Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the appointment of a physically-challenged lawyer, Ms. Kindness Ikponwonsa Idahosa, as a Law Officer in the Ministry of Justice — a landmark move widely seen as a boost for disability inclusion and equal opportunity in the state’s public service.
The governor, in a statement from his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Ebojele Akhere Patrick, said the decision reinforces his administration’s commitment to recognising competence over physical limitations. He maintained that Ms. Idahosa’s appointment sends “a clear message that disability does not diminish potential,” adding that there is “always ability in every disability.”
Ms. Idahosa’s rise has been described as a remarkable story of resilience and determination. Diagnosed with Hereditary Sensory Neuropathy, a debilitating spinal condition, she was forced to discontinue her education in Junior Secondary School 3 and stayed home for thirteen years.
Her breakthrough came when the Network for the Advancement of People with Visible Disabilities intervened, providing her with a wheelchair and sponsoring her return to school. She later secured admission to study Law at the University of Benin, graduating in 2023 with a Second Class Upper Division. She proceeded to the Nigerian Law School in 2024 and successfully completed her Bar Finals before being called to the Nigerian Bar in September 2025.
Governor Okpebholo’s approval of her employment, observers say, underscores his administration’s push for fairness, empowerment and practical inclusion, especially for citizens who continue to excel despite daunting personal challenges.
