Kingsley Ohens reporting
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to formulating and implementing policies and programmes that will create greater opportunities and secure a better future for the state’s younger generation.
Governor Okpebholo gave the assurance on Wednesday when he received a delegation of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), led by its Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Abdulrahman Idris, on a courtesy visit to the Edo State Government.
The Governor, while expressing appreciation to the NIPSS delegation for recognising Edo State’s longstanding contributions to Nigeria’s entertainment, sports and creative sectors, said his administration would continue to prioritise initiatives that empower young people and strengthen the state’s creative economy.
He also announced that the Edo State Government would sponsor some students to participate in programmes at NIPSS, while assuring the institute that his administration would carefully consider other requests presented by the delegation and determine appropriate areas of partnership and support.
The Governor’s position reinforces his administration’s broader commitment to equipping Edo youths with the education, skills and opportunities required to contribute meaningfully to the state’s economic development and Nigeria’s future.
Earlier, Brig.-Gen. Idris described Edo State as the “headquarters of the orange economy” among the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, saying the conclusion was based on findings from an NIPSS study on the Orange Economy and Sustainable Growth in Nigeria.
According to him, the institute had initially regarded Lagos as the headquarters of Nigeria’s orange economy but revised its position after examining Edo’s contributions to sports, entertainment and the wider creative industry.
“Back at the institute, we were arguing that Lagos is the headquarters of the orange economy. I said no, Edo is the headquarters of the orange economy; Lagos is just the route through which we channel our products to the outside world,” Idris said.
He added that a three-day tour of various parts of Edo State had further strengthened the delegation’s assessment of the state’s enormous potential and contributions to the creative economy.
The NIPSS delegation leader highlighted Edo’s rich history in Nigerian sports and entertainment, recalling that nine Nigerian internationals from New Nigerian Bank (NNB) and Bendel Insurance represented the country in the national football team during the 1980s.
He also cited prominent football personalities produced by the state, including former Super Eagles coaches Stephen Keshi, Paul Bazuaye and Amodu Shuaibu, as well as contemporary entertainers such as global music star Rema, whose achievements, he said, continued to place Edo on the international map.
Idris commended the Edo State Government for its initiatives aimed at strengthening the creative economy and urged other state governments to emulate the administration’s efforts.
He said the delegation was particularly impressed by developments witnessed across the state in the areas of security, healthcare, education and infrastructure, noting that the progress recorded in these sectors demonstrated the government’s commitment to improving the quality of life of Edo residents.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele, made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
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