OFFICIAL BROADCAST
REACHING THE UNREACHED, RESTORING DIGNITY TO UKPEKO: RT. HON. SUNNY EKPETIKA EKPESON EMBARKS ON A DETERMINED JOURNEY ACROSS THE RIVER NIGER TO DELIVER HOPE, REBUILD EDUCATION, AND ENSURE THAT THE SHINE AGENDA OF GOVERNOR MONDAY OKPEBHOLO TOUCHES EVERY VILLAGE, WARD, AND COMMUNITY IN ETSAKO EAST
OFFICIAL BROADCAST
Agenebode, Etsako East | Monday, 29th June 2026
Yesterday, Sunday, the 28th of June, 2026, was a day of renewed hope for the people of Ukpeko, a riverline community in Ward 3 of Etsako East Local Government Council.
The Acting Executive Chairman of Etsako East LGC and the highly respected Chairman of ALGON, Edo State Chapter, Rt. Hon. Sunny Ekpetika Ekpeson, led a team of engineers on a purposeful visit to the community.
It was not an easy journey. The delegation traveled for over two hours on a speedboat across the vast expanse of the River Niger before arriving in Ukpeko.
This demanding trip is a clear reflection of the kind of leadership in place today — a leadership that is deliberate, courageous, and committed to ensuring that every village, every ward, and every community feels the positive impact of the SHINE AGENDA of the Executive Governor of Edo State, _His Excellency, Distinguished Senator* _Monday Okpebholo.*
Ukpeko is one of those communities that have been almost forgotten over the years.
According to first-hand accounts from the residents, the only major government presence in the village dates back several decades when Hon. Stanley Okpo Odidi, then Council Chairman, established a primary school.
Since that time, the village has remained largely untouched by development. The community’s only school, known as the Nomadic Primary School, has stood abandoned, with its old structures dilapidated and neglected for many years, without any of his successors taking steps to renovate or revive it.
Speaking to journalists during the visit, Supol. Itoya David, Rtn. and Senior High Chief Andrew Ekata, the Ward 3 Leader, confirmed this long period of neglect.
They explained that for years, Ukpeko has been left behind, and the condition of the school has remained a painful reminder of promises unfulfilled.
Deeply moved by the situation on ground, the Acting Council Boss, Rt. Hon. Sunny Ekpetika Ekpeson, took it upon himself to visit Ukpeko based on the information presented to him.
As ALGON Chairman, Edo State, he personally inspected the school premises, walked through the village, and observed that the community currently has no electricity supply at all.
In response, the Council Boss made a firm and public commitment to the people. He promised to construct a brand-new 6-block classroom building, complete with two offices — one for the head teacher and one for the teaching staff — as well as four modern toilet facilities.
But he did not stop there. Recognizing the unique challenge of the terrain, Rt. Hon. Ekpeson also assured the community that a model staff hostel will be built to provide a comfortable and dignified environment for teachers.
He noted that for committed educators to accept postings to such a remote area, they must be given the right conditions and preferential treatment that will make them proud to serve.
Addressing the people directly, the ALGON Chairman made it clear that this intervention is not a campaign gimmick. With the election just two weeks away, he said what he saw in Ukpeko was a painful sight that no responsible leader should ignore.
“Okpeko is a village in Ward 3, in Etsako East Local Government Council. The way you have been forgotten over the years is a burden on my heart,”_ he stated.
“You have always exercised your civil right by voting during every election, but after the votes are cast, you are abandoned. That era ends now.”
He assured the people of Ukpeko that before the month of September, they will begin to see something tangible on ground. To demonstrate immediate action, he directed the engineers on his team to pull down the old, unsafe structures of the primary school so that work on the new project can commence without delay.
Rt. Hon. Sunny Ekpetika Ekpeson was accompanied on this historic visit by Mr. Peter Imodibo Asikie, Senior Special Assistant to the Council; High Chief Emmanuel Bello, Chief of Staff; Mr. Bright Omoudu, Senior Special Assistant on Security; Comr. Idris Kebiru; Supol. High Chief Itoya Celestine; officers of the Nigeria Police Force in charge of Uzanu and Agenebode Division; and members of the Council’s Press Crew.
With this bold step, Rt. Hon. Ekpeson has shown that the SHINE AGENDA is not a slogan, but a commitment in action.
From the heart of Agenebode to the farthest riverline community, no one will be left behind. Ukpeko’s long wait is over, and a new chapter of development has begun.
Issued by:
Comr. Amb. Abass Egbezemogie Yunusah
Chief Press Secretary
Etsako East Local Government Council, Agenebode
