By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Anambra State House of Assembly has confirmed the nomination of Hon. Beverly Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche and Mr. Izuchukwu Okafor, as Commissioners in Anambra State.

Nkemdiche, a sister to Onyechi Ikpeazu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, will be replacing Bar. Sly Ezeokenwa who resigned his position as Commissioner for Special Duties, upon his election as the APGA National Chairman, a few months ago.

On the other hand, Okafor will take the position of Mr. Ifeatu Onejeme, who resigned from his position as Commissioner for Finance few weeks ago.

The nominees were screened by Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Screening, headed by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chukwuma Okoye, before their confirmation.

According to the report of the Committee read and presented to the House by its chairman, the nominees are qualified.

The submission of the Committee’s report was followed quickly by a resolution of the House into an electoral college to assess the nominees.

In the course of the exercise, Hon. Patrick Udoba representing Anambra West asked nominee Izuchukwu Okafor to explain how he intends to block leakages, if he is appointed Commissioner of Finance.

In response, the nominee said he is not aware of any leakages in Anambra State.

His words: “I don’t know about any leakage in Anambra State”, he said. However, “as a financial control expert”, he explained, ’I should be able to advise the governor appropriately”.

During the turn of Hon. Beverly, the House unanimously agreed that she should take a bow and leave because it is not in doubt that she is qualified for any position in Anambra state.

The 39-year-old Mr. Izuchukwu Okafor is a financial control expert and a Central Banker, with about ten years of experience in central banking.

Before leaving Central Bank in 2022 to serve as Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Finance and Audit, he was a Deputy Director in Central Bank. In addition, he is a Chartered Accountant and holds a master’s degree in Finance.

Hon. Beverly is a lawyer and public servant of outstanding quality. She has served in the House of Assembly of Anambra State for three terms of twelve years as a member representing the Onitsha South II constituency. She served in the 5th, 6th, and 7th Assembly meritoriously to the admiration of her colleagues, staff of the Assembly, and constituents.

The two new commissioners are expected to take the oath of office as commissioners in next week’s EXCO meeting.

Update news