Nwifuru Suspends Three Commissioners Over Absenteeism
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has suspended three commissioners for one month for failing to attend the state Executive Council (EXCO) meeting on March 17 without permission.
The affected officials are Solomon Azi (Grants and Donor Agencies), Victor Chukwu (Environment), and Ikeuwa Omebe (Rural Development).
Announcing the decision on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Jude Okpor, stated that the suspended commissioners would be stripped of all privileges associated with their positions for the duration of the suspension.
Governor Nwifuru also issued a stern warning against absenteeism and laxity among public servants, emphasizing the need for commitment to duty. He further cautioned contractors handling state projects to adhere to their contractual agreements, warning that the government would take legal action to ensure compliance.
In addition, the state government approved the construction of staff quarters, a female hostel, and a health clinic at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) permanent orientation camp in Afikpo, as part of efforts to enhance infrastructure and support the Renewed Hope Initiative of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Okpor also revealed that the government honored the law team from Ebonyi State University (EBSU) that represented Nigeria at the 33rd Christof Heyns African Moot Court Competition in Kigali, Rwanda. The team—Michael Agu-Ebeke, Cynthia Ibor, and their instructor, Dr. Chioma Iteshi—received the prestigious Ebonyi State Honours Award and a cash prize of N3 million each after emerging victorious against 68 Anglophone and 15 Francophone teams, marking a historic win for a Nigerian faculty of law in the competition’s 33-year history.
