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Okpebholo takes over in Edo, appoints Oshiomhole’s son into cabineT
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo and the Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, were sworn in on Tuesday in Benin City.
Following his victory in the state governorship election held on September 21, 2024, Okpebholo officially took over from former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Amid heavy crowd and security presence, Okpebholo, accompanied by his two daughters, took the oath of office and allegiance at 1:00 pm administered by the state Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.
Earlier, Idahosa, accompanied by his wife, mounted the podium to take the oath as the deputy governor of the state.
The governor later went ahead to inspect the guard of honour as well as a parade by the officers and men of the Nigeria Police.
Supporters of the party at the stadium cheered all through the oath-taking exercise meant to usher in the new administration in the state.
Speaking after his swearing-in, Okpebholo unveiled a five-point agenda for the development of the state.
In his inaugural speech, he pledged to prioritise security, infrastructure, healthcare, food sufficiency, and education.
The governor declared war on criminals, saying the era of incessant kidnapping and other violent crimes was over.
“Our citizens are a top priority for us. To achieve this, we shall implement programmes carefully outlined in my five-point agenda, designed to grow robust economic growth and improve the lives of our people.
“We will not betray this confidence you have reposed in me and the Deputy Governor, Rt. Honourable Dennis Idahosa,” Okpebholo said.
Bemoaning incessant cases of kidnapping and other crimes, the governor said his administration would be firm in dealing with criminals and improve the security of the state.
“For a long time now, our people have become victims of kidnapping and other violent crimes.
“To end this ugly situation, we will be firm in dealing with criminals and improve the security of our land, so that farming and other business activities will flourish again.
“The deplorable condition of our roads has made it difficult for people to move from one part of the state to another.
“Our policy to develop road infrastructure is targeted at constructing roads, drainages, and bridges to ease transportation for all.
“We shall immediately commence work to make the roads passable again.
“We are also ready to partner with the Federal Government, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, those in the diaspora, and other stakeholders, to develop our state across all sectors,” he said.
The governor promised that the new administration would support small businesses and market women with soft loans.
“Our teeming youthful population will not be left out. We shall support them in acquiring relevant skills for self-empowerment.
“My administration shall immediately swing into action to recruit teachers and rebuild the deplorable classrooms.
“Tertiary education will be strengthened in many ways, too, to ensure quality education,” Okpebholo added.
He added, “Fellow citizens, my administration is ready to link communities that have not yet been connected to the national grid to ensure that they have electricity.
“Our traditional institution shall be given the necessary support to play their role as custodians of our rich cultural heritage.
“It is in recognition of this that my administration shall support the decision of the Federal Government to uphold the Oba of Benin as the exclusive owner of the returned artefacts, which were looted by British colonial forces during the Benin Massacre of 1897,” he said.
He promised to work closely with other arms of government to strengthen democracy and good governance in the state.
The governor also announced a panel of inquiry into the remote cause of the failure to inaugurate 14 members-elect of the House of Assembly in 2019.
Okpebholo names new appointees
The governor appointed Dr Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, son of the former governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole, as the Commissioner for Health-designate.
In a press statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, on Tuesday, the governor also appointed Musa Ikhilor as the Secretary to State Government and a former member of the House of Representatives, Samson Osagie, as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice-designate.
Cyril’s academic journey began at St. Anne’s Primary School, followed by Command Secondary School.
He later pursued higher education at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery.
He enrolled at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, where he obtained a Master of Science in Public Health, majoring in Environmental Health, Toxicology, and Disaster Management.
His academic pursuits continued at Harvard University, Boston, where he underwent postgraduate training in Clinical Research and at Queen Mary University, London, where he studied Gastroenterology.
Ikhilor was born on the 6th of August 1980 at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State.
He attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained an LL.B in 2008 (Second class Upper Division). In 2009, he obtained a B.L. (Second Class Upper Division) at the Nigerian Law School and was enrolled as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In 2017, Ikhilor proceeded to acquire his Masters degree in Telecommunications Law (LL.M) from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
He has over 11 years of experience in legislative drafting, parliamentary administration, lawmaking procedures and processes, constitutional drafting and amendment, and general legislative governance issues working in various capacities at the National Assembly.
In 2019, he was appointed a Consultant to the House of Representatives on the review of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, where he had been closely analysing and reviewing matters on gender equity, human rights, strengthening institutions of government and creating efficient and transparent processes and systems to deliver good governance.
Also in 2019, he was appointed as Senior Special Assistant and later Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives who also doubled as the first Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.
In May 2022, he was assigned to act as the Chief of Staff to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives when the substantive Chief of Staff resigned to contest in the 2023 parliamentary elections.
In June 2022, Ikhilor was appointed by the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a Notary Public.
He is active in business, corporate legal practice and social works where he serves as the Managing Partner of Springfield Legal Consult and as the Executive Director and Board of Trustees member of Amana Legacy Foundation.
