Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti on Friday swore-in 19 Commissioners in the state, ABN TV reports.
The swearing-in was performed by the Governor at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Umuahia, attracted senior government functionaries including the Deputy Governor, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu; Speaker Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Emmanuel Emeruwa; Chief Judge, Hon Justice Lilian Abai; Secretary to the State Government, Prof Kenneth Kalu and Chief of Staff, Dr. Caleb Ajagba.
However, 16 of them, who had been screened and cleared by the State House of Assembly, were sworn in by the Governor with a charge to keep an eye for the future.
Governor Otti admonished them to eschew individual or clannish interests but rather put the state first in everything they do.
“You must therefore spend your waking hours thinking about the entire state as a single constituency; made up of men and women who yearn for better opportunities to advance themselves economically and socially.
“Do not betray the trust of our people who have remained patient and loyal to our course by toeing the same path that brought Abia to the sorry state we met it. The privilege of your appointment must never be seen as an opportunity for self-enrichment or advancement of unwholesome interests. There would be zero tolerance for any of those.
“We are here to work for the whole state and anyone who entertains any doubts about that may have found himself in the wrong room. The New Abia we are currently laying its foundations shall be one where the interests of the whole state supersede the selfishness of any individual or entity,” Dr. Otti declared.
He encouraged them to utilize their jobs in writing their names in gold by playing important roles in the rebuilding of Abia, especially in areas of critical infrastructure.
The new Commissioners and their portfolios are as follows:
1. Ikechukwu Uwanna: Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice
2. Prof Monica Ironkwe: Agriculture
3. Kingsley Anosike: Budget and Planning
4. Prof Uche Eme Uche: Education
5. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna: Environment and Urban Renewal
6. Mike Akpara: Finance
7. Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo: Health
8. Prince Okey Kanu. -Information and Culture
9. Chaka Chukwumerije: Lands and Housing
10. Prince Uzor Nwachukwu: Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs
11. Prof Joel Friday Ogbonna: Petroleum and Mineral Resources
12. Chima Emmanuel Oriaku: Science and Technology
13. Nwaobilor Ananaba: Sports and Youth Development
14. Dr Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu: Trade, Commerce & Industry
15. Ngozi Blessing Felix: Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation
16. Engr Don Otumchere Oti: Works
17. Comrade Sunny Onwuma: Transport
18. Engr Ikechukwu Monday: Power and Public Utilities
19. Dr. Mathew Ekwuribe: Digital Economy/ SME