Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State on Friday inaugurated the state’s first visually impaired permanent secretary, Mr. Melody Omosah, alongside 19 other permanent secretaries, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to merit, inclusiveness and due process in public service appointments.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Festival Hall of the Government House in Benin City, also witnessed the inauguration of two commissioners and seven members of the Governing Council of the Edo College of Health Sciences and Technology.
One of the newly sworn-in commissioners, Mr. Martin Oli, is from Enugu State, a development the governor said reflects his administration’s commitment to building an inclusive government that values competence above ethnicity or state of origin.
Addressing the appointees, Okpebholo said their appointments followed a transparent and rigorous selection process designed to identify the most qualified candidates for the positions.
He disclosed that about 250 senior civil servants participated in the promotion exercise, after which 25 candidates were shortlisted for interviews, with only 20 emerging successful.
“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 commended the Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, for overseeing what he described as a credible and merit-driven process, adding that the newly appointed permanent secretaries had demonstrated exceptional competence.
“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 urged the new permanent secretaries to uphold professionalism and strictly adhere to due process in the discharge of their responsibilities.
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He also cautioned them against acting on instructions allegedly issued in his name without proper verification, noting that false directives were often attributed to 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 said.
The governor congratulated members of the Igbo community in Edo State on the appointment of Oli as commissioner, stressing that his administration remained committed to fairness and equal opportunities for all residents, irrespective of ethnic background.
“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.
He further assured the Igbo community and other ethnic groups living in the state of greater participation in governance as his administration continues to promote unity and diversity.
Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated permanent secretaries, Omosah expressed gratitude to the governor for the confidence reposed in them and pledged their commitment to supporting the administration’s development agenda.
“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.
Also speaking with journalists after the ceremony, Commissioner Martin Oli said the appointments made by the Okpebholo administration reflected its emphasis on competence rather than ethnicity or regional considerations.
“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 said.
Omosah’s appointment as Edo State’s first visually impaired permanent secretary has been widely viewed as a significant milestone for inclusion in the state’s civil service, reinforcing the administration’s message that merit and ability, rather than physical limitations or ethnic background, remain the key criteria for public office.
NAN
