Swearing in: Okpebholo assumes Edo governor’s office

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo and Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa were sworn in on November 12, 2024, in Benin City.

Governor Okpebholo formally succeeded former Governor Godwin Obaseki after winning the state governorship election on September 21, 2024.

The state chief judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, delivered the oath of office and allegiance to Okpebholo at 1:00 pm before the crowd and security presence.

Idahosa took the oath of office as the state’s deputy governor while standing with his wife.

The governor then proceeded to examine the guard of honor and a Nigerian police performance by officers and men.

The oath-taking ceremony was intended to introduce the state’s new administration.

Party supporters at the stadium hailed the ceremony.

Following his swearing-in, Okpebholo gave a speech outlining a five-point plan for the state’s advancement.

He promised to give security, infrastructure, healthcare, food sufficiency, and education a priority in his inaugural address.

The governor vowed war on criminals.

He declared that the days of constant abduction and other violent crimes were finished.

“Our citizens are a top priority for us.

“To achieve this, we shall implement programmes carefully outlined in my five-point agenda, designed to grow robust economic growth and improve the lives of our people.

“We will not betray this confidence you have reposed in me and the Deputy Governor, Rt. Honourable Dennis Idahosa”, Okpebholo stated.

Bemoaning incessant cases of kidnapping and other crimes, the governor said his administration would be firm in dealing with criminals.

He stated that his administration will improve the security of the state.

The governor lamented on the ongoing number of kidnappings and other crimes in the state.

His administration will strengthen state security…

He promised that his administration will strengthen state security and take tough measures against criminals.

“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.

“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”, he said.

The governor pledged that the incoming government would provide soft loans to women and small companies.

“Our teeming youthful population will not be left out.

“We shall support them in acquiring relevant skills for self-empowerment”, he said.

“My administration shall immediately swing into action…”

The governor went on: “My administration shall immediately swing into action to recruit teachers and rebuild the deplorable classrooms.

“Tertiary education will be strengthened in many ways, too, to ensure quality education”, Okpebholo said.

He added: “Fellow citizens, my administration is ready to link communities that have not yet been connected to the national grid to ensure that they have electricity.

“Our traditional institution shall be given the necessary support to play their role as custodians of our rich cultural heritage.

“It is in recognition of this that my administration shall support the decision of the federal government to uphold the Oba of Benin as the exclusive owner of the returned artefacts, which were looted by British colonial forces during the Benin massacre of 1897”, he said.

He pledged to enhance democracy and good administration in the state.

He proposed to achieve that by collaborating closely with other branches of government.

A commission of inquiry into the distant reason why 14 members-elect of the house of assembly were not sworn-in in 2019 was also announced by the governor.

Okpebholo appoints Oshiomhole’s son, other appointees

Governor Okpebholo named Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole as the commissioner for health-designate.

Dr. Cyril is the son of previous state governor Adams Oshiomhole.

The governor also named Samson Osagie, a former member of the house of representatives, as the attorney general and commissioner for justice-designate.

He also appointed Musa Ikhilor as the secretary to state government.

This was revealed a press release on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua.

Dr. Cyril…

Cyril went on to Command Secondary School after starting his education at St. Anne’s Primary School.

Later, he continued his education at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, where he graduated with a bachelor of medicine and surgery degree.

He studied environmental health, toxicology, and disaster management while pursuing a master of science in public health at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana.

He pursued further education at Queen Mary University in London, where he studied gastroenterology.

And at Harvard University in Boston, he received postgraduate training in clinical research.

Ikhilor…

Ikhilor was born in Benin City, Edo State, at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital on August 6, 1980.

He earned an LL.B. in 2008 at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria.

He graduated from the Nigerian Law School in 2009 with a B.L.

The governor’s appointee was admitted as a barrister and solicitor to the Federal Republic of Nigeria Supreme Court.

Musa Ikhilor continued on to Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria in 2017 to earn his Master’s degree in Telecommunications Law (LL.M).

He worked in a variety of roles at the national assembly according to report.

He has more than 11 years of expertise in constitutional drafting and modification, parliamentary administration, legislative drafting, and general legislative governance concerns.

Ikhilor was named a consultant to the house of representatives in 2019 to review the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution.

He has been closely examining issues related to human rights, gender equity, bolstering governmental institutions, and developing effective and transparent procedures and systems to promote good governance.

The deputy speaker of the house of representatives, who previously served as the first deputy speaker of the ECOWAS parliament, named him as senior special assistant in 2019 and then special adviser.

When the substantive chief of staff resigned to run in the 2023 parliamentary elections, he was given the responsibility of serving as the deputy speaker of the house of representatives’ chief of staff in May 2022.

The Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria appointed Ikhilor as a notary public in June 2022.

According to reports, he is involved in business, corporate law, and social service.

“In addition to these roles, he also provides consultancy services to several private and public sector entities.

“He is married and union blessed with children”, the statement read.

Osagie…

According to Itua, the attorney general nominee, Osagie is a private attorney who was admitted to the Nigerian Bar on March 22, 1995.

In addition, he currently serves as the African Bar Association’s (West Africa) vice president.

Osagie was born in Edo state’s Uhunmwode local government area on November 11, 1967.

He served two terms in the house of representatives, where he became the Minority Whip.

He also served in the Edo state house of assembly.

Throughout Nigeria and the African continent, he has been actively practicing law.

He has three Master’s degrees in law, public administration, and international relations.

In addition, he earlier obtained a first degree in law from the esteemed Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife.

He reportedly has a qualifying certificate for practicing law from the Nigerian Law School.

Additionally, he earned a doctorate in development studies and political economy.

He has worked for numerous business organizations and development partners as a consultant, solicitor, and legal adviser.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook