Okpebholo appoints Oshiomhole’s son as health commissioner

E Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo has appointed Dr Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, son of the former governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole, as the Commissioner for Health-designate.

Okpebholo and the Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, were sworn in on Tuesday in Benin City.

Following his victory in the state governorship election on September 21, 2024, Okpebholo officially succeeded former Governor Godwin Obaseki.

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.

He has a master’s degree in public health and majors in environmental health, toxicology, and disaster management.

Fred Itua, Okpebholo’s spokesperson, said in a statement on Tuesday that the governor also nominated Samson Osagie, a former member of the national assembly, as the attorney-general and commissioner for justice.

“On the new state attorney-general, Dr. Samson Osagie is a private legal practitioner having been called to the Nigerian Bar on March 22nd, 1995,” the statement reads.

He is also the current vice president of the African Bar Association (West African Region),” the statement reads.

“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.

Itua said the Osagie and Oshiomhole’s names would be forwarded to the Edo State House of Assembly for confirmation.

He added that Okpebholo also announced the appointment of Musa Ikhilor as the secretary to the state government.

“Barrister Ikhilor has over 11 years of experience in legislative drafting, parliamentary administration, lawmaking procedure and processes, constitutional drafting and amendment, and general legislative governance issues working in various capacities at the national assembly,” Itua said.

“Barr. Ikhilor 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 the Amana Legacy Foundation.”