Oshiomhole’s Commissioners To Take Oath Of Office

JETHRO IBILEKE/Benin

Eighteen of the 19 Commissioner nominees cleared by the House of Assembly in Nigeria’s Edo State are to be sworn in by the State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, on Friday, March 8, 2013.

Amongst those to be sworn-in are Prince Clem Agba, Mr. Osarodion Ogie, Mr. Patrick Agwinede, Mr Chris O. Ebare, Mr. Francis Evbuomwan, Mr. Henry Idahagbon, Mr. John Osagie Inegbedion and Chief Lucky James.

Others are Mr. MacDonald Obasuke, Mr. Louis Odion, Mrs. Blessing Maigida, Mr. Ekpenisi Omorotiomwan, Mr. Orobosa Omo-Ojo, Hon Abdul Oroh, Mrs. Omorede Osemede Osifo, Mr. Lawrence O. Aghedo, Mr Isimeme Iriogbe and Mr. Donald Osikhena.

Conspicuously missing on the list is the name of Ms. Aanena Jemitola who was screened and cleared by the House on Wednesday after subjecting her to a reading and writing test during plenary.

The omission might not be unconnected with the series of petitions written against her by members of her constituency (Akoko-Edo), challenging her academic qualifications.

Majority Leader of the House, Philip Shuaibu however said that the constitutional prerequisite qualification for anyone to be elected or appointed to serve the nation in any capacity was his or her ability to read and write.

A press statement signed by Mr. Peter Okhiria, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Oshiomhole, said the swearing-in will hold at the Festival Hall, Government House in Benin, by 11:00 am.