Tag: Okpebholo

Ijaw agitators and activists in Okomu, Ovia South West local government area, have begged Governor Monday Okpebholo to grant them amnesty.

They said they were ready to drop their arms and joined Governor Okpebholo’s fight against kidnappers and cultism.

The Ijaw youths denied being responsible for the crisis that gripped Okomu community some years back. 

Leader of the Ijaw agitators, Lawrence Yambor, who spoke in Benin City, said they were only agitating for a better life for Okomu people.

Yambor said his group remained opened for negotiations to make peace so as to move the community forward in terms of development. 

Besides the appeal for amnesty from Governor Okpebholo, Yambor pleaded for his group to be integrated into the Presidential Amnesty Programme, which he said, changed the narrative in the Niger Delta region.

He said Okpebholo has shown capacity to deliver on campaign promises. 

According to him: “Governor Monday Okpebholo has lived up to his campaign promises of bettering the lots of the people with his strings of legacy projects coupled with his fight against criminals, cultists and the likes. 

“The Governor has also shown commitment to his SHINE Agenda which he has aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. To cap it all, he has promised to secure more than 2.5 million votes for the President in 2027 which process he has set in motion. 

“My group align with Governor Okpebholo in all he has done and plan to do. On this basis we are desirous of dropping arms and giving our word of promise to join him in his fight against criminality.”

Governor Monday Okpebholo has asked the Edo Assembly, to investigate the Radisson Blu Hotel and the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA).

Both projects were begun by former Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Works were still in-going in both projects even though November 11 has been fixed as tentative date for the commissioning of MOWAA.

 Speaker Blessing Agbebaku, who announced receipt of the letter, directed Clerk of the House, Audu Omogbai, to read the letter signed by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Musa Ikhilo.

Read Also: Okpebholo asks lawmakers to investigate MOWAA, Radisson Blu Hotel

The Speaker said an ad hoc committee would be constituted at the next sitting to conduct an investigation into the projects.

 Governor Okpebholo also requested the Assembly to screen and confirm nominees for appointment into the Edo State Judicial Service Commission. 

The Speaker referred the request to the House Committee on Judiciary with instructions to report back promptly.

Edo State Government has said it has completed or rehabilitated 65 primary health centres across the state.

It said this was to reinforce the Governor Monday Okpebholo administration’s drive to deliver accessible, quality health care to every community.

The governor said this during a visit by the leadership of Esan Okpa Initiative to the Government House in Benin City.

Okpebholo, who announced the reintroduction of Edo State languages into the school curriculum across the state, said his administration was committed to preserving the state’s rich cultural heritage, as well as promoting indigenous knowledge.

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He described the support of Esan people as a “critical pillar” to guarantee his success in office.

He said he had directed the Ministry of Education to intensify school rehabilitation efforts.

“I have told my commissioner for Education, we have to provide seats and desks for schools. We will continue massive renovation and fencing, provide boreholes and toilets, and we will start installing solar lights in schools.

“We are already working on a school access programme where our children can have hands-on experience in computer studies—so they can see and touch technology in real time.

“On language, we must start from home, because charity begins at home. We will reintroduce vernacular into our school system. Let every tribe begin to learn and speak its language so that no language goes into extinction.”

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has confirmed the appointment of 5,000 contract teachers under the State’s Ministry of Education as permanent staff.

The teachers were initially engaged by the previous administration on a contract basis and received a monthly stipend of ₦65,000.

Governor Okpebholo, who supervised the distribution of appointment letters at a ceremony held on Wednesday at the Government House, said the move reflects his administration’s commitment to valuing and empowering educators.

He emphasized the critical role teachers play in shaping the future of Edo State and reaffirmed his government’s dedication to improving their welfare and working conditions.

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According to him, “Teachers, I am happy to see you. I wanted it this way, because, I had asked several times if you had received your letters. The answer was no. So, I decided to supervise the process myself. As you collect your appointment letters today, you will also receive transport fare because I know many of you have traveled long distances.

