Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has approved the appointment of Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Meribole as the Acting Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
This follows the Governor’s approval for the substantive SSG, Professor Kenneth Kalu (FCA), to proceed on a leave of absence to attend to urgent personal matters.
Dr. Meribole, who currently serves as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Projects, will officially assume duties as Acting SSG on January 1, 2026.
According to the statement from the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, a formal handover process has been scheduled to begin Monday, December 15, 2025. During this period, Professor Kalu and Dr. Meribole will work collaboratively to ensure a smooth, coordinated, and uninterrupted transition in government operations.
A trained medical doctor and seasoned public administrator, Dr. Meribole brings decades of high-level experience to his new role. He retired as Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, before joining the Otti administration, where he has since contributed significantly to project execution and strategic development planning.
His appointment is widely viewed as an endorsement of his capacity, discipline, and alignment with Governor Otti’s developmental vision for Abia State.
Governor Otti, while announcing the transition, expressed profound appreciation to Professor Kenneth Kalu for his outstanding service, loyalty, and commitment to the progress and transformation of Abia State.
The statement was issued on December 12, 2025.
