Otti creates new ministries, reshuffles cabinet
…Moves Commissioner for Finance
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has created four new Ministries and effected minor cabinet reshuffle. The state now has 23 ministries and 22 Commissioners as no one has yet to be named as Commission for Agriculture. Before the creation of the new ministries, Abia had 19 ministries and equal number of commissioners.
The new ministries include Ministry of Industry and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Ministry of Labour and Productivity, as well as Ministry of Tertiary Education and Ministry of Basic Education.
The minor cabinet reshuffle which came to Abians as a surprise saw the Governor moving his close confidant and Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Mike Akpara, to the new Ministry of Industry and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The above developments came to light on Thursday, August 15, 2024, when the Governor assigned portfolios to newly appointed six Commissioners, namely Mr. David Kalu, Ubochi Goodluck Chinedu, Dr Queen Ijeoma Aghaukwa, Knigsley Chibueze Nwokochd and Prof. Ogbonnaya Uche. They were sworn in last Wednesday after being screened and cleared by the state House of Assembly the previous day.
The Governor had to appoint new Commissioners following the resignation, in July, of three Commissioners from his cabinet within one week . Those who resigned were Commissioner Agriculture, Prof. Monica Ironkwe, Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Chima Oriaku, and Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo, who resign while on suspension.
The new composition of the State Executive Council indicates that nine Commissioners retained their portfolios. They are:
Mr. Ikechukwu Uwanna (Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice); Prince Uzo Nwachukwu (Commissioner Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs); Mr. Kingsley Anosike (Commissioner for Budget and Planning); and Mr. Okey Kanu (Commissioner for Information).
Others are Mr. Philemon A. Ogbonna (Commissioner for Environment); Prof. Joel F. Ogbonna (Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources); Mr. Nwaobilor Ananaba (Commissioner for Youth & Sports); Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije (Commissioner for Lands and Housing); and Engr. Don Otumchere Oti (Commissioner for Works) and Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, who retained his portfolio as Commissioner for Power & Public Utilities.
Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche is the new Commissioner for Health as he replaced Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo who resigned her appointment in July after her suspension from office on June 10, 2024.
Mr. Uwaoma Ukandu takes over from Mr. Mike Akpara as the new Commissioner for Finance. Mr. Mike Akpara now mans the Ministry of Industry and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Mr. David Kalu, the new Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, is the replacement for Mr. Chima Oriaku.
Comrade Sunny A. Onwuma, hitherto, the Commissioner for Transport, has now been moved to the newly created Ministry of Labour and Productivity.
He swapped position with Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu, now the Commissioner for Transport. Previously, Ukaegbu was the Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Industry, now reduced to Ministry of Trade and Commerce, with Mr. Kingsley Chibueze Nwokocha as the new Commissioner.
The Education Ministry has been split, with Prof Uche Eme Uche, who was previously in-charge of the entire Ministry, now overseeing the Ministry of Tertiary Education while Mr. Goodluck Ubochi is the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education.
Dr. Mrs. Maureen Ijeoma Aghukwa is now the Commissioner for Women Affairs where Mrs. Blessing Ngozi Felix held sway before the shake-up. In the new order Mrs Felix has been moved to the newly created Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection.
Mathew Chikodi Ekwuribe, previously assigned the Ministry of Digital Economy and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME), is now in charge of the new Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy.
Governor Otti had, on Friday, July 7, 2023, inaugurated his first set of 16 Commissioners, initially cleared by the House of Assembly. He later swore in another set of three Commissioners, bringing the number of Commissioners in his cabinet to 19. The number was reduced to 16 again when the three former Commissioners threw in the towel last month.
