Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has sworn in 10 new Permanent Secretaries into the state civil service, urging them to uphold integrity, demonstrate professional competence and distinguish themselves through effective leadership and dedicated public service.
The Governor also inaugurated three other government appointees, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to merit-based appointments, accountability and excellence in governance.
The ceremony took place on Monday, October 19, 2026, at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia, where the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries took their Oaths of Allegiance and Office, administered by the State Solicitor-General, Mr. Paul Ogubunka.
Addressing the appointees after the swearing-in, Governor Otti described their appointments as positions of significant responsibility, requiring them to demonstrate diligence, transparency and a strong commitment to achieving the state’s development objectives.
He emphasized that public office under his administration must be earned through merit, competence and the ability to deliver results, rather than political affiliation, ethnic background or other considerations unrelated to professional capacity.
Congratulating the new Permanent Secretaries, Otti urged them to justify the confidence placed in them by the government and the people of Abia State.
The Governor explained that their emergence followed a transparent and competitive selection process involving electronic applications, computer-based examinations and oral interviews.
“What we have done since 2023 is to ensure that appointments are strictly based on merit,” Governor Otti stated.
He maintained that his administration would continue to prioritize competence and professionalism in building a civil service capable of supporting its reform agenda and delivering quality services to residents.
Otti Highlights Women’s Representation in New Appointments
Governor Otti also drew attention to the strong representation of women among the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, revealing that seven of the 10 appointees, representing 70 per cent, are women.
According to him, the development demonstrates that women can excel in leadership when given equal opportunities to compete on the basis of merit and ability.
He encouraged the female appointees to uphold the confidence reposed in them and use their positions to contribute meaningfully to the effective implementation of government policies and programmes.
The Governor expressed optimism that all 10 Permanent Secretaries would perform creditably and play important roles in advancing his administration’s development priorities and the broader New Abia agenda.
New Permanent Secretaries Pledge Commitment to Service
Speaking on behalf of the newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries, Mrs. Uwaoma Ajike expressed gratitude to Governor Otti for the opportunity to serve in the state’s senior administrative structure.
She assured the Governor that the appointees would approach their responsibilities with dedication, professionalism and a shared commitment to supporting the administration’s vision for Abia State.
Similarly, Mr. Godwin Adindu, speaking on behalf of the other newly inaugurated officials, thanked the Governor for the confidence placed in them and pledged their commitment to fulfilling the responsibilities attached to their respective appointments.
The appointees expressed their readiness to contribute to effective governance and the delivery of the administration’s development programmes.
Full List of the Newly Sworn-In Permanent Secretaries
The 10 Permanent Secretaries sworn into the Abia State Civil Service are:
- Mrs. Uwaoma Ajike
- Mrs. Rollingstone Frances Ogechi
- Mrs. Okoro Precious Uma
- Mrs. Nwaogwugwu Peace C.
- Mr. Uwajimgba Vincent Uchechukwu
- Mr. Jackson Sunday Onyebuchi
- Mrs. Ukpabi Ngozi Juliet
- Mrs. Chinyere Josephine Kanno
- Mrs. Egesie Ijeoma Michelle
- Mrs. Ogugbue Kelechi Stella
Three Other Government Officials Inaugurated
In addition to the Permanent Secretaries, Governor Otti inaugurated three other officials to serve in different capacities within the state government.
They are:
- Mr. Godwin Adindu – Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Abia State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ABSAA).
- Ms. Sandra Ivonye-Ntofon – Chief Executive Officer of the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park.
- Mr. Vincent Onyembi – Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on National Assembly Matters.
Their appointments are expected to support the administration’s work across public administration, industrial development, innovation and legislative engagement.
The ceremony was attended by the Chief Judge of Abia State, Hon. Justice Lilian Abai; members of the Abia State House of Assembly; members of the State Executive Council; and other senior government officials.
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The swearing-in ceremony reinforces Governor Otti’s stated commitment to strengthening the state’s public service through merit-based recruitment, professional competence and accountable leadership as his administration pursues its development agenda.
Source: Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State, October 19, 2026.
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