Gov Otti swears in Edo indigene Benson Ojeikere as Abia Head of Service

Abia State governor, Dr. Alex Otti has sworn-in an Edo State born Benson Ojeikere as the state Head of Service.

Mr. Ojeikere who is an indigene of Edo State, was posted to Abia State in the late 90s as a Youth Corps member, and was offered automatic employment in the State Civil Service by former governor, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, after he emerged as the best corps member during the service year.

Ojeikere rose through the ranks and became a director in the service, and was later appointed a permanent secretary in 2023 by Governor Otti.

Having emerged as the best in the selection process for the Head of Service, he was then appointed to the position on merit and competence.

Performing the swearing-in ceremony, Governor Otti reaffirmed his commitment to meritocracy and competence, stressing that his gesture is in line with his policy of “If you live in Abia or are doing your business in Abia, you are an Abian”.

Otti congratulated Ojeikere for emerging the best in the selection exercise that preceeded his appointment and challenged him to transform the Abia State Civil Service into an effective, enviable and efficient workforce in the country.

In his response, Benson Ojeikere thanked the governor for what he described as a rare and unusual opportunity extended to him to serve as the state’s No. 1 civil servant.
He promised to work with the government to reposition the State Civil Service and make it a model that other States within and outside Nigeria will come to learn from.

The ceremony was witnessed by all Government appointees present as it followed the first enlarged State Executive Council Meeting of the year.