By Ori Martins
The people of Abia State are unanimous in thier submission that the 21 aides list so far made by Governor Alex Otti is a positive signal which indicates good governance ahead.
In a statement signed by the chief press secretary to the governor, Kazie Ukoh, and made available to journalists in Umuahia, Otti noted that those appointed were the men and women who would assist him in piloting the affairs of the state to make it better for all.
In a wide range of opinion poll carried out in Abia State by Business Hallmark, the people of the state lauded the governor’s appointment, noting that it was a sign of good governance in the offing.
The chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Abia State, Comrade Obinna Ibe, said the appointments were string indications that Otti meant business.
According to him, “We have seen Dr Alex Otti’s 21 member list of aides, comprising some of the best brains in the state. The list also cut across the three geo political zones. Therefore, it means that merit, professionalism and equity – balancing – were considered.
“What this means is that Otti is poised to giving Abia State the best it deserves. We wish him well. He has also to remember that as we are commending him now, so shall we condemn him later, if he fails. For now, he is the governor and we wish him well”.
In his submission, the coordinator, Coalition for Democracy and Values, Aba, Prince Ughe Sabinus, stated that the 21 aides list of Otti revealed his good intentions of fixing Abia and making it one of the best in the country in this dispensation.
He said, “I have taken a very critical look at the 21 aides list released by Otti. I can tell you, it is a solid squad. It is a compilation of some of our best hands in the state.
Actually, what interests me the most is that Otti based his selection on experience, merit, competence, capacity and equity. All the three major political zones were carried along and traditional lines of the so called Old Bende and Old Umuahia bend were taking into considerations. It means there will be no bickering or unnecessary complaints of marginalization. I really commend Otti for this smooth take off”.
A trader at the popular Ariara Market in Aba, Uzor Clement Uzor opined that he was not surprised with the calibre of well exposed professionals Otti picked to help him in fulfilling his electoral promises.
“The fact of the matter is, Otti informed us right from his electioneering that he would hit the ground running. That is exactly what he has accomplished with the 21 member aides he has so far appointed.
“Go through the list and you will discover that Otti selected men and women who have character, the right and required credentials for the purposes of which they are being called upon to serve and deliver. I am not in any way surprised because Otti, as a an established banker, knows what it means to work with the best hands which he promised during his campaigns”, he explained.
The aides comprises 10 special advisers, nine senior special assistants and two special assistants. They included, the SSA on Finance, Michael Akpana., Uwanna Ikechukwu as his Senior Special Assistant on Legal Matters, Uche Eme Uche as Special Adviser on Education, Joel F. Ogbonna as Special Adviser on Petroleum and Energy, as well as Clifford C. Agbaeze as Senior Special Assistant on Agriculture.
Others are Chimereze Okigbo as the Special Adviser on Internally Generated Revenue, Uche Mark Nwosu is the Chief of Protocol, Uche Ukeje is the Senior Special Assistant on Aba Rejuvenation, Dodoh Okafor was appointed the Special Assistant on Public Communications, and Uzor Nwachukwu who made the list as the Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Also, Kingsley Anosike was appointed with the portfolio if Special Adviser on Planning and Strategy, Uzoma Nwagba got the Senior Special Assistant on Digital Economy and SME, Rev. Father Christian Uche Anokwuru is the Special Adviser on Policies and Interventions, and Ifeoma Thomas as the Special Assistant on Vulnerable Groups and Poverty Alleviation.
Equally, Dike Nwankwo will serve in the capacity as the Senior Special Assistant, Special Duties, to the Governor; Okey Kanu as the Special Adviser on Strategic Communications; Betty Emeka-Obasi is the Senior Special Assistant, Special Duties; and Chinedu Ekeke is the Senior Special Assistant, Youth and Sports Development.
Chuka Ofili will be the Senior Special Assistant for Domestic Affairs, Luke Ukara Onyeani will be the Senior Special Assistant for Legislative Matters, Navy Commander Macdonald Ubah (Rtd) will be the Special Adviser for Security, and Chimezie Ukaegbu will be the Special Adviser for Trade and Commerce.
Few days ago, Otti had nominated eight officials, including Prof. Kenneth Kalu as the Secretary to the State Government and Caleb Ajagba as his Chief of Staff.
As a way of sanitizing the system as well as taking off on a clean slate, Governor Otti directed that all accounts of the Abia State Government be immediately frozen, as well as those of its agencies domiciled in all financial institutions.
