Gov Okpebholo makes key appointments hours after swearing-in

Senator Monday Okpebholo, the newly inaugurated Governor of Edo State, has announced his first set of appointments just hours after assuming office on Tuesday.

Barrister Musa Ikhilor has been appointed as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), while nominations for key cabinet positions have also been unveiled.

In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, Governor Okpebholo nominated Dr. Samson Osagie as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice and Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole as Commissioner for Health.

Their appointments will be subject to confirmation by the Edo State House of Assembly.

Profiles of Appointees

Barrister Musa Ikhilor (SSG)

Born on August 6, 1980, Barr. Musa Ikhilor is a legal professional with a distinguished career in legislative and constitutional law.

A graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, he earned his LL.B in 2008 with a Second Class Upper Division and subsequently obtained his B.L. from the Nigerian Law School in 2009. Ikhilor later pursued a Master’s degree in Telecommunications Law at the same university.

He has over 11 years of expertise in legislative governance, serving in key roles at the National Assembly, including as a Consultant on the review of the 1999 Constitution and as a Senior Special Assistant to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

In 2022, he was appointed a Notary Public by the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He is also active in corporate law and social work and serves as Managing Partner at Springfield Legal Consult.

Dr. Samson Osagie (Attorney-General Nominee)

A seasoned legal expert and Vice President of the African Bar Association (West African Region), Dr. Samson Osagie was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1995.

He holds a Law degree from Obafemi Awolowo University and boasts multiple master’s degrees in Law, Public Administration, and International Relations, along with a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Development Studies.

Osagie, who has represented Uhunmwode LGA as a two-term lawmaker and served as Minority Whip in the House of Representatives, has extensive experience in legislative and legal practice.

Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole (Health Commissioner Nominee)

Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, son of former Governor and current Senator Adams Oshiomhole, has a rich academic background in medicine and public health.

He graduated with an MBBS from Ahmadu Bello University and pursued further studies at Tulane University, where he earned a Master of Science in Public Health.

He has also completed postgraduate training at Harvard University and specialized in Gastroenterology at Queen Mary University, London.