“In addition to these roles, he also provides consultancy services to several private and public sector entities. He is married and union blessed with children,” the statement read.
Itua said Osagie, the nominee for Attorney-General, is a private legal practitioner, having been called to the Nigerian Bar on March 22, 1995.
He is also the current Vice President of the African Bar Association (West Africa).
Born on November 11, 1967, Osagie hails from the Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State.
He was a two-term member of the Edo State House of Assembly and also the House of Representatives where he rose to the position of the Minority Whip.
He has been involved in intensive legal practice across Nigeria and the African continent.
He holds a first degree in Law from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, a qualifying Certificate for Law practice from the Nigerian Law School, and triple Master’s degrees in Law, Public Administration and International Relations.
He also bagged a Doctorate in Political Economy and Development Studies.
He has been a legal adviser, solicitor, and consultant to many corporate organisations and development partners.
Tinubu congratulates Okpebholo
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday extended his heartfelt congratulations to Okpebholo on his inauguration as the Edo State governor.
Tinubu conveyed his felicitations through a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga.
The statement is titled “President Tinubu congratulates Senator Okpebholo on Edo governorship inauguration.”
In his message, the President urged Okpebholo to diligently work to enhance the living standards of the people of Edo State and make a significant impact during his tenure.
Reflecting on the transition, the President noted that after eight years under Obaseki’s administration, Edo State was rejoining the ranks of the All Progressives Congress.
“He emphasised the importance of Governor Okpebholo justifying the confidence placed in him and the APC while fostering true democracy and effective governance in the state.
“The President encouraged Okpebholo to empower the legislature and other vital government institutions throughout his administration, underscoring that a robust and independent legislature is essential for achieving democratic good governance,” the statement read.
Expressing concerns, Tinubu lamented the previous administration’s attempts to undermine the legislative branch, which hindered its effectiveness for much of its tenure.
Additionally, Tinubu commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for the successful conduct of the Edo State governorship election and encouraged the commission to strive for even greater excellence in the upcoming Ondo State governorship election, scheduled for November 16, 2024.
The President celebrated this milestone as a new chapter in Edo State’s democratic journey and rejoiced with the people of Edo for this momentous occasion.
As Okpebholo and Idahosa were sworn in, Tinubu assured Nigerians that the nation’s most challenging economic period was now behind them.
In his address, Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, celebrated what he termed “democracy in its truest form,” stressing the significance of the popular will in shaping Nigeria’s political landscape.
Shettima leads delegation
Vice President Shettima led the Federal Government delegation to grace the inauguration.
Shettima was joined by governors across the country, who were elected on the platform of the APC.
The governors included AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Hope Uzodimma of Imo, Bassey Otu of Cross River, and Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto, among others.
The National Chairman of the APC, Dr Umar Ganduje and his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole, were also part of the ceremony, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin.
Other dignitaries included the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, among many others.
Parliament calls for youth inclusion
The Edo State Youth Parliament has urged Okpebholo to include youths in his government.
They promised to support the new administration in building a prosperous and inclusive future for the people of the state.
The Chairman of the State Youth Parliament, Fawaz Muhammad, at the inauguration ceremony on Tuesday, congratulated the governor and his deputy, expressing confidence that this would be the beginning of a new era of impactful leadership in the state.
He also expressed the parliament’s readiness to support the new administration in achieving its set objectives for the people of the state.
He said, “The Edo State Youth Parliament is calling on the new governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to include youths in his government, as they are ready to support the new administration in building a prosperous and inclusive future for the people of the state.
“We congratulate the governor and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa. We are confident that this will be the beginning of a new era of impactful leadership in the state.
“We believe that under your leadership, Edo State will experience significant advancements in youth development, education, economic empowerment, and community welfare.
“We are confident that this administration will bring hope, opportunity, and progress to every young person in Edo State.
“In this spirit, we humbly encourage your administration to prioritise youth inclusivity within the cabinet and in policies that impact our state.
“By engaging the perspectives and energy of Edo youths, this administration has the unique opportunity of fostering a more innovative, united, and dynamic state.”
Obaseki in Lagos, aide says
An aide to Obaseki has denied claims in some media outlets that the former governor has fled the country.
The aide, who craved anonymity, told The PUNCH that Obaseki was in Lagos on Sunday, where he was hosted by friends and business associates.
He also stated that the governor, in a broadcast on Monday night, spoke to the Edo people, thanking them for the support they gave him while he was in the saddle.
He noted that the former governor was passionate about Edo and he would always be a regular feature in the state.
He said, “There is no truth that the former governor has fled the country. There is no need for him to do that. His friends hosted him in Lagos on Sunday and he spoke to the Edo people in a broadcast on Monday.
