LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE, SERVICE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES: RT. HON. SUNNY EKPETIKA EKPESON REDEFINES GRASSROOTS GOVERNANCE THROUGH ACTION, UNITY, AND TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECTS THAT RESTORE DIGNITY AND HOPE ACROSS ETSAKO EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Etsako East, Edo State – The name Rt. Hon. Sunny Ekpetika Ekpeson, the Acting Chairman of Etsako East Local Government Council and Chairman, of (ALGON) Edo State Chapter, has become synonymous with responsive, people-centered governance. His administration continues to set a new benchmark for service delivery at the grassroots.
His leadership philosophy is simple yet profound: democracy must work for the people. Through strategic infrastructural renewal and forward-looking policies, his government is delivering tangible results that renew public trust and rekindle optimism across every ward in Etsako East.
The Chairman has placed premium attention on human capital development, especially for the youth. From skills acquisition drives to mentorship platforms and access to opportunities, young people in Etsako East are being equipped to lead productive lives and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Women empowerment remains a core pillar of his administration. Targeted support programmes, market access initiatives, and capacity-building efforts are opening new doors for women traders, artisans, and entrepreneurs, thereby strengthening the economic fabric of families across the local government.
In a striking demonstration of leadership by presence, Rt. Hon. Ekpeson was again seen at the frontlines of community service. He personally led and supervised a large-scale environmental sanitation exercise in Agenebode town, directing the clearing and evacuation of blocked drainages to ensure free flow of water channels ahead of the rains.
This exercise, sustained diligently over hours, days, and weeks, underscores a rare brand of leadership. It is uncommon to see a Council Chairman step out of his office, stand under the sun, and work hand-in-hand with his team — motivating, guiding, and encouraging every worker on site.
When a leader chooses the field over the office, excellence is inevitable. That is the hallmark of Rt. Hon. Ekpeson’s approach — not distant directives, but shared labor. As he often declares with conviction: “Leadership is better done together. Let’s build in unity.”
His style reflects humility, equality, and genuine connection with the people. He has consistently shown that public office is a call to serve, not a seat to be served. Through accessibility and hands-on devotion, he is redefining what it means to be entrusted with a people’s mandate.
In his philosophy of governance, Rt. Hon. Ekpeson frequently reminds stakeholders that “Authority is not magic; it is a privilege. We must honor it through dedicated service, because our actions today become the references tomorrow will judge us by.”
Beyond environmental works, his commitment to economic transformation is evident in the complete overhaul of the Agenebode General Market, popularly known as (Aki-Igbekhai) Market. The once-congested space has been reimagined into a modern, ultra-modern commercial hub befitting its regional importance.
(Aki-Igbekhai) Market is a vital economic artery, attracting traders and buyers from across Edo State and neighboring states every market week. Recognizing its strategic value, the Council Chairman prioritized its transformation to guarantee safety, cleanliness, and prosperity for all users.
The modernization drive created wider access routes, standardized trading stalls, and improved ventilation for a healthier business environment. It is a direct response to years of yearning by traders for a market that matches their hard work with dignity and order.
To achieve this vision, the administration took bold and necessary steps to remove illegal structures erected on waterways, drainage paths, and public walkways. Rt. Hon. Ekpeson insists that no trader should conduct business in unsafe or dehumanizing conditions, and no customer should navigate chaos to access goods.
He emphasized that Etsako East’s premier market must reflect the pride of its people. Every trader, buyer, and visitor to Agenebode deserves a clean, secure, and well-organized space that supports commerce without stress, fear, or avoidable hazards.
The upgraded Bode Market is now positioned as a model commercial center. With modern sanitation facilities, enhanced security architecture, proper waste management systems, and an organized layout, the market eliminates congestion and promotes public health.
More importantly, the project speaks to a larger vision — that infrastructure must serve people, and that development must be inclusive. Market women can now trade with confidence, transporters can move freely, and families can shop in a safe, dignified atmosphere.
This is governance with a human face. It is leadership that listens, acts, and delivers. From the streets of Agenebode to the stalls of (Aki-Igbekhai) Market, the message is clear: Etsako East is rising, and the people are at the center of that rise.
As commendations continue to pour in from community leaders, traders’ associations, youth groups, and traditional institutions, one truth echoes across the land — when service is genuine, the people feel it, see it, and celebrate it.
Issued by:
Comr. Amb. Abass Egbezemogie Yunusah
Chief Press Secretary
Etsako East Local Government Council, Agenebode
Tuesday, 5 May 2026
