Imo gov, Okorocha sacks aides, appoints new LG boss, others

Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has summarily dismissed his Commissioner for Information, Public Utilities and Tourism, Dr. Vitalis Orikeze Ajumbe. Also dismissed along with the Commissioner, is the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Enlightenment and Orientation, Dr. Kelechi Okpalaeke. 

The duo were sacked yesterday, via a press release signed by the Principal Secretary, PS, to the Governor, Dr. Paschal Obi, and aired intermittently on the airwaves of Imo Broadcasting Corporation, IBC. 

“The Executive Governor of Imo State, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has approved the disengagement of Dr. Vitalis Orikeze Ajumbe, as Commissioner for Information, Public Utilities and Tourism”, Obi stated. 

The PS also stated that the Governor “wishes Dr. Ajumbe well in his future endeavours,” and directed him to handover all government property in his possession to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Public Utilities and Tourism. 

While the government statement stated that Okorocha equally relieved Okpalaeke of his appointment, it also directed him to handover to the most senior officer in that establishment. Also removed are Obinna Nshirim as Transition Committee Chairman, Ikeduru local government and Justus Ojika, Special Assistant to the Governor on Niger Delta Affairs. 

“The Governor also wishes them well in their future undertakings and directs them to handover all government property appropriately,“ Obi said. 

New appointments Meanwhile, the Governor has approved the appointment of Evan Enwerem (Jnr), as the Transition Committee Chairman nominee for Ikeduru Local Government Area. 

Also appointed were Mr. Ralph Afoaku as the new Director General of IBC, Hilary Opara, Adviser to the Governor on Security, Chief Val Mbamala, Adviser on Public Enlightenment and Orientation and Mr. Anayochukwu A. Idiong, as Principal Officer to the Governor on Electronic Media. 

All the appointments, according to the Governor’s PS, “ takes immediate effect.”