- Monday Okpebholo appointed Mercy Johnson-Okojie as Special Adviser on Public Engagement and Advocacy, aiming to strengthen communication between government and citizens
- The appointment was announced by Secretary to the State Government Musa Ikhilor, who said the actress would leverage her public influence and grassroots reach to promote civic participation and awareness of state policies
- Johnson-Okojie, founder of the Mercy Johnson Okojie Foundation and wife of lawmaker Odianosen Okojie, was expected to blend her celebrity profile with structured public service responsibilities
The Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has appointed Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie as Special Adviser on Public Engagement and Advocacy.
The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor.
According to the statement, the governor approved Johnson-Okojie’s appointment as part of efforts to strengthen public engagement with government policies and programmes.
The communiqué read: “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.
“Johnson-Okojie is an accomplished Nigerian actress, producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. She is one of Nollywood’s most celebrated figures, with a career spanning nearly two decades and featuring in over 200 films.
“Through the Mercy Johnson Okojie Foundation, she has championed causes focused on women empowerment, child welfare, education support, and healthcare outreach.”
The statement further noted that the actress is expected to leverage her public influence and extensive grassroots reach to enhance communication between the state government and citizens. Her role will involve promoting awareness of government initiatives, encouraging civic participation, and fostering stronger ties between policymakers and the public.
Johnson-Okojie has built a formidable reputation within Nigeria’s film industry, popularly known as Nollywood, earning multiple awards and nominations throughout her career. Beyond the screen, she has been actively involved in humanitarian efforts, particularly through her foundation, which supports vulnerable groups and advocates for social development initiatives.
Her appointment reflects a growing trend among political leaders to engage high-profile figures from the entertainment industry in governance roles aimed at improving public outreach and policy advocacy.
Johnson-Okojie is married to Odianosen Okojie, who represents Esan North East/Esan South East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. Observers say her new role could further amplify her involvement in public service, blending her celebrity influence with structured governmental responsibilities.
The Edo State Government expressed confidence that her experience, visibility, and philanthropic track record would contribute significantly to advancing the administration’s engagement strategy and strengthening trust between the government and the people.