Okpbholo Approves Four Additional Commissoner-Nominees

The latest approval now brings the total number of commissioners so far appointed and nominated to 26.

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has again approved four commissioner-nominees to be appointed into the State Executive Council.

The latest approval now brings the total number of commissioners so far appointed and nominated to 26.

This was disclosed in a Wednesday statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Umar Musa Ikhilor.

He said the names of the nominees would be forwarded to the Edo State House of Assembly for consideration and confirmation.

Ikhilor gave the names of the nominees to include Dr Jerry Uwangue, Dr Kenneth Okoruwa Ihensekhien, Barr Usenbo Paul Ehigie and Akhigbe Osi John Sunday.

One of the nominees, Dr Kenneth Okoruwa Ihensekhien, was a former Minority Leader in the Edo State House of Assembly between 1999 and 2003, former Commissioner for Youth & Sports, Commissioner for Energy & Water Resources, Commissioner for Agriculture & Natural Resources and Special Adviser on Project Monitoring.

He served as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor and Principal Private Secretary to the APC National Chairman between 2018 and 2020.

See the full statement below:

GOVERNMENT SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
The Edo State Government wishes to inform the general public that His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, has approved the nomination of the following individuals as Commissioner-Designates for Edo State:
1. Dr. Jerry Uwangue, FCISM
2. Hon. (Barr.) Kenneth Okoruwa Ihensekhien
3. Barr. Usenbo Paul Ehigie
4. Akhigbe Osi John Sunday

Dr. Jerry Uwangue, FCISM
Dr. Jerry Uwangue is the Managing Director/CEO of J&G Engineering and Construction Services Ltd., with over two decades of experience in Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Operations, and Maintenance (EPCOM) services in the oil, gas, and power sectors. He is renowned for driving business growth, spearheading innovative fabrication projects, and improving operational efficiency. Dr. Uwangue is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Information and Strategy Management (FCISM), recipient of the African Leadership Excellence Award, and Ambassador of the African Union Agenda 2063 for outstanding achievements in business and local content development.

Hon. (Barr.) Kenneth Okoruwa Ihensekhien, Ph.D
Hon. (Barr.) Kenneth Ihensekhien is a seasoned lawyer, politician, and public administrator with a rich history of service to Edo State. He has served as Minority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly (1999–2003), Commissioner for Youth & Sports (2003–2005), Commissioner for Energy & Water Resources (2005–2007), Commissioner for Agriculture & Natural Resources (2007–2008), Special Adviser on Project Monitoring (2013–2014), Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor (2015), and Principal Private Secretary to the APC National Chairman (2018–2020). He holds a B.A. in Philosophy, LL.B, BL, M.Sc. in Political Science, and a Ph.D in International Relations from the University of Benin.

Barr. Usenbo Paul Ehigie
Barr. Usenbo Paul is a highly skilled legal practitioner and knowledge management professional with more than 20 years of cross-sector experience. He has served as General Manager, Regulatory Compliance at FGR Energy Services, where he developed compliance frameworks and risk mitigation strategies, and as Senior Legislative Aide to the National Assembly, providing research and drafting support for over 25 bills and motions. He is Principal Partner of Paul Usenbo & Co., a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), and a respected figure in governance, integrity reform, and public finance management.

Akhigbe Osi John Sunday
Akhigbe Osi John Sunday is a respected technocrat and community development advocate. He has been actively involved in initiatives promoting youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and civic participation in governance. He is recognized for his commitment to public service and grassroots development, consistently working to strengthen community engagement and socio-economic growth.

The nominations of the above-listed individuals will be forwarded to the Edo State House of Assembly for consideration and confirmation.

Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq.
Secretary to the State Government