opportunity for personal leadership growth. Participants were encouraged to engage openly, exchange ideas, and better understand how their roles intersect with others in government to ensure seamless service delivery.
As he concluded, Governor Okpebholo charged officials to participate actively and commit fully to the administration’s success, reminding them that the people of Edo State are watching and expect nothing less than excellence.
The retreat stands as a strategic investment in Edo State’s future, reinforcing a governance culture built on accountability, teamwork, ethical leadership, and measurable impact. It marks a fresh beginning for the Okpebholo administration and sets a clear direction for sustainable development anchored on results.
