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Tag: Okpebholo

  • Okpebholo appoints another Special Adviser on Oil and Gas

    Okpebholo appoints another Special Adviser on Oil and Gas

    Edo Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has appointed Barr. Kassim Otono as Special Adviser on Oil and Gas 72 hours after he suspended Felix Isere from the position.

    Isere was suspended for soliciting for fund for a proposed Oil and Gas summit scheduled to hold on August 7, 2025.

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    He has been ordered to refund monies he collected from donors.

    A statement by Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, said Otono is a Senior Partner at Kay & Kay Legal, a law firm specialising in Commercial, Real Estate, and Oil & Gas Law and Practice.

  • Okpebholo vows to step up crackdown on cultists, kidnappers

    Okpebholo vows to step up crackdown on cultists, kidnappers

    Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has vowed to crush cultists, kidnappers and other criminals.

    He spoke after a closed door meeting with the commanders and leaders of the state special security squad.

    The governor said his administration would ensure the state was safe for all.

    READ ALSO: Transforming health sector

    He said the meeting was successful, adding that those in attendance were able to strategise on how to continue the fight against cultism and kidnaping.

    “We had a very useful meeting that concerns the fight against cultism and kidnaping. We want to ensure Edo State is safe for all of us, and we are able to drive a strong economy. This is the reason for today’s meeting.”

    The security squad made up of Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), hunters, vigilante groups and repentant cultists, has made several arrests as well as raided criminals’ hideouts.

  • Okpebholo vows to crush cultists, kidnappers in Edo

    Okpebholo vows to crush cultists, kidnappers in Edo

    Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has vowed to crush cultists, kidnappers and other criminal elements in the state.

    Governor Okpebholo spoke after a closed door meeting with the commanders and leaders of the State Special Security Squad.

    He said his administration would ensure the State is safe for all.

    Read Also: Why Okpebholo suspended SA Oil and Gas

    He noted that the meeting was successful, saying those in attendance were able to strategize on how to continue the fight against cultism and kidnaping in Edo State.

    “We had a very useful meeting that concerns the fight against cultism and kidnaping. We want to see that Edo State is safe for all of us, and we are able to drive a strong economy. This is the reason for today’s meeting.”

    The Security Squad made up of the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC), hunters, vigilante groups, and repentant cultists, has made several arrests as well as raided criminal hideouts.

  • Why Okpebholo suspended SA Oil and Gas

    Why Okpebholo suspended SA Oil and Gas

    Sketchy details have emerged on why Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo suspended his Special Adviser on Oil and Gas, Mr. Felix Osemwengie Isere.

    Governor Okpebholo had said Isere was suspended for raising fund for a proposed Oil and Gas Summit without authorisation.

    He had directed Isere to refund money to the donors and suspended the event scheduled for August 7.

    Some top government officials said many political appointees were yet to understand Governor Okpebholo’s style of governance.

    They said some appointees believed their godfathers could stop them from being axed by the governor.

    Many commissioners, who pleaded anonymity, said they were shocked when they saw billboards and posters about the summit adorning streets of Benin City.

    They said the issue was not discussed at any executive council (exco) meeting.

    A top government official said Isere got the governor’s approval for the summit to hold in August.

    It was learnt that several efforts by Isere to see the governor for further briefing were frustrated by some closed aides of the governor.

    Read Also: Okpebholo sacks EDOFEWMA boss

    Another source said Isere did not carry some kitchen exco members of Okpebholo along when donors started paying in money.

    According to a commissioner, “I heard about it last night that money has been paid for the programme. I cannot tell you how many persons or organisations have paid, but the young man has been asked to make refund.

    “I do not think many commissioners were aware of it.”

    Isere did not pick calls made to his mobile phone.

  • ‘Why Okpebholo suspended oil and gas adviser Isere’

    ‘Why Okpebholo suspended oil and gas adviser Isere’

    Fresh details have emerged regarding the suspension of Felix Osemwengie Isere, the Special Adviser on Oil and Gas to Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo.

    Governor Okpebholo had earlier announced Isere’s suspension over unauthorised fundraising for a proposed Oil and Gas Summit scheduled for August 7, 2025.

    He directed Isere to refund all monies collected from donors and ordered an immediate suspension of the event.

    According to top government sources, the decision stemmed from concerns that many political appointees have yet to fully grasp the governor’s governance style. Some reportedly act under the impression that political godfathers can shield them from disciplinary actions.

    Read Also: Okpebholo sacks EDOFEWMA boss

    Several commissioners, who requested anonymity, said they were surprised to see billboards and posters promoting the summit across Benin City, noting that the event was never discussed at any Executive Council meeting.

    One senior official revealed that while Isere initially received the governor’s approval for the summit, his repeated attempts to brief the governor further were blocked by some of the governor’s close aides.

    Another insider added that Isere did not consult key members of Governor Okpebholo’s inner circle before donors began contributing funds, a move that further fueled the controversy surrounding his suspension.

    According to a commissioner, “I heard about it last night that money has been paid for the programme. I cannot tell you how many people or organisations have paid, but the young man has been asked to make a refund. I do not think many Commissioners were aware of it.”

    Isere did not pick up calls made to his cell phone.

  • Organise retreat for your appointees, lawyer tells Okpebholo

    Organise retreat for your appointees, lawyer tells Okpebholo

    A Benin-based lawyer, Jefferson Uwoghiren, has urged Governor Monday Okpebholo to invite Prof. Julius Ihonvbere to organise a retreat for his political appointees.

    Uwoghiren said the retreat would enable the appointees to understand government communications and the correlative distinctions between private sector funding and financial regulations in government.

    He spoke in reaction to the suspension of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s special adviser on oil and gas, Felix Osemwengie Isere.

