Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has suspended three commissioners for one month due to their absenteeism from the state Executive Council (EXCO) meeting on March 17. The suspended commissioners are Solomon Azi (Grants and Donor Agencies), Victor Chukwu (Environment), and Ikeuwa Omebe (Rural Development). This announcement was made by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Jude Okpor, during the weekly EXCO meeting briefing on Tuesday. Okpor stated that the commissioners were absent from the meeting without prior permission.

Governor Nwifuru has instructed that the suspended commissioners be stripped of all privileges associated with their positions for the duration of their suspension. The governor emphasized that absenteeism and a lackadaisical attitude towards work would not be tolerated by public servants in the state.

Additionally, the governor took the opportunity to address contractors working on government projects, urging them to speed up their work and adhere strictly to the terms of their contracts. Nwifuru made it clear that the state government would take all necessary legal actions to enforce compliance with contractual obligations.

Okpor also provided updates on new government initiatives, including the approval for the construction of staff quarters, a female hostel, and a health clinic at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) permanent orientation camp in Afikpo. This development is part of the governor’s efforts to enhance the camp’s infrastructure, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative, aimed at providing a better environment for both staff and corps members.

Furthermore, Okpor announced that the Ebonyi State government had honored the law team from Ebonyi State University (EBSU), who represented Nigeria at the 33rd Christof Heyns African Moot Court competition in Kigali, Rwanda. The team, comprising Michael Agu-Ebeke, Cynthia Ibor, and their instructor Dr. Chioma Iteshi, won the prestigious Ebonyi State Honours Award and a cash prize of N3 million each. The team’s victory, which saw them defeat 68 Anglophone and 15 Francophone teams, marked a historic achievement as they became the first Nigerian law faculty to win the competition in 33 years.