Ebonyi's Governor Umahi sacks assistant for revealing plans of his 23-day trip to China

GOVERNOR David Umahi of Ebonyi State has sacked his special assistant on technical media Ndubuisi Itumo for revealing on social media that he plans to visit China where he will spend 23 days.

Nigerian governors control the budgets of their states and are responsible for attracting inward investment, so it is normal for them to travel the world looking for investors. China has become a favourite destination for governors seeking investors of late as the liquidity in the Chinese economy has led to widespread investments abroad, especially across the African continent.

Apart from the fact that China is keen on tapping into Nigeria's huge market, she is also in dire need of numerous Nigerian raw materials, thus making the country one of its favourite investment destinations. With Governor Umahi planning a trip to China, Mr Itumo took to Facebook to announce the visit, detailing that it would last for a whopping 23 days.

He was consequently sacked as apparently he released the information without getting clarification from higher authorities. Dr Ugbala Igwe, the secretary to the Ebonyi State governor and coordinating commissioner, informed Mr Itumo of his dismissal in a letter, which was then make public.

Dr Igwe said: “The appointment of Mr Ndubuisi Goodluck Itumo as technical assistant to the governor of Ebonyi State on social media, is hereby terminated with immediate effect. The termination is on grounds of gross misconduct bordering on misinformation to the public.

“Consequently, Mr Itumo is directed to handover all government property in his possession to the principal secretary to the governor before the close of work on Tuesday 29th October, 2019."