Edo Governor Monday Okpebholo Pushes SHINE Agenda on London Visit

Governor Monday Okpebholo, the Executive Governor of Nigeria's Edo State, attended the UK Executive Forum themed “Edo SHINE 2026: Shining Beyond Borders”. The event was used to present his SHINE agenda – a framework covering Security, Health, Infrastructure, Natural Resources and Agriculture, and Education – and to position the Edo diaspora as a strategic partner for investment, innovation and development.

Edo opposition parties condemned the governor’s recent London trip, describing it as a costly jamboree that produced no tangible outcomes. Critics pointed to a previous visit to Scotland that allegedly failed to deliver a promised $250 million investment, quoting the ADC spokesman: “We are still waiting for the audio $250 m projects to be executed after the Scotland visit.” Edo’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, defended the delegation, noting that most participants self‑funded and that the meeting, organized by the London Professional Training Centre, was intended to engage Edo indigenes in the diaspora.