NEWLY inaugurated governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo has announced Barr. Musa U. Ikhilor as Secretary to the State Government (SSG); Hon. Samson Osagie PhD as Attorney-General and Commissioner For Justice; and Dr Cyril Adams Oshiomhole as Commissioner for Health.
The nomination of Osagie and Oshiomhole will be confirmed by the Edo State House of Assembly when they are forwarded soon by Governor Okpebholo.
The appointments were announced shortly after his inauguration as governor of Edo State in a ceremony at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City earlier today about two months after winning the poll.
Speaking shortly after he was sworn into office alongside his deputy, Rt. Honourable Dennis Idahosa, the governor promised to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.
“Today, you have officially given me the mandate to preside over our dear state as governor for the next four years,” Okpebholo said during his swearing-in.
“We will not betray this confidence you have reposed in me and the Deputy Governor, Rt. Honourable Dennis Idahosa.”
‘A Humbling Moment’
The governor thanked the people of the state for their support during the governorship election of 21 September in which he defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Asue Ighodalo and other candidates.
“Let me start by thanking God Almighty for His grace and incredible blessings. Democracy has triumphed again in our dear state,” the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer in the election told the gathering.
“For me, this is a humbling moment; made possible by you all. Again, I want to use this opportunity to thank you for your peaceful conduct during the 21st September 2024 governorship election.”
He promised to make the welfare of citizens a top priority for his government and give preference to supporting small businesses.
The new governor decried the state of roads in the state and the level of insecurity which he described as “ugly”.
But he vowed to “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.”
Profile Of The New Appointees
Barr. Musa U. Ikhilor
Barr. Ikhilor was born on the 6th of August 1980 at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State. He 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,
Barr. Ikhilor proceeded to acquire his Masters degree in Telecommunications Law (LL.M) from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Barr. 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.
In 2019, he was appointed as a Consultant to the Federal House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the review of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, where he has been closely analysing and reviewing matters on Gender Equity, Human Rights, and Strengthening Institutions of Government and creating efficient and transparent processes and systems to deliver Good Governance.
Also in 2019, he was appointed as Senior Special Assistant and later Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who also doubled as the 1st Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.
In May 2022, he was assigned to act as Chief of Staff to the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria when the substantive Chief of Staff resigned to contest in the 2023 parliamentary elections.
In June 2022, Barr. Ikhilor was appointed by the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a Notary Public.
Barr. Ikhilor 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.
Hon. Samson Osagie PhD
Dr. Samson Osagie, the nominee for State Attorney-General, is a private legal practitioner having been called to the Nigerian Bar on March 22nd, 1995.
He is also the current vice president of the African Bar Association (West African Region).
Born on 11 November 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 the House of Representatives, where he rose to the position of Minority Whip.
He has been involved in intensive legal practice across Nigeria and the African continent.
He holds a First degree in Law from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, a qualifying Certificate for Law practice from the Nigerian Law School, and 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 a Legal Adviser, Solicitor, and Consultant to many corporate organisations and development partners.
Dr Cyril Adams Oshiomhole
Dr Cyril Adams Oshiomhole’s academic journey began at St. Anne’s Primary School, followed by Command Secondary School, where he later 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.
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