By Izunna Okafor, Awka
It was a moment of panegyrics as the immediate past Head of Service in Anambra State, Barr. Theodora Okwy Igwegbe, officially bowed out of the Service after attaining retirement, with glowing tributes pouring in from Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, senior government officials and Anambra civil servants, who described her tenure as one marked by reforms, discipline, professionalism and institutional transformation.
Dame Igwegbe, who retired from service on March 8, 2026, officially handed over the leadership of the State Civil Service today, March 24, to her successor, Barrister Ngozi Iwouno, at the Office of the Head of Service, Jerome Udoji Secretariat, Awka. Iwouno was appointed the new Head of Service by the governor on March 23, 2026, as part of the ongoing reconstitution of key offices in the state government.
Governor Soludo had earlier formally commended the retired Head of Service, Barr. Igwegbe, for her exceptional stewardship to the State through a letter of appreciation presented to her during a Special Farewell Meeting held at the Light House, Awka.
In the letter dated March 18, 2026, the governor expressed gratitude to her for her service between January 1, 2022 and March 17, 2026, noting that the government and people of Anambra State remained grateful for her sacrifices and contributions to the growth of the Public Service.
Soludo further encouraged the retired HOS to continue to make herself available for public service whenever the opportunity arises, describing her as a committed member of the Solution Team whose dedication to selfless service has left a lasting impact on the Solution Government in the state.
The formal presentation of the commendation letter to Barr. Igwegbe at the Light House was witnessed by top government functionaries in the state, including the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, who joined voice to congratulate, celebrate, and bid farewell to the outgoing administrative chief after years of devoted service to the state.
Similarly in a farewell message issued by the staff of the Office of the Head of Service and the entire Public Service of Anambra State, Dame Igwegbe’s retirement from active Service was described as the end of a remarkable era characterised by purposeful reforms, strategic leadership and enduring institutional development.
Dated March 24, the message, contained in a letter signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Head of Service, Mrs. Nkiru Jessie Nwankwo, noted that the outgoing Head of Service led the Civil Service with clarity of vision, calm strength and deep concern for the welfare and professional growth of officers at all levels.
The staff recalled that under her stewardship, the Public Service witnessed far-reaching reforms aimed at strengthening professionalism, ethical governance, performance management, staff welfare and digital modernisation. These reforms, according to the letter, repositioned the Civil Service as a responsive and result-driven institution capable of effectively supporting government policies and sustainable development programmes across ministries, departments and agencies.
Among the major highlights of her tenure was the strengthening of leadership capacity within the Service, including her role in facilitating the appointment and orientation of eighteen Permanent Secretaries and two Auditors-General, a development that enhanced coordination, accountability and policy execution across government institutions. She was also credited with championing the transition from the traditional Annual Performance Evaluation Report to a modern Performance Management System designed to promote efficiency, measurable outcomes and accountability in the Civil Service.
Her tenure was equally noted for maintaining industrial harmony and prioritising workers’ welfare, including the successful implementation of the 2024 Minimum Wage in Anambra State, which placed the state among the earliest to adopt the new wage structure with improved emoluments for workers. The staff also acknowledged her role in ensuring consistent payment of salaries and facilitating interim financial relief for pensioners, as well as her intervention in resolving long-standing labour disputes, including issues involving staff of the defunct Water Corporation and the Anambra State Environmental Protection Agency (ANSEPA), disputes that lasted for over seventeen years before their resolution.
The farewell message further highlighted improvements recorded within the State Secretariat Complex during her tenure, including reconstruction of access roads, installation of solar-powered street lights, deployment of CCTV surveillance systems and enhancement of water supply, all of which created a more secure and conducive working environment for civil servants. Her administration was also credited with promoting transparency and accountability through the establishment of Anti-Corruption Committees across ministries and the strengthening of service delivery mechanisms such as SERVICOM.
In addition, the outgoing HOS was also praised for supporting workforce development through the recruitment of critical personnel in sectors such as education and health, as well as the expansion of specialised cadres including psychology officers, nutrition officers, vehicle inspection officers and health records practitioners. Her push for digital transformation also led to the introduction of free Wi-Fi at the Secretariat, ICT training programmes, deployment of digital administrative tools and the launch of an electronic identification scheme aimed at improving efficiency and data management within the Service.
Barr. Igwegbe’s colleagues, staff, and the entire Anambra State civil servant described her leadership style as humane, disciplined and inspiring, noting that beyond policies and reforms, she was admired for her accessibility, encouragement and commitment to building a professional and motivated workforce. They said her retirement leaves behind a Civil Service that is stronger, more organised and better prepared to meet the demands of modern governance.
With the formal handover to Barrister Ngozi Iwouno, the Anambra State Civil Service now begins a new administrative phase, even as warm felicitations and tributes continue to pour in for Dame Igwegbe, whose years in office, according to reports, will remain one of the defining periods in the recent history of the State Public Service.
Speaking in an interview with this reporter, Dame Igwegbe expressed gratitude to God for granting her the strength, wisdom and grace to successfully complete her tenure in office, describing her years in the Anambra State Civil Service as a period of great honour and responsibility.
She further thanked Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo and the people of Anambra State for the opportunity given to her to serve as Head of Service, noting that the experience provided her with the privilege to contribute to the growth and reform of the Public Service.
While also appreciating members of the State Executive Council, Permanent Secretaries, civil servants and staff of the Office of the Head of Service for their cooperation and support throughout her tenure; she declared that whatever achievements recorded during her administration were made possible through teamwork, dedication and shared commitment to the progress of the state.
The outgoing HOS further urged the workforce to extend the same level of support to the new Head of Service, Barrister Iwouno, while also expressing confidence that the State Civil Service would continue to grow stronger in professionalism, discipline and quality service delivery towards promoting the Anambra’s enviable status as a prosperous homeland and true Light of the Nation.
