OPINION : PROMISE MEETS THE PEOPLE AT IRRUA’S ULTRA MODERN MARKET — By Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele

When Senator Monday Okpebholo assumed office as Governor of Edo State, he didn’t try to impress with lofty promises or complicated policy language. His message was straightforward: development must get to the people who actually need it. In Irrua, the headquarters of Esan Central local government council, that promise is no longer something to be debated. It is taking shape in clear, visible terms—a 700-shop ultra-modern market that is already shifting the mood and expectations of an entire community.

For years, Irrua like many across the state, have been active but limited. Commerce has always been part of daily life—subsistence farmers tilling the land, women selling the produce, small-scale traders pushing the goods, and artisans carving out a living. But the conditions were stunted. Many operated from makeshift stalls, exposed to the sun and rain, managing tight spaces that made expansion impossible. It was an aged system built on resilience, not support. People worked hard, but the environment kept them at a standstill.

That is what this new market is about to change.

It is not just about new buildings or better structures. It is about creating the kind of environment where effort can actually translate into progress. For many traders, this will be the first time they can hope to operate in a space that protects their goods, attracts more customers, and allows them to think long-term. It is a shift from daily survival to something more stable.

The governor’s earlier remark in Irrua last week carries more weight than when it was first said: “If I do not develop my home, no one else will develop it.” At the time, it sounded like one of those lines politicians use to connect with a crowd. But with the market rising steadily, it now feels like a statement backed by action.

And the market is not happening in isolation. There are road projects improving access across Edo Central. Efforts are ongoing to strengthen power supply. These are not random moves. They are connected. Because without good roads, movement slows. Without electricity, businesses struggle. What is unfolding is not just a project, but a wider attempt to open up the local economy.

Still, the market remains the most visible part of that effort.

Seven hundred shops may sound like a simple figure, but on the ground, it means something real. It means hundreds of traders moving into proper spaces. It means less congestion, better organisation, and a more attractive environment for both buyers and sellers. It also means that Irrua begins to look different—not just to those who live there, but to those who might consider doing business there.

That change in perception matters.

Once infrastructure improves, attention follows. Suppliers begin to see potential. Distributors reconsider routes. Investors start asking questions. A place that was once bypassed gradually enters the conversation. That is how growth begins—quietly at first, then steadily.

But beyond the economic possibilities, what stands out most is the reaction from the people.

When Governor Okpebholo visited the site to inspect progress, the response was immediate and genuine. Residents and traders came out in large numbers. There was music in local tongues, there was dancing, and there was a sense of pride that is hard to stage. It didn’t feel like a political event. It felt like a community recognising something that directly affects them.

Moments like that say more than official speeches.

And when you listen to individuals, the message becomes even clearer.

“This market will change our lives and businesses for the better,” said Isidahome Ose, a trader. Her words were simple, but they carried weight. They reflect what many are thinking—that this project is not just another government announcement, but something that will touch everyday life.

Evelyn Osemu, another trader described the development as something she never expected to see in Irrua. She called it a miracle and referred to the governor as “Akpakomiza,” a title that speaks of a leader who remembers his people. In a place where expectations have often been low, that kind of response is significant.

It shows that people are paying attention again.

There is also a broader point this project quietly addresses: the argument that markets and similar infrastructure should be left entirely to private investors. In theory, that makes sense. But in reality, private investors often go where conditions are already favourable. For years, Irrua did not attract that kind of interest—not because there was no activity, but because there was no structure.

That is what Governor Monday Okpebholo’s government is changing.

By building this market, the state is providing the foundation that has been missing. It reduces the risk for others and creates a starting point for further investment. It is not about replacing private enterprise, but about making it possible.

Beyond economics, there is a social side to this as well.

Markets are not just places of trade. They are meeting points, community spaces, and part of daily life. Improving that space improves the overall experience for everyone—traders and customers alike. It creates a cleaner, safer, more organised environment where people can work and interact with dignity.

And perhaps most importantly, it sends a message.

It tells small traders that they matter. It tells young people that opportunity does not always require leaving home. It tells communities outside major cities that development can reach them too. That message is powerful, especially in places where people have learned to expect very little.

Projects like this begin to change that mindset.

They restore a level of belief—not loud or dramatic, but steady. The kind that builds over time as people see real results. The kind that makes people start to imagine more for themselves and their community.

Of course, the job is not finished. Completing the market on schedule, ensuring fair allocation of shops, and maintaining the facility over time will be just as important as building it. These are the steps that will determine whether the project delivers lasting value.

But for now, what matters is that something concrete is happening. In Irrua, development is no longer an abstract idea. It is visible. It is ongoing. It is part of daily conversation. And as the structure continues to rise, so does something else—a renewed sense of inclusion.

For a community that has waited for this kind of attention, that may be the biggest shift of all. This market is not just a project. It is a signal that things can change, for good. Promises can be made and trusted to be kept by those who made them.

Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele is the Chief Press Secretary to  Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo