From Udo to Udomi: Okpebholo just like Ogbemudia

By Kinglsey Ohens

Governance at its finest is shaped not only by policies and projects but by the quality of thought, reflection, and human engagement that guide decision-making. In Edo State, this philosophy has found renewed expression in the construction of the Udomi-in-Town Hall in Esan Central Local Government Area, a purpose-built retreat centre for Edo State commissioners and workers by Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo.

Far from being an isolated initiative, the project represents a powerful continuity of a governance tradition established decades earlier by the late Brigadier-General Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, former Governor of Bendel State.

During the Ogbemudia era of the 1970s, governance in Bendel State was driven by an uncommon blend of discipline, innovation, and human-centred leadership. Beyond roads, schools, and public institutions, Ogbemudia understood that effective administration required spaces where leaders and workers could withdraw from daily pressures to reflect, plan, and renew their commitment to public service.

This philosophy found expression in initiatives such as the Udo Forestry Rest House in Igueben, which served as a retreat and recreational centre for government officials and workers. At the time, it was a forward-looking investment—one that recognized rest, dialogue, and strategic engagement as essential components of productivity and good governance.

Several decades later, Governor Monday Okpebholo has demonstrated that visionary leadership does not discard history but builds upon it. The Udomi-in-Town Hall stands as a modern governance facility designed to strengthen institutional cohesion, improve policy coordination, and enhance the welfare and effectiveness of Edo State’s public servants.

By deliberately creating a retreat environment outside the routine administrative setting, the Okpebholo administration underscores a deep understanding of leadership as a thoughtful, people-oriented process rather than a purely mechanical exercise.

In an era where governance is often defined by urgency and constant motion, the decision to invest in a retreat centre reflects strategic maturity. Globally, advanced public institutions and private-sector organizations recognize retreats as tools for leadership development, performance evaluation, and long-term planning. Governor Okpebholo’s initiative places Edo State firmly within this global best practice, reinforcing the idea that sustainable development begins with clear thinking and aligned leadership.

The philosophical link between Ogbemudia’s Udo and Okpebholo’s Udomi is unmistakable. Both leaders share a belief that public service thrives when workers are valued, when leaders have space to reflect, and when governance is approached as a human enterprise grounded in discipline, vision, and collective responsibility. In this sense, Udomi is not merely a new structure; it is a revival and modernization of a proven governance culture.

By drawing from the wisdom of the past while responding to the needs of the present, Governor Monday Okpebholo has paid subtle but significant tribute to the legacy of Brig. Gen. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia. More importantly, he has reaffirmed Edo State’s commitment to a style of governance that prioritizes reflection, renewal, and results.

From the quiet resolve of Udo in Igueben to the purposeful halls of Udomi in Esan Central, the message is clear: visionary leadership endures when it invests in people, values history, and plans deliberately for the future.

Kingsley Ohens writes from Opoji kingdom