JUST-IN: Gov Nwifuru Suspends 3 Ebonyi Commissioners For Absenteeism

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has announced the one-month suspension of three commissioners in his cabinet due to absenteeism.

The suspended commissioners include Solomon Azi (Grants and Donor Agencies), Victor Chukwu (Environment), and Ikeuwa Omebe (Ministry of Rural Development).

According to the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Mr. Jude Okpor, the commissioners were suspended for being absent without permission during the State Executive Council meeting on Monday.

During a briefing on the meeting’s outcome, Okpor emphasized that the Governor had issued a stern warning against absenteeism and a lackadaisical approach to work among public servants in the state.

He also noted that Governor Nwifuru directed that the suspended commissioners be relieved of all privileges associated with their offices during their suspension period.

In addition, Okpor revealed that Governor Nwifuru had warned contractors handling government projects in the state to speed up their work and adhere to contractual agreements. The Governor vowed that the government would not hesitate to take legal action to enforce compliance if necessary.

The Commissioner also highlighted that, as part of the state government’s efforts to improve infrastructure at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Afikpo, the Council approved the construction of staff quarters, a female hostel, and a health clinic. These projects align with the Governor’s commitment to complementing President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” initiative by creating a better environment for both staff and corps members.

Okpor further disclosed that the Council approved N40 million for the Ministry of Water Resources to construct a central water storage facility, with an emphasis on protecting the ministry’s equipment and consumables.

In a nod to educational achievements, the Council also recognized the victorious Ebonyi State University (EBSU) Faculty of Law team, which represented Nigeria at the 33rd Christof Heyns African Moot Court Competition in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2024. The team, consisting of Michael Agu-Ebeke, Ibor Cynthia Nwamaka, and their guardian, Dr. (Mrs) Chioma Vivian Iteshi, defeated 68 Anglophone and 15 Francophone teams to emerge victorious. The Governor commended their achievement and awarded them N5 million each as a reward.

The Council also expressed its commitment to prioritizing educational transformation in the state and urged the leadership of tertiary institutions to focus on practical-based research to produce solution-oriented graduates in line with modern societal needs.