Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has approved the appointment of Dr Emmanuel Meribole as the Acting Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
The appointment was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Ukoha, and made available to reporters on Friday in Umuahia.
Ukoha said the appointment followed the approval granted to the substantive SSG, Prof Kenneth Kalu, to proceed on a leave of absence.
According to the statement, Meribole, who is currently the Special Adviser to the Governor on Projects, will formally assume office on January 1, 2026, while the handover process is scheduled to begin on Monday.
The spokesperson explained that the arrangement was designed to ensure continuity in the running of government affairs.
Ukoha said the transition period would allow both officials to work together for a smooth changeover.
“The transition period will allow Prof Kenneth Kalu to work closely with Dr Meribole to maintain stability and ensure the smooth execution of the administration’s programmes,” he said.
The governor’s aide described Meribole as a seasoned professional with extensive experience in public service.
He said the new acting SSG is a former Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and has played a significant role in driving key development projects in Abia State.
“Emmanuel Meribole, a medical doctor, is a seasoned multi-talented professional who retired as the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
“His contributions as Special Adviser to the Governor on Projects have helped in driving key developmental initiatives across the State,” Ukoha said.
He added that Meribole’s appointment as acting SSG was a reflection of his competence, dedication and commitment to the vision of the Otti administration.
Kalu Proceeds On Leave
It will be recalled that Governor Otti, during the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday, December 8, disclosed that he had approved Kalu’s request to embark on a leave of absence.
The governor said the leave was to enable the former SSG to attend to “serious domestic matters that require his physical presence in Canada.”+ See more details
LeadNaija News reports that before his appointment as SSG, Kalu, a chartered accountant, was a senior university lecturer in Canada.
He reportedly took a leave of absence from his academic position to participate in Governor Otti’s campaign and was later appointed SSG after the governor’s victory at the polls.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
