Abia Governor, Alex Otti, on Tuesday, sworn in his first set of 24 Permanent Secretaries in the State civil service, charging them to be firm and live above board in the discharge of their duties in the State.
The newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries in the State, include, Lady Joy Maduka, Ngozi Queen Obioma, Paul Ogwubunka, Uche Ukpabia Ukeje, Okezie Godwin Chukwudike, Justine Oluchi Ebo, Ogechukwu I.Maduka, Izuchukwu Onwughara, Obi-Chianakwalam Elechi Agatha, , Ifenyinwa B. Uma-Kalu, Ogechi Becky Oguama, Ijeoma Clara Dim, Nwanyieze O.Otum, Ugonma Mercy Jimonu, Benson Ojeikere, Uchechukwu Kalu, Ikechukwu Chidozie Oriuwa, Ijeoma Adanma Aguwa, Florence Chidinma Nwogu, Magdalene Kalu Onwu, Ezinne Judith Ngwakwe, Cyril Chibuike Nwaigwe, Ugochukwu Elefue Kingston and Onwuegbu Christopher Nlewedim.
Speaking at the Government House, Umuahia after the Oath of Office and Allegiance were administered to the 24 Permanent Secretaries by the Director-in-charge, Ministry of Justice, Barr. Emenike Okoro, the Abia State Gov. Otti charged the new Permanent Secretaries to strive to improve themselves in knowledge to add value to the system.
According to the governor, “In the new Abia which we are progressively building, we are more interested in what you can bring to the table. Competence and character for us would always take precedence over place of origin or the religion you profess.
“You have not been chosen because you are perfect. You must therefore strive to constantly improve yourself, learn, relearn and unlearn. We expect to see more digitalization of civil service operations and I encourage you to work with all critical stakeholders in this regard”, and urged them to be prepared to do things differently.
The Governor disclosed that the Commissioner for Science and Technology and his Digital Economy counterpart as well as his own office would drive the process of digitalization of the civil service, stating “In the next 24 months, we shall fully migrate to digital platforms for processing and storing official data, retrieving and transferring them securely from place to place as may be needed”.
According to him, when the new system becomes fully operational, “individuals and businesses would no longer need to travel to Umuahia or even any Local Government headquarters to submit files, process payments or make a complaint from the comfort of their home from any part of the world or at any time of the day”, adding that the selection of the 24 Permanent Secretaries was thoroughly done.
“I can recall that at the beginning, there were over 320 applicants that went through the process but 24 emerged successful”, he said, explaining that in selecting the new Permanent Secretaries, “the only thing that matters to us is professionalism, a robust understanding of the place of civil service in driving government policies and programmes successfully.
“We may not have selected perfect individuals, but I am confident the choices we have made aligned strongly with vision of the new civil service we want to build in the State”, he said and warned them not to engage in any unwholesome activity or corruption and urged them to guide and support Commissioners to succeed in their duties.”
Responding on behalf of the new Permanent Secretaries, Mrs. Ngozi Queen Obioma thanked Governor Alex Otti for appointing them as his first set of Permanent Secretaries, assuring that they would work in line with the civil service reform agenda of the present administration and promised to justify the confidence reposed in them.
Meanwhile, shortly afterwards, the state governor, Alex Otti approved the constitution of 17 Transition Committee chairmen for the 17 LGAs in the state and their deputies.
According to the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, the List of the above-mentioned persons has been transmitted to the State House of Assembly by Gov. Otti for Screening and Confirmation as required by Law and advised the concerned persons to approach the State House of Assembly for their Screening.