“You are very important to us. Your reward is no longer in heaven; it is here, under our watch.” 

Edo Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, who thanked the teachers for their perseverance, said neautiful schools without teachers were useless.

“Today, an angel has come, a leader who thinks about your welfare day and night.”

“He met Ambrose Alli University with a ₦41 million subvention and increased it to ₦500 million. Right now, a 1,500-capacity lecture theatre and a 600-capacity hostel are under construction.”

Dr. Iyamu said the EDU-Rescue Programme was launched to give children from poor backgrounds access to quality education.

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has charged his Commissioners and Special Advisers to always wear the Asiwaju mandate cap as a practical way of showing their support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.

Governor Okpebholo said any Commissioner who failed to wear the cap would not be allowed into the State Executive Council meeting.

He spoke in Benin City, swearing in 19 new Commissioners and boards of agencies and commissions.

According to Okpebholo, “This could not have happened if we did not have a responsible president. We have done many elections here, and the major problem we have had is that the president is not with us, but today we say thank you. I will not forgive any commissioner who is not wearing this cap. In our exco meetings, if you are not wearing a suit and you are coming to the meeting without this Asiwaju cap, you will go back.” He said.

Governor Okpebholo charged the Commissioners that the focus of his administration was not propaganda but practical governance that would benefit the people positively.

He warned the new Commissioners that his administration would not tolerate corruption and reminded them that their appointment was not for self-enrichment.

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 Governor Okpebholo told the Commissioners that their nominations was not a reward or patronage, but a call to serve the people of Edo State.

 His words, “This administration came into office on the promise of practical governance – to touch the lives of our people directly.

 “Our focus is not on propaganda, but on service delivery and tangible results that can be felt in every community across our state.

“While I congratulate you on your deserved elevation, I want to warn that your appointment is not for personal enrichment. You are not here for Money-making, but for service, for sacrifice, and for a better life for Edo people.

“I hereby call on you to brace up for action, as your success will be measured by your impact in bringing about better services and opportunities to our people.

“May I remind you that this administration has zero tolerance for corruption and you’re expected to display discipline, teamwork, and a shared sense of purpose.

“Most importantly, I expect loyalty to the people of Edo State. You must always remember that History will judge us for our actions and not our intentions.”

 The newly sworn-in Commissioners are Barr. Vincent Osas Uwadia, Etin-osa Ogbeiwi, Saturday Uwuilekhue Idehen (JP), Charity Amayaenvbo, Barr. Nosa Adams, Yakubu Oshiorenua, Felix Akhabue, Prof. Omorodion Ignatius, and Ohimai Ehijimetor.

Others are Eugenia Abdallah, Godwin Afekokhe Eshieshi, Prince Kassim Afegbua, Dr. Jerry Uwangue, Mr. John Akhigbe, Festus Ebea, Dr Elizabeth Ebosele, Dr Jerry Uwangue, Dr Kenneth Okoruwa Ihensekhien, and Barr. Usenbo Paul Ehigie.

Governor Okpebholo also swore in Blessing Agbomhere as Chairman of the Edo State Ecological Funding and Hon Frank Okiye as Chairman of Edo State Lottery Regulatory Commission, while John Osi Akhigbe was sworn in as Chairman of the Edo State Bursary and Scholarship Board.

Chairmen and members of the Senior Secondary Education Board and the Edo State Law Reform Commission were sworn in.

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has sacked the Chairman of Edo State Senior Secondary Education Board, Dr. Maureen Ekhoragbon.

Reasons for her sack were not made known at press time.

A statement by Secretary to the State Government, Ikhilor Musa, says Governor Okpebholo has appointed Dr. Rita Erewele as replacement.

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The statement said Ekhoragbon had been relieved of her duties with immediate effect.

It described Erewele as an accomplished educationist and an administrator with over two decades of progressive experience in the education sector.

“She holds a PhD in Educational Administration and Planning, along with a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Benin.

“Her appointment takes immediate effect.”