Abia Government Mourns Permanent Secretary Ugochukwu Kingston Elefue
The Abia State Government has commiserated with the Elefue family over the sudden loss of Mr Ugochukwu Kingston Elefue, Permanent Secretary, Government House, Umuahia, who died on Sunday, 11 May 2025.
Condolence Visit
A delegation led by the Chief of Staff to Governor Alex Otti, Mr Caleb Ajagba, visited the family home in Amawom Oboro, Ikwuano LGA, on Thursday to pay their respects. Represented by the Director of Administration, Mrs Nwomiko Udo‑Nwokocha, the Chief of Staff offered words of solace, describing the late administrator as
“a quiet force for good humble, empathetic, and unwaveringly professional.”
He assured the bereaved family that the state government would “walk beside you through this valley of grief,” urging them to draw strength from their faith and from Elefue’s legacy of service.
Tributes from Colleagues
- Benadeth Oluchi Ubani, Chairperson, Government House Staff Welfare Association, recalled Elefue’s open‑door policy: “He listened first, acted decisively, and made every staff member feel valued.”
Ubani said his absence leaves “a void that cannot be easily filled.” - Members of the senior civil‑service corps praised his knack for harmonising the often‑competing demands of protocol, security, and political schedules, crediting him with smoother operations at the seat of government since his appointment.
Family Response
Speaking for the family, Mr Ifeanyi Elefue, the late Permanent Secretary’s younger brother, thanked the delegation for its empathy:
“Your presence reminds us that Ugochukwu’s life touched more than just his immediate family it touched the entire Abia public‑service community.”
He added that the family takes comfort in the tributes pouring in from colleagues, friends, and well‑wishers across the state.
A Career of Quiet Impact
Mr Elefue joined the Abia civil service more than two decades ago, rising through the ranks in the Ministry of Finance and later the Office of the Head of Service before his posting to Government House in 2023. Colleagues remember:
- Fiscal Discipline: He championed transparent accounting procedures that trimmed recurrent expenditure by an estimated 8 percent within his first year as Director of Finance.
- Mentorship: He instituted an informal “Friday clinic,” mentoring young officers on ethics and career planning.
- Community Outreach: Away from work, he sponsored annual medical outreaches in Amawom Oboro, treating hundreds for malaria and hypertension.
Next Steps
- Funeral Arrangements: The family is expected to release burial details after consultations with the state government and the Umuahia Diocesan Anglican community, where Elefue was a lay reader.
- Succession Planning: The Office of the Head of Service has begun an interim re‑assignment of Elefue’s portfolios to ensure continuity of Government House operations.
Final Word
Governor Alex Otti is expected to issue a formal statement in the coming days. For now, colleagues and friends remember Ugochukwu Kingston Elefue not merely as a senior civil servant, but as a man whose humility and compassion left a quiet yet indelible mark on Abia State’s public life.
