By Monday Ajogun
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo on Friday swore in the first visually-impaired permanent secretary in the state, Mr Melody Omosah, alongside 19 others, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to merit, inclusiveness and due process.
The inauguration, which was held at the Festival Hall of the Government House in Benin, also featured the swearing-in of two commissioners and seven members of the Governing Council of the Edo College of Health Sciences and Technology.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that one of the commissioners, Mr Martin Oli is from Enugu State.
Addressing the new appointees, Okpebholo said their emergence followed a transparent and merit-based selection process.
“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,” he said.
The governor said the Head of Service, Dr Anthony Okungbowa, had spoken highly of the competence of the newly appointed permanent secretaries, describing the exercise as one driven strictly by merit.
“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 said.
Okpebholo, however, urged them to adhere strictly to due process and avoid acting on directives not personally issued by him.
“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.
“Where that is not possible, channel your concerns through the head of service, who will bring them to my attention,” he added.
The governor also congratulated Igbo brothers in the state on the newly appointed commissioner, saying “there is no discrimination in Edo.
“We are building an inclusive government, and there will be more opportunities for all groups in due course.”
Okpebholo assured members of the Igbo community and other ethnic groups of greater inclusion in his administration.
Responding on behalf of the newly sworn-in permanent secretaries, Omosah thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in them and pledged their loyalty and dedication to the administration’s vision.
“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,” he said.
Speaking with journalists after the ceremony, Oli, said appointments under the Okpebholo administration were based on competence rather than ethnicity or regional affiliation.
“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,” he said. (NAN)
