Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, retires after 35 years of active civil service.
He began his journey in the civil service at the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, then served as Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence, and Ministry of Sports before his elevation to Permanent Secretary.
As Permanent Secretary, he was deployed to the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Ministry of Works, and finally, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is commemorating his career with a celebratory event, recognizing his leadership and years of service.
Born on April 5, 1964, Umakhihe is 59 years and nine months old. He holds a PhD in Security and Strategic Studies, a Master’s in Business Administration, and is a fellow of several professional bodies in his field.
The event will be held on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at the iconic International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja.
Meanwhile, there are reports that Dr. Umakhihe may enter partisan politics in his home state of Edo. The specific nature of his political involvement, particularly within the context of the ongoing 2024 governorship election processes, may become clearer within the next ten days, following the retirement celebration at the ICC.
Unconfirmed speculations suggest that Dr. Umakhihe may join the growing list of candidates vying for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He hails from Otuo in Edo North Senatorial Zone.