• Suspends permanent secretaries, head of service
Abia State governor, Dr Alex Otti, yesterday, sent names of his 19 Commissioner-nominees to the state House of Assembly for screening and necessary action. Six of them have been working as his Special Advisers while five of the 19 are females.
The nominees are Prof Monica Ironkwe, Kingsley Anoribe, Prof Eme Uche, Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, Mike Akpara, Ngozi Okoronkwo, Okey Kanu, Ikechukwu Uwaoma and Chaka Chukwumerije.
Others include Uzo Nwachukwu, Prof Joel Friday Ogbonna, Chima Emmanuel Oriaku, Nwaobilor Nwadimma Ananaba, Dr Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu, Ngozi Blessing Felix, Engr. Don Otumchere Oti, Comrade Sunny Okebugwu Onwuma, Engr Ikechukwu Monday and Mathew Chikodi Ekwuribe.
The governor also ordered with immediate effect, the suspension of the state Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries, sparing only two – the Clerk of the State House of Assembly and Solicitor-General, who are both of Permanent Secretary ranks. He also appointed another Head of Service in acting capacity.
Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Kazie Uko, said that following the inauguration of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the Recovery of Properties and Funds belonging to Abia State Government, Governor Otti directed the immediate suspension of the Head of Service (HOS) and all Permanent Secretaries in the state civil service.
He also stated that the governor, consequently, approved the appointment of Lady Joy Maduka, Director, Ministry of Education, as Acting Head of Service (HOS).
He explained that, according to the governor’s order, all the Permanent Secretaries, except John Pedro Iroakazi – Clerk of the House of Assembly and Mrs. Uzoamaka G. Uche Ikonne – Solicitor-General, have been directed to hand over to the most senior Director in their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
