Politics

Uzodimma inaugurates new cabinet, assigns portfolios to 24 Commissioners

Published

1 year ago

April 30, 2024

Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has sworn in 24 Commissioners and inaugurated 19 Special Advisers who, with other top political appointees, will constitute members of the new expanded Executive Council as his second term adminstration enters full throttle.

The Governor who administered the oath taking ceremony on the affected appointees at the new Executive Council Chamber Government House Owerri on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, also proceeded to immediately assign portfolios to the 24 Commissioners.

The Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, the Deputy Chief of Staff (Administration), Chief Patrick Ekeji, the Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations), Barr. Sydney Emeka Agbor, the Deputy Chief of Staff (General Services), Chief Ferdinand Uzodimma, the Political Adviser and Head of Political Bureau, Barr. Enyinnaya Onuegbu and the Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser, Media, Chief Oguwike Nwachuku, were the first set of senior political appointees who were led in the oath taking rituals.

In his remarks after the swearing in and inauguration ceremonies were completed, Governor Uzodimma hinted that more appointments will still be made in due course to fill vacant positions in some critical ministries.

However, in the interim, he assigned the position of the Commissioner for Lands to his Office as part of efforts to restore sanity in the said ministry where, of late, Imo people have increasingly lost confidence in the handlers of the ministry, occasioned by avoidable demeanour.

Governor Uzodimma urged all the Executive Council members to use their positions and inter-personal skills and relationships to ensure success in their ministries, agencies and departments and on the job assigned to them in general.

He reminded them that his reelection for a second tenure places enormous responsibilities and great expectations on the government and the appointees, hence there should not be room for excuses and complacency.

“The performance of the second tenure must be better than the first term,” he insisted.

Governor Uzodimma once more brought the issue of personal integrity of the appointees to the fore, noting that how Imo people feel about them is equally important to him.

He insisted that they must “conduct themselves with decorum and with all sense of responsibility.”

The Governor reiterated the importance of the oath of office the appointees took and reminded them that “it is not a mere ritual but a serious act that places huge responsibilities on your shoulders.”

He therefore reminded them that as public officers they must “behave differently bearing in mind that the public will beam their searchlight individually and collectively,” on them.

He advised on the need to realise that their new position requires tough approaches where only those who persevere will triumph.

Governor Uzodimma told the audience that the appointees were chosen based on their individual merit, hence their “integrity and performance on the job is at stake and a lot is expected of them from Imo people and Government.”

He recalled his administration’s abhorrence to corruption and commended them for agreeing with his injunction to ensure total realisation of the Shared Prosperity 3R Government following lessons they learnt from their two-day retreat, and asked them to endeavor to “work the talk.”

As part of measures to monitor performance, the Governor reminded the appointees that a Monitoring and Evaluation Unit had been established in his Office and that there will be quarterly assessment and evaluation of each of them.

“There is no time to waste, as all eyes must be on the ball,” he enthused.

In a vote of thanks on behalf of the appointees, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr COC Akaolisa thanked the Governor for finding them worthy and inviting them to “share in the glory of a government and a Governor that is doing very well.”

He promised that their team will “bring honour and not shame to their family” and that they will, to the best of their ability, give their best to ensure they don’t disappoint the expectations of the Governor, Government and the people of Imo State.

The event was attended by prominent Imo personalities, including the wife of the Governor, Barr. Chioma Uzodimma,Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Chike Olemgbe, former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, Head of Service, Barr. Raymond Ucheoma, Principal Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Irene Chima, the All Progressives Congress Chairman in Imo State, Dr. Macdonald Ebere, the Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional rulers, HRH Eze EC Okeke, the Chairman of Imo State Council of Elders, HRM Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, former APC Chairman in Imo State, Chief Marcom Nlemigbo, business mogul and APC leader in Imo State, Chief Tony Chukwu, HRH Eze Oliver Ohanweh, among other important dignitaries.

Some relatives of some of the appointees were also around to witness the occasion.

Oguwike Nwachuku

Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor

April 30, 2024

Politics

Rivers: Fubara thanks Tinubu, Wike, Akpabio for reinstatement

Published

48 minutes ago

September 19, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State has expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, whom he described as “our father”, for his reinstatement.

Fubara also extended his appreciation to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, following his return to office.

Tinubu had suspended Fubara six months ago to prevent an escalating political crisis in the state. The President also imposed emergency rule, suspending both the executive and legislature in Rivers State.

However, on Thursday, the President ordered Fubara’s reinstatement following the expiration of the suspension. On Friday, Fubara returned to Port Harcourt, the state capital, to resume his duties as governor.

In a statewide broadcast, the governor said:
“Once again, I thank and appreciate our Father, Mr President, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his timely intervention and dedication to ensuring the restoration of peace and stability in our State.

“I also thank our Leader, His Excellency Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory for committing to the prompt resolution of the political impasse in the State.

“I also wish to express my profound thanks to the President of the Senate His Excellency Senator Godswill Akpabio; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, His Excellency Dr. Abbas Tajudeen; and the distinguished members of the National Assembly for the role they all played in the resolution of the matter.

