Okpebholo Recalls Starting Christian Ministry at Age 17

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has recalled his early involvement in Christian ministry, saying he began casting out demons at the age of 17 or 18. Okpebholo made the remark in a video trending on X on Tuesday while speaking at the newly inaugurated Winlos Centre owned by Pastor Ohis and Anwili Ojeikere. The governor said seeing young people gathered in the presence of God reminded him of his own early years in Christian ministry. “When I see young ones standing in the presence of God, I remember at the age of 17/18, I’ve also started casting out demons,” he said. Okpebholo also connected his early ministry experiences to his approach to tackling insecurity in Edo State, particularly cult-related activities, saying the fight was not new to him.

The governor further recalled the influence of the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa on his Christian journey. “I remember Archbishop Idahosa,” he said, referring to the late Pentecostal Christian leader and founder of the Church of God Mission International. Idahosa’s ministry was influential in Edo State and across Nigeria, where he became a prominent Pentecostal figure. Okpebholo has continued to identify insecurity and cult-related violence as challenges facing Edo State, while his administration has highlighted measures aimed at strengthening security and tackling cultism.

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