The Edo State Government has announced a sweeping restructuring of its ministries as part of a comprehensive reform aimed at enhancing administrative efficiency and aligning with the Federal Government’s structure.

In an official statement released by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, it was disclosed that Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo has approved the reorganization to ensure that his administration’s SHINE Agenda aligns seamlessly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

As part of the restructuring, new ministries have been created while some previously defunct ones have been revived, bringing the total number of ministries in Edo State to twenty-eight (28).

According to the statement, the reform is designed to strengthen governance, improve coordination across key sectors, and boost the government’s capacity to deliver effectively on its mandate to the people of Edo State.

Below is the list of approved ministries and their respective commissioners:

Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy – Pending

Ministry of Works – Hon. (Dr.) Felix Ehiguese Akhabue

Ministry of Mining – Hon. Andrew Ijegbai

Ministry of Information and Strategy – Prince Kassim Afegbua

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Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs – Hon. Paul Nosayaba Ohonbamu

Ministry of Business, Trade and Investment – Omoh Anabor

Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security – Dr. Jerry Uwangue, FCISM

Ministry of Livestock Development – Prof. Omorodion Ignatius Ikponwosa

Ministry of Environment and Sustainability – Hon. (Barr.) Nosa T. Adams

Ministry of Health – Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole

Ministry of Education – Dr. Emmanuel Paddy Iyamu

Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development – Dr. Lucky Eseigbe

Ministry of Lands and Housing – Hon. Yakubu Oshiorenua Musa, JP

Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy – Ohimai Ehijimetor

Ministry of Science and Technology – Hon. Etin-Osa Ogbeiwi

Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation – Dr. Washington Osa Osifo

Ministry of Youth Affairs – Hon. Charity Amayaenvbo

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Ministry of Women Affairs – Eugenia Abdallah

Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation – Barr. Marie Olabisi Idaomi

Ministry of Power – Barr. Usenbo Paul Ehigie

Ministry of Oil and Gas Resources – Barr. Vincent Osas Uwadiae

Ministry of Finance – Engr. Emmanuel Okoebor

Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning – Dr. Elizabeth Ebosele

Ministry of Transportation – Hon. Saturday Uwuilekhue Idehen (JP)

Ministry of Justice – Prof. Roland Itoya Otaru, SAN

Ministry of Labour and Productivity – Godwin Afekokhe Eshieshi

Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations – Hon. (Barr.) Kenneth Okoruwa Ihensekhien

Ministry of Public Security and Safety – Hon. Ebea Festus Odianosen

Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to good governance, economic transformation, institutional efficiency, and inclusive development, stressing that the reforms reflect his vision of building a more responsive and people-centered government.

The Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (BASUBEB), has decried the low turnout at a capacity building exercise for teachers and stakeholders in the state.

The training exercise is being organised in collaboration between the board and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

Inaugurating the exercise on Tuesday in Bauchi, SUBEB Chairman, Adamu Mohammed, said about 130 head-teachers; principals, planning and statistics officers were expected to attend the three-day training programme.

Mohammed frowned at the low number of the participants attending the exercise, and vowed to sanction defaulters.

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“I’m not happy to see the number of you around now. Ordinarily, you are not more than 70 now. I don’t know exactly what happened. Is it that you are not interested or what?

“Unfortunately; you are not ready for this training. Out of the130 participants, see the number of you present here.

“This is very discouraging. I’m not happy with this number and I don’t think I’m going to pay allowances for 130 participants. I will not, call me whichever name but I’m embarrassed,” he said.

He, however, commended the participants present and instructors, calling for more support in future endeavours.

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According to Mohammed, the training exercise aims to keep the teachers abreast and technically oriented to enable them to deliver towards repositioning the basic education level.

He said that such exercise was paramount at the basic level of education – a starting point where one could either have a good education system or a bad one.

Prof. Lawan Abdulhamid, a training facilitator, said the training aimed to build teachers’ confidence and competence in using technology.

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He said that it also aimed to bridge the digital divide across schools, enhance learning experiences through interactive digital tools, and strengthen teachers as digital educators and innovators.

Abdulamid is an official of the WITS School of Education, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

He urged the Nigerian government to develop a control mechanisms on application of the Artificial Intelligence (AI), to check excesses and abuse, particularly in the education sector.

The don also warned teachers and other educators to be wary of the AI, and encouraged them to develop lesson notes/plans, to guard against generating wrong information capable of jeopardising the essence of sourcing materials for teaching.

New coach of Bendel Insurance Football Club, Benin, Coach Kennedy Boboye, on Tuesday assured management and Supporters Club of the Benin Arsenal that things will change for good.

Boboye spoke at his official unveiling as the new coach of the Benin Arsenal which was held at the Media Centre of the Samuel Ogbemudia Studium, Benin City.

The new Head Coach, who solicited for cooperation and support from both the management, players and supporters of the club, said with this, he would bring his expertise in football management to bear, and make sure the football club took its position in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

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Earlier, Chairman, Edo State Sports Commission, Amadin Enabulele, expressed optimism that, going by the track records of the new coach, the Benin Arsenal would experience the needed change.

“This coach is a proven winner. He knows what it takes to succeed in this league, and he brings with him a mindset that aligns perfectly with the ambition we have for this football club,” he said.

On his part, the Chairman, Bendel Insurance Football Club, Jarrett Tenebe, said though he’s not satisfied with the current position of the football club in the Nigeria Premier Football League, this new coach would restore the lost glory.

Bendel Insurance is in the 19th position of the league with six points.