The Spotlight Initiative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, has named Mrs. Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, wife of the Ebonyi State Governor as the state’s ambassador.
This was done to commemorate the services of the Ebonyi State Governor’s wife to the educational development of women and children.

Members of the UNESCO/Spotlight project led by Barr Mrs. Stella Nwagu, Special Assistant to the Governor on Adult Education/Mass Literacy, made the Governor a courtesy visit in her office, New Government House, Centenary City, Abakaliki.

Dr. Stephen Onyekwelu, Director of UNESCO/Spotlight Initiative, stated this as he joined members of the team in awarding Chief Mrs. Nwifuru as their Ambassador for her contribution to developing education in the state.

Dr. Stephen Onyekwelu lauded the Ebonyi state administration’s achievements in the education system and encouraged more work to be done, especially in distant regions.

The First Lady, Mrs Nwifuru, replied noting that the new responsibility was a call to make a strong impact on society.

Consequently, she declared that the current administration would continue to promote inclusive education in Ebonyi State, especially for girls, young women, orphans, and the poor.

Furthermore, she noted that the state’s recently concluded Flag-off of the 2023 Mass Literacy Campaign was an attempt to drive home the message that literacy is a chance to make a better life for oneself since everyone deserves the opportunity to study, read, and write.

Mrs. Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Ogbonna Nwifuru, the wife of the Governor of Ebonyi State, met with representatives of fifteen development partners interested in partnering with the State.

Some of the Development Partners in attendance were USAID STATE 2 STATE, USAID Advocacy Nutrition, DIG Foundation, FTF Agric Extension and Advocacy, AMURT, EB-SMOH, USAID MCGL, USAID Momentum, USAID Breakthrough Action among others.

She met with the Development Partners to discuss how they could partner on her passion project, which involves enhancing the lives of the oppressed and the poor through her workplace.

Therefore, representatives of the Donor Agencies presented what they might provide the State, working with the Governor’s wife.

The meeting’s objective, according to Mrs. Nwifuru, was to show her and her staff what the Development Partners might offer the State in terms of potential collaboration on her pet project.

The Governor’s wife declared that her favorite project would soon be implemented in the State and that she would work with donor agencies whose programs and initiatives complemented her area of interest.

She expressed her gratitude to the organizations, especially those that had been working in the State, and assured them that her office would create a setting that would make it simple for people to work together on issues that would impact the lives of the less fortunate.

Speaking on behalf of the Agency Representatives, Dr. Azu Ibiam remarked that the Partners, who have previously collaborated with the government to enhance the lives of its residents, supported the Governor’s wife’s pet project.

On behalf of the Pet Project Team, Dr. Mrs. Nkechi Echiegu responded to the presentations made by Agency Representatives.

She thanked the Partners for attending the meeting and let them know that the team would evaluate their presentations and decide on the next line after reviewing them.

The new Commissioners and their portfolios are as follows:

1. Solomon Azi – Grant & Donor Agencies
2. Oguzor Offia Nwali – Commerce and Industry
3. Mrs Aligwe Ann – Human Capital Development
4. Prof Paul Awo Nwobashi – Education (Primary & Secondary)
5. Mr Uchenna Igwe – Local Government & Chieftaincy Matters
6. Dr Ben Odo Uruchi – Justice (HAG)
7. Stanley Ifeanyi Ogbuewu – Culture and Tourism
8. Engr Stanley Lebechi Mbam – Works and Transport
9. Dr Leonard Uguru – Finance
10. Dr Matthew Nwobashi – Lands and Survey
11. Prof Omari Omaka (SAN) – Tertiary Education
12. Prof Nwogo Obasi – Market Development & Parks
13. Elijah Okwu Oko Udu – Skill Development & Job Creation
14. Prince Etta Uka Ude – Internal Security
15. Hon Victor Chukwu Uzoma – Environment
16. Jude Chikadibia Okpor – Information and State Orientation
17. Mr Chidi Onyia – Solid Minerals
18. Dr Donatus C Ilang – Boarder Peace & Conflict Resolution
19. Dr Mrs Obichukwu Ngozi – Aviation
20. Mrs Chinwe Okah – Budget and Planning
21. Dr Moses Ekuma Nnanna – Health
22. Hon Richard Ugo Idike – Youths and Sports
23. Barr Mrs Felicia Nwankpuma – Women Affairs
24. Mr Chinedu Nkah – Water Resources
25. Engr Ogbonna Abara Obashi – Infrastructure
26. Engr Francis Ori – Housing & Urban Development
27. Princess Nkechinyere lyioku – Agriculture and Natural Resources
28. Uzor Toochukwu Okorie – ICT
29. Mr Ogbonna Felix Igboke – Project Monitoring & Evaluation
30. Mr Ogbonna Okorie – Inter Party Affairs
31. Hon Valentine Okike-Uzor – Special Duty
32. Hon Inyima Sunday – Capital City
33. Hon Peter Oge Ali – Power & Energy
34. Elechi Elechi – Investment
35. Barr Ikeuwa Omebe – Rural Development