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By Emeka Chiaghanam

A fresh chapter has opened in Anambra politics after the State House of Assembly officially approved Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s commissioner nominees, with lawmakers urging the new cabinet members to focus on improving the lives of ordinary people across the state.

The confirmation exercise, which took place during Wednesday’s plenary in Awka, saw the Assembly clear the governor’s list of nominees after hours of screening, questioning and deliberations.

Some of the confirmed commissioners are familiar faces returning for another round in government, while others are stepping into the state executive council for the first time.

Among the returning names are Dr Law Mefor, who will oversee the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Dr Afam Obidike for Health, and Professor Offonze Amucheazi, SAN, who retained the Lands portfolio.

Other nominees confirmed by the lawmakers include Chief Ugoji Amedu for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Dr Clem Aguiyi for Environment, Dr Ben-Chuks Odoemena for Agriculture, and Mr Chukwukadibia Okoye for Budget and Economic Planning.

Also confirmed were Dr Ekene Ogugua for Education, Mr Izuchukwu Okafor for Finance, Barrister Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, for Justice and Attorney-General, Barrister Vin Ezeaka for Local Government and Community Affairs, and Professor Charles Ofoegbu for Petroleum and Mineral Resources.

Others are Barrister Chijioke Oseloka Ojukwu for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Engineer Casmir Agummadu for Power, Architect Okey Ezeobi for Works and Infrastructure, Hon Eddy Ibuzo for Transport, Mrs Esther Onyekesi for Women Affairs and Social Development, as well as Mr Patrick Agha Mba for Youth Development and Sports.

The confirmation came after the House Committee on Screening and Election Matters submitted its report to the Assembly.

The committee, led by Hon Noble Igwe and supported by Deputy Speaker Chukwuma Okoye, explained that the nominees were carefully screened and found competent to handle the responsibilities assigned to them.

During the plenary session, several of the nominees reportedly spoke about their plans for their ministries and how they hoped to support the development agenda of the Soludo administration.

By exactly 3:38pm, the lawmakers completed the process and formally approved the appointments.

Addressing the new commissioners shortly after their confirmation, Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Somtochukwu Udeze, reminded them that leadership comes with serious responsibility and accountability.

He urged them to avoid wasteful spending and ensure every action taken in office directly improves the lives of residents.

“If Anambra must become a destination for development and progress, then everybody in government must work together,” the Speaker said.

He stressed that governance should never be disconnected from the needs of the people, adding that public officials must remain accessible and accountable.

“Every file you sign and every policy you introduce should answer one important question — how will this benefit the people?” he added.

Udeze further encouraged the commissioners to fully align themselves with Governor Soludo’s development vision, especially in the areas of infrastructure, human capital development and social welfare.

Speaking on behalf of the confirmed nominees, Dr Law Mefor thanked the lawmakers for approving their appointments and promised that the team would not disappoint the people of Anambra.

He praised the working relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government, describing it as important for stable governance and faster development.

Mefor also used the opportunity to unveil part of his plans for the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation.

According to him, the ministry will now shift from strategic communication to digital communication as part of efforts to modernise government information management.

He explained that beyond communication, the ministry would also focus heavily on rebuilding social values and promoting moral reorientation across the state.

Mefor said the goal was to help create a “new Onye Anambra” built on discipline, responsibility and positive values.

He warned that development projects and investments could lose their meaning if future generations were allowed to embrace crime, fraud and social decay.

“If after all the work being done in the state we hand everything over to criminals and fraudsters, then it becomes a tragedy,” he stated.

According to him, plans are already underway to develop programmes that will encourage social rebirth and moral transformation among young people and communities in Anambra.

Meanwhile, Governor Soludo has already forwarded another batch of nominees to the Assembly for screening and confirmation.

The new list includes Architect Henry Arinze for Housing, Mr Nonso Chukwuma Ebonwu for Commerce, and Dr Augustine Uwaeme Ezeaka as Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency, ASHIA.

Speaker Udeze read the names during the plenary and referred them to the House Committee on Screening and Election Matters for further action.

The latest developments signal the governor’s determination to fully reassemble his administration as his government pushes ahead with ongoing projects and reforms across the state.