Abakaliki, Nigeria – The Association of Heads of Federal Establishments (AHFE), Ebonyi State Chapter, has elected a new executive (EXCO) to run its affairs for the next two years.
The association, in an election conducted on Wednesday, elected Mr Marcel Akamabe, of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, as its Chairman with Mr Sunday Eze of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) as its Secretary.
The new EXCO will lead the association for the next two years as the election is seen as a significant leadership and transitional step to reposition the association in the state.
Akamabe, the new Chairman, told newsmen after the inauguration that steps would be taken to consolidate on the legacies of the past EXCO and improve on its performances.
“We start by advocating for the construction of a standard Federal Secretariat complex to serve as a befitting base for all federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the state.
“Ebonyi is long overdue for a standard Federal Secretariat as Federal establishments are currently scattered across different locations.
“These establishments stay at the Ochudo Centenary City, Nnorom Street Secretariat and the Unity Square, among other locations.”
He regretted that some of these establishments occupy obsolete structures formerly used by the Ebonyi state ministries.
“This fragmentation not only hinders coordination and service delivery but also causes undue difficulty for members of the public trying to locate federal offices.
“Ebonyi, being a full-fledged state of the Nigerian federation for nearly three decades, deserves the same infrastructure and institutional presence enjoyed by other states.
“When you speak of federal presence, it must be visible and accessible as every well-travelled Nigerian can attest that most states boast of standard federal Secretariats.
“Why should Ebonyi be different as it is high time the federal government considers this critical need.”
The chairman re-affirmed the association’s commitment to the welfare of its members and the broader Ebonyi community.
“A major end-of-the-year outreach programme is being planned to support the less privileged, orphans, and vulnerable groups in the state.
“We are not just here to represent federal institutions, we have a social responsibility to the people we serve.
“Our December outreach is going to run for a full week, targeting indigent members of society to give them a sense of belonging and hope.”
He also pledged improved internal synergy among top federal officials in Ebonyi to enhance productivity, visibility, and prompt service delivery to citizens.
The other elected officials were Mrs. Ifeoma Ejike – Vice Chairman (Bank of Agriculture), Mr. Samuel Nshii – Treasurer (Nigerian Customs Service), Mrs. Ifeoma Obi – Financial Secretary (National Library), Mrs. Lauretta Bakare – Assistant Secretary (Federal Ministry of Information), Mr. Chukwuemeka Opara – Public Relations Officer (PRO) (News Agency of Nigeria), Mr. Solomon Nwabueze – Provost (Nigerian Institute of Animal Science), Chief Unya Efor – Internal Auditor (Radio Nigeria, Unity FM), and Prof. Ama Udu – Ex–Officio (National Open University of Nigeria).
The newly elected leadership was charged with the responsibility to build bridges of cooperation between federal establishments and the state government, and to foster improved service delivery to the people of Ebonyi.
