By Michael Nnebife
The Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries of Anambra State (ARPSAS) has inaugurated a new executive leadership, with Chief Sir Nwabuonu Ogbaji, assuming office as chairman. The transition took place during the association’s first meeting of the year, 2025, in Awka the State Capital.
ARPSAS is dedicated to attending to the welfare of members, strengthening the link between the State Government and Civil Service, promoting good governance and inclusiveness through persuasion and appeal, while offering advisory and consultancy services to the state in key areas such as administration, finance and budgeting, the civil service and overall state development.
In his inaugural address, Sir Nwabuonu reaffirmed the association’s commitment to enhancing the welfare of Retired Permanent Secretaries, advocating for pension harmonization for members and fostering collaboration with the State Government.
He praised the outgoing executive for keeping the flag of the Association flying and securing a legal victory against the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), which had contested ARPSAS’s right over membership dues. The implementation of the court ruling, he said, was currently being followed up accordingly.
For his part, the outgoing Acting Chairman, Chief Maxie Onyekwere, reflected on the achievements of the previous executive, highlighting key milestones such as the legal victory, constitutional revision and continued engagement with the state government on pension reforms. He urged the new leadership to intensify efforts toward pension harmonization and member engagement.
Also, the new executive pledged to run a transparent and inclusive Administration, emphasizing the importance of active participation and financial contributions from members to sustain ARPSAS activities. Sir Nwabuonu Ogbaji further commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration for the ongoing infrastructural development projects in various parts of the state and called for improved welfare measures for both the civil servants and pensioners.
The highpoint of the event witnessed the formal handover of association’s documents, including the Certificate of Incorporation and court judgment records, marking the beginning of a new chapter for ARPSAS in the state.
