Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has accepted his selection as one of the recipients of the 2026 Silverbird Governors of the Year Award.
Governor Okpebholo gave his acceptance on Tuesday, when he received a delegation from the Silverbird Group at Government House, Benin City.
The delegation was led by Mr Andy Bello, Business Manager of Silverbird Communications.
Bello presented an invitation letter on behalf of the group’s Executive Management and Editorial Board. He said Governor Monday Okpebholo was chosen in recognition of his leadership, his achievements and his contributions to society.
According to him, the award is meant for individuals whose leadership has made a real difference in their areas of responsibility. He stressed that it is not about political offices, titles or positions, but about excellence, achievement and service.
He particularly referenced the administrations fight against insecurity and other crimes as a major achievement of the governor.
“The primary purpose of your role as our governor is the security of lives and property. What we have recorded in your administration is barely two years, in terms of safety of lives and property in terms of security.
“What we are experiencing today in Edo State is unfathomable, before when it gets to 7/7 July everyone will be panicking, cult killings and kidnapping.
“Within the shortest period of your governance, of your administration, Edo State has never been more secured, and indeed raises the reasons were seen as a pace setter beyond building infrastructure, beyond payment of salaries.
“That divine duty to secure lives and property, you have fully carried out, your model of security approach will be studied by many scholars and this approach of yours will go down in history.
“These are the reasons sir, that you will be honored as Silverbird 2026 man of the year award, with the governor of the year award. He stated.
Bello added that this year’s ceremony will mark the 20th anniversary of the Silverbird Man of the Year Awards, a milestone he described as proof of consistency, resilience and institutional growth. The awards, he said, have built a tradition of honouring Nigerians who have contributed meaningfully to national development.
He also paid tribute to the group’s founder, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, whose initiative has grown into a major platform for recognising excellence in both public and private life.
Responding, Governor Monday Okpebholo said he was pleased by the recognition, which he took as a sign that the efforts of his administration, especially in security and development, were being noticed.
“I am highly delighted to receive you, not just because you have come to present an award, but because I am happy that the little efforts we are making are yielding results,” he said.
The governor said he had long admired Silverbird and held Murray-Bruce in high regard. He described the recognition as an honour and a sign that people were following the activities and achievements of his administration.
“Although I am not someone who believes much in awards, this particular recognition is an honour to me, and I wholeheartedly accept it,” Governor Monday Okpebholo said.
He assured the delegation that he would attend the award ceremony in Lagos personally. It is scheduled for November 16.
Governor Monday Okpebholo thanked the Silverbird Group for the honour.
