Kingsley Ohens reporting
BENIN CITY, EDO STATE — June 1, 2026
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating condition of facilities at the headquarters of the Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS), pledging a comprehensive upgrade of the state-owned media organization to position it among leading broadcast institutions globally.
The governor made the commitment during an inspection tour of the EBS corporate headquarters in Benin City, where he assessed the state of critical infrastructure and operational facilities within the station.
Accompanying him on the visit were the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Yakubu Musa Oshiorenua; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua; and other senior government officials.
The Acting Managing Director of EBS, Mr. Festus Alenkhe, conducted the governor and his entourage around the station, highlighting several challenges confronting the organization, including obsolete equipment, inadequate mobility, and poor infrastructure resulting from years of neglect.
Speaking with journalists after the tour, Governor Okpebholo described the situation at the station as unfortunate and unacceptable.
He noted that he was particularly disturbed to learn that a transmitter previously approved and funded by his administration had not been installed, thereby limiting the station’s operational capacity.
According to the governor, plans are already underway to transform the broadcasting outfit through extensive infrastructural renewal.
“Coming here and discovering that the transmitter is not working is painful. However, we are determined to address these challenges. Designs for the redevelopment of the station have already been completed, and the procurement process is ongoing. Once finalized, Edo people will witness a completely transformed EBS,” he said.
Governor Okpebholo reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening public institutions and emphasized that sustainable development in Edo State must be driven by collective efforts from its citizens.
The governor further disclosed plans to address the station’s persistent power challenges through the installation of a solar-powered mini-grid system to guarantee uninterrupted broadcasting operations.
“We will ensure that EBS remains on air consistently. The provision of a solar mini-grid is the most practical and sustainable solution, in line with global best practices,” he stated.
Responding to concerns about operational mobility raised by management, Governor Okpebholo announced the immediate approval of two buses to support the station’s news-gathering and reporting activities across the state.
“Before the end of today, EBS will receive two buses to enhance mobility and enable reporters and journalists to carry out their duties more effectively,” he assured.
The governor also explained that his visit was prompted by recent developments involving the former Managing Director of the station, who had been redeployed to the Edo State Orientation Agency as its pioneer director before reportedly resigning from service.
In his remarks, Acting Managing Director Mr. Festus Alenkhe expressed appreciation to Governor Okpebholo for personally assessing the station’s challenges and for demonstrating commitment to revitalizing the organization.
He assured the governor that EBS would continue to professionally project government activities and provide quality public service broadcasting to the people of Edo State.
Alenkhe commended the administration for the regular payment of workers’ salaries and emphasized that the station possesses the professional capacity to significantly improve its service delivery once critical infrastructure and operational needs are addressed.
He revealed that although EBS currently suspends transmission at midnight due to operational constraints, management is optimistic that the governor’s intervention will enable the station to commence full 24-hour broadcasting in the near future.
“With the facilities and support being promised by the governor, we are confident that EBS can transition to round-the-clock broadcasting and better serve the people of Edo State,” he said.
The governor’s visit and subsequent commitments have been widely viewed as a significant step toward repositioning Edo Broadcasting Service as a modern, efficient, and competitive public broadcasting institution capable of effectively serving the information needs of Edo residents.
The details of the governor’s intervention were made available in a statement issued by Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, on Monday, June 1, 2026.
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