Olusegun Ariyo
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has sacked Fred Itua as his Chief Press Secretary.
Urban Express News reports that the Secretary to the State government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, disclosed this in a statement dated December 4, 2025 and made available to newsmen in Benin-City.
Ikhilor, who did not give a reason for the sack, however, announced the appointment of Dr Patrick Ebojele as the new Chief Press Secretary.
Checks reveal that Fred Itua was allegedly sacked by the Governor for poor performance.
Chieftains of the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, such as Ogbeide Ifaluyi-Isibor and Shadrach Udugbai, have been calling for the governor to restructure his media team.
The duo’s agitations led to the replacement of the former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Paul Ohonbamu, with Prince Kassim Afegbua.
He said the appointment of Dr Ebojele reflected the commitment of the present administration to strengthen and deepen the communication channels between the Government and the good people of Edo State, ensuring clarity, transparency, and effective dissemination of Government policies, programmes, and activities.
The statement read in part: “The Edo State Government wishes to notify the general public that His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Executive Governor of Edo State, has approved the appointment of Dr Ebojele Akhere Patrick as the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor.
“Dr Ebojele Akhere Patrick is a renowned journalist, public administrator, researcher, and lecturer with an extensive and distinguished professional record in media practice, public affairs, and academia.
“Dr Ebojele’s journalism career spans reputable Nigerian media houses where he served as Edo/Delta Correspondent for Channels Television, as well as correspondent roles in New Nigerian Newspaper, Champion Newspaper, and Comet Newspapers.
“Dr Ebojele will be taking over from Mr Fred Itua, who will, upon handover, await a new reassignment to be communicated in due course. The Government expresses appreciation to Mr Itua for his contributions and service”.
Until his appointment, he was a lecturer at the Department of Public Administration, Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State.
