Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has announced a minor but strategic cabinet reshuffle, affecting four commissioners, while issuing a stern three-month performance ultimatum to two others.
The reshuffle was disclosed on Tuesday during a post-Executive Council press briefing in Abakaliki, by the newly appointed Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Barrister Ikeuwa Omebe, who swapped portfolios with Engr. Jude Chikadibia Okpor, now Commissioner for Rural Development.
Other changes include Prof. Paul Awo Nwobasi’s redeployment from the Ministry of Education (Primary and Secondary) to the Ministry of Border Peace and Conflict Resolution. Donatus Ilang, formerly in charge of Border Peace and Conflict Resolution, now heads the Ministry of Education (Primary and Secondary).
Omebe stated that the changes are part of Governor Nwifuru’s efforts to re-energize the administration in line with the People’s Charter of Needs agenda.
As part of the reshuffle, the governor issued warnings to two commissioners — Victor Uzoma-Chukwu (Environment) and Prof. Amari Omaka (Tertiary Education) — demanding significant improvements in their ministries within three months or risk dismissal.
The Executive Council meeting also yielded major decisions, including the approval of an Independent Captive Power Generation initiative, starting with a 3MW plant at the ICT University in Oferekpe, Agbaja.
Additionally, the council ratified the formation of a 15-member State Economic Advisory Committee chaired by renowned technocrat Prof. Barth Nnaji, and endorsed the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).
Further approvals included Ebonyi State’s participation in the Federal Government’s E-HEART programme aimed at expanding energy access in critical sectors, and the 2024 Business Enabling Reform Action Plan (BERAP) in preparation for the 2025 World Bank SABER programme.
Governor Nwifuru called on all political appointees to reassess their dedication and performance, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to delivering measurable development outcomes to the people of Ebonyi State.
