By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Anambra State’s Governor Chukwuma Soludo has approved the appointment of key government officials and special advisers as part of the ongoing reconstitution of his administration following the commencement of his second term in office, with Mr. Christian Aburime, Mr. Ken Emeakayi, and Ms. Chinwe Okoli among those retained in their respective positions.
Announced on Monday, March 23, the development, which followed the appointment of Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake as the new Secretary to the State Government earlier the same day, was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Aburime, who listed the names of the newly appointed officials and those reappointed to continue serving in strategic roles within the Anambra State Government.
According to the statement, the appointments are part of efforts to strengthen the administrative structure of the government as it prepares for the next phase of governance.
Among those appointed is Barrister Mrs. Ngozi Iwouno, who will serve as the new Head of Service, while Barrister Joachin Peters Anetoh was named Principal Secretary to the Governor. Also, Dr. Ben Nwankwo was appointed the new Chief of Staff to the Governor, while Prof. Frank-Collins Okafor will serve as State Chief of Protocol. The governor also approved the appointment of Barrister Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, as the Attorney-General of the State.
The statement further confirmed the retention of Mr. Christian Aburime as Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, a position he held during the first tenure, as well as the reappointment of Mr. Ken Emeakayi as Special Adviser on Community Security; while Ms. Chinwe Okoli was also reappointed Special Adviser on Innovation and Business Incubation as well as Chief Executive Officer of the Solution Innovation District.
Also appointed is Dr. Vincent Egbuna Okechi as the new Deputy Chief of Staff, while Ms. Ngozi Lucy Okoye will serve as Deputy State Chief of Protocol.
Similarly, Dr. Godwin Nnadozie was named Special Adviser on Medicals and Pharmaceuticals; while Prof. (Engr.) Ebuka Nwankwo was appointed Special Adviser on Special Projects and Director of Project Evaluation and Monitoring.
Mr. Aburime, in the statement, noted that the appointments take immediate effect and form part of the Governor’s resolve to assemble a competent and result-oriented team capable of driving the developmental agenda of the administration in the new tenure. He added that the selected officials were chosen based on their experience, professionalism and capacity to contribute to the continued transformation of the state.
This cabinet reshuffling, which started barely one week after the Governor was sworn in for second term and a day after his special thanksgiving to mark the commencement of the new term, is an indication that more appointments may follow in the coming days as the Governor furthers the process of constituting his full cabinet for the second term.
