Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has sworn-in 10 new Permanent Secretaries into the State Civil Service, charging them to demonstrate competence, integrity and commitment to service while distinguishing themselves through effective leadership.
The Governor also inaugurated three newly appointed government officials and reiterated his administration’s commitment to merit, competence and excellence in public service.
Speaking after the administration of the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office on the new Permanent Secretaries by the Solicitor-General of the State, Mr. Paul Ogubunka, at the ceremony held on Monday, October 19, 2026, at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, Governor Otti said their appointments come with significant responsibilities and expectations.
Gov. Otti urged them to demonstrate competence, commitment and accountability in the discharge of their duties, stressing that appointments under his administration are based strictly on merit, competence and capacity to deliver, rather than political, ethnic or other considerations.
The Governor, who congratulated the appointees, charged them to justify the confidence reposed in them, explaining that their selection followed a transparent and competitive process involving electronic applications, computer-based tests and oral interviews.
“What we have done since 2023 is to ensure that appointments are strictly based on merit,” Gov. Otti stated.
The Governor highlighted the significant representation of women among the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, noting that seven of the 10 appointees, representing 70 per cent, are women.
According to the Governor, the development demonstrates that women can excel when given equal opportunities based on competence and merit. He urged the female appointees to sustain the confidence reposed in them and contribute meaningfully to the success of his administration.
The State Chief Executive expressed confidence that the appointees would perform creditably and contribute to the achievement of his administration’s development objectives.
Responding on behalf of the newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries, Mrs. Uwaoma Ajike expressed appreciation to the Governor for the confidence reposed in them and pledged that they would discharge their responsibilities diligently and contribute to the actualization of the New Abia agenda.
Similarly, Mr. Godwin Adindu, who spoke on behalf of the other appointees, thanked the Governor for the opportunity to serve and assured him of their commitment to delivering on their respective mandates.
The newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries are:
1. Mrs. Uwaoma Ajike
2. Mrs. Rollingstone Frances Ogechi
3. Mrs. Okoro Precious Uma
4. Mrs. Nwaogwugwu Peace C.
5. Mr. Uwajimgba Vincent Uchechukwu
6. Mr. Jackson Sunday Onyebuchi
7. Mrs. Ukpabi Ngozi Juliet
8. Mrs. Chinyere Josephine Kanno
9. Mrs. Egesie Ijeoma Michelle
10. Mrs. Ogugbue Kelechi Stella
Other appointees inaugurated are:
1. Mr. Godwin Adindu – Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Abia State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ABSAA).
2. Ms. Sandra Ivonye-Ntofon – Chief Executive Officer, Abia Industrial and Innovation Park.
3. Mr. Vincent Onyembi – Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on National Assembly Matters.
The Chief Judge of Abia State, Hon. Justice Lilian Abai, members of the State House of Assembly, members of the State Executive Council and other top government officials were present at the ceremony.
Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
October 19, 2026.
