Riot Act for Abia Commissioners

• As Okezie Eyes Four Star Ending

By OKEY UNEGBU, Umuahia

The newly renovated Michael Okpara Auditorium Umuahia has always hosted high profile events. These include Abia State government functions, conventions, conferences, seminars, social gatherings and religious gatherings, among others. But the recent inauguration of the Abia State 27 new commissioners on the 26th of October 2021 was very different, unique and eventful.

The auditorium was filled to capacity by the large crowd of people who either had a role to play in the inauguration or had travelled from far and near to celebrate with the commissioners. Top government officials, traditional rulers, religious leaders, public servants, both Abians and non Abians who are relatives, friends and well wishers of the newly sworn in commissioners were there. While many were seated inside the overcrowded auditorium, others were standing outside with no seat to sit down, including some important personalities that came in from Abuja, Lagos and other parts of the country. It was obvious that the event had attracted a lot of interest perhaps because of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s pledge to redouble the effort of his Administration in the twilight of his tenure.

Definitely, there were very high expectations from the in-coming cabinet members. As the event got underway, uncertainty hung in the air regarding the allocation of portfolios. It was a mixed bag of expectations: naturally, the inclination of many would be to have those portfolios considered as “juicy” while others expected to be posted to their areas of core competence. But by the time the portfolios were announced by Governor Ikpeazu, countenances had changed from expressionless resignation to discernible disappointment and wild jubilation.

Another aspect of the inauguration that is different from the previous ones in Abia State, is the number of Commissioners sworn in. It was the first time in the history of Abia state that a sitting Governor inaugurated 27 cabinet members at a time, in addition to the already retained three commissioners, taking the number to 30 commissioners in a single State cabinet council.

Speculations are rife as to why Governor Ikpeazu decided to select such number of Commissioners in a State that has seventeen local government Areas.

While the inauguration was going on, the rumour mill was in overdrive, churning out all sorts of theories as the reason for Governor’s decision to select such number of Commissioners at a time like this.

One theory is that the Governor selected them in preparation for 2023 general election, as foot soldiers of the ruling party to galvanize grass root support as well as to create employment opportunities and empower those who have been loyal and supportive to his government.

However, an insider who spoke with True Vision newspaper in Umuahia on the condition of anonymity revealed that the Commissioners carefully selected to help Governor Ikpeazu drive his vision to make Abia state a better place as his tenure is gradually coming to an end and to ensure that every community is given a sense of belonging by ensuring that their sons and daughters are part of the present government. In fact, the Governor as much as confirmed that.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, shortly after swearing in the 27 new commissioners at Michael Okpara auditorium, Umuahia, Ikpeazu disclosed that they were selected to help him drive his vision to create a better life for Abians, adding that his administration was on its final lap and in a hurry to complete all the existing projects and perhaps start new ones, which would be completed before the end of his tenure He charged them to bring their ingenuity and resourcefulness to bare in order help drive the vision of his administration.

His words, “These 27 new commissioners that have been carefully selected among the many people that are qualified within Abia state to support us drive our vision to create better life for Ndi Abia.

“This administration is on its final lap and we are in a hurry to complete all the existing projects we are doing and perhaps embark on new ones that will be terminated before the end of our tenure, even as we pray and hope that God will grant us fair weather, providing the resources and the enablement that we required to achieve all that we desire for our people”

He pointed out that since 2015 when his administration came on board, it has been very challenging, starting from Court cases, economic recessions, challenges of Insecurity, among others, however expressed appreciation to God for His grace that has helped his administration to stay on course, while maintaining that his cabinet is driven by the grace of God and unquenchable appetite to do good for our people, irrespective of the circumstances.

He warned those who see the appointment as an opportunity to enrich themselves, to perish the though and regard it as a call to service.

His words, “I received a few text messages a few weeks before now from some of you, who have the audacity to request that I put them in what they regard as juicy portfolios and that gave me a quick idea of such individuals and the kind of mindset they have, coming to the State executive council.

“Let me warn you from the onset that there is nothing juicy any where. If your agenda is to come and make money, you will be disappointed after the first month, but if your agenda is to come and work and bring your experience and knowledge to bear and to make meaningful contributions to the growth and development of our dear state, then you will find enough challenges to make your work and job exciting.

“This is my way of saying to us that this is call to duty and nothing more than that.

“For those who are determined to go through it irrespective of the circumstances, you are most welcomed, I promise that you will receive unfettered cooperation from members of the EXCO and from office of the Governor.

“But if you have other agenda, you will be disappointed from the first month and will be shown the exit door, so that we can bring on board those who are determined to work for the interest of the vulnerable people in our communities, that we have sworn to collectively serve”

He further admonished the new commissioners, saying: “The honourable commissioner under my watch is not a place you come to mark time, if you have no business in that Exco, we will show you the exit door quickly”

He assured that the state government would provide them with the resources they need to work and enjoined them to leverage on their contacts and resourcefulness to help drive the vision of the government.

“So, whatever you can do, whatever resources you can gather, whatever connections you can bring to bear, this is the time for you to leverage on them in order for us to drive our vision”, he entreated the commissioners.

The Governor reminded them that at all times their loyalty should be first to God Almighty, the people of Abia state and government of Abia state, adding that, “If you misappropriate your loyalty and we find you wanting at any point in time, we will not also hesitate to show you the exit door.

“So, this is not the best time for anybody that has no business in the State Exco and I want to urge you to try as much as possible to look at the faces of all these people that have come to join you in your moment of celebration; always have them at the back of your mind and remember to keep touch with your base in the grassroots. If you come and reside in Umuahia (the state capital) alone and forget about your ward, your unit and your local government, you will be completely dislocated from the goings on in your localities and that will also be too bad for you.

“I will rely on you to galvanize the needed support through you for this government, going forward”, as he read out the list of commissioners and their portfolios as shown in box.

Mazi Donatus Okorie-Corporative and rural development,
Chief Okezie Erondu—Science and technology,
Chief C.O Enweremadu—Local government and chieftaincy Affairs
Barrister Charles Eseonu—Youths Development,
Chief Chinagorom Nwankpa—Housing
Chief Kingsley Imaga—Public utilities
Chief Ukwu-Rocks Emma—Basic Education,
Chief I C Mark—Post Basic Education
Chief Eze Nwanganga—Petroleum and energy development
Chief Ugo Emezue— Documentation and strategic communication
Mrs Adaku Oseiza—Small and Medium scale Enterprises and New Businesses Development
Barrister Tony Nwamuo—Culture and tourism
Chief Sopuruchi Nwabekee—Homeland security
Deaconess Rose Urenta—Ministry of Women Affairs
Barrister Sam Nwogu—Environment
Barrister Eze Chikamnayo—Information and strategy
Chief John Okiyi Kalu
Chief Godswill Nwanoruo—Transportation,
Chief Karibe Ojigwe—Sports
Professor Ikechi Mgbeoji—Agriculture
Chief Chidiebere Kalu—Establishment and Training,
Chief Ndom Godwin—Boundary Matters,
Hon. Monday Ajaegbu—Parastatals
Barrister C.C Emelogu—Joint projects implementation.

Chief Obinna Okey—Intergovernmental Affairs
Chief Chisom Nwachukwu—Special Duties, with special emphasis on vulnerable groups,
Chief Uwaoma Olewlengwa—Industry promotion and Development
Dr Chidi Onwuchuruba–lands and survey

Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the new Commissioner for information and strategy, Barrister Eze Chikamnayo , expressed appreciation to the Governor for the privilege to be part of the State cabinet, while promising that they will not let the Governor and the people of Abia down.