Gov Ikpeazu Makes New Appointment

Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has approved the appointment of Professor Lawrence Nwaneri Chigbu as the new Rector, Abia State College of Health Science and Management Technology Aba.

Prof. Chigbu takes over from the former Rector of the college, Professor Chidi Felix Ezeama whose tenure in office has elapsed.

In a press release signed by the Secretary to the State Government, (SSG), Barrister Chris Ezem and issued to reporters, on Friday, the appointment is effective from the expiry date of the tenure of the former Rector.

The release also stated, “the Governor uses this medium to thank Prof. Felix Ezeama for his positive contributions in the college and wishes him success in his future endeavours”.

Anaedoonline.com reported that Governor Ikpeazu tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Commissioner for Information in Abia, John Okiyi Kalu, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, June 8, 2020.

Ikpeazu had gone into isolation following the death of his Commissioner for Environment, Solomon Ogunji, on May 24.

Ogunji was suspected to have died of hypertension. However, tests for COVID-19 on his remains returned positive.

The governor had advised Abia Exco members who had contact with Ogunji before his death, to also observe self-isolation until they had been tested for the virus.

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The state’s deputy governor, Ude Chukwu, will stand-in for Ikpeazu until he’s declared fit to return to work.

“Recall that on Saturday, 30th May, 2020, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu volunteered his sample for COVID-19 test and subsequently directed members of the state Executive Council (EXCO) and those of the inter ministerial committee on COVID-19 to submit themselves for the same test.

“On Tuesday, 2nd June, 2020, the result of Governor Ikpeazu’s test returned negative,” Kalu announced.

“On Thursday, 4th June, 2020, the Governor submitted another sample at NCDC laboratory for confirmation and the result returned positive.

“As a result, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has gone into isolation, as required by relevant NCDC protocols, and he is being managed by a competent team of medical practitioners with a view to nursing him back to good health.

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”Consequent on the above, the governor has directed his Deputy, Rt Hon Ude Oko Chukwu, to act on his behalf pending his full resumption of duties.

“We wish to urge all Abians to take the fight against COVID-19 serious as the disease is real but not a death sentence. Our state has the resources to manage patients back to good health.”