Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has rejigged his cabinet by swearing in six new Commissioners and a new Head of Service, while also reassigning three existing officials to new portfolios.
The newly inaugurated officials include Dr. Godwin Anigbo as Head of Service; Engr. Benjamin Osita Okoh as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure; Prof. Benedett Ekwutosi Okoli as Commissioner for Human Development and Poverty Eradication; Enyinna Franklin Ogbonna as Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources; and Dr. Samuel Ogbu-Nwobodo as Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Industry.
Also sworn in were Prof. George Ugwu as Commissioner for Health, and Engr. Ben Collins Ndu Jr. as Commissioner for Water Resources.
In the cabinet reshuffle, Dr. Felix Nnamani was moved from the Ministry of Water Resources to the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Dr. Malachy Agbo was reassigned from Human Development and Poverty Eradication to the Ministry of Information, while former Works and Infrastructure Commissioner, Engr. Gerald Otiji, is now the Commissioner for Housing.
Addressing the appointees, Governor Mbah urged them to immediately get to work, stressing that there would be no “honeymoon period.”
“You will soon realise that here in Enugu, we have created very high expectations among our people,” Mbah said. “Every day feels like we are presenting a scorecard.”
He emphasized the administration’s performance-driven culture, noting that targets, goals, and measurable key performance indicators (KPIs) were already in place.
“We will measure your progress against these KPIs. Results and outcomes are what matter, and you will be held accountable accordingly,” he stated.
The governor also underscored the importance of teamwork, urging the new appointees to collaborate across ministries and avoid working in isolation.
“We don’t encourage working in silos. Success in this government is a collective effort. See your colleagues as partners, not rivals. Our modest accomplishments so far are the result of teamwork,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of the new appointees, Dr. Ogbu-Nwobodo thanked the governor for the opportunity and pledged their commitment to the administration’s vision and goals.
