Gov Nwifuru Recalls Suspended Officials in Ebonyi, Appoints New University Management

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has made a significant decision by recalling several suspended top government officials, including commissioners and permanent secretaries. These include Mr. Uchenna Igwe, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Dr. Moses Ekuma, the Commissioner for Health, and Mr. Chinedu Nkah, the Commissioner for Water Resources. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Lawrence Ezeogo, and the Executive Secretary of the Ebonyi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Emeka Ovuoba, were also reinstated.

Governor Nwifuru announced these decisions during a church service at the New Government House Chapel in Centenary City, Abakaliki, the state capital, on Sunday. The officials had been suspended after the governor discovered the diversion of state government materials intended for the Ministry of Health.

The suspension followed a series of investigations, including an inspection by the governor where he discovered a Toyota Dyna truck loading materials such as registers, books, and patient data registers from the Ministry’s warehouse without permission. This led to further inquiries and the arrest and prosecution of Mr. Ndukwe Ayansi and five others, who were accused of being involved in the diversion of these materials.

In addition to the recalled officials, Governor Nwifuru also used the occasion to announce the appointment of the new management team for Ebonyi State University (EBSU), following the expiration of the tenure of the previous management under Vice Chancellor Prof. Chigozie Ogbu. The new management will be led by Prof. Michael Awoke Ugota, a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor and pioneer Director of Works and Study, as the Vice Chancellor-designate. Other key appointments include Prof. Ike Elechi as Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Michael Ajanwachukwu as Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), and Mrs. Ugochinyere Uka as the Registrar.

Additionally, the governor appointed Mr. Ben Nwovu as the head of the Ebonyi State Road Maintenance Agency, further indicating his continued efforts to implement changes across the state’s governance and development sectors.

The new management of EBSU will be formally sworn in on Wednesday, 12th February 2024.