Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa: Epitome Of Dedicated Civil Servant
For Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa, astute administrator, dedicated civil servant, energetic worker, resilient, hard-working, suave, self-content, unassuming, humble, friendly, the world is at his feet.
After 35 years of meritorious service to his fatherland, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa bowed out gallantly and in grand style, in accordance with the civil service rule. He retired on February 4, 2021.
Sir Chinyeaka’s last call of duty was the Ministry of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where he retired as Permanent Secretary, and where he was eulogized for his “collaborative leadership”, one who brought “finese into the administration of FCT, with cutting-edge innovations, and proven the character of a man who can carry all and sundry along irrespective of tribe, class or location”.
The ambition of every civil servant on entering the civil service is to rise to the apex of his career, which is the position of Permanent Secretary. Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, by mere dint of hard work, dedication to duty, humility and mastery of the game, has made that enviable position, to the glory of God.
In all the places he worked, Sir Chinyeaka never lagged behind, but endeavoured to put in his best, leaving indelible marks that were yet to be equalled by any of his successors.
Sir Chinyeaka started his career in the civil service in 1986, when he was employed as Senior Bursar in the Enugu State Education Commission, where he served till 1989, when he was appointed Company Accountant of Vanguard Industries, Ltd, Enugu.
In 1992, Sir Chinyeaka became the Personal Assistant to the Hon. Commissioner for Finance, Enugu State, and from 1993 to 1999, he served as Sub Treasurer, in different sub treasury locations in the Office of the Accountant General of Enugu State.
In 1999, Sir Chinyeaka was appointed to the enviable position of Accountant General of Enugu State, the position he held till 2006, when he was appointed Hon. Commissioner for Agriculture, Enugu State.
In 2007, Sir Chinyeaka transferred his services to the Federal Civil Service, and was appointed Deputy Director (Account), Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity.
In 2009, he became the Head, (Internal Audit), Ministry of Defence, a position he held till 2012, when he was posted to the Federal Ministry of Transport as Director of Finance and Account. Later, he was redeployed to the Federal Ministry of Water Resources. as Director of Finance and Account.
In November 2015, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa reached the peak of his civil service career when he was appointed Permanent Secretary, Federal Republic of Nigeria, a reward for absolute loyalty and dedication to duty.
In the civil service, the secret for any success, and rapid progression, are proper knowledge of the work, in addition to unquestioned obedience to one’s superiors, which Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa possesses in abundance.
Apart from being a quintessential civil servant, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa is also a committed community and religious leader. He has sponsored several community development projects in his home town, Obuoffia, Awkunanaw, and is the National President, Awkunanaw Welfare Association, as well as the Lay President, Methodist Church Nigeria, Agbani Diocese.
His passion for youth development and empowerment has made his home look like Mecca whenever he is around, as hundreds of youths will keep streaming in there, asking for one assistance or the other.
Born on February 4, 1962, in Obuoffia, Awkunanaw, in Nkanu West local government area of Enugu State, Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa is happily married with children.
His academic qualifications include GCE-1979, WASC (Division 1)-1980, Higher National Diploma in Finance-1985, PGD, Accountancy & Finance-1990, MBA, Banking & Finance-1992.
He belongs to several professional bodies, such as Fellow, National Accountant of Nigeria (FCNA)-2010 and Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN)-2012, among others.
Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa has wide range of exposure and knowledge from various international courses he attended, including Mandatory Continuing Professional Education (MCPE) of ANAN; Strategic Planning for Security and Development, London 2010; Security Awareness and Strategic Leadership, London 2012; Mandatory Continuous Professional Education (MCPE) of CITN, and many other leadership training in USA and Dubai.
