In an unusual move, the Chairman of Igbo Etiti Local Government Area (LGA) in Enugu State, Eric Odo, has appointed Senior Special Assistants to focus on specific agricultural produce.
The appointments, made official through letters dated November 1, 2024, assign Ezeugwu Frederick Ogbonna as Senior Special Assistant on Yam and Pepper and Nwodo Everestus Ugonna to advise on Garden Egg and Pepper.
Both appointees have been directed to report to the office of the Executive Chairman at Ogbede for a briefing and deployment to their respective roles.
In Ezeugwu’s appointment letter, Odo stated, “I am pleased to inform you that the Executive Chairman of Igbo Etiti LGA has approved your appointment as Senior Special Assistant to the Local Government Chairman on Agriculture (Yam and Pepper). You should report to the executive chairman for briefing and deployment.”
Similarly, Ugonna’s letter read in part, “I am pleased to inform you that the Executive Chairman of Igbo Etiti LGA has approved your appointment as Senior Special Assistant to the Local Government Chairman on Agriculture (Garden Egg and Pepper).”
The letters clarified that the positions are not part of the career civil service but are temporary appointments, held at the discretion of the chairman.
The appointments have drawn mixed reactions, with some residents praising the focus on agriculture, while others questioned the necessity of such specialized roles.