FIC Report (Delta State) – The Committee of Heads of Federal Government Establishments (COHEADS), Delta State Chapter, on Tuesday 31st March 2026 elected a new eleven member executive to pilot the affairs of the body for the next two years.
The new executive is led by the State Manager Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Engr. Kennedy Onyenobi who earlier served as Interim Chairman following the retirement of the former Chairman; former State Coordinator Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAF), Mr. John Onovwoke.
The smooth, peaceful and orderly election supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC representative in COHEADS, Mr. Emmanuel Ozowa, saw the chairman emerged as the sole candidate for the chairmanship position and was over- whelmingly elected unopposed with 29 votes.
The position of the Vice-Chairperson also saw Mrs.Darling Chima Ononiwu, the Geologist in-charge, Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) retaining her position for a second tenure with 27 votes having earlier been nominated by the representative of Federal Pay Office Mrs. Ifeoma Nnamani with no opposition.
For the position of Secretary, Pastor John Ekwuabu, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Rep., nominated Mr. Felix Ijomah of the Federal Ministry of information and National Orientation who also received consensus endorsement by all 29 members present to retain his position as Secretary for a second tenure with his Assistant, Lucia Odiyoma, the representative of National Environmental Standards Enforcement and Regulations Agency (NESREA) also retaining her seat as the Assistant Secretary.
The position of Financial Secretary was contested by Mrs. Ogochukwu Anoliefoh, the Federal Pay Officer, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and Miss Charity Okonji, National Agency for Foods and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) representative. Mrs. Anoliefoh of Federal Pay Office emerged winner as Financial Secretary with 18 votes with Miss Charity Okonji of NAFDAC securing six (6) votes.
The State Controller Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FMLE) Mrs. Eucharia Ozulumba also received an overwhelming endorsement of members to retain her position as the Treasurer having been nominated by Mrs. Patricia Umunna, the representative of National Orientation Agency (NOA) as the sole nominee for the position of Treasurer.
For the post of Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mrs. Patricia Umunna was nominated by the representative of Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (FMHUD), Mr. Pius Onyejose. Mrs. Umunna was then elected unopposed to take over from former PRO Mr. Emmanuel Obasaju, representative of Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) who had served two terms as PRO.
Similarly, the State Coordinator, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON) Ofiael Osita Onwuatuegwu (Esq.) was nominated and elected unopposed as the Legal Adviser.
The contest for the position of Welfare Officer was between the incumbent, Mrs. Nkechi Ilonze, National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) and Mrs. Juliet Onyakemeagbegha, Federal Ministry of Works (FMW) representative. Mrs. Ilonze emerged with 22 votes against three (3) votes obtained by the representative of FMW to retain her seat for a second tenure while the two terms PRO Mr. Emmanuel Obasaju FERMA and the immediate past Financial Secretary also Head, Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) Mr. Ikechukwu Ogbu both emerged as Ex-Officios.
Speaking on behalf of the newly elected executives, the Chairman Engr. Kennedy Onyenobi expressed appreciation to members and INEC representative for a free, peaceful and orderly election. He assured members that the new executive would continue in their efforts to move COHEADS forward stressing that the new leadership would maintain the Single Treasury Account (TSA) earlier adopted in all financial operations and also carry out legacy projects that would outlive the tenure of the new leadership of COHEADS.
Recall that Committee of Heads of Federal Government Establishments (COHEADS), is a Forum of interaction for Heads of Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) operating in the State including the Police and other Paramilitary Services. The Forum has its origin to Federal Government Circular Ref. No.58788/B.26/75 of 25th August, 1978. It came as a result of efforts to find solutions to communication gaps between Head Offices of MDAs and their Field/State Offices on one hand and their respective host state governments on the other hand.
Celestine Afokobah
FIC Asaba Delta State
1st April, 2026.
