As Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor clocks one year in office as Executive Governor of Edo State today, the Association Bernadette Strebel World Peace of Spain yesterday in Benin City honoured him with the Award of Legal Icon of Peace.
The award is in recognition of Prof. Osunbor’s exemplary leadership quality in promoting a peaceful and religious state and delivering the dividends of democracy to the people, especially those  at the grassroots level;. All these necessitated   his recommendation for the  prestigious Africa Legal Icon of Peace Gold Award by the Africa Initiative for Peace.
This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary, Africa Initiative For World Peace, Mr. Festus Onogholo who accompanied the President of Association Bernadette Strebel  World Peace of Spain and other members of the body when they paid the governor a courtesy visit.
Both organisations were in Edo State for the advocacy for the One Million Tree for Peace Project and the spread of the gospel of love and peace, as tree is a symbol of peace.
At the flagging off of the One million Tree for Peace Project at Ughieghudu – Egboisi in uhunmwonde Local Government Area, the state Governor, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor said the exercise would contribute immensely to the registration of hydrological system, ecological control, improve air quality and provide habit to a myriad of life forms.
 “It also serves as foundation for industrialization and improvement in the soci-economic life of the rural communities by creating employment income-generating opportunities which invariable prevents rural-urban drift”, he said.
Decrying the negative effect on the natural forest and exiting forest plantations occasioned by rapid population growth, oil an solid mineral exploration and uncontrolled exploration, Prof.  Osunbor stressed the need to reverse the trend by engaging in aggressive forest regeneration programme which would stand the test of time in order to leave a legacy for generation unborn, especially as Edo State would be shot to the lead in the management of natural resources.
Bernadette Strebel and HansGeorg  Friedrich Aust, beside emphasizing peace, enumerated  the advantage of tree planting to include  provision of Vitamin C,  anti-bacterial as well as seasoning of food.
  In her remarks, the Commissioner for Transport and Environment, Hon. (Mrs.) Sera Adetugboboh explained that farmers who had already  planted crops in  their farms that were affected by the tree for peace planting project, would not be ejected from their farms but that they would be encouraged to plant trees among their crops so that when the crops would be harvested, the trees would be left to grow.
Earlier, the Ughieghudu – Egboisis community had asked for the construction of the Ehor-Ugoneki road,  building of a primary school at Esigie quarters.
The Community laded Prof. Osunbor for the numerous and people – oriented development projects scattered across the state.
In his comments, the Chairman of Uhunmwode Local Government  Area, Hon. (Barr.) John Obasee advised Non- Governmental Organisation to emulate Association  Bernadette Strebel World Peace of Spain and partner with government to develop the state.
   High point of the occasion was the planting of a tree each by the Governor, a national leader of the Peoples Democratic  Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, amongst other dignitaries.

  Wife of Edo State Governor, Lady Ussieh Osunbor yesterday in Benin City reflected on Gov. Oserheimen Osunbor’s administration in the last one year and admitted that there has been a great improvement in the status and representation of women folk in the state.
  Lady Osunbor, who described Democracy Day as a day of joy ordained by God, said: “ I am so full of joy. I am a happy woman and for me, I just say glory be to God”.
  The First Lady asserted that there was genuine reason to be cheerful considering the high level of development the incumbent administration achieved in all sectors of the economy of the state within the short period of one year.
  While thanking the state government for the priority attention to women and the infrastructural build – up in the state, she expressed confidence that there would be more significant socio-economic development in years ahead and urged the people, especially women to be steadfast in their support to the administration of Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor.

Journalists in Edo state, last night praised the developmental strides of Governor Oserheimen Osunbor and wished him more fruitful years ahead.
  Leading the encomiums on the Governor at Government House at an anniversary party for media workers in Edo state, NUJ chairman, Otunba Mike Aladenika said the new face given to roads in the state capital and local governments, were worth of commendation and appealed to the governor not to rest in his ears.
  The journalists were happy with the reconstruction of roads in Ohodua which contract was given some 26 years back but failed and praised the governor for re-visiting the site when all hopes were almost gone.
  They appealed to the governor to continue in the good work in addition to instructing his commissioners to always make them selves available when information concerning the governor’s achievements are being sought.
  Responding, Governor Osunbor said he was moved to go the extra mile in the road restructuring and reconstructions programme because of the challenges thrown to him by friends who visited the state.
  “most of the people who visited Edo were always calling me to ask what was happening in the last eight years.
  “It would have been easy for me to re-contest as senator but I decided to vie for the governorship position in order to contribute my quota.
  “ I am happy that the results are coming in. Somebody sent me a text message that he was taking his showers for the first time in eight years. I am happy to impact on the lives of Edo people”, he said.
  The launcheon party was held in the banquet Hall of the Government House and it was graced by top government officials holders including the state commissioners and media executives, drawn from the print and electronic media.