UMUAHIA, Nigeria – Abia State’s Governor Alex Otti has named Kanu Nwankwo, a football legend, J Martins, a music artiste, and Ugochukwu Okoroafor, a former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Director, as Special Adviser, Monitoring and Evaluation in a recent wave of appointments.
Okoroafor, an alumnus of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Kanu Nwankwo, an Olympic Gold medalist and retired football international, and seasoned music star J Martins, bring an unusual blend of finance, sports, and entertainment into the political landscape of Abia State.
These appointees lead a list of 30 newly-appointed senior aides.
The announcement was made late Tuesday, July 11, 2023, by Kazie Uko, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary.
“We are excited to bring in talented individuals who are not just well-versed in their respective fields, but are passionate about the growth of Abia State,” said Uko. “The unique backgrounds and skills of these appointees will no doubt contribute to shaping a vibrant future for our state.”
Below list of new Abia officials named in the government press release below:
1. Mr. Ugochukwu Okoroafor – Special Adviser, Monitoring and Evaluation
2. Hon Iheanacho Obioma – Special Adviser, Political Affairs
3. Prof Ijeoma Iheukwumere – Senior Special Assistant, Environment
4. Mr. Odinakachi Eric Eme – Senior Special Assistant, Multilateral and Donor Agencies
5. Mr. Nwaka Inem – Special Adviser on Trade, Commerce and Industry
6. Magdalene Ugoanusi – Senior Special Assistant, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs
7. Mr. Martins Okechukwu Justice (J Martins) – Special Assistant on Tourism and Entertainment
8. Dr. George Chidozie – Senior Special Assistant, Special Duties
9. Pastor Okorougo Aji – Special Assistant, Lands and Housing
10. Dr. Obioma Nwogbe – Senior Special Assistant, Transport
11. Mr. Chukwunenye Alajemba – Senior Special Assistant, Homeland Security
12. Ven (Dr.) Joshua Onyeike – General Manager, ASOPADEC
13. Pastor Dike Nwankwo – Director General, Abia State Orientation Agency
14. Dr. Uloaku Ukaegbu – Director, Abia State Agency for Control of AIDS
15. Dr. Eric Egwuibe – Senior Special Assistant, Budget and Planning
16. Dr. Anthony Nwaubani, Senior Special Assistant, Finance
17. Mr. Ogbonnia Okereke, GM, ASEPA
18. Mr. Daniel Chinagozi – Special Assistant, Digital Economy
19. Mr. Chinedu Ekeke – Deputy Chief of Staff (cum Senior Special Assistant on Sports and Youth Development)
20. Dr. Oluebube Olunna Chukwu – Senior Special Assistant, Due Process
21. Apostle Kenneth C. Wiper – Special Assistant on Religious Activities
22. Mr. Ishmael Onuoha – Senior Special Assistant, Cooperative Societies
23. Col. Ezichi Kalu (Rtd.) – General Manager, Abia State Road Traffic and Safety Management Agency (ARTSMA)
24. Mrs. Mathilda Anyamele – Special Assistant, Special Duties.
25. Mrs. Chinwe Kanu Uba – Special Assistant, Women Mobilisation.
26. Mrs. Chinwe Onyeukwu – Special Assistant, Women Affairs.
27. Kanu Nwankwo – Chairman, Enyimba International Football Club, Aba
28. Boniface Alozie Uche – Chairman, Abia Comets
29. John Sam Obuh – Chairman, Abia Warriors
30. Dr. Benson Nwaigburu, GM, Abia State Debt Management Office
