Ebonyi Governor Suspends 85 Officials for Neglect of Duty

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has suspended 85 top government officials, including commissioners, permanent secretaries, and aides, for failing to attend a crucial government function.

The suspended officials include 25 commissioners, 22 permanent secretaries, 14 Senior Special Assistants (SSAs), and 24 Special Assistants (SAs).

According to a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Monday Uzor, the suspension will last one month without pay.

Governor Nwifuru directed the affected officials to refrain from signing any official documents during their suspension.

Commissioners were instructed to hand over their responsibilities to their respective permanent secretaries.

The statement read: “Governor Francis Nwifuru has directed that the under-listed government functionaries proceed on a one-month working suspension without salary for failure to attend an important government function.”

The suspended Commissioners include Engr. Stanley Lebechi Mbam, Prof. Leonard Uguru, Dr. Mathew Nwobashi, Prof. Nwogo Obasi, Hon. Victor Chukwu, Engr. Jude Okpor, Barr. Ikeuwa Omebe, Hon. Chidi Onyia, Chief Oguzo-Offia Nwali, Dr. Ben Uruchi Odo, Dr. Donatus Ilang, Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Obichukwu, Dr. Moses Ekuma Ikenna, Chief Richard Idike, Barr. Mrs. Felicia Nwankpuma, Hon. Chinedu Nkah, Engr. Ogbonna Obasi Abara, Mrs. Nkechinyere Iyioku, Engr. Francis Ori, Hon. Tochukwu Okorie, Barr. Valentine Okike Uzo, Chief Sunday Inyima, Hon. Ogbonnaya Okorie, Chief Elechi Elechi, and Hon. Stanley Ogbuewu.

Also, the suspended Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) are: Hon. Bassey Chukwu, Mrs. Rose Ofoke, Mr. Kerian Ofoke, Hon. Anthony Nwegede, Hon. Onu Nwonye, Mrs. Lilian Nwachkwu, Mr. Fred Nwogbaga, Hon. Paul Nwogha, Hon. Pius Nwoga, Hon. Ali Ikechukwu, Hon. Nwiboko Chukwuma, Mrs. Esther Nwogha, Barr. Caleb Onwe, and Hon. Chinedu Awo.

The Special Assistants (SAs) are:

Mr. Mbam Emmanuel, Tobias Ogbonna, Easy Okike Uzo, Obinna Oko Enyim, Chima Nnachi Okoro, Nwali Amechi, Dr. Sabinus Nwibo, Okorie Jideofor, Sunday Ogenyi, Stanley Kamani, Ikechukwu Jideofor, Emeka Okpa Onwe, David Aja, Frank Uka, John Nwangbo, Ogbonna Melford Nwuruku, Ifeanyi Ujebe, Chima Ogbuagu, Kizito Nwenyi, Uwa Henry Ifeanyi, Elechi Okechukwu Solomon, Ibina John Ogbonna, Mbam Ifeanyi D, and Nwigum Nonso Christian.

In the same vein, the Permanent Secretaries are: Dr. Lawrence Ezeogo, Dr. Isioma C. Arunne-Inyang, Mrs. Rose Ibe, Mrs. Ogechi Nwobasi, Mrs. Anwu Theresa, Dr. Lynda Alo, Mr. Monday Nkwuda, Mrs. Mary Ngozi Otozi, Mrs. Martina Obiya, Mrs. Ogechi Anaso-Kalu, Barr. Emmanuel Onwe, Mr. Henry Nworie, Mrs. Joy Mbam, Mrs. Henrietta Ikechukwu Oruh, Barr. Peter Ede, Dr. Gabriel Odo, Mrs. Mfon Williamson, Ms. Alusi Felicia, Mrs. Betty Uzoma, Engr. Chukwuma Ojeogu, Barr. Ikechukwu Alobu, and Mr. Fidelis Nwankwo.

The governor’s action underscored his administration’s stance on accountability and discipline within the state’s civil service.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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