By By Elizabeth Ugbo
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has reshuffled his cabinet by redeploying several commissioners to new ministries to strengthen governance and improve service delivery. The changes were announced on Tuesday after the State Executive Council meeting in Abakaliki. According to the government, the exercise followed the appointment of two new commissioners and is designed to align officials with roles that best suit their expertise.
New Commissioners Receive Appointments
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Ikeuwa Omebeh, said the reshuffle followed the swearing-in of Omari Omaka and Sylvester Nwenu Nwite as commissioners.
Governor Nwifuru also inaugurated Felix Onyekachi Njoku as Special Assistant on Youth Mobilisation.
The governor urged the newly appointed officials to see their appointments as a call to selfless service. He also encouraged them to support the implementation of his administration’s People’s Charter of Needs agenda.
Under the new arrangement, Omaka will head the Ministry of Tertiary Education, while Nwite will serve as Commissioner for Environment.
Major Commissioner Redeployments
Several commissioners received new assignments across ministries.
Chidiebere Onyia moved from the Ministry of Solid Mineral Development to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
Ajuka Obasi Nwogo was transferred from the Ministry of Market Development to the Ministry of Skill Acquisition.
Ngozi Obichukwu left the Ministry of Aviation for the Ministry of Special Projects.
Magnus Chinedu Nka moved from the Ministry of Water Resources to the Ministry of Solid Mineral Development.
Victor Uzoma Chukwu was reassigned from the Ministry of Environment to the Ministry of Water Resources.
Okwu Oko Udu now heads the Ministry of Market Development.
Similarly, Prince Richard Idike moved from the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to the Ministry of Capital City and Urban Development.
Meanwhile, Sunday Elechi Inyima was redeployed from the Ministry of Capital City and Urban Development to the Ministry of Project Monitoring.
Commissioners Who Retained Their Portfolios
Despite the changes, several commissioners retained their existing ministries.
They include:
- Ben Uruchi Odoh – Justice
- Ikeuwa Omebeh – Information and State Orientation
- Stanley Ogbuewu – Culture and Tourism
- Donatus Ilang – Primary and Secondary Education
- Elechi Nnanna Elechi – Trade and Investment
- Jude Okpor – Rural Development
- Oguzor Offia Nwali – Commerce and Industry
- Solomon Azi – Grants and Donor Agencies
- Collins Emeka Igboke – Transportation
- Chinwe Deborah Okah – Budget and Planning
Governor Explains Reason for Reshuffle
Omebeh dismissed suggestions that the cabinet changes resulted from poor performance.
“This is not about non-performance or removing anyone from office. It is about deploying people to ministries where their expertise and experience can be better utilised in the interest of the state.”
He explained that Governor Nwifuru carefully considered each commissioner’s professional background, experience and comparative advantage before approving the redeployments.
According to him, the exercise will inject fresh energy into governance and improve policy implementation across ministries.
Aviation Ministry Remains Operational
Addressing concerns over the absence of a substantive commissioner for the Ministry of Aviation, Omebeh clarified that the ministry remains active.
He said the ministry will continue to operate under its Permanent Secretary until the governor issues further directives.
