Uzodimma appoints 24 commissioners and assumes leadership of the land ministry.
Hope Uzodimma, the governor of Imo State, has designated himself as the state’s acting commissioner for lands.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the governor’s chief press secretary and media adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku, stated that the reason for this was the necessity to rebuild the people’ trust in the lands ministry.
Along with other high-ranking political appointees, Uzodimma also swore in 24 Commissioners and 19 Special Advisers to form the newly expanded Executive Council.
Before distributing portfolios to the 24 Commissioners, the Governor, whose second term administration is underway, performed the oath-taking ceremony on the appointments at the new Executive Council Chamber Government House in Owerri, the state capital.
“The first group of senior political appointees who were led in the oath taking rituals were Secretary to the State Government, Cosmos Iwu; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Nnamdi Anyaehie; Deputy Chief of Staff (Administration), Patrick Ekeji; Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations), Sydney Agbor; Deputy Chief of Staff (General Services), Ferdinand Uzodimma; Political Adviser and Head of Political Bureau, Enyinnaya Onuegbu, and Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser, Media, Oguwike Nwachuku.
Governor Uzodimma dropped a hint in his remarks during the swearing-in and inauguration ceremonies that further appointments would be made eventually to cover open seats in a few crucial ministries.
Uzodimma reminded the Executive Council members that “his reelection for a second tenure places enormous responsibilities and great expectations on the government and the appointees, hence there should not be room for excuses and complacency.” She urged all of the members to use their positions, interpersonal skills, and relationships to ensure success in their administrative duties.
“The second tenure’s performance needs to surpass the first term’s.”
They have to “conduct themselves with decorum and with all sense of responsibility,” he urged.
The Governor reminded the appointees that “it is not a mere ritual but a serious act that places huge responsibilities on your shoulders” and emphasized the significance of the oath of office they had taken.
Thus, he reminded them that they needed to “behave differently bearing in mