BY DANIEL-NWOSU LUCY
BENIN CITY — The newly appointed Edo State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Elizabeth Ebosele, has declared her readiness to hit the ground running as the State gears up for the formulation of the 2026 fiscal year budget, stressing that her ministry will play a crucial role in driving Governor Monday Okpebholo’s economic vision.
During a maiden meeting with management staff of the ministry at its headquarters in Benin City, Dr. Ebosele described her appointment as a “call to duty and responsibility,” pledging to deploy her experience and commitment to ensure efficient planning, prudent budgeting, and fiscal discipline.She thanked Governor Okpebholo for the confidence reposed in her, describing his trust as both “an honour and a challenge to deliver results.”
She reaffirmed her commitment to provide purposeful leadership, promote teamwork, and align the ministry’s operations with the administration’s five-point SHINE Agenda, which emphasizes sustainable development, human capital growth, infrastructure, and economic empowerment.
According to her, “The period ahead is crucial as we prepare for the 2026 budget year. We have a lot of tasks ahead, but this is not new to us. I believe the management and staff of this ministry are ready and capable of delivering on our shared mandate.”
Welcoming the Commissioner, the Functioning Permanent Secretary, Mr. Kingsley Ogbodu, described her appointment as “a round peg in a round hole,” noting that her vast experience in public finance and strategic planning would strengthen the ministry’s capacity to deliver on its responsibilities. He pledged the management’s full cooperation in ensuring a smooth and effective budget process.
The assumption of duty featured a brief but colourful welcome ceremony and a prayer session led by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Chekwube, who prayed for divine wisdom and success in her tenure. Dr. Ebosele was later conducted on a guided tour of all departments and offices of the ministry by the Permanent Secretary and directors.
