Odunwa, Onah Emerge Ebonyi Assembly Speaker, Deputy

The 24-member Ebonyi State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, unanimously elected the member representing Ikwo South State constituency, Rt. Hon. Moses Odunwa, as the Speaker of the 7th State Assembly.

Rt. Hon. Odunwa was elected unopposed following his nomination by the member representing Edda West State constituency, Hon. Nkemka Onuma, and seconded by Hon. Abiri Godwin Abiri, representing Izzi West constituency.

There was no any other counter nomination when the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Patricia Anasi, called for further nomination for the office of Speaker and Hon. Odunwa was consequently sworn-in by the Clerk and decorated by the Sergeant-at-Arm.

The members also elected Rt. Hon. Chinedu Onah, representing Ohaukwu South State constituency as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly.

Hon. Ogba Celestine, representing Onicha East State constituency nominated Hon. Onah and was seconded by Hon. Friday Ogbuewu, representing Ezza South State constituency.

Other principal officers elected by the members included Rt. Hon. Ogbonnaya Ikoro, representing Afikpo North West as Leader of the House; Hon. Joseph Ununu, representing, Abakaliki South emerged as the Deputy Leader; Hon. Nkemka Onuma, representing Edda West Constituency emerged the Chief Whip, while Hon. Arinze Lucas, representing Ishielu South, emerged as the Deputy Chief Whip.

Addressing members of the 7th Assembly, the new Speaker, Rt. Hon Odunwa, said that the House will make legislations that would help in moving the State forward and commended members for electing him as the Speaker.

Meanwhile, the State governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, also on Tuesday, swore in Prof. Grace Umezuruike as the Secretary to the State Government; Prof. Emmanuel Echiegu as Chief of Staff, and Chief Mathias Adum as Principal Secretary to the Governor.

Rt. Hon. Nwifuru also swore in the Deputy Chief of Staff, Engr. Timothy Nwachu and the Deputy Principal Secretary, Hon. Okey Oroke.

The swearing-in ceremony, which was performed by the Governor at the New State Executive Council Chambers, New Government House, Abakaliki, also witnessed the swearing-in of Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants to the Governor.

The State Governor also submitted to the State House of Assembly a list of 35 commissioner-nominees for screening and confirmation by the State House of Assembly.

The nominees are expected to appear before the State House of Assembly this Wednesday for their screening and subsequent confirmation.