GOV OBIANO SWEARS IN 11 NEW PERMANENT SECRETARIES
Reporter : ONYINYE CHIJIOBI
Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has sworn in eleven newly-appointed permanent secretaries into the civil service with a call on them to deploy their wealth of experience for the development of the state. Governor Obiano, who made the call at the EXCO Chambers Government House Awka, said the new appointees were selected on merit and advised them not to relent in service delivery.
The Governor stressed that his government would organise an orientation for them on government programmes and policies to ensure they effectively drive the vision of the government.
“I want to remaind you of the oath you took. You are the institutional memory of the state and you must lead by example.
“Let me emphasize the same way we swore you in is the same way we will dismiss you if found wanting and it is important that you motivate the team working under you and I will train and retrain you so that you can train others,” the Governor remarked.
Governor Obiano urged the new permanent secretaries to abide by the oath of office and allegiance, and bring their wealth of experience to bear in transforming the state civil service. Earlier, the Head of Service, Mr. Harry Udu, explained that the governor’s approval for the appointment was in line with his total commitment to repositioning the state civil service.
Mr. Udu further explained that the appointees were not sworn in initially due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
“These permanent secretaries you inaugurated are going to complement the few that are remaining to ensure that the business of governance continues as well as form the institutional memories as his excellency gradually completes his tenure,” the Head of Service stated.
Responding on behalf of other appointees, Dr. Nwando Obiano thanked the governor for considering them worthy for the appointment and promised that they would discharge their duties with diligence.
“Thank you for finding us worthy for the appointment. We will cooperate with the commissioners and other staff for the good of the state.
“We promised that we will carry our statutory function with utmost respect and you will be proud of selecting us as permanent secretaries,” he promised.
The new permanent secretaries include Dr. Nwando Obiano, Mrs. Ndidi Onuigbo, Dr. Lazarus Okafor, Mr. Samuel Ike, Ebeke Okonkwo and Añuli Iwouno.
Others are Theodore Igwegbe, Mrs. Gertrude Uzoka, Mr. Edwin Ejike, Mr. Chike Idigo and Dr. EGN Okafor.
The event was witnessed by top government functionaries, including families and friends of the newly inaugurated permanent secretaries. Meanwhile the appointment was backdated to December 1, 2020.