A few hours after his inauguration as governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo announced key positions to his new cabinet as he named Musa Ikhilor, a lawyer, as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
The governor equally named a former member of the House of Representatives, Dr Samson Osagie, as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
Governor Okpebholo also named Senator Adams Oshimhole’s son, Cyril, as the Commissioner for Health.
All the appointments are subject to the approval of the Edo State House of Assembly, as the governor is expected to forward the names of the commissioner-nominees to the Assembly.
A press statement signed by Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor Okpebholo, stated that Ikhilor was born on August 6, 1980, at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin-City, Edo State.
The statement read in part: “The newly-appointed SSG attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained an LL.B in 2008 (Second class Upper Division). In 2009, he obtained a B.L. (Second class Upper Division) at the Nigerian Law School and was enrolled as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“In 2017, Barrister Ikhilor proceeded to acquire his Masters degree in Telecommunications Law (LL.M) from same Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
“ Ikhilor has over 11 years of experience in Legislative Drafting, Parliamentary Administration, lawmaking procedures and processes, constitutional drafting and amendment, and general Legislative Governance issues working in various capacities at the National Assembly.
“He is active in Business, Corporate Legal Practice and social works where he serves as the Managing Partner of Springfield Legal Consult and as the Executive Director & Board of Trustees member of Amana Legacy Foundation. In addition to these roles, he also provides consultancy services to several private and public sector entities. He is married with children.”
On the new Attorney-General, the statement added “Dr. Samson Osagie is a private legal practitioner having been called to the Nigerian Bar on March 22, 1995.
“He is also the current vice president of the African Bar Association (West African Region).
“Born on November 11, 1967, Dr. Osagie hails from Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State.
“He was a two-term member of the Edo State House of Assembly and also a member of the House of Representatives where he rose to the position of the Minority Whip.
“He holds a degree in law from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, a qualifying Certificate for Law practice from the Nigerian Law School, a triple master’s degree in Law, Public Administration and International Relations. He also bagged a doctorate degree in Political Economy and Development Studies.
“He has been Legal Adviser, Solicitor, and Consultant to many Corporate Organizations and development partners.
“Dr Cyril Adams Oshiomhole pursued higher education at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery (MBBS).
“Oshiomhole enrolled at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA., where he obtained a Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH, majoring in Environmental Health, Toxicology, and Disaster Management).
“His academic pursuits continued at Harvard University, Boston, where he underwent postgraduate training in Clinical Research and at Queen Mary University, London, where he studied Gastroenterology,” the statement concluded.
Prior to the appointments, Governor Okpebholo took the oath of office in a ceremony held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, unveiling his administration’s five-point agenda, with a promise to deliver on them in the next four years.
The five-point agenda includes security, infrastructure and road development, affordable healthcare, water and food sufficiency, and value-driven education across the state.
In his inaugural address, Okpebholo said the welfare of Edo people would be his focus in office, assuring the people that he would not betray their confidence in him.
“Our citizens are top priority for us. To achieve this, we shall implement programmes carefully outlined in my five-point agenda, designed to grow robust economy and improve the lives of our people,” he said.
While bemoaning incessant cases of kidnapping and other violent crimes, Governor Okpebholo said his administration would be firm in dealing with criminals and improve the security of Edo State, saying “For a long time now, our people have become victims of kidnapping and other violent crimes. To end this ugly situation, we will be firm in dealing with criminals and improve the security of our land so that farming and other business activities will flourish again.”
On road construction and infrastructural development, he said: “The deplorable condition of our roads has made it difficult for people to move from one part of the State to another. Our policy to develop road infrastructure is targeted at constructing roads, drainages, and bridges to ease transportation for all. We shall immediately commence work to make the roads passable again.
“We are also ready to partner with the federal government, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, those in the diaspora, and other stakeholders, to develop our State across all sectors.”
While commending the contributions of civil servants in the state, Governor Okpebholo lauded them for their invaluable contributions to the development of Edo State, adding, “Your welfare shall be topmost in my agenda as meaningful reforms shall be initiated to ensure innovation, transparency, and zero-tolerance for corruption in public service”.
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