Nnamani fills vacancies in State Exco, appoints 2 new Judges
February 3, 2007

Three new Commissioners recently appointed into the Enugu State Executive Council have been sworn-in.

The Commissioners are the former Special Adviser to the Governor on Legal Matters, Barrister Ifeanyi Nwoga, who is now the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, former Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Mobilisation, Mrs. Evelyn Ekwo Ahanonu, who becomes the Commissioner for Women Affairs, and a former member, Primary Education Board, Mrs. Joy Nnachetam, now Commissioner for Culture and Tourism.

The vacancies in the three positions occurred in December last year following the resignation of the former occupants to contest for elective positions in the forthcoming general elections on the platform of the PDP. The former occupants of the offices were Barrister Sullivan Chime, former State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice who is now the Enugu State PDP goversorship flag-bearer, Princess Peace Nnaji, former Commissioner for Women Affairs who is now the PDP candidate for Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency, and Arc. Paul Eze, former Culture and Tourism Commissioner who is also now the PDP candidate for Uzo-Uwani/Igboetiti Federal Constituency.

Performing the ceremony at the Excecutive Council Chambers, Government House, Enugu, Governor Nnamani described the occasion as unique in the sense that the Commissioners would serve barely for four months.

He therefore reminded them that the duration of their service did not, adding that what was important was their contribution towards the development of the state and the quality of service rendered.

“I want to say clearly that it is not the duration of service but the quality. I believe that even a day can make a change,” Governor Nnamani said.

He advised the new Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Nwoga, to carry on the law reforms and to ensure the completion of major requirements for reforms with the development partners.

The State Chief Executive also noted that a lot still needed to be done in the Tourism Ministry and called on the new Culture and Tourism Commissioner, Mrs. Joy Nnachetam, to strive in order to achieve success in her new Ministry.

He also called on the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Ahanonu, to liaise with the Commissioner for Justice to ensure the speedy passage of the Child Rights Bill.

He congratulated them on their new positions and commended Mrs. Ahanonu for her humility, devotion and simplicity, pointing out that the honour would afford her once more the opportunity to contribute to the development of the state.

Earlier, the Governor also administered an Oath of Office on two new female Judges in the State, Justice Catherine Ifeoma Nwobodo and Ngozi Nonyelum Nebo.

Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Nnamani described the judicial system in the state as an independent arm of the government and expressed appreciation for its support to his administration. He then charged the new judges to rise up to challenge, pointing out that much was expected of them.

The State Chief Executive expressed optimism that the incoming government would do more for the judiciary. “Whatever we can do, whatever we have done for the state judiciary, we have done our best. I have no doubt that the incoming administration will have greater respect and understanding for the state judiciary”. he stated.

Presenting the two nominees to the Governor, the State Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezurike said that the candidates were considered on merit, describing them as materials for the Nigerian Supreme Court.

The appointment of the two judges now makes the number of State High Court judges in the state to be twenty-six.