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Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, on Wednesday swore in a new Head of Service and six commissioners, while also announcing the reassignment of three others in a major cabinet reshuffle.

The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House in Enugu, saw Dr Godwin Anigbo formally appointed as Head of Service.

The new commissioners and their portfolios are: Engr. Benjamin Osita Okoh, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure; Prof. Benedett Ekwutosi Okoli, Commissioner for Human Development and Poverty Eradication; Enyinna Franklin Ogbonna, Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources; Dr. Samuel Ogbu-Nwobodo, Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Industry; Prof. George Ugwu, Commissioner for Health; and Engr. Ben Collins Ndu Jr., Commissioner for Water Resources.

Additionally, three commissioners were reassigned to new roles: Dr. Felix Nnamani, now Commissioner for Labour and Employment; Dr. Malachy Agbo, now Commissioner for Information; and Engr. Gerald Otiji, now Commissioner for Housing.

The oath of office was administered by a representative of the Ministry of Justice, Chizoba Ogbodo.

Mbah charged the appointees to hit the ground running, stressing that there would be no honeymoon period.

He said the administration had, in two years, stirred high expectations among the people of the state as well as Nigerians in general and could not lower its performance across sectors.

The governor said, “You would soon notice that here in Enugu, we have steered such a high expectation among our people. And every day it feels as though we are presenting a scorecard.

“Therefore, you have to hit the ground running, as there will be no honeymoon period for you, unfortunately.

“We set targets, we set goals, and we have key performance indicators. We have measurable indicators; hence, we have to measure and we have to constantly take analysis of where you are in respect to the set goals and what your results are. Those key performance indicators are key to us and we will measure you based on these outcomes and results.”

He further charged the appointees to work as a team, in line with the established cultures of the administration.

“We also recognise teamwork champions. We do not encourage working in silos. You have to work as a team. We believe that by working as a team, we are able to accomplish our collective goals. You should not see your colleagues as rivals. They should actually complement your efforts instead.

“Our modest accomplishment in the state so far is not done by a single champion. We like to recognise our successes as team efforts,” he added.

Speaking on behalf of other appointees, Dr. Ogbu-Nwobodo thanked the governor for finding them worthy out of the many other highly qualified Enugu citizens and beyond, assuring that they would not let him down.

“Since you chose to entrust us with this sacred duty, as you make history on a daily basis. We will keep faith with our Oath of Office. We will be loyal and dedicated in the discharge of our duties. We will strive to contribute to the nationally acknowledged success that your government has become,” he said.

The swearing-in ceremony was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Victor Udeh; several commissioners and senior appointees of government; and the spouses of the appointees.

President Bola Tinubu has written to the Senate, seeking confirmation of Prof. Yusuf Mohammed Yusuf as a Commissioner of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission.

The request was contained in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read during plenary on Wednesday.

According to the President, the nomination was made in accordance with Section 21 of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission Act, 2022.

Yusuf is being nominated to replace Prof. Fatima Alkali, who was initially nominated on June 2, 2025, but failed to appear before the Senate for screening and confirmation.

“Whilst I hope that the Senate will consider and confirm the nomination of Professor Yusuf Mohammed Yusuf in an expeditious manner, please accept, Distinguished Senate President and Senators, the assurances of my highest consideration,” the President wrote.

In response, Senate President Akpabio referred the nomination to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further legislative action.

The committee is expected to scrutinise the nomination and submit its recommendations to the Senate in due course.

A former aspirant of the Labour Party in the 2024 Edo Governorship Election, Kenneth Imasuagbon, on Wednesday joined the African Democratic Party, accompanied by his supporters.

Imasuagbon also picked up the party membership card in Benin after his admission into the party.

Popularly called the ‘Rice Man’, Imasuagbon had previously contested for the governorship seat under the Peoples Democratic Party and the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, now known as the All Progressives Congress. He lost the Labour Party ticket to Olumide Akpata in 2024.

However, he said he would continue to look at the party that was working for genuine change in the country and Edo State.

He said, “The African Democratic Congress is the only alternative political party that will rescue Nigeria from its present pitiable state. I saw the Labour Party as a rescuer, but unfortunately it turned out to be a sham. The ADC is in tandem with his belief as a person who has the common man at heart.

“I have found an alternative. I have found a credible vehicle. An alternative that is genuinely for change. An alternative that wants to reduce the price of food. An alternative that loves the common man. An alternative that loves the Okada rider. An alternative that loves the widow. An alternative that loves the students. That alternative is ADC.

“Therefore, I call on all well meaning Nigerians to join the moving train. We have decided today to rescue our dear country. This is the vehicle. There is no other one.”

Imasuagbon lamented that due to the harsh economic conditions in the country, he can no longer distribute rice to Edo people, particularly the less privileged, as he used to do during Christmas.

“I’m tired, very tired that a bag of rice that was sold ₦7,500 some years ago is now being sold for over ₦100,000. I can no longer buy rice to share with the poor people and widows of Edo State. I’m really tired.

“I’m tired because I can no longer buy fuel. Some years ago, fuel was ₦65 per litre, today it is almost a ₦1000. Nigerians are tired. We are concerned that our children will graduate but be unable to find jobs.

“We are all Nigerians. Nobody can threaten anybody. We want to make Nigeria and Edo better than we met them. I am not satisfied with the poverty in the land. I am calling on all Nigerians to join in. I am ready to lead the battle for change.”

Earlier, the state party chairman, Kennedy Odion, described Imasuagbon as a man of the people. He said the ADC, being a moving train, has provided a platform for every Nigerian with the aim of rescuing the country.

Odion, who said the road to rescue Nigeria may be rough but shall surely be a reality, asserted that Nigerians will soon experience a massive exodus to the party.

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State says his administration is committed to resolving pension challenges through honest dialogue and inclusive decision-making.

Otti said this on Tuesday when the national leadership of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners paid him a visit in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of the state.

He noted that resolving the pension challenges in the state required collaboration, deep reflection, and goodwill from all parties involved.

He clarified that the backlog of pensions predates his administration but expressed his willingness to manage the situation.

He said that the exact figure of the backlog of pensions had remained uncleared as pension obligations kept growing with ongoing retirements.

He also said that there was a political will to solve the problem and expressed confidence in finding a workable solution.

The governor recalled inviting the state NUP leaders to his office on assumption of office to begin talks on the pension crisis.

He also recalled his administration securing N10 billion to offset part of the pension arrears based on amounts owed.

According to him, pensioners owed N1 million or less were paid in full, while larger amounts received partial payments.

Otti noted that in spite of the intervention, the state NUP leaders misrepresented the facts and frustrated genuine efforts at reconciliation.

Earlier, the National President of NUP, Mr Godwin Abumisi, urged the governor to forgive the state chapter of the union and reopen discussions.

Abumisi said that the document the state leaders of NUP signed with the government concerning gratuity was signed in ignorance and should be set aside in good faith.

“Whatever document they signed with the state government concerning their gratuity was signed in ignorance.

“I am here to plead with you to discard that document. After they signed it, they reported to me at Abuja and I said it is not done.

“We are not here today to argue whether they did it or not. Your Excellency I plead that you forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing,” he said.

Abumisi also commended the governor for prioritising salaries, pensions, and infrastructure describing him as a “star performer”.

Otti however thereafter immediately set up a negoriating team to be led by his Special Assistant on Labour Matters, Mr Godson Anucha, to revisit the state pension challenges.

Other members of the team include include the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Kenneth Kalu, the Chief of Staff Dr Caleb Ajagba,Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, as well as the Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, Dr Betty Emeka-Obasi.

(NAN)

Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, has signed the state Hisbah Board Bill into law, establishing the Hisbah Board as a statutory body to bring greater social order and moral discipline in the state.

This development comes days after the state House of Assembly passed the bill at its plenary session, aimed at supporting the activities of the Jigawa State Hisbah Board across the state.

Speaking shortly after signing the bill into law, at a mini ceremony held on Tuesday at the Council Chamber, Government House, Dutse, the state capital, during the weekly State Executive Council Meeting, Namadi described the occasion as a remarkable achievement, marking the culmination of over eight months of legislative and administrative effort.

“Today, we have signed into law the Hisbah Bill, which establishes the Hisbah Board as an official institution in Jigawa State,” he said.

The governor added that “This is a process that began seven to eight months ago, and today, by the grace of Allah, we have concluded it.”

Namadi expressed hope that the Hisbah Board’s operations would bring greater social order and moral discipline to the state.

He urged Hisba personnel to conduct their duties with the fear of God, fairness, and dedication.

The governor also commended the Hisbah Board Establishment Committee members for their commitment, hard work, and sacrifice in diligently carrying out their mandate.

“Their efforts have been instrumental in bringing the bill to fruition,” he noted.

He added, “With the signing of this law, the Hisbah Board is now fully empowered to operate across Jigawa State in line with its mandate to promote moral guidance, social justice, and community well-being.

“The establishment of the Hisbah Board as a statutory body will undoubtedly enhance its effectiveness in promoting moral values and social justice in the state.

“The board’s operations are expected to have a positive impact on the community.”

He described the state government’s decision to establish the Hisbah Board as a testament to its commitment to promoting moral guidance and social justice, adding that “the board’s work will be crucial in shaping the state’s social fabric.”

Highlighting more on the Board’s mandate, Namadi explained, “The Hisbah Board’s mandate includes promoting moral guidance, social justice, and community well-being.

“With the new law, the board can now operate with greater authority and effectiveness.”

As the Hisbah Board begins its work, Namadi cautioned that it is essential for the Board personnel to conduct their duties with integrity and fairness.

“This will ensure that the board’s operations are effective and beneficial to the community,” he said.