Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has sworn in 20 permanent secretaries, including Melody Omosah, who becomes the first visually impaired person to attain the position in the state’s civil service.
The historic appointment was part of a swearing-in ceremony held at the Festival Hall of the Government House on Friday in Benin City, where two commissioners and seven members of the Governing Council of the Edo State College of Health Sciences and Technology were also inaugurated.
Governor Okpebholo described the appointments as a reflection of his administration’s commitment to inclusiveness, professionalism and merit-based leadership.
He said the selection process was transparent and competitive, revealing that about 250 civil servants participated in the examination while 25 candidates were shortlisted for further assessment before the final 20 emerged.
According to the governor, the appointments were based on competence and excellence rather than political considerations.
He urged the newly appointed permanent secretaries to uphold due process and avoid acting on unofficial instructions allegedly issued in his name.
Okpebholo advised them to seek clarification through the appropriate channels whenever they receive questionable directives, stressing that accountability would remain central to his administration.
The governor also assured residents from different ethnic backgrounds, including the Igbo community, that his government would continue to provide equal opportunities based on merit.
Speaking on behalf of the permanent secretaries, Omosah expressed appreciation for the confidence placed in them and pledged their commitment to supporting the government’s policies and development programmes.
Newly inaugurated Commissioner Martin Oli said the appointments demonstrated the governor’s focus on competence, integrity and capacity rather than ethnicity or personal connections.
The elevation of Omosah marks a major step for disability inclusion in Edo State’s public service and highlights efforts to promote equal opportunities for qualified citizens regardless of physical challenges.