    Governor Okpebholo had suspended several of his appointees, mainly due to financial infractions.

    Uwoghiren said the avoidable errors in Okpebholo’s administration were increasingly becoming embarrassing and distracting.

    He urged Governor Okpebholo to stop throwing his officials under the bus at the slightest misinformation.

    Read Also: Okpebholo sacks EDOFEWMA boss

    According to him, “I’m deeply traumatised and filled with ambivalent thoughts as I read the statement from Edo State Government reportedly suspending the SA Oil and Gas and gravely accusing him of organising a major confab on oil and gas without the express approval of the Governor.  

    “Expectedly, some are excited and delirious at the development, blurring a key opportunity to lift the veil of governance in Edo State.

    “To the two major and grievous, and defamatory allegations of opaque financing of the event and the absence of approval by the appropriate approving authority. Is it possible for the Special Adviser, Oil and Gas, to the Governor of Edo State, to embark on a confab of this nature without express approval? At what stage did the government discover the alleged lapses and gross mistakes? Is it possible that approval was granted but funding withheld, and in desperation, the SA went looking for sponsorship from inimical camps?

    “Whatever the situation, the Edo State Government needs to invite Prof. Julius Ihonvbere to urgently organise a Retreat for Senior Government Officials to teach a lot of these kindergarten catches, government communications, and the correlative distinctions between private sector funding and financial regulations in government.”

  • Okpebholo sacks EDOFEWMA boss

    Okpebholo sacks EDOFEWMA boss

    Edo Governor Monday Okpebholo has sacked Ahmed Musa Momoh as Director/CEO of the Edo State Flood, Erosion and Watershed Management Agency (EDOFEWMA).

    Governor Okpebholo, in a statement by Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, appointed Fashanu Emmanuel as the new EDOFEWMA boss. 

    The statement described Fashanu Emmanuel as a seasoned Architect, with experience spanning over two decades. 

    Read Also: Okpebholo keys into Tinubu’s plan for TVET

    “He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architecture from the Obafemi Awolowo, University, Ile-Ife in 1999 and a Master’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Jos in 2011. He is also a Member of the Nigeria Institute of Architects (MNIA).

    “This appointment takes immediate effect,” the statement reads. 

  • Okpebholo suspends Special Adviser on Oil and Gas

    Okpebholo suspends Special Adviser on Oil and Gas

    Edo Governor Monday Okpebholo has suspended his Special Adviser on Oil and Gas, Mr. Felix Osemwengie Isere, for unauthorised fund raising.

    Isere was alleged to have used the name of the Edo State Government to raise money for the proposed Oil and Gas Summit scheduled to hold on August 7th, 2025, in Benin City.

    In a statement by Secretary to the Edo State Government, Musa Ikhilor, Governor Okpebholo suspended the proposed Summit and ordered Isere to refund monies to the various donors.

    Read Also: By-election: APC will win landslide in Edo, says Okpebholo

    “Prospective donors, are by this announcement, advised to desist from dealing with the suspended appointee,” the statement reads.

  • By-election: APC will win landslide in Edo, says Okpebholo

    By-election: APC will win landslide in Edo, says Okpebholo

    Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has assured members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the party would win the August 16 by-election with a wide margin.

    He spoke in Okada, Ovia North East Local Government, while receiving a delegation of defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said he must do his best for Edo people.

    Governor Okpebholo noted that his continuous developmental projects were evidence of his administration’s dedication, unlike “the pattern of the immediate past government, which waited until election periods to roll out projects.”

    According to him, “why are we working for Edo people? We are working for Edo because we are confirmed sons of the soil. We are not foreigners. We were not borrowed from somewhere else.

    Read Also: Atiku, Peter Obi should step down for Tinubu’s reelection-Aiyedatiwa

    “My mother is an Esan woman. My father is an Esan man. I grew up there. My deputy, the same Edo. So, if we are from here, we must work for our people.

    “This is why you see us move from executing one project to another. We do not wait until election period before we roll out projects. We do not believe that we can develop in that manner.

    “By the time we are three years old as a government, I know people will sit down and thank God. You will thank God for giving us the opportunity to serve.

    “In the next few days, I will be coming back here for a campaign to let our people know that the choice for Ovia Federal Constituency is the right choice for the people.”

    Among the defectors were Andrew Uzamere, Peter Ekhator, Christopher Igodalo and their followers.

  • Okpebholo keys into Tinubu’s plan for TVET

    Okpebholo keys into Tinubu’s plan for TVET

    Edo State government said it has aligned with the incentives President Bola Tinubu rolled out to boost Nigerians’ interest in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)

    Admission seekers into Federal Technical Colleges soared this year by over 200 percent after President Tinubu announced incentives for students.

    The incentives included free accommodation, free tuition and a monthly stipend of N22,500.

    Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, said Governor Monday Okpebholo was committed to promoting whatever thing that would advance the course of the Edo child.

    Iyamu spoke at the NEPL/Seplat Empowerment Programme for teachers in Edo and Delta states.

    He said, “We are fully aligned, and we have started the publicity. We cannot rely solely on certificates anymore. Those who are going to be trained in technical education have been encouraged, especially with the stipend that goes with their membership.

    “We are fully aligned as a state. Whatever thing that will advance the course of the average Edo child, Governor Monday Okpebholo is fully committed, and we are driving the change.”

    Read Also: That petition against Okpebholo

    Iyamu thanked Seplat for the initiative to train teachers.

    “We want to make sure our teachers are at par with excellence. It is a laudable one. Governor Okpebholo is committed to a better society. That is why we are building schools and employing teachers. He wants every child to be well taught, trained, developed and lead the state in the nearest future. He wants to make cultism and other social vices unattractive. We are committed as a government to see how we can make that change