History As Edo Gets First Physically Challenged Permanent Secretary

…..Okpebholo insists on merit, warns against fake directives

By Bloomshire Nigeria 

For the first time in the history of Edo State, a physically challenged civil servant has risen to the pinnacle of the state's bureaucracy, with Governor Monday Okpebholo on Friday swearing in Mr. Melody Omosah as Permanent Secretary alongside 19 others after what he described as a merit-driven and transparent selection process.

Omosah's elevation marks a historic milestone for the Edo State Civil Service and underscores the administration's commitment to merit, inclusiveness and equal opportunity in public service.

The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Festival Hall of Government House, Benin City, also featured the inauguration of two commissioners and seven members of the Governing Council of the Edo State College of Health Sciences and Technology.

Addressing the new appointees, Governor Okpebholo said the appointments were the outcome of a rigorous and transparent process in which competence prevailed over favouritism.

According to him, about 250 senior civil servants participated in the promotion exercise, out of which only 25 qualified for the final stage, while 20 eventually emerged 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 said the outcome reflected his administration's resolve to institutionalise merit and professionalism in the civil service.

"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 added.

The governor, however, cautioned the new permanent secretaries against acting on instructions purportedly issued in his name without proper verification, insisting that due process would remain the hallmark of his administration.

"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.

Reaffirming his administration's commitment to inclusiveness, Okpebholo assured members of the Igbo community and other ethnic groups resident in Edo State that appointments would continue to be based on competence rather than ethnicity or place of origin.

"I congratulate my Igbo brothers. There is no discrimination in Edo State. We are building an inclusive government, and there will be more opportunities for all groups in due course," he said.

Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated permanent secretaries, Omosah expressed gratitude to the governor for the confidence reposed in them and pledged their loyalty and commitment to the successful implementation of the administration's policies and programmes.

"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, one of the newly sworn-in commissioners, Mr. Martin Oli, described the appointments as further evidence that Governor Okpebholo places premium on competence, integrity and capacity rather than ethnic 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.

The ceremony was witnessed by senior government officials, political office holders, top civil servants, traditional rulers, family members of the appointees and other dignitaries.

The inauguration of Omosah as Edo State's first physically challenged Permanent Secretary was widely regarded as one of the defining moments of the ceremony, reinforcing the administration's message that public service advancement should be determined by merit, character and ability, not physical limitations or personal connections. @all