“I thank the Honourable Speaker and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, respected elders, stakeholders and all concerned citizens for working together to resolve our differences and ensuring peace and harmony in our State.

“Finally, I call on all citizens of Rivers State, regardless of political, religious, or ethnic affiliation, to join hands in rebuilding our beloved State and securing a future of dignity and progress for everyone. In all, I give glory to the Almighty God. Thank you all.”

Politics

Ebonyi gets Acting Governor as Nwifuru embarks on annual leave

Published

3 hours ago

September 19, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has embarked on annual leave and Ebonyi State House of Assembly yesterday gave effect to a letter transmitting executive powers to Her Excellency, Princess Patricia Obila, who has been discharging her duties as the Acting Governor since the Governor proceeded on annual leave.

It was gathered that this is in compliance with section 190 (1) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

Politics

STATEWIDE BROADCAST BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SIR SIMINALAYI FUBARA, GSSRS, ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2025

Published

3 hours ago

September 19, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

My dear good people of Rivers State

Recall that Rivers State was placed under a six-month emergency rule, declared by Mr. President, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the 18th of March, 2025, following the intense political crisis in our State.

2. It is without doubt that the last six months had been enormously challenging for our dear State under the emergency rule.

3. As your Governor, I accepted to abide by the state of emergency declaration and chose to cooperate with Mr. President and the National Assembly, guided by my conviction that no sacrifice was too great to secure peace, stability, and progress of Rivers State.

4. This was why I also resisted the pressure to challenge the constitutionality of the declaration of a state of emergency, the suspension of democratic institutions, and all other actions that we endured during this difficult period.

5. In the course of the six-month period, Mr. President graciously brokered the peace process with all the parties successfully. Our Leader, His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and I, as your Governor, have all accepted to bury the hatchet and embrace peace and reconciliation in the best interest of our dear Rivers State.

6. We believe the political crisis is now behind us and that peace and stability have once again returned to Rivers State, though not without the hard lessons learnt from the emergency rule.

7. The responsibility now rests squarely on us: the Government, the State House of Assembly, political leaders and stakeholders to put aside our differences, work for the common good, and advance the interests of our people above all else. We have a duty to ensure that the peace we have all embraced remains permanent in our dear Rivers State.

8. On behalf of the Government and the good people of Rivers State, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. President for his fatherly disposition and decisive interventions in resolving the political crisis and for graciously restoring full democratic governance to our State.

9. Personally, I will never take Mr. President’s kindness for granted, and for that, I hereby reaffirm my utmost loyalty and eternal gratitude.

10. To those who have expressed genuine fears, frustrations, and uncertainty over the nature of the peace process, I assure you that your concerns are valid and understood. However, nothing has been irretrievably lost; there remains ample opportunity for necessary adjustments, continued reconciliation, and inclusiveness. We must all remember the saying… ” the costliest peace is cheaper than the cheapest war”.

11. Accordingly, let us, therefore, embrace this moment as a fresh beginning. Let us work together with renewed hope and determination to build a stronger, more peaceful and prosperous Rivers State. I assure you that we will continuously work towards ensuring that we carry everyone along.

12. Despite the turbulence, you are aware of the credible milestones our administration achieved in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other key sectors over the last two years.

13. Our immediate responsibility is to return to the path of governance and development by completing the projects which we started by ensuring none of them is starved of funds or neglected, thereby reviving our economy, protecting lives and property, and improving the wellbeing of all Rivers people.

14. I commit to working harmoniously with the Rivers State House of Assembly to recover lost grounds and accelerate the social and economic advancement of our dear State. I also renew my pledge to serve with the fear of God, humility and a high sense of duty.

15. I wish to sincerely thank you, the resilient people of Rivers State, for your patience, courage, and peaceful conduct during the six months of emergency rule.

16. I also extend appreciation to all stakeholders, religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society groups, political actors, women groups, youths, concerned citizens at home and abroad, and well-wishers whose prayers and support sustained us through the challenging period.

17. Above all, let us draw strength from our shared identity as Rivers people. Our diversity is our greatest asset, and our unity the strongest guarantee of our future. We must rise above bitterness and division and channel our energies into rebuilding trust, fostering inclusiveness, and securing a peaceful and prosperous State for all.

18. Once again, I thank and appreciate our Father, Mr President, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for his timely intervention and dedication to ensuring the restoration of peace and stability in our State.

19. 1 also thank our Leader, His Excellency Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory for committing to the prompt resolution of the political impasse in the State.
20. I also wish to express my profound thanks to the President of the Senate His Excellency Senator Godswill Akpabio; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, His Excellency Dr. Abbas Tajudeen; and the distinguished members of the National Assembly for the role they all played in the resolution of the matter.

21. I thank the Honourable Speaker and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, respected elders, stakeholders and all concerned citizens for working together to resolve our differences and ensuring peace and harmony in our State.

22. Finally, I call on all citizens of Rivers State, regardless of political, religious, or ethnic affiliation, to join hands in rebuilding our beloved State and securing a future of dignity and progress for everyone. In all, I give glory to the Almighty God.

Thank you all.

May God bless Rivers State and all its people.

May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.