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 others, in what he described as a triumph of merit, competence and inclusivity.
The historic ceremony, held at the Festival Hall of Government House, 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 said the appointments emerged from a transparent and highly competitive selection process, stressing that only the most qualified candidates made the final list.
“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,” the governor 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 newly appointed permanent secretaries.
“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,” he added.
The governor also cautioned the new permanent secretaries against acting on directives purportedly issued in his name without proper verification, insisting that due process would remain the 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 or channel your concerns through the Head of Service,” Okpebholo warned.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to inclusivity, the governor assured the Igbo community and other ethnic groups of equal opportunities in government appointments, declaring that there would be no discrimination in Edo State.
“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 said.
Speaking on behalf of the newly sworn-in permanent secretaries, Mr. Melody Omosah thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in them and pledged their unwavering commitment to implementing the administration’s policies and programmes effectively.
“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, newly inaugurated Commissioner Mr. Martin Oli, the first non-indigene to serve in Governor Okpebholo’s cabinet, said the appointments underscored the governor’s belief in competence, integrity and capacity rather than ethnicity or place of origin.
“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 stated.
Omosah’s elevation as Edo State’s first visually impaired Permanent Secretary marks a significant milestone in the state’s public service, reinforcing Governor Okpebholo’s pledge to build an inclusive government where merit remains the foundation for leadership appointments.
