Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Monday inaugurated the Governing Council of the Edo State College of Nursing Sciences at the Government House, Benin City, charging members to reposition the institution for excellence in line with his administration’s development agenda.
Speaking during the inauguration, Governor Okpebholo congratulated the members on their appointments, describing them as well deserved.
He said the state was embarking on a new direction focused on sustainable development, particularly in the education and health sectors.
The governor said, “Let me congratulate all of you for the well-deserved appointments. As you all know, Edo State is taking a new turn and we are after developing every aspect of the state, including the educational sector.Choosing you means I am choosing the best hands, and I know you will go there to make us proud. I congratulate you once more and God bless you,”
Responding on behalf of the council, the chairman, Ikenria Benson Johnbull, thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in them, noting that the appointments were made after wide consultations within government.
“Your Excellency, we specially thank you for this opportunity given to members of this council. This was done with due consideration, including inputs from the Secretary to the State Government, the Head of Service, the Chief of Staff and members of the Executive Council. We assure you that we will put on our thinking caps to do the best for the College of Nursing Sciences. We cannot afford to fail you and, by the grace of God, we will not fail Edo State,” he said.
Johnbull further acknowledged the governor’s passion for the health sector, recalling his campaign-time commitment following a personal family experience, and stressed the importance of quality training for health personnel produced by the institution to ensure improved healthcare delivery in the state.
The newly inaugurated council is chaired by Ikenria Benson Johnbull, while Sedenu Hadikat Igienelumeh, Idubor Tawa Imuetinyan, Adesua Philomena Iseghohi, Muhammed Mahmud Abdullah, Monica Igbadumhe, and Paul Nobore serve as members.
Meantime, the Governor also received in audience Dr Eighemhenrio Paul Ikhuemosa, MNI, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, who recently graduated from the Senior Executive Course 47 (2025) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos.
The governor congratulated Dr Ikhuemosa on the feat, describing NIPSS as Nigeria’s foremost policy think tank and expressing confidence that the knowledge acquired would further strengthen policy formulation and implementation in the state’s health sector.
Dignitaries present at the event included the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq; the Head of Service, Anthony Okhungbowa, Esq; the Chief of Staff, Mallam Gani Audu; and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebojele Akhere Patrick, PhD among others.
