Manny Ita –
The Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the appointment of renowned Nollywood actress and philanthropist, Mrs. Mercy Johnson-Okojie, as his Special Adviser on Public Engagement and Advocacy. The announcement was contained in an official statement released on Thursday, February 19, 2026, by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Musa Ikhilor, in Benin City. According to the communique, the appointment is a strategic move designed to strengthen the administration’s connection with the citizenry and enhance the communication of government policies. “This is to inform the general public that Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the appointment of Mercy Johnson-Okojie as Special Adviser on Public Engagement and Advocacy,” the statement read, further describing her as an “accomplished Nigerian actress, producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist” whose career spans nearly two decades with over 200 film credits.
In justifying the appointment, the state government highlighted Johnson-Okojie’s extensive humanitarian work through her foundation, which focuses on women’s empowerment, child welfare, and healthcare outreach. The SSG emphasized that the actress is expected to “deploy her vast public influence, communication expertise, and grassroots reach to strengthen residents’ engagement with government policies and programmes.” This role marks her second major foray into political administration, following her 2017 appointment as Senior Special Assistant on Entertainment, Arts, and Culture to the then-Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello. Her husband, Prince Odianosen Okojie, is also active in the political sphere, currently representing the Esan North-East/Esan South-East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Reacting to the appointment via her official social media channels, Johnson-Okojie expressed gratitude to Governor Okpebholo for the “trust and confidence” reposed in her. She described the new role as a “call to serve, connect, listen, and advocate with purpose,” pledging to align her efforts with the Governor’s “SHINE Agenda” for the state. “I am deeply honoured… this appointment fundamentally involves amplifying citizens’ voices and encouraging their participation in governance,” she stated, adding that she would discharge her duties with “humility, dedication, and a strong commitment to service.” The appointment has been viewed by analysts as part of the Okpebholo administration’s broader strategy to integrate respected public figures into its governance framework to build public trust and deepen civic participation across Edo State.
