Okpebholo Receives Outstanding Leadership, Muslim Inclusion Award

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has received an award for outstanding leadership and Muslim inclusion and representation in governance from the Edo State Council for Islamic Affairs (EDSCIA), while pledging to address concerns raised by the Muslim community, including Islamic religious education, hijab rights and access to prayer facilities.

The governor received the award when the council’s leadership, led by its Chairman, Alhaji Abdulaziz Igbinidu, paid him a visit at Government House, Benin City.

Speaking on behalf of the council, Alhaji Bako Yusuf said the council presented the award to appreciate the governor for what it described as an unprecedented level of Muslim inclusion in his administration.

He noted that Muslims now occupy key positions in government, including the offices of Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, commissioner and Special Adviser on Islamic Religious Matters.

“We cannot thank you enough because it has never happened in this way in the state. The level of Muslim inclusiveness, from the position of the SSG to the Chief of Staff, commissioner and Special Adviser on Islamic Religious Matters, is unprecedented,” the council said.

The council commended the governor for creating opportunities for Muslims to participate in governance and assured him of the community’s prayers and support.

It, however, appealed to the governor to address concerns affecting Muslim pupils and students in public schools, particularly reports that some Muslim children were being compelled to study Christian Religious Studies (CRS) instead of Islamic Religious Studies (IRS).

The council disclosed that the Muslim community had more than 50 qualified teachers of Arabic and Islamic Studies who could be considered for employment in the state’s teaching service to help address the shortage of teachers and improve access to Islamic religious education.

On hijab rights, the council urged the governor to ensure compliance with existing legal provisions, alleging that some teachers continued to harass Muslim female students for wearing the Islamic head covering.

It said the matter had been raised with the Commissioner for Education, who promised to issue a statement on the issue.

The council also requested the allocation of land at the State Secretariat to enable Muslim civil servants to observe their daily prayers.

It disclosed that construction of its secretariat along Lucky Way, Benin City, had commenced, with a school also operating at the location. The council appealed to the governor to support the completion of the project during his administration.

The delegation further informed the governor of plans to hold a Muslim summit in Auchi on November 21, 2026, to bring members of the community together and communicate its position on civic and political participation.

It added that efforts were underway to ensure that Muslims were adequately informed about the activities and policies of the Okpebholo administration.

Responding, Governor Okpebholo thanked the council for the recognition and assured its leadership that the concerns raised would receive attention.

“Let me thank you for taking time to think of me, most especially for the award. I thank you so much. I have heard your requests. We will look into them,” he said.

On Islamic Religious Studies, the governor said his administration would examine the matter and seek a resolution that accommodated the concerns of all parties.

“For Islamic Religious Studies, it is something that we will see how we can resolve so that everybody will be happy. There is no problem at all. We will look at them one by one and see how we can make it up. We are one,” he said.

The governor also made reference to the Quran’s mention of Jesus Christ, highlighting common ground between Islam and Christianity.

Those present at the meeting included the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq.; Chief of Staff, Hon. Yakubu Musa; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua; Special Adviser on Islamic Religious Matters, Hon. Ahmed Musa Momoh; and Executive Secretary of the Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Eranga Abdulkabir Muhammadkabir, among others.