Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has named Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole as the new Commissioner for Health. This appointment was made public through a statement issued on Tuesday by Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor. The announcement also included two other key appointments: Musa Ikhilor as Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Samson Osagie as the Attorney-General.
The governor stated that these appointments are subject to confirmation by the Edo State House of Assembly.
Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole has a strong educational background in health and medicine. His journey began at St. Anne’s Primary School and Command Secondary School before he pursued his Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He went on to earn a Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH), specializing in Environmental Health, Toxicology, and Disaster Management, from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans. Additionally, he completed postgraduate training in Clinical Research at Harvard University and studied Gastroenterology at Queen Mary University, London.
Musa Ikhilor, the new Secretary to the State Government, was born on August 6, 1980, at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital in Benin City. He graduated with an LL.B from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 2008 and earned a B.L. from the Nigerian Law School in 2009. His 11-year career spans legislative drafting, parliamentary administration, constitutional review, and governance consulting, including work with the National Assembly. In 2019, he was appointed a consultant to the Federal House of Representatives on the review of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and later served as a Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker of the House. In 2022, he was appointed by the Supreme Court as a Notary Public.
The nominee for State Attorney-General, Dr. Samson Osagie, is a seasoned legal practitioner with a distinguished career. Called to the Nigerian Bar in 1995, Dr. Osagie has held prominent positions, including Vice President of the African Bar Association (West African Region). He also served two terms in the Edo State House of Assembly and in the House of Representatives, where he was the Minority Whip. Dr. Osagie hails from Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State and brings extensive experience to his new role.
These appointments are expected to bring renewed leadership to Edo State’s administration.