A group known as “Mbaike Young Professionals”, has reacted to a report describing Imo Head of service, Dr Chibuzor Iwuagwu as not qualified to hold such position as was published in Watchdog Newspaper edition of Thursday, April 30, 2020.
Speaking to Newsmen over the weekend in Owerrj, the President of the group,Mr Fidelis Njoku accused sponsors of the said report of being mischievous, saying that such report holds no ground as it lacks any modicum of substance. He advised newsmen to always cross check their facts before going to press.
The group said, “contrary to the report that Dr Chibuzor Iwuagwu lacks qualification to hold such position, the head of service remains most senior civil servant at the time of the appointment and was considered based on merit against the wild speculation that the then Governor, Emeka Ihedioha would have considered his sister, Dr Mrs Patricia Ekennia who is wife of the former lawmaker, Hon Obioma Ekenia for the position”.
They accused Mr Raymond Ucheoma and his cohorts of clandestinely sponsoring the said publication just to smear the impeccable record of Dr Iwuagwu whom they also described as a seasoned technocrat.
Speaking further, the group vowed to resist any attempt by some cowards in the civil service to remove the head of service and replace him with Ucheoma who is not as academically qualified as head of service .
They said, “as a group, we are supportive of this administration considering the fact that governor Hope Uzodinma has proven that he is not clannish. The appointments of our sister as Principal Secretary and our brother as Deputy Chief of Staff (Administration) have shown clearly that he loves Imo but warned that the government should not yield to the pressure being mounted by enemies of his administration to sack the most senior civil servant and appoint a junior to occupy the position”.
They argued that in civil service, seniority matters and Dr. Iwuagwu holds shoulders tall as the most senior civil servant in the state. The group challenged anyone with a contrary claim to come forth.
Editors Note: It was wrong to assume that the story was sponsored by (Barr) Raymond Ucheoma. It is rather in conceivable that the rejoinder is confrontational to the extent of describing Barr Raymond Ucheoma, who has been the Permanent Secretary, Ministries of Justice, House of Assembly Service Commission, Local Government Service Commission, Acting Permanent secretary Ministry of Lands, Survey and Urban Planning and now Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture as “obviously academically deficient to hold such sensitive position.
Though this Newspaper does not intend to hold brief for Barr Raymond Ucheoma, we have it in good authority that besides, holding a degree in Town and Regional Planning (TRP), Sir Ucheoma holds a law degree from the prestigious Nigerian Law School Abuja and has since been called to bar. He is very widely travelled, erudite and yet highly meticulous.
