By Pius Alile
The latest appointment of six commissioners by Governor Monday Okpebholo, has again confirmed the excellent trajectory of the new government in Edo State, by reason of the character and quality of the appointees and their assigned portfolios. This is consistent with the Governor’s avowed commitment to run a government that will transform the State.
Of course, the quality of governance is, to a great extent, dependent on the quality of the state executive council, which principally is a body of commissioners and other principal officers of government, including the Governor. Given this understanding, Governor Monday Okpebholo, as earlier mentioned, got it right again with the choice of the new set of commissioners, namely: Hon. Paul Ohonbamu (Information and Communication); Hon. Washington Osifo (Water Resources and Energy); Mr. Paddy Iyamu (Education); Sir Lucky Eseigbe (Local Government and Chieftaincy); Mr. Andrew Ijegbai (Mining); and Barr. BISI Idahomi (Women Affairs and Social Development).
In addition to the three commissioners earlier appointed in November, namely: Hon. Samson Osagie (Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice); Mr. Emmanuel Okeobor (Finance); and Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole (Health), the total number of Edo State Commissioners is now nine. Without exception, these are persons with a track record of education, dedication and performance.
A critical assessment of these commissioners, who are the drivers of government policies and plans, reveals an interesting cabinet of scholarship, intellectualism, experience, youthfulness and vibrancy. Incidentally, this combination aligns with the character of the Governor and the Deputy Governor, who lead the State Executive Council.
Therefore, it is apt to conclude that Governor Okpebholo’s approach to forming his cabinet, is a deliberate one, geared towards selecting fit and proper persons that would help propel his ambitious vision of unprecedented development of Edo State.
It is right to conclude that Governor Monday Okpebholo has, in a manner of speaking, scored a bull’s eye in his cabinet building endeavour, as with other actions he has taken since taking the reins of government in Edo State.
Meanwhile, while it is a fact that most of these commissioners came by way of recommendations, their selection was at the instance of the Governor, who using his template of assessment, has given us persons whose credibility and competence are not in doubt.
Finally, it is no gainsaying that with his resolve to institute a legacy of excellence in governance, Governor Okpebholo is sure to continue the strategic selection of men and women of character and capacity, such as the ones mentioned here, for the State Executive Council and other agencies and parastatals of government. And with this inclination to selecting persons of impeccable credentials for the cabinet, a new Edo, under Governor Monday Okpebholo, that we can be proud of, will surely rise up.
Hon. Pius Alile is the Deputy Chief of Staff to Edo State Governor.
