* Obaseki 

By Ikhili Monday  EBALU, Benin City 

 The Edo state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has appointed and sworn-in Mr. Osarodion Ogie as Secretary to the State Government.

 Besides, Governor Obaseki also appointed Mr Taiwo Francis Akerele as the Chief of staff Government House and Mr. John Mayaki as his interim Chief Press Secretary (CPS).

 Mr. Osarodion Ogie, until his appointment as SSG was a former Commissioner for Works under the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole's administration, former Vice Chairman, Economic and Strategy Team and former Chief of Staff during the first tenure of the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole administration.

 Mr. Taiwo Francis Akerele, until now was the Project Coordinator for the World Bank Public Financial Management and Youth employment Program for Edo state.

 Mr Akerele was trained at the Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts USA. Carlton University, Ottawa, Canada, Stellenbosch University Cape Town, World Bank Institute Washington DC, University of Ibadan and University of Benin. 

 A trained banker, Mr Akerele previously worked at the UBA (Strategy Group) , FCMB (credit), Afribank (market intelligence) the old Fidelity Union Merchant Bank where he did his NYSC and the Lagos Business School. He was founding member of center for Values in Leadership.

 In his capacity as world Bank coordinator for Edo, Mr Akerele midwifed the PFM laws, the procurement laws, the néw audit laws and the budget reform program for the state. 

 As at 2016, the program has employed over 4,000 youths involved in public works program across Edo state. Mr Akerele had previously served as Senior Policy Economist to the Governor between 2008 and 2011.

 Mayaki, before his appointment was Executive Director, Media and Public Affairs during the Adams Oshiomhole's administration. He was former Senior Special Assistant on Media and was twice appointed Chief Press Secretary, Akoko-Edo Local Government Council in 2003. The former reporter with the defunct Comet Newspaper in 2006, was the State correspondent of The Nation Newspaper till 2008.

 Mayaki studied journalism at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba Lagos and  holds a BA in International Studies and Diplomacy, University of Benin, Benin City.