Okpebholo appoints physically challenged lawyer, signals commitment to disability inclusion

Benin, Edo – In a move hailed as a beacon of inclusivity, Edo State Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo has appointed Ms. Kindness Ikponwonsa Idahosa, a resilient lawyer living with a physical disability, as a Law Officer in the Ministry of Justice.

The appointment, announced Wednesday, underscores the new administration's pledge to dismantle barriers and empower talented Edo indigenes regardless of physical challenges, embodying the governor's mantra that "there is always ability in every disability."

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebojele Akhere Patrick, described the decision as a deliberate step toward fairness and opportunity creation.

"The state is intentional about creating pathways for talented and hardworking citizens, regardless of their physical limitations," Patrick stated in a release.

He praised Idahosa's story as one of "uncommon triumph over adversity," highlighting her diagnosis with Hereditary Sensory Neuropathy, a rare spinal condition that confined her to home for 13 years after dropping out of school in Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS 3).

Idahosa's path to success was ignited by the Network for the Advancement of People with Visible Disabilities (NAPVID), which provided her with a wheelchair and sponsored her education. She gained admission to the University of Benin, graduating with a Second Class Upper Division in Law in 2023.

Undeterred, she advanced to the Nigerian Law School, acing her Bar Finals in 2024 and being called to the Nigerian Bar in September 2025, just months before this milestone appointment.

The governor, who assumed office on November 12, 2024, following a hard-fought election victory, has prioritized equitable governance since day one, including early cabinet appointments and asset protection laws.

In an exclusive interview with DAILY South Nigeria, the elated new appointee expressed profound gratitude.

"I want to say thank you to the Edo State government for such a wonderful offer. It shows the kind of person that Okpebholo is; and his heart towards us persons with disabilities shows that he himself embraces inclusion in his programs," Idahosa said, her voice brimming with optimism for a more accessible future.

Governor Okpebholo's administration, still in its early months, faces broader tests like economic recovery and infrastructure revival, but this gesture reinforces its human-centered agenda.

As Idahosa prepares to contribute her legal expertise to justice reforms, her story serves as a powerful reminder: In Edo, potential knows no bounds.