The Coordinator of the Edo State Office of the First Lady, Mrs Edesili Okpebholo Anani, has commended heads of government agencies for their contributions to the implementation of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda.
Anani gave the commendation when a delegation of agency heads paid her a condolence visit at the Government House in Benin City following the death of her mother, Madam Charity Okpebholo.
She expressed appreciation for the delegation’s visit, noting that many of the officials were people she had known personally and worked closely with in the service of Edo State.
She described the agency heads as important contributors to the delivery of the state government’s policies and programmes, saying their work helps translate the governor’s SHINE Agenda into tangible outcomes for residents.
“I want to thank you especially for what you do for the state. You are the ones that amplify the agenda of His Excellency, which is the SHINE Agenda. So thank you so much,” she said.
The First Lady’s Coordinator acknowledged the role of government agencies in ensuring that policies move beyond official announcements to deliver practical benefits to the people.
Speaking on the loss of her mother, Anani described grief as a difficult experience but said the support of friends, colleagues and well-wishers had helped her through the period of mourning.
She described her late mother as a kind woman and expressed gratitude to God for her life and the opportunity to give her a befitting burial.
Anani also thanked those who had consistently reached out to her and stood by her during moments of grief. She appealed for continued prayers, particularly for her father, whom she described as bearing the greatest pain following the loss of his lifelong companion.
She announced that the burial arrangements for her mother would take place on December 10 and 11, 2026, in Udomi Village, and extended an invitation to friends, colleagues and well-wishers.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Managing Director of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA), Mr Stainless Ijeghede, said the agency heads visited to express their sympathy and solidarity with Anani and her family.
Speaking on behalf of the forum, its Secretary and Managing Director of the Edo State Parks and Gardens Agency, Pastor Stanley Ighodaro, thanked Anani for her support and described her as one of the pillars behind the achievements recorded by the state government.
He offered the delegation’s condolences, describing a mother as a child’s first teacher, source of hope, prayer and strength. He said the values demonstrated by Anani in her service to women, children and vulnerable groups reflected the nurturing she received from her late mother.
Ighodaro prayed for the repose of Madam Charity Okpebholo’s soul and asked God to grant Anani, her father and other family members the strength and comfort to bear the loss.
The condolence visit brought together heads of government agencies to express support for the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady while acknowledging the role of state institutions in implementing the governor’s development agenda.
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