Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Monday inaugurated a new Executive Council for Anambra State, tasking members of the cabinet to fast-track his administration’s ambitious development agenda aimed at transforming the state into an “African Dubai-Taiwan-Silicon Valley”.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Executive Council Chambers of the Light House in Awka, saw 18 commissioners take the oath of office weeks after the dissolution of the previous cabinet following Soludo’s re-election.
Addressing the newly appointed officials, Soludo described their appointments as a call to service and sacrifice rather than personal prestige, urging them to uphold discipline, accountability and teamwork in the discharge of their duties.
“We are now in gear four; let’s move with speed,” the governor said. “We must keep accelerating to greater heights, and failure is not an option. We must not fail Ndi Anambra.”
He said the administration was entering a more intensive phase of governance, stressing that the foundations laid during his first term must now be strengthened with urgency and innovation.
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According to the governor, the appointees were selected from among millions of qualified citizens and are expected to justify the confidence reposed in them through hard work and transparent leadership.
The commissioners sworn in include Ben Odoemena (Agriculture), Chukwukadibia Okoye (Budget and Economic Planning), Udoji Amedu (Culture, Entertainment and Tourism), Dr Ekene Ogugua (Education), Dr Clem Aguiyi (Environment), Dr Afam Obidike (Health), Dr Law Mefor (Information and Value Reorientation) and Prof. Offornze Amucheazi (Lands).
Others are Vin Ezeaka (Local Government and Community Affairs), Prof. Charles Ofoegbu (Petroleum and Mineral Resources), Chijioke Oseloka Ojukwu (Physical Planning and Urban Development), Engr Casmir Agummadu (Power), Engr Okey Ezeobi (Works and Infrastructure), Eddy Ibuzo (Transport), Esther Onyekesi (Women Affairs and Social Development), Patrick Agha (Youth Development and Sports), Arc. Henry Arinze (Housing) and Nonso Chukwuma Ebonwu (Commerce).
The governor also inaugurated heads of key government agencies, including Emeka Okonkwo as Managing Director of the Anambra Road Traffic Management Agency; Dr Ossy Onuko as Managing Director of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority; Fred Agbata as head of the state Information and Communication Technology Agency; and Engr Obi Okonkwo as Managing Director of the Bureau of Public Procurement.
The latest appointments followed the earlier swearing-in of Tochukwu Nweke as Attorney-General and Commissioner for justice, alongside the appointment of Izuchukwu Okafor as Commissioner for finance.
Soludo urged members of the cabinet to run their ministries with prudence, transparency and inter-agency collaboration, noting that government decisions would directly impact the welfare of millions of residents across the state.
