Our reporter
The Edo State House of Assembly has adopted a new business calendar as it resumes plenary for the third quarter of the second legislative session. Under the adopted schedule, the House will sit for 42 days, concluding its activities for the quarter in March 2025.
Welcoming lawmakers back from recess, Speaker Rt. Hon. Blessing Sheriff Agbebaku commended them for prioritising urgent state matters during the break. He highlighted the Assembly’s recent legislative achievements, including the passage of 41 people-oriented bills. Of these, 29 have been assented to by the Governor, while 12 await approval. Additionally, three bills remain at the committee stage.
Among the key bills passed by the House are: The Edo State Migration Agency Bill, The Digital Governance and Data Management Agency Bill, the Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission Bill, an amendment to the State’s Anti-Secret Cult Law to reflect contemporary realities.
The House has also made 72 resolutions aimed at addressing critical governance issues in the state.
During the plenary, the Assembly received five letters from the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, requesting legislative approval for key appointments and amendments to existing laws. The requests include: Confirmation of Pharmacist Okojie Kenny as Chairman of the Governing Board of the Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Confirmation of Dr. Osoikhia Oahimire Collins as Executive Secretary of the same agency, Approval of Hon. Anthony Ojo as a member of the Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission, replacing Atoe Pascal, who was previously nominated but not confirmed.
The Speaker directed that the appointment requests be referred to the House Standing Committee on Rules, Business, and Government House for review, with a report expected within one week.
Additionally, two bills—one seeking to amend the Edo State Health Insurance Law of 2019 and another to revise the Edo State Land Administration and Geographic Information Service Law of 2018—were presented for their first reading.
Hon. Donard Okogbe, representing Akoko Edo II, formally notified the House of the passing of Major General Christopher Jemitola, a distinguished military officer and former aide-de-camp (ADC) to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo. Jemitola, a member of the 29th Regular Intake of the Nigerian Defence Academy, passed away on 6th January 2025. The Assembly observed a minute of silence in his honour.
In a related development, Hon. Eugene Inegbeboh, representing Igueben Constituency, raised concerns over the recent abduction and release of the Onogie of Eguare Udo, His Royal Highness Ehizogie, by suspected Fulani herdsmen. He urged the House to summon the Commandant of the Edo State Vigilante Corps to discuss strategies for enhancing security in the community.
Speaker Agbebaku praised the Governor’s swift intervention in securing the traditional ruler’s release and reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to addressing security challenges.
The House adjourned its sitting to Tuesday, 11th February 2025.
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