Edo State Governor Okpebholo unveils his first wave of key appointments, appointing Oshiomhole’s son to a prominent cabinet position, signaling his administration’s priorities.
Soon after taking the oath of office as the new governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo announced his initial appointments, highlighting the priorities for his administration.
Barrister Musa Ikhilor has been named the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), positioning him as a central figure in coordinating the activities of the new administration.
In addition, Dr. Samson Osagie, a former federal lawmaker, has been nominated for the position of Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. Meanwhile, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole has been chosen to serve as the Health Commissioner.
Dr. Cyril, the son of former Governor and current Senator Adams Oshiomhole, embodies continuity in the political landscape of the state as his father serves as the Senator for Edo North.
In a press statement endorsed by Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, it was announced that Osagie and Oshiomhole’s appointments will be confirmed by the Edo State House of Assembly once Governor Okpebholo submits their names.
Dr. Samson Osagie, nominated for the role of Attorney-General, is a private legal practitioner who was admitted to the Nigerian Bar on March 22, 1995.
He additionally serves as the vice president of the African Bar Association for the West African Region.
Dr. Osagie, born on November 11, 1967, is originally from the Uhunmwode Local Government Area in Edo State.
He served two terms in the Edo State House of Assembly and was also a member of the House of Representatives, where he advanced to become the Minority Whip.
He has been actively engaged in rigorous legal practice throughout Nigeria and the African continent.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the esteemed Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He also obtained a qualifying Certificate for legal practice from the Nigerian Law School and completed three Master’s degrees in Law, Public Administration, and International Relations. Additionally, he was awarded a Doctorate Degree in Political Economy and Development Studies.
He has served as a Legal Adviser, Solicitor, and Consultant for numerous corporate organizations and development partners.
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Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole started his academic journey at St. Anne’s Primary School and continued to Command Secondary School. He then attended Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery (MBBS).
Oshiomhole attended Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans, LA, where he earned a Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) with a focus on Environmental Health, Toxicology, and Disaster Management.
He furthered his academic pursuits at Harvard University in Boston, where he completed postgraduate training in Clinical Research, and at Queen Mary University in London, where he studied Gastroenterology.
Barr. Ikhilor was born on August 6, 1980, at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital in Benin City, Edo State. He attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he earned an LL.B with Second Class Upper Division honors in 2008. The following year, he obtained a B.L., also with Second Class Upper Division honors from the Nigerian Law School and was subsequently enrolled as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In 2017, Barr. Ikhilor furthered his education by pursuing a Master’s degree (LL.M) in Telecommunications Law at Ahmadu Bello University once again.
Barr. Ikhilor brings over 11 years of experience in legislative drafting, parliamentary administration, lawmaking procedures and processes, constitutional drafting and amendments, as well as general legislative governance issues through his work at the National Assembly in various roles.
In 2019, he was appointed as a Consultant to the Federal House of Representatives in Nigeria for the review of the country’s 1999 Constitution. In this role, he has been actively engaged in analyzing and evaluating issues related to gender equity, human rights, enhancing government institutions, and developing efficient and transparent processes aimed at promoting good governance.
In 2019, he was appointed as the Senior Special Assistant and subsequently served as a Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s Federal House of Representatives. This role coincided with his position as the 1st Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.
In May 2022, he was appointed to serve as Chief of Staff to the Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s Federal House of Representatives following the resignation of the previous Chief of Staff, who stepped down to run in the 2023 parliamentary elections.
In June 2022, the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria appointed Barrister Ikhilor as a Notary Public.
Barrister Ikhilor is actively involved in business, corporate legal practice, and social work. He holds the position of Managing Partner at Springfield Legal Consult and serves as Executive Director and member of the Board of Trustees for Amana Legacy Foundation. Beyond these roles, he offers consultancy services to various private and public sector organizations. He is married with children.
