• Swears-in 24 Perm Secs
From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has appointed former National Association of Chambers of Cmmerce, Industries Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) President, Chief John Udeagbala, a retired Air Vice Marshall and 15 others as TC Chairmen/Mayors of the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.
This is even as Otti has sworn-in 24 permanent secretaries in the state civil service.
A statement by Uzor Nwachukwu,
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, put the names of other appointees as Dr. Elelenta Nwambuisi Elele, Isiala Ngwa South LGA; Newman Azu, Ukwa West; Joe Ezearu, Arochukwu; Obike Ejike Nnochiri, Umuahia South; C.Y. Nwankwo, Isiala Ngwa North and Ndubuisi Ike, Umunneochi LGA.
Others are Air Vice Marshall Chinwendu Onyike (Rtd), Isuikwuato, Osinachi Hycinth Nwaka, Ikwuano; Chijioke Nwankwo, Bende; Chief David Ogba (Bourdex), Ohafia and Dr. Eric Egwuibe, Obingwa LGA.
The rest are Nosike Ihesiaba, Ugwunagbo; Dr. (Mrs) Ngozi Nwagbara, Ukwa East; Chief Victor Ikeji, Umuahia North; Uchechukwu A. C. Wogu, Aba South; Ide John Udeagbala, Aba North and Israel Nweke, Osisioma Ngwa LGA.
The statement added that the listed names have been forwarded to the State House of Assembly by Governor Otti for screening and confirmation.
Meanwhile, Otti has sworn-in 24 Permanent Secretaries into Abia State civil service
The Governor charged the new permanent secretaries to be firm and live above board as they discharge their duties in the new Abia.
“In the new Abia which we are progressively building, we are more interested in what you can bring to the table. Competence and character for us would always take precedence over place of origin or the religion you profess.
“We expect to see more digitalization of civil service operations and I encourage you to work with all critical stakeholders in this regard”.
He informed that the Commissioner for Science and Technology and his Digital Economy counterpart as well as his own office would drive the process of digitalization of the civil service. .
The Governor disclosed that the selection of the 24 Permanent Secretaries were thoroughly done, adding that at the beginning, there were over 320 applicants that went through the process but 24 emerged successful.