“It is mischievous to say that Obaseki has run away from the country. He will remain in Nigeria and still support the Edo people.”
The Managing Director, Divine Dopacy Nigeria Limited, Gbenga Collins, has informed the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee that he paid N400 million to the purported Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, Adeniyi Adeyemi, after allegedly being promised a contract to renovate and furnish what was presented as the official residence of the DG.
This revelation comes amid the ongoing investigation into the alleged establishment and operations of the agency.
Narrating the ordeal before the committee on Tuesday, Collins noted that he believed the PFIPC was a genuine Federal Government institution because Adeyemi operated from an office in the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, moved with security personnel and official vehicles bearing government number plates, and received visitors in what appeared to be an authentic government office.
Collins, a graduate of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, said he first met Adeyemi, whom he described as a fellow indigene of Ogbomoso, during a programme in their hometown in December 2024.
According to him, Adeyemi later invited him to Abuja in early 2025 to discuss a business opportunity.
“When I arrived at the airport, he sent an official car to come and pick me up from the airport to his office at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja.
“When I got to his office, I met him there. He is a well-known man in Ogbomoso. I met a lot of people, very big dignitaries in his office, and I met a group of security officers guarding the office,” he said.
Collins said Adeyemi introduced himself as the Director-General of both the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and the PFIPC.
He told lawmakers that it was his first visit to Abuja and that the official setting gave him no reason to question Adeyemi’s claims.
“I saw police officers with him. That was my first time coming to Abuja because I’m not familiar with Abuja very well. He sent his official car to pick me up from the airport. It had a Federal Government registration number attached to the Lexus SUV,” he said.
Collins said Adeyemi later informed him that he had been allocated an official residence as the DG and wanted his (Collins’) company to handle its renovation and furnishing.
According to him, Adeyemi personally took him to inspect the property.
“He told me that he wanted to do refurbishment and renovation of the official house assigned to him as the DG of that agency and asked whether I would be able to handle the contract.
“He took me to the house to show me the property because I slept in Abuja. We went there the following day with his staff. We went with more than four, five or six vehicles with security. They opened the house and took us round, showing me what they wanted to do,” Collins added.
He said discussions continued until April 2025 when Adeyemi allegedly handed him a contract award letter, scope of work and an agreement between the purported council and his company.
Collins told the committee that he was informed he needed to pay N400m to demonstrate his company’s financial capacity and facilitate mobilisation for the contract.
“He gave me the contract award letter, the scope of work and the agreement with my company to execute the refurbishment project.
“I had to pay N400m for the facilitation of that project to show my strength that I would be able to handle the project. At the same time, he said it would fast-track the mobilisation for the contract,” he said.
The businessman disclosed that he raised the money from business associates who trusted him because he had personally visited Adeyemi’s office.
According to him, N380m was paid in four instalments between May and June 2025 into a Guaranty Trust Bank account belonging to World Entrepreneurs Limited, while the balance of N20m was paid on July 29, 2025, into an Access Bank account belonging to Sunshine Confectionery and Catering Services.
“When I was paying the money, I kept telling him that I collected the money from my colleagues who were doing business with me.
“I was the one who told them I had gone to this man’s office, so I believed it was going to be a great opportunity for us. That was why people started giving me the money,” Collins said.
He said Adeyemi repeatedly assured him that mobilisation for the project would commence in August 2025, but the promise never materialised.
“When I finished the payment, he said they were going to do the mobilisation by August,” he said.
Collins said subsequent explanations centred on security concerns before fresh assurances were given that payment would be made in November.
“I continued calling him. He kept managing me, telling me they were handling security issues and that they would pay in November,” he added.
The witness said he became suspicious after repeated attempts to reach Adeyemi failed and later consulted a lawyer in Abuja.
“My lawyer was the first person who told me that I had been scammed,” he told the committee.
He disclosed that his lawyer petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on November 13, 2025, and that he adopted the petition six days later.
“The petition was written on the 13th, and I was invited to adopt it on the 19th,” he said.
He added that investigators later informed him that Adeyemi repeatedly failed to honour invitations from the EFCC, allegedly citing ill health through his lawyer.
“Since then, the EFCC has been trying to invite him. I think he has been sending his lawyer. According to the Investigating Police Officer handling the case, his lawyer kept saying he would appear.
“Since then, I have not heard anything further, but they are on top of the matter. The EFCC will be in the best position to handle the rest,” Collins said.
Appealing to lawmakers, the businessman said the incident had ruined his business and forced him to dispose of personal assets.
“I just want to beg the Chairman and the honourable members to help me talk to all the agencies involved because I have been frustrated, especially by those people who gave me the money. I have started selling my property. My business is not going well again,” he lamented.
He maintained that he acted in good faith because everything surrounding Adeyemi suggested he was dealing with a genuine government official.
