23rd September, 2022
By Jethro Ibileke
Former state publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Christopher Osaretin Nehikhare, has been appointed Commissioner for Communication and Orientation.
Nehikhare who was earlier appointed to oversee the Ministry for Youth and Humanitarian Affairs, was swapped with his counterpart, Barr. Andrew Emwanta, following a cabinet reshuffle and rationalization of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the State Government.
The Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie who announced this in a statement on Friday, said Governor Godwin Obaseki gave the approval at the Executive Council (EXCO) on Wednesday.
The cabinet reshuffle and rationalization of MDAs led to the merger of certain ministries and re-deployment of Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries across MDAs.
The statement noted that the rationalization of the MDAs was as a “result of dwindling accruals from the Federation Account, which can no longer sustain the existing structure of the government.
“As regards the cabinet reshuffle, Andrew Emwanta has been moved from the Ministry of Communication and Orientation to the Ministry of Youths and Humanitarian Affairs, while Chris Nehikhare will now man the Ministry of Communication and Orientation.
“In the new structure, the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning has been merged with the Ministry of Finance to become the Ministry of Finance, Budget, Economic Planning and Development.
“The Ministry of Youth and Humanitarian Affairs is now the Ministry of Youth and Gender Issues while the former Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues is now the Ministry of Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs.
“The Ministry of Science and Technology is now the Ministry of Digital Economy, Science and Technology, while the Ministry of Mining, Oil and Gas has been merged with the Ministry of Energy to become the Ministry of Mining and Energy. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives is now the Ministry of Business, Trade and Cooperatives.
“The Ministry of Housing has been merged with the Ministry of Physical Planning, Urban and Regional Development to become the Ministry of Physical Planning, Housing, Urban and Regional Development.”
“The Ministry of Local Government has been merged with the Ministry of Community and Chieftaincy Affairs and now the Ministry of Local Government, Community and Chieftaincy Affairs.
“A new Office of Special Duties is to be headed by a Commissioner, Osasere Malachi Evbuomwan,” he stated.
According to Ogie, “the affected Permanent Secretaries include Osagie A. Peter who has been moved from the Ministry of Housing to the Ministry of Youths and Gender Issues while Felicia Edwards is now at the Ministry of Public Security and Safety.
“Edionwe Joel, formerly of the Ministry of Public Security and Safety is now in the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability, while Efe Iserhienrhien of the former Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning is now in the Ministry of Business, Trade and Cooperatives.
“Barbara Nekpen Aluyi Osobajo of the former Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues is now in the Ministry of Physical Planning, Housing, Urban and Regional Development.
“Ifueko Alufohai of the former Ministry of Youth and Humanitarian Affairs is now in the Ministry of Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs while Abieyuwa Naps from the Ministry of Business, Trade and Cooperatives is now in the Ministry of Digital Economy, Science and Technology.
“Washington Abbe from the Ministry of Transport has been moved to the Local Government Pensions Bureau while Gilbert Egwakhide has been moved from the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Special Duties,” Ogie added.
Ogie further noted, “Okodugha Birgitta has been moved from the former Ministry of Science and Technology to the Edo State Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA).