JUST-IN: Gov Nwifuru suspends three Commissioners

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has suspended three commissioners in his cabinet for one month due to their absence from the state executive council meeting held on Monday, March 17, without permission.

The affected commissioners are Solomon Azi (Grants and Donor Agencies), Victor Chukwu (Environment), and Ikeuwa Omebe (Rural Development).

The Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Jude Okpor, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of the meeting.

He stated that the governor issued a stern warning against absenteeism and a lackadaisical attitude among public servants.

As part of the suspension, the commissioners will be stripped of all privileges attached to their offices for the duration of their suspension.

Governor Nwifuru also urged contractors handling government projects in the state to speed up work in accordance with contractual agreements, warning that legal measures would be taken against defaulters.

Additionally, the council approved several projects to enhance facilities at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Afikpo, including the construction of staff quarters, a female hostel, and a health clinic.

In further developments, N40 million was allocated to the Ministry of Water Resources for the construction of a central water store to safeguard equipment and consumables.

Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State government honored the victorious Faculty of Law team from Ebonyi State University (EBSU) for their outstanding performance at the 33rd Christof Heyns African Moot Court Competition in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2024.

The EBSU team, consisting of Michael Agu-Ebeke and Ibor Nwamaka, alongside their guardian, Dr. (Mrs.) Chioma Iteshi, became the first Nigerian faculty of law to win the competition in 33 years, defeating 68 Anglophone and 15 Francophone teams.

In recognition of their achievement, the governor awarded each recipient N5 million and reiterated the commitment of his administration to educational excellence.

He also encouraged tertiary institutions in the state to adopt practical-based research to produce graduates equipped with problem-solving skills relevant to modern society.