Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has announced the appointment of key officials to lead crucial sectors of the state’s administration. Barrister Musa U. Ikhilor has been named Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Honorable Dr. Samson Osagie has been appointed Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, while Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole is designated as Commissioner for Health. The nominations of Dr. Osagie and Dr. Oshiomhole will be sent to the Edo State House of Assembly for confirmation.

Barr. Musa U. Ikhilor – Secretary to the State Government (SSG)
Born in 1980 at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Barr. Ikhilor has an impressive academic and professional background in law and governance. After completing his LL.B with a Second Class Upper Division at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, he obtained his B.L. from the Nigerian Law School. He holds a Master’s degree in Telecommunications Law and brings over a decade of experience in legislative governance, constitutional drafting, and human rights advocacy. Barr. Ikhilor has held several advisory roles in Nigeria’s National Assembly, including work on the 1999 Constitution review, and has served as a Senior Special Assistant and Special Adviser in legislative affairs.

Hon. Dr. Samson Osagie – Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice
With a distinguished career in law and public service, Dr. Samson Osagie is an accomplished legal practitioner, recently serving as Vice President of the African Bar Association (West African Region). A former two-term Edo State House of Assembly member and Minority Whip in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Dr. Osagie brings a wealth of legislative and legal expertise to the position. He holds multiple advanced degrees, including a Doctorate in Political Economy and Development Studies, and has provided legal consultancy services to numerous organizations across Nigeria and Africa.

Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole – Commissioner for Health
Dr. Oshiomhole, a highly trained physician with international experience, is poised to lead Edo’s health sector. After earning his MBBS from Ahmadu Bello University, he specialized further with a Master’s in Public Health from Tulane University and postgraduate training at Harvard University. His expertise spans environmental health, toxicology, disaster management, and gastroenterology.

These appointments underscore Governor Okpebholo’s commitment to strengthening Edo’s leadership across the justice, governance, and healthcare sectors.

The newly elected Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa have been sworn in months after they were elected to take over from Godwin Obaseki, who has completed his second term in office.

The Chief Justice of the state, Daniel Okungbowa, administered the oath to the governor and deputy governor at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, where they pledged to uphold the constitution and work for the well-being of the people of Edo State.”

Dignitaries including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, Philip Shaibu, the reinstated deputy governor of Edo, and other governors from the APC were in attendance.

Ahead of Saturday’s Ondo State governorship election, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has taken delivery of essential election materials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The Nigeria Air Force transported these materials to Akure, the state capital, where they were received by CBN officials.

INEC announced on its X (formerly Twitter) handle: “Sensitive materials for the Ondo State Governorship election, scheduled for Saturday, November 16, 2024, have arrived in Akure and have been received by Central Bank of Nigeria officials.”

In a parallel effort to ensure a credible election, the National Peace Committee, led by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retired), hosted a pre-election dialogue. The event, organized by the Kukah Centre and supported by the European Union, brought together key stakeholders, including senior security officials, community leaders, religious figures, media representatives, civil society organizations, and political party candidates.

Discussions during the session focused on promoting adherence to the Ondo State Peace Accord, increasing collaboration among security agencies, and reducing vote-buying and electoral malpractice. Stakeholders also addressed the need to counter misinformation during and after the election.

In his keynote speech, Senior High Chief Adegbonmire, Chairman of the Ondo State Peace and Mediation Working Committee and the Asae of Akureland, urged all parties to ensure a peaceful voting process in the state.

Abia State government has announced free and compulsory education for all children, irrespective of their state of origin.

The policy, set to commence by January 2025, will run from primary one to Junior Secondary School three in all public schools.

Prince Okey Kanu, the Commissioner for Information, disclosed this while briefing the press after the State Executive Council meeting.

He said that parents and guardians who flouted the new policy would face prosecution.

“In line with the Abia Child’s Rights Law 2006, it’s now an offence for parents not to send their children or wards to school because the Government has made education free and compulsory,” Kanu warned.

According to him, the policy is in accordance to the quest by the Governor Alex Otti-led administration, to deliver quality and affordable education to the state.

Edo State’s outgoing Governor, Godwin Obaseki, will officially hand over power to incoming Governor Monday Okpebholo today, concluding his tenure. On the eve of his departure, Obaseki granted a pardon to 10 inmates with less than a year remaining on their sentences in various correctional facilities across the state.

The list of pardoned inmates includes Igwe Kelechukwu, Esazobor Ohioze, Gift Osaretun, Takyi Rockson, Dikuar Friday, Ossai Glory, Augustine Sunday, Daulagha Ebifagha Godluck, James Paul, and Anas Isah. The clemency was granted upon the recommendation of the Edo State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, led by Justice P.O. Isibor (retd.), and was endorsed by Obaseki’s Office of the Special Adviser, Media, headed by Crusoe Osagie.

Okpebholo’s succession follows his victory in the September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election, where he defeated his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the People’s Democratic Party.

Today’s inauguration ceremony for Okpebholo will be held at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, marking his official start as the fifth governor of Edo State since the Fourth Republic began in 1999. Dignitaries from across the country, including all APC governors, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, are expected to attend the event in support of Okpebholo and Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa.

The city’s streets, especially near the stadium and Airport Road, have been spruced up for the occasion, with supporters and high-ranking party members arriving in Benin as early as Monday.

However, Obaseki, who noted he was not formally invited to the ceremony, is expected to skip the event. A member of the inauguration committee remarked that the occasion will proceed regardless of Obaseki’s attendance.