Otti reshuffles Abia cabinet, assigns portfolios to new Commissioners

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has reshuffled his cabinet and assigned portfolios to six newly appointed commissioners, 15 months into his administration.

The reshuffle was announced in a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Njoku, and shared with the press in Umuahia on Thursday.

The newly sworn-in commissioners include David Kalu, who will head the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation; Dr. Uwaoma Ukandu, assigned to the Ministry of Finance; and Prof. Enoch Uche, who takes charge of the Ministry of Health.

In addition to these appointments, Governor Otti created new ministries and restructured existing ones. The Ministry of Labour and Productivity was established, with former Transport Commissioner Sunny Onwuma at the helm.

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The Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy was carved out of the Ministry of Information and Culture, with Matthew Ekwuribe appointed as the commissioner.

The Ministry of Education was divided into two separate entities: the Ministry of Secondary and Basic Education, led by Goodluck Ubochi, and the Ministry of Tertiary Education, headed by Prof. Uche Eme Uche.

Additionally, the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection was created from the Ministry of Women Affairs, with Dr. Maureen Aghukwa as commissioner.

The Ministry of Trade, Commerce, and Industry was split into the Ministry of Trade and Commerce, under Kingsley Nwokocha, and the Ministry of Industry, Small and Medium Enterprises, led by Mike Akpara. Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu, the former Commissioner for Trade, Commerce, and Industry, was reassigned to the Ministry of Transport.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture remains without a commissioner following the resignation of Prof. Monica Ironkwe on July 16.