JOHN MGBE – johnmgbe@yahoo.com
The first batch of members of Governor Okorocha’s new Executive Council (EXCO) has been released. In the first batch of nominees just released, the following nominees were listed:
Barrister Chukwuma Nwachukwu Umeh is now the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. His nomination has already been screened and approved by the State Legislature. So, he is now Commissioner-Designate. Details about him are still sketchy.However, he is said to be a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and native of Anambra State.
Another Commissioner-Designate is Sir JUDE EJIOGU who is now the new Commissioner for Special Duties. He will also double as Chief of Staff, Government House-a portfolio he is presently occupying.
Mr. CHINEDU OFFOR: He is now the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House. He was the immediate past Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism. Tongues are wagging as to whether his new portfolio is a promotion or a demotion. Some people hold the opinion that his new portfolio is a tactical demotion or even humiliation, more so, since Governor Okorocha had awarded him the prize of “The Best Public Relations Commissioner” in the last EXCO. It is a researchable topic and the matter will be discussed further as events unfold.
MAYORIAL AFFAIRS:
Hon Chief GIBSON NJEMANZE-Mayor, Owerri ZONE;
HON.TONY NDUKA-Mayor, Okigwe Zone;
DR GODDY ESOM OBODO-Mayor of ORLU Zone
SENIOR SPECIAL ASSISTANTS (SSAs)
BARR. OKEY OKOROCHA-SSA Security Administration
PRINCESS GLORIA AKOBUNDU-SSA Liason office, ABUJA
Henrietta Jacobs-SSA, Public Affairs
IKECHUKWU NJOKU-SSA, Finance &Economic Planning
MRS.NMA NZERIBE-MICHAELS-SSA, on MDG
SPECIAL ASSISTANTS(SAs)
RALPH AFOAKU-SA Media Production
Barrister MRS Chinyere Uwandu-SA, NEPAD
Hon UCHE EZE-S/A SECURITY, OKIGWE ZONE
CHIEF BON OHIRI-S/A SECURITY, ORLU ZONE
UGOCHUKWU ONYEUKWU-S/A Security Owerri
MRS.OGECHI OLOLO-S/A DOMESTIC
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANTS:
Rosemary OKEKE-E/A PROTOCOL
K.C. ONUZULIKE-E/A SPECIAL DUTIES
BETTY EMENIKE-UZOMA-E/A DOMESTIC
OBONO MATTHEW-E/A ICT
ANITA GODWIN-E/A FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
TECHNICAL ADVISER YOUTH FUND for Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta LGAs
REV. FATHER WENCE MADU-Technical Adviser, Youth Empowerment Fund,Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta
HEAD of SERVICE, IMO STATE CIVIL SERVICE:
MR. Callistus EKENZE has been appointed new Head of Service. He takes over from MRS. NKECHI ONUMAJURU who is proceeding on retirement.
Finally, it is pertinent to state that the appointment of an Anambra State indigene, Barrister Chukwuma Nwachukwu Umeh, as Attorney General is in line with Governor Okorocha’s decision that his next EXCO would be a Pan-Nigeria EXCO which would be made up of appointees from outside IMO State. It is expected that more of such appointments will be witnessed in the next batch of nominees.