Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, OFR has sworn in a batch of 6 new commissioners to rejig and complement the State Executive council.
The newly sworn in commissioners are a crop of professionals drawn from various sectors.
Addressing the new commissioners after they had been administered with the oaths of office and allegiance by the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr Ogubunka, the Governor congratulated and thanked them for accepting to serve the State.
“I want to thank the new Commissioners for accepting to serve our Dear State and to contribute to the development of our Dear State”
Governor Otti informed the New Commissioners that they are required to be excellent administrators and team players in order to drive the execution of the programmes and agenda in their ministries and charged them to do all to deliver on their mandate.
“We have carefully selected these highly accomplished individuals to bring new ideas and energy to our team. The new nominations and appointments were made pursuant to our agenda to create a robust architecture that supports excellent service delivery”
“As I mentioned in this podium few weeks ago, effective leadership is an exercise in continuous team building, finding the right people and placing them where they are best suited to thrive. The task of public sector governance is an enormous one that requires having the right people on board in the right positions to drive the central agenda of the administration across many important frontiers”
‘One of the major hallmarks of our administration is going against practices that had proven to stifle growth and dynamism. We have publicly rejected the traditional recruitment pattern of filling strategic Government offices with cronies who do very little in terms of execution of businesses of governance”, Gov.Otti stated.
The Governor however warned the new appointees that there is no room for infighting, stressing that his administration has zero tolerance for corruption and any act capable of bringing the government to disrepute.
The Governor while assuring them that he is ever ready to provide them with necessary guidance, disclosed that, to further strengthen the governance architecture of the State, there shall be minor restructuring of Ministries to be announced soon, adding that it is aimed at making the Ministries more dynamic and productive.
The Governor further made public that his government is working on setting up the Greater Ohafia Development Authority to oversee the development of Abia North.
Responding on behalf of her colleagues, Dr (Mrs) Maureen Ijeoma Aghukwa said that their appointment is a privilege and opportunity to serve. She thanked the Governor for finding them worthy to serve and pledged not to disappoint him, assuring that they will put in their best to move the State forward.
The newly sworn in Commissioners are, Mr David U. Kalu, Kingsley Chibueze Nwokocha, Dr. Uwaoma Ukandu, Dr. (Mrs ) Queen Ijeoma Aghukwa, Ubochi Goodluck Chinedu and Professor Ogbonnaya Uche.
The Governor further effected a minor reshuffle of his Cabinet and created a few more ministries.
The New Composition of the State Executive Council is as follows:
1. Mr. Ikechukwu Uwanna – Honourable Attorney General & Commissioner For Justice.
2. Prince Uzo Nwachukwu – Hon. Commissioner Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs.
3. Mr. Uwaoma Ukandu – Hon. Commissioner for Finance.
4. Mr. Kingsley Anosike – Hon. Commissioner for Budget and Planning.
5. Mr. Okey Kanu – Hon. Commissioner for Information
6. Mr. Goodluck Ubochi – Hon. Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education.
7. Prof. Uche Eme Uche – Hon. Commissioner for Tertiary Education.
8. Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche – Hon. Commissioner for Health.
9. Dr. Mrs. Maureen Ijeoma Aghukwa – Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs.
10. Mrs. Blessing Ngozi Felix – Hon. Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection.
11. Mr. Philemon A. Ogbonna – Hon. Commissioner for Environment.
12. Prof. Joel F. Ogbonna – Hon.Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources.
13. Mr. Kingsley Chibueze Nwokocha – Hon. Commissioner for Trade & Commerce.
14. Mr. Mike Akpara – Hon. Commissioner for Industry & SMEs.
15. Mr. Nwaobilor Ananaba – Hon. Commissioner for Youth & Sports.
16. Mr. Mathew Ekwuruibe – Hon. Commissioner for Arts, Culture & Creative Economy.
17. Mr. David Kalu – Hon. Commissioner for Science, Technology & Innovation.
18. Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije – Hon. Commissioner for Lands & Housing.
19. Engr. Don Otumchere Oti – Hon. Commissioner for Works.
20. Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu – Hon. Commissioner for Transport.
21. Engr. Ikechukwu Monday – Hon. Commissioner for Power & Public Utilities.
22. Comrade Sunny A. Onwuma – Hon. Commissioner for Labour & Productivity.