“I did all this based on trust. When I went to his office, I met a lot of big dignitaries there, people waiting to see him and people he was discussing contracts with. I also did it because he is from my hometown,” Collins said.
During the hearing, committee chairman Yusuf Gagdi asked Collins whether the N400m amounted to a bribe paid to secure the contract.
The witness rejected the suggestion, insisting that the payment was presented to him as a prerequisite for facilitating and mobilising the contract.
Lawmakers also asked whether he complied with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act before accepting the purported contract.
Collins admitted that he did not follow any formal procurement process.
“What I just have to say is to beg the committee, or to implore the committee, to please, in all their capacity, whatever they can use to assist me with the police that are investigating him because I was invited to the Cybercrime office. He said the same thing, that he did not deny collecting the N400m,” he told lawmakers.
He also confirmed that the money was never converted to United States dollars before it was transferred.
Responding to questions over Adeyemi’s absence from the public hearing, the committee chairman, Gagdi, disclosed that lawmakers would question Adeyemi at an undisclosed date and location to avoid interfering with ongoing investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the police.
The Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress ( NDC) in the 2027, Mr. Peter Obi, has criticised what he described as growing intolerance of dissent by the Federal Government, warning that attacks on religious leaders who speak on national challenges undermine democracy and distract from the country’s pressing problems.
In a statement titled “When a Government Declares War on the Truth,” Obi said Nigeria’s worsening economic hardship, insecurity, inflation and unemployment require sincere engagement with constructive criticism rather than hostility towards those who raise legitimate concerns.
According to him, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has never acted as an opposition platform but has consistently served as the nation’s moral conscience, speaking out on issues affecting the common good under both military and civilian administrations.
Obi noted that the same commitment to truth has been demonstrated by major Islamic and Christian organisations, including Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), all of which have repeatedly expressed concern over rising insecurity, economic hardship and inflation.
He argued that religious leaders are often among the first to witness the suffering of ordinary Nigerians because they live and work within local communities where families struggle daily with soaring food prices, unemployment, kidnappings and other security challenges.
Drawing from his experience as Governor of Anambra State, Obi said constructive criticism from traditional rulers and religious leaders contributed significantly to the successes recorded by his administration, particularly in education and healthcare.
“As leaders, we should be gracious enough to listen to people and organisations that speak the truth to us and genuinely criticise us when things are not going in the right direction,” he stated.
The former governor expressed concern over recent attacks on the CBCN and, in particular, on His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, following the bishops’ assessment of the nation’s condition. He recalled that when Pope John Paul II visited Nigeria in 1998 and openly challenged the late General Sani Abacha on issues including the detention of Chief Moshood Abiola, the pontiff was not subjected to public vilification.
Obi also pointed to what he described as a contradiction in the Federal Government’s relationship with the Catholic Church. He observed that President Bola Tinubu demonstrated respect for the Church during the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV in Rome by arriving ahead of many world leaders and participating fully in the ceremonies, but said that posture appeared to have changed following criticism from the Nigerian bishops.
He further accused political actors of attempting to exploit religious and ethnic divisions by portraying the bishops’ comments as a purely Catholic concern.
According to Obi, the issues highlighted by the bishops – including insecurity, poverty, inflation, unemployment and widespread hardship – affect all Nigerians irrespective of religion or ethnicity.
“The bishops merely expressed what millions of Nigerians experience daily,” he said, arguing that government officials should focus on addressing the concerns raised instead of attacking respected religious leaders.
Obi maintained that a democratic government should welcome honest feedback from credible institutions, insisting that national progress depends on leaders’ willingness to confront difficult truths rather than silence those who voice them.
Nollywood actress Temitope Osoba has died after a prolonged battle with cancer, bringing an end to her courageous fight against the illness.
The sad news was confirmed on Wednesday by fellow actor Alesh Ola Sanni, who announced her passing in a heartfelt message shared on his Instagram page.
Sanni disclosed that the actress died on Tuesday evening, expressing deep sorrow over her passing and recalling the memorable moments they shared together. He said he had been unable to sleep after receiving the news and described Osoba as a dear sister whose memories would remain with him.
Temitope Osoba’s death comes nearly two years after she publicly appealed for financial assistance to undergo a second surgery as part of her cancer treatment in November 2024.
During her battle with the illness, the actress spoke openly about the challenges she faced, revealing in an interview that doctors had informed her she might not be able to conceive for five years because of the medication required for her treatment.
She also disclosed that she underwent several medical examinations to determine whether the cancer had spread, but remained hopeful despite the diagnosis.
According to Osoba, she chose not to accept the medical prognosis regarding her chances of having children. Instead, she said she relied on her faith through prayers and fasting while continuing her treatment.
Her passing has sparked an outpouring of grief from colleagues, fans and members of the entertainment industry, who have continued to pay tribute to her life, resilience and contributions to Nollywood.
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