The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has approved the appointment of 11 new permanent secretaries, signalling what appears to be a fresh reorganisation within the state’s civil service leadership.
The announcement was made in an official statement issued on Monday by the Acting Head of Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown.
The newly appointed permanent secretaries are: Imaonyani Roselin Ephraim-George, Dr Mina T. Ikuru, Dabite Sokari George, Soibitein Duke Harry, Lauretta Davies Dimkpa, Uche R. Ideozu, Chimenum Mpi, Jeremiah Egwu, Nicholas Iminabo Wokoma, Vera Sam Dike, and Aleruchi Akani.
Dr Brown stated that the swearing-in ceremony will be conducted by the Sole Administrator, though a specific date is yet to be announced.
The appointments have stirred questions regarding the status of existing permanent secretaries, many of whom were sworn in under the now-suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The official statement did not clarify whether the new appointees are replacements or additions to the current cadre.
A source within Government House revealed that prior to Governor Fubara’s tenure, several permanent secretaries had exceeded their service terms but continued in office under contract extensions granted by former Governor Nyesom Wike.
Upon assuming office, Fubara reportedly moved to end the contract-based arrangements, replacing them with full-term appointments. Over 16 new permanent secretaries were sworn in across two batches in January and August 2024.
Those sworn in on 16 January 2024 include Hebron Wisdom, Dede Sampson Friday, Briggs Atemea Karibo, Nyempe Gregory, Ndah Emmanuel, Ngochindo James Epobari, Ishmael Tomonialadieokuma, and Wakama Boma A. George.
The 16 August 2024 batch included Mekele Comfort Igwe, Mrs Anthonia I. Ekiseh, Dr Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, Mrs Ihuoma Patience Ray-Boms, Mr Nwizug Gonee Gordon, and Mr Chukwuma Ndudi August Ine.
At the time, Governor Fubara had expressed concern about the administrative vacuum in many ministries, stating, “Most ministries are without proper administrative heads due to unresolved contract issues. We are determined to restore order and professionalism in the civil service.”
Despite these efforts, the recent appointments under Ibas have introduced fresh uncertainty. According to insiders, the years lost under contract arrangements may now affect the standing of Fubara’s appointees, some of whom could be at risk of being replaced or reassigned.
The absence of a clear statement on the status of existing officials has led observers to speculate that a broader overhaul of the civil service may be underway. Many now await the official swearing-in of the new permanent secretaries, which may offer further clarity on the administrative direction of the state under the stewardship of Ibas.
