In a bold move to address Edo State’s mounting environmental challenges, Governor Monday Okpebholo on Wednesday inaugurated Barrister Blessing Agbomhere as Chairman of the Edo State Ecological Funding and Management Commission, charging him with leading a strategic, multi-sectoral response to the state’s ecological crises.
The appointment comes amid growing concerns over gully erosion, land degradation, flooding, and climate-induced threats across the state. Governor Okpebholo, speaking at the swearing-in ceremony in Benin City, emphasized his administration’s commitment to long-term environmental restoration and resilience.
“Our state has endured significant ecological damage over the years,” the governor said. “With this new team, I am confident we will deliver lasting relief to vulnerable communities. Barrister Agbomhere has the competence, courage, and network to attract both local and international collaboration for effective interventions.”
The governor called on the commission to engage with national environmental agencies, development partners, and multilateral institutions to secure funding and technical assistance for sustainable solutions. He underscored the urgency of implementing policies that prioritise environmental sustainability and community welfare.
In his remarks, Agbomhere expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him, pledging to serve with dedication, transparency, and impact.
“I am deeply honored by this responsibility,” he said. “We will work tirelessly to justify the governor’s confidence and improve the quality of life for the people of Edo through meaningful, science-backed ecological interventions.”
Agbomhere also reaffirmed his commitment to aligning with the state’s development agenda and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope vision, which identifies environmental protection as a national priority.
A seasoned legal practitioner and former Director of Corporate, Intergovernmental and Strategic Commerce at the African Bar Association, Agbomhere is widely respected in the fields of natural resources law, marine policy, and institutional reform.
Also sworn in at the ceremony were Hon. Felix Ibhade (Executive Director of Projects), Mrs. Ivie Uwaifo (Executive Director of Administration), and Mrs. Khadija Yusuf (Executive Director of Finance), alongside 21 commissioners and senior officials appointed to various state agencies.
The new appointments are seen as part of a broader effort by the Okpebholo administration to strengthen governance capacity and address long-standing ecological vulnerabilities across Edo State.
