March 19, (THEWILL) – Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has suspended three commissioners in his cabinet for absenteeism while sacking two senior aides over alleged gross misconduct.
The suspended commissioners are Solomon Azi, Commissioner for Grants and Donor Agencies; Victor Chukwu, Commissioner for Environment; and Ikeuwa Omebe, Commissioner for Rural Development.
Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Jude Okpor, disclosed this after Monday’s State Executive Council meeting, stating that the affected commissioners failed to attend the session without prior permission.
Okpor said the governor had repeatedly warned against laxity and nonchalance among public officials, stressing that the suspended commissioners would forfeit all privileges attached to their offices during the one-month suspension.
He added that Nwifuru also directed contractors handling government projects to expedite work in line with contractual agreements, warning that the state would take legal action against any firm failing to meet deadlines.
The council also approved new infrastructure projects at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Afikpo, including the construction of staff quarters, a female hostel, and a health clinic.
Okpor said the initiative aligns with Governor Nwifuru’s efforts to complement the federal government’s Renewed Hope agenda by improving the welfare of corps members and NYSC staff.
The council further allocated N40 million to the Ministry of Water Resources for the construction of a central water store, emphasizing the need to protect critical equipment and consumables.
In another development, the government conferred the Ebonyi State Honour Award on the victorious Ebonyi State University Faculty of Law team, which represented Nigeria at the 33rd Christof Heyns African Moot Court Competition in Kigali, Rwanda.
The team, comprising Michael Agu-Ebeke, Ibor Cynthia Nwamaka, and their faculty guardian, Dr. Chioma Vivian Iteshi, emerged as champions, defeating 68 Anglophone and 15 Francophone teams, marking the first time a Nigerian faculty of law had won the competition in 33 years.
Nwifuru, who awarded each team member N5 million, commended their academic excellence and reiterated his administration’s commitment to educational advancement.
He urged the university leadership to embrace practical research that produces solution-driven graduates.
Meanwhile, the governor has sacked Felix Okemini, his Senior Special Assistant on Security (Ebonyi North Senatorial District), and Nnanna Nwangele, Special Assistant on Airport Security, over alleged acts of gross misconduct.
A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Grace Umezurike, directed the affected aides to hand over all government property in their possession by the close of work on Tuesday.
The statement further warned that the dismissed officials should not be seen around the Government House or involved in any government activities.
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