The Office of the Secretary to the Abia State Government has achieved laudable milestones under the present administration.
As a critical component of government, the SSG’s Office, also known as the Cabinet Office, is the engine room and hub of government, saddled with the responsibility of policy formation and ensuring effective coordination, monitoring, and implementation of policies and programmes across all MDAs and sectors in the state.
That is to say, the office is seen as a strategic enabler and enforcer of government programmes and policies, thus serving as the engine room upon which the administration runs. Most of the policy formulations and implementations arise from the office, making it the driver of government activities and programmes.
It is one of the strategic hubs that host VIPs, set up government committees, develop and issue conditions of service to political office holders, and coordinate most reform programmes of the government, including internal security coordination.
The Office of the SSG is statutorily structured into the main Office of the SSG, four bureaux, two statutory religious boards, and an agency, namely:
The General Service/Inner Office of the SSG
The Bureau of Executive Council Secretariat (EXCO)
The Bureau of Political Affairs
The Bureau of Economic Affairs
The Bureau of Special Services
Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board and Muslim Pilgrims Board
Abia State Emergency Management Agency (AB-SEMA)
The Office of the Secretary to the State Government has left no one in doubt about its commitment to implementing government decisions toward achieving the vision and objectives of the State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti. The office, under the watch of the SSG, Prof. Kenneth Kalu, is doing a commendable job in implementing EXCO decisions as well as sustaining efficient government service delivery by partnering with relevant governmental and non-governmental agencies.
Additionally, the office provides the necessary logistics and support for setting up boards of inquiries and issuing white paper reports arising from their sittings and conduct. Since his appointment, the SSG, Prof. Kalu, has brought finesse and management expertise to piloting this critical component of government machinery.
He has ensured the successful implementation of the civil service reforms, which included the maiden conduct of merit-based examinations that led to the appointment of some directors as Permanent Secretaries.
Prof. Kalu has initiated a robust relationship between the state government and various security agencies in the state through regular interactions. This has provided a platform for identifying and addressing the challenges facing the agencies in their efforts to ensure adequate security of lives and property in the state.
The office has consistently ensured adequate awareness and information dissemination about recruitment in the armed forces to promote the full participation of qualified Abians.
Notably, the repositioning of the Nigerian Legion, Abia State Council, was achieved through the free and fair election of its new leadership under the chairmanship of Rtd. Commodore Austin Duruoha. This has led to significant improvements in the annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations.
The SSG’s office, under Prof. Kalu’s leadership, has ensured that members of the Nigerian Legion now receive prompt government attention in terms of their welfare.
It is to the credit of the office that Abia State maintains a good working relationship with federal agencies operating in the state. This has ensured that the state and its people benefit from federal government programmes.
Toward integrating Abia as a key part of national development, the state has continued to provide the necessary support for visits by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) and similar armed forces and international advocacy and advisory groups.
Furthermore, the Office of the SSG has continued to serve as the image-maker of the state through bilateral engagements with key dignitaries and international donor organizations, aiming to promote mutual socio-economic and political advancement for the state. This, of course, is now yielding significant positive dividends for the state.
Through Prof. Kalu’s efforts, an ultra-modern office complex is under construction for the Office of the SSG and its bureaux. Additionally, the Michael Okpara Auditorium is undergoing significant retrofitting, resulting in improved management of the facility.
There is no doubt that Prof. Kalu, within the last 19 months, has made significant contributions and recorded achievements that can only be associated with someone of his pedigree.
