BENIN CITY — Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Friday made history by swearing in the state’s first visually impaired Permanent Secretary, Mr. Melody Omosah, alongside 19 other newly appointed permanent secretaries.
The ceremony, held at the Festival Hall of the Government House in Benin City, also saw the inauguration of two commissioners and seven members of the Governing Council of the Edo State College of Health Sciences and Technology.
Governor Okpebholo described the appointments as the outcome of a transparent, merit-based and highly competitive selection process, stressing that only the most qualified candidates emerged.
According to the governor, about 250 senior civil servants participated in the promotion exercise, with only 20 candidates eventually appointed after a rigorous screening.
“Today is a special day for all of you who have reached the pinnacle of your civil service careers. About 250 officers sat for the examination. I met with 25 candidates, but only 20 were successful,” he said.
He noted that the appointments reflected his administration’s commitment to rewarding excellence rather than favouritism, adding that the Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, had confirmed the competence of the successful officers.
“I congratulate you on this achievement. The Head of Service told me he had interacted with the permanent secretaries and found them to be highly competent. That shows the process was based on merit,” the governor stated.
Okpebholo also cautioned the newly sworn-in permanent secretaries against acting on directives falsely attributed to him, insisting that due process would remain a guiding principle of his administration.
“This administration believes in due process. Be careful not to act on claims that ‘the governor said so.’ Many statements are falsely attributed to me.
“If you are uncertain about any directive, seek clarification from me. Where that is not possible, channel your concerns through the Head of Service, who will bring them to my attention,” he said.
The governor further reassured members of the Igbo community and other ethnic groups residing in Edo State of fair representation and equal opportunities in his administration.
“I congratulate my Igbo brothers. There is no discrimination in Edo. We are building an inclusive government, and there will be more opportunities for all groups in due course,” he added.
Responding on behalf of the newly appointed permanent secretaries, Omosah expressed appreciation to the governor for the confidence reposed in them and pledged their commitment to advancing the administration’s programmes and policies.
“We are grateful to the governor for finding us worthy of this appointment. We will work closely with you, the Head of Service and our political leaders to ensure the successful implementation of your administration’s policies and programmes across the state,” Omosah said.
Also speaking after the ceremony, newly sworn-in Commissioner Martin Oli, the first non-indigene appointed into Governor Okpebholo’s cabinet, said the governor’s appointments were based on competence, integrity and capacity rather than ethnic or regional considerations.
“The governor does not consider tribe or place of origin when making appointments. His criteria are competence, integrity and capacity. Those are the qualities he looks for,” Oli said.
The appointments, according to the governor, underscore his administration’s commitment to meritocracy, inclusiveness and professionalism in the Edo State public service.
