- Enugu local government chairman, Eric Odo appoints two SAs on yam, garden egg, pepper
- Mixed reactions trail the appointment of the new SAs
- Igbo-Etiti local government chair keeps mum as the controversies surrounding the appointment rage
On November 1, 2024, the Chairman of Igbo Etiti Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State, Eric Odo, appointed a Senior Special Assistant on Garden Egg and Pepper.
Odo also appointed a Senior Special Assistant Yam and Pepper.
Mr. Odo was among the 17 new local government chairmen sworn-in on September 30, 2024.
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that while Ezeugwu Frederick Ogbonna was appointed an assistant on Yam and Pepper, Nwodo Everestus Ugonna was appointed to advise the Chairman on Garden Egg and Pepper.
According to their letter of appointment dated November 1, and made available to WITHIN NIGERIA, both Nwodo and Ezeugwu have been directed to report to the office of the executive chairman Igbo Etiti LGA, Ogbede, for briefing and deployment.
“I am pleased to inform you that the executive chairman Igbo Etiti LGA has approved your appointment as senior special assistant to the local government chairman on agriculture (yam and pepper),” Ezeugwu’s letter reads.
“You should report to the executive chairman Igbo Etiti LGA, Ogbede, for briefing and deployment.
“It is pertinent to note that this is not a career civil service appointment but a temporary appointment which you hold at the pleasure of the executive chairman of Igbo Etiti LGA.”
While Ugonna’s appointment letter partly read: “I am pleased to inform you that the executive chairman Igbo Etiti LGA has approved your appointment as senior special assistant to the Local Government chairman on agriculture (garden egg & pepper).”
However, the appointment has continued to generate a lot of controversies. While many condemn the council chair for the appointment, others praise him.
However, Obinna Ugwuada while reacting to the appointment told WITHIN NIGERIA that it’s innovative and could end up being a good approach to governance at the local government level where farming needs to be accorded all the attention it deserves. So appointing SSAs to oversee efforts on specific crops will enable the Chairman to know who to hold to account at every moment. Governance should be structured according to the needs of the local environment and I think that is the approach intended with these appointments.
Josh Will frowned at the appointment, stressing that, “this is how they messed up former Governor of Enugu state Administration with SA and TA. This one is also not going to achieve anything if he continues this way”
The chairman defends the appointment
On Wednesday, the council chairman, Dr Eric Odo, faulted negative online media reports on the said appointment
Odo told newsmen in Enugu on that the appointment of SSAs on Agriculture, specifically on Garden Egg, Yam and Pepper was a strategic move.
According to him, the appointment was meant to boost production of these crops in large quantity to satisfy local demands and for export.
The chairman said that the LGA was good in growing these crops and had great comparative advantage, hence the need to engage individuals who had the competence to develop that aspect of agriculture.
In his words, “Their appointments are to ensure that local farmers receive adequate attention, needed resources, support and expertise to enhance production, improve market access and increase income for farmers.
“In essence, the appointment, which is wrongly misunderstood by disgruntled individuals, bad losers and opposition, reinforces my determination to creating a thriving local economy based on the strength and potentials of Igbo-Etiti’s agricultural landscape.”
The chairman also said that the decision was well thought out, aimed at enhancing productivity, job creation, and to uplift farmers and communities for both short-term and long-term development goals.
He urged the public to disregard any online or offline comment aimed at discrediting his laudable and visionary efforts to reposition and set Igbo-Etiti council area on the path of massive food production and sustainable development.