Okpebholo vows to chase criminals out of Edo, swears in new appointees
The governor said criminals will not be allowed to get away with murder or disrupt the relative peace in the state.
By Idris Temidayo
Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo, says his administration will chase criminals out of the state and restore “total peace in the heartbeat of the nation”.
A statement by Fred Itua, the spokesperson to the governor, said Okpebholo spoke on Monday during the swearing-in ceremony of new appointees held at the government house in Benin City, the state capital.
The governor said criminals will not be allowed to get away with murder or disrupt the relative peace in the state.
Those swore in include Emmanuel Okoebor as commissioner for finance, Paddy Iyamu, as chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), and Friday Ibadin, as coordinator, Edo security network.
Okpebholo charged the new appointees to use their positions to uplift the state.
“You know why you are here and the task ahead of you. You have to use your position to reposition Edo State. Edo should come first in all you do before your personal goals,” the statement reads.
“In terms of education, it was trust that enabled you get to that position, and I believe in your ability and capacity to deliver, and with hard work, I believe you will rebuild our educational system.
“You have been doing this with your personal money, but now is the time to use the resources of the State to move the education sector forward. When we say a new Edo is rising, this is the time to show it.
“I believe retired CP Ibadin is not a pushover in terms of securing Edo people. It is time to pursue criminals and send them out of our land.”
Okpebholo said Okoebor, the new commissioner for finance, is not a novice but experienced in the banking sector, urging him to use that experience to salvage state’s treasury.
“You have been in the banking sector and have the experience. You know the job; we didn’t pick you from the streets,” he said.
“You need to bring the experience to bear to save our land and money so we can use the money to develop edo state.”
Okoebor, who spoke on behalf of others, assured the governor and the people of Edo that they are committed to assisting him in realising his five-point development agenda.
The Edo state house of assembly (EDHA) had at last week Monday’s plenary, cleared the appointees after the adoption of the report of its committee on rules and business.
