Otti Makes 30 Fresh Appointments, Clarifies Kanu’s Designation in Enyimba FC

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Abia State Governor, Mr. Alex Otti has increased the size of his aides with 30 fresh appointments.

The new additions included two Special Advisers, 10 Senior Special Assistants, six Special Assistants as well as heads of agencies and parastatals.

The governor also clarified the appropriate designation of Nwankwo Kanu, naming him as the Chairman of Enyimba International FC of Aba.

The commissioner for information had earlier told journalists in his maiden briefing after the maiden meeting of the State Executive Council, that Kanu was appointed to “supervise” Enyimba International FC.

But in the list of the new appointees released by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor. Mr. Kazie Uko, the Abia-born football legend was clearly designated as “Chairman” of Enyimba FC.

This has cleared the confusion in the media over Kanu’s exact role in Enyimba FC as he was variously referred to as “Sole Administrator”, “Supervisor” and even “Manager” of Enyimba.

In the new list, the Director of Alex Otti’s campaign, Hon Iheanacho Obioma, was named Special Adviser, Political Affairs. Eyebrows were raised when his name was conspicuously missing in all the previous appointments.

The other Special Adviser in the fresh appointments was Mr. Ugochukwu Okoroafor, designated as Special Adviser, Monitoring and Evaluation.

Aside Kanu, another appointee that attracted attention was Mr. Martins Okechukwu Justice, whose stage name is J. Martins. The Abia-born music star was named by the state governor as his Special Assistant on Tourism and Entertainment.

It also included: Prof Ijeoma Iheukwumere – Senior Special Assistant, Environment; Mr. Odinakachi Eric Eme – Senior Special Assistant, Multilateral and Donor Agencies; Mr. Nwaka Inem – Special Adviser on Trade, Commerce and Industry; Magdalene Ugoanusi – Senior Special Assistant, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Dr. George Chidozie – Senior Special Assistant, Special Duties; Okorougo Aji – Special Assistant, Lands and Housing; Dr. Obioma Nwogbe – Senior Special Assistant, Transport; Mr. Chukwunenye Alajemba – Senior Special Assistant, Homeland Security; Joshua Onyeike – General Manager, ASOPADEC; Dike Nwankwo – Director General, Abia State Orientation Agency; Dr. Uloaku Ukaegbu – Director, Abia State Agency for Control of AIDS, and Dr. Eric Egwuibe – Senior Special Assistant, Budget and Planning.

Also, Dr. Anthony Nwaubani, was appointed Senior Special Assistant,  Finance; Mr. Ogbonnia Okereke, GM, ASEPA; Mr. Daniel Chinagozi – Special Assistant, Digital Economy; Mr. Chinedu Ekeke – Deputy Chief of Staff (cum Senior Special Assistant on Sports and Youth Development), and Dr. Oluebube Olunna Chukwu – Senior Special Assistant, Due Process.