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Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, yesterday, reiterated his administration’s resolve to ensure clarity and responsibility in the management of public funds.
Referencing concerns surrounding the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) project, he called for the repatriation of former governor, Godwin Obaseki, to answer critical questions.
He made the call during the commissioning of 30 new tractors, five bulldozers, 150 implements, and a lowbed truck; machinery expected to drastically expand Edo’s agricultural capacity, enhance productivity, and accelerate rural development in the state.
The unveiling, described as the largest single agricultural mechanisation investment in the State’s history, signalled Governor Okpebholo’s commitment to repositioning Edo as a national hub for commercial agriculture and food security.
The event which was held at Government House, Benin City, was witnessed by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who was on a working visit alongside several federal lawmakers.
Governor Okpebholo said the acquisition forms a central pillar of his administration’s agricultural transformation agenda, designed to open thousands of hectares of new farmlands, attract agribusiness investments, reduce post-harvest losses, and create sustainable employment opportunities for youths and women.
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“This is a strategic investment that will change the trajectory of Edo’s economy. We are laying the foundation for food sufficiency, commercial-scale farming, and long-term prosperity for our people.”
The governor added that the machinery symbolises a shift from subsistence agriculture to full mechanisation, ensuring Edo State becomes a reliable contributor to national food reserves while reducing the state’s vulnerability to economic shocks.
Dignitaries at the ceremony included Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku; Senator Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole; federal legislators and other top government officials.
Akpabio, in his remark, said the Federal Government would review the state’s submissions and due process would guide all further actions.
Goodwill messages from senior political leaders, including Speaker Agbebaku, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Senator Oshiomhole described the investment as a turning point in Edo’s economic revival, commending Governor Okpebholo for placing agriculture at the centre of his administration’s development blueprint.
They noted that the strategic mechanisation drive establishes Edo as one of the most forward-looking agricultural states in Nigeria and reflects a governance philosophy that prioritises productivity, transparency, and long-term value creation.
