Governor Nwifuru Reshuffles Ebonyi Cabinet, Swears In Two New Commissioners

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has approved a major cabinet reshuffle, redeploying several commissioners to new ministries as part of efforts to strengthen governance and improve service delivery across the state. The changes were announced following a meeting of the State Executive Council in Abakaliki.

Gov. Francis Nwifuru 

The reshuffle came alongside the swearing-in of two new commissioners—Omari Omaka, who will head the Ministry of Tertiary Education, and Sylvester Nwenu Nwite, who was assigned to the Ministry of Environment. The governor also inaugurated Felix Onyekachi Njoku as Special Assistant on Youth Mobilisation.

According to the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Ikeuwa Omebeh, the appointments and redeployments are aimed at repositioning the administration for greater efficiency rather than serving as a response to poor performance. He explained that the governor considered the professional backgrounds and comparative advantages of each commissioner before approving the changes.

Among the key redeployments, Chidiebere Onyia moved from the Ministry of Solid Mineral Development to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, while Ajuka Obasi Nwogo was transferred from Market Development to Skill Acquisition. Prince Richard Idike now heads the Ministry of Capital City and Urban Development, with Sunday Elechi Inyima moving to Project Monitoring. Other adjustments affected the ministries of Aviation, Water Resources, Special Projects, Solid Mineral Development, and Market Development.

Governor Nwifuru directed that all handing-over and taking-over processes be completed before the close of work on June 30, signalling his administration's intention to ensure a smooth and immediate transition. Several commissioners, however, retained their portfolios, including those overseeing the ministries of Justice, Information and State Orientation, Culture and Tourism, Primary and Secondary Education, Trade and Investment, Rural Development, Commerce and Industry, Transportation, Budget and Planning, and Grants and Donor Agencies.

Responding to questions over the absence of a commissioner for the Ministry of Aviation following the reshuffle, the government clarified that the ministry has not been scrapped. Instead, it will continue to function under the supervision of its Permanent Secretary until further directives are issued.

The latest cabinet shake-up is expected to inject fresh energy into the state executive council as Governor Nwifuru continues implementing his administration's "People's Charter of Needs" agenda. Attention will now turn to how the newly assigned commissioners perform in their respective ministries and whether the restructuring delivers the improved governance and service delivery the government expects.

Source: Punch Ng