Ebonyi State Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Princess Patricia Obila, has officially assumed executive powers as Acting Governor following the commencement of Governor Francis Nwifuru’s annual leave.
The power transfer was formalized in accordance with Section 190(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which mandates such arrangements when state governors proceed on leave. The Ebonyi State House of Assembly gave effect to the constitutional provision on Tuesday after receiving a formal letter transmitting executive authority to the Deputy Governor.
Princess Obila has been discharging her duties as Acting Governor since Governor Nwifuru began his annual leave, ensuring continuity in the state’s administrative functions during his absence. This arrangement reflects standard constitutional procedures designed to maintain uninterrupted governance at the state level.
While serving in her acting capacity, Princess Obila has continued to represent Ebonyi State at significant national events, including her participation in a major agricultural development forum in Abuja. During the opening ceremony of the National and Regional Hand in Hand Investment Forum on Irrigation, she emphasized the transformative potential of irrigation technology for Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The forum, organized through a collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, focused on strategies for enhancing agricultural productivity across Nigeria, West Africa, and the broader Sahel subregion. Princess Obila used the platform to highlight how improved irrigation systems could significantly boost crop yields and contribute to food security throughout these regions.
In her address to the forum participants, the Acting Governor praised President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative in Agriculture, describing it as an important framework for leveraging Nigeria’s extensive agricultural potential. She expressed support for federal efforts to modernize the country’s agricultural sector and improve food production capabilities.
Princess Obila also took the opportunity to outline Ebonyi State’s commitment to agricultural development under Governor Nwifuru’s administration. She referenced the People’s Charter of Needs Agenda, which serves as the guiding framework for the current administration’s policy priorities and development initiatives.
According to the Acting Governor, the state government is actively pursuing various initiatives designed to enhance agricultural productivity and promote modern irrigation techniques. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to support local farmers while contributing to economic diversification and job creation across Ebonyi State.
The Acting Governor emphasized that the state’s agricultural development programs align with national objectives of achieving food security and reducing dependence on food imports. She noted that Ebonyi State’s initiatives complement federal policies aimed at transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector into a more productive and sustainable industry.
Princess Obila’s participation in the national forum while serving as Acting Governor demonstrates the state’s continued engagement with federal agricultural policies and international development organizations during the governor’s absence. Her emphasis on irrigation technology reflects growing recognition of modern farming techniques as essential tools for addressing food security challenges in Nigeria and the wider West African region.
