Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has accepted his selection as a recipient of the 2026 Silverbird Governors of the Year Award, with the media organisation citing his leadership, achievements and contributions to society.
Okpebholo confirmed his acceptance on Tuesday, November 3, when he received a delegation from Silverbird Group at the Government House in Benin City.
The delegation was led by Andy Bello, Business Manager of Silverbird Communications, who presented an official invitation on behalf of the group’s executive management and editorial board.
Bello said the governor was selected in recognition of his leadership and the impact of his administration, particularly its approach to security and the protection of lives and property.
He argued that public leadership should be assessed not merely by political titles or positions but by tangible contributions to society and the ability to address challenges affecting citizens.
According to Bello, Edo State had experienced a notable change in its security situation under Okpebholo’s administration, particularly in relation to concerns over kidnapping, cult-related violence and other criminal activities.
He recalled a period when residents reportedly became apprehensive about recurring violent incidents, including killings associated with cult groups and kidnappings, and said the governor’s security approach was among the reasons for the recognition.
Bello described the protection of lives and property as a fundamental responsibility of government and expressed the view that the administration’s security model could attract interest from researchers and other state governments.
However, the claims about improvements in security reflect the award organisers’ assessment and were not accompanied in the announcement by independently verified comparative crime statistics.
The 2026 ceremony will mark the 20th anniversary of the Silverbird Man of the Year Awards. Bello described the milestone as evidence of the group’s consistency and institutional growth in recognising Nigerians whose work has made significant contributions across public and private sectors.
He also acknowledged the role of Silverbird Group founder, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, in establishing the awards platform.
Responding, Okpebholo expressed delight at the recognition, saying it was encouraging to see his administration’s efforts in security and development attracting attention.
The governor said he had long admired Silverbird Group and held its founder in high regard. Although he acknowledged that he was not particularly motivated by awards, he described the honour as meaningful and formally accepted it.
Okpebholo also assured the delegation that he would attend the ceremony in Lagos personally and thanked the organisation for selecting him.
The 2026 Silverbird Man of the Year Awards are scheduled to hold on November 16 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Okpebholo is among four governors named as recipients of the Governors of the Year honour. The other recipients are Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State, Umo Bassey Eno of Akwa Ibom State and Alex Otti of Abia State.
The recognition places Edo’s security efforts in the spotlight, but the broader test for the state government remains whether improvements can be sustained and demonstrated through measurable reductions in crime, stronger public confidence and lasting safety for residents across the state.
