Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has announced the appointment of new Senior Special Advisers (SPAs) and effected a major reshuffling of his cabinet, adding fresh hands to strengthen his administration’s drive for effective governance. The development, which also included the swearing-in of new Commissioners, was unveiled on Tuesday during a ceremony at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Umuahia.
As part of the new appointments, Salome Obiukwu was sworn in as Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Chiemela Uzoije became Commissioner for Housing, while Christian Enweremadu emerged as Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture. Governor Otti also disclosed that the former Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Kingsley Nwokocha, has been reassigned to serve as Commissioner for Labour and Productivity. In addition, the Ministry of Lands and Housing has been split into two separate portfolios to enhance efficiency, with Chaka Chukwumerije appointed as Commissioner for Lands.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, Governor Otti explained that the appointments were carefully considered and followed a rigorous nomination and screening process aimed at selecting individuals of outstanding competence and integrity. He described the reshuffle as part of his administration’s deliberate strategy to inject fresh ideas and strengthen the team’s capacity to deliver on the promises of the “new Abia Project.”
“There is practically no time for a honeymoon,” Otti charged the new appointees, urging them to immediately “invite and welcome support from every available channel so that it can hit the ground running.” He commended their leadership qualities and expressed confidence that they would help sustain the momentum of his administration’s reforms and developmental strides.
The governor, however, reminded the officials that the tasks ahead would not be easy. He reassured them of the support of their colleagues but reiterated his government’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, warning that any official found wanting would face strict sanctions. “Our administration has zero tolerance for corruption and practices that take away from the public tier. We shall not hesitate to do what has to be done whenever credible evidence of compromise and bad behaviour is presented to us,” he said.
Governor Otti also highlighted some of his administration’s key achievements in the past 28 months, citing notable improvements in road infrastructure, security, education, and healthcare. He reminded the appointees that the government had already crossed the halftime mark of its first term and urged them to deliver results with urgency.
Responding on behalf of the appointees, the new Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Salome Obiukwu, thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve and pledged their collective commitment to discharge their duties diligently “to the glory of God and the good of Abia State.”
The event was attended by senior government officials, party stalwarts, and family members of the appointees, who hailed the appointments as a reflection of Governor Otti’s commitment to merit, competence, and service delivery as Abia continues on its path of transformation.
