Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has appointed Mrs. Esther Chinyere Onyekesi, mother of the late businessman Martin Onyekesi, as Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development.
Martin Onyekesi was reportedly abducted and killed by kidnappers last year. His death sparked widespread reactions and protests across the State, including demonstrations led by social media activist Martin Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan.
Despite attempts by some political actors to link the incident to politics ahead of the governorship election, Mrs. Onyekesi, a women leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), maintained that the tragedy should not be politicized.
Governor Soludo forwarded a list of 18 commissioner nominees to the Anambra State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation. The list includes only four returning commissioners, while the remaining nominees are new appointments.
Among the nominees are Dr. Ben Chuks Odoemena for Agriculture, Mr. Chukwukadibia Okoye for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Ekene Ogugua for Education, Dr. Clem Aguiyi for Environment, and Mr. Izuchukwu Okafor for Finance.
Other nominees include Dr. Afam Obidike for Health, Dr. Law Mefor for Information and Value Reformation, Barrister Tobechukwu Nweke (SAN) for Justice and Attorney-General, and Professor Offornze Amucheazi (SAN) for Lands.
Additional appointments include Barrister Vin Ezeaka for Local Government and Community Affairs, Professor Charles Ofoegbu for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Barrister Chijioke Oseloka Ojukwu for Physical Planning and Urban Development, and Engineer Casmir Chinenye Agummadu for Power.
Also nominated are Architect Okey Ezeobi for Works and Infrastructure, Hon. Eddy Ibuzo for Transport, Mrs. Esther Chinyere Onyekesi for Women Affairs and Social Development, and Mr. Patrick Agha Mba for Youth Development and Sports.
According to a statement signed by Franklin Osankwa, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media in the Office of the Speaker, the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Nkem Udeze, officially received the commissioner nominees during plenary on Tuesday.
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