One year in office: Commission chair hails Okpebholo, says 'Disability law finally walks in Edo'
Inclusivity/Gender
Benin, Edo – In a resounding endorsement of Governor Monday Okpebholo's administration, Theophilus Egbodion, Chairman of the Governing Council of the Edo State Commission for Persons with Disabilities, has praised the governor's first year in office as a period of transformative leadership.
Egbodion, himself a physically challenged public servant appointed as the commission's pioneer chairman in December 2024, described Okpebholo's approach to the state's Disabilities Law not as mere bureaucracy, but as "opening doors and creating opportunity" for thousands of persons with disabilities.
The Edo State Persons Living with Disabilities Law, enacted in July 2022 under the previous administration, aimed to integrate people with disabilities into society and safeguard their rights.
However, it languished without full implementation until Okpebholo took office.
"He's not just signing bills; he's bringing them to life," Egbodion stated in a chat on Thursday with DAILY South Nigeria, highlighting the governor's "immediate and tangible commitment" to operationalizing the legislation.
Key to this momentum was Okpebholo's rapid formation of the Governing Council in early 2025, followed by its formal inauguration in March.
In his response at the inauguration, he pledged to prioritize the needs of persons with disabilities with "compassion and dedication."
But the chairman's commendation extends beyond appointments.
Okpebholo's provision of a dedicated office space for the commission was a game-changer, giving the agency the "four walls it needs to actually start working and delivering services."
To ensure sustainability, the governor assented to a supplementary budget that allocates critical funding to the commission and other inclusivity initiatives.
"This is smart leadership," Egbodion noted.
"It shows he knows where the money needs to go right now. By funding these new initiatives, especially the Commission, the governor is sending a clear message: inclusivity and strategic action are priorities.", he further noted
As Edo State marks the end of Okpebholo's inaugural year, Egbodion's words paint an optimistic picture: "The next year is looking very promising with the performing governor."
With the commission now fully resourced and operational, observers anticipate tangible outcomes, from improved accessibility to enhanced social services, positioning Edo as a beacon of progressive governance in Nigeria.
For persons with disabilities, however, it represents more than policy, it's a lifeline to fuller participation in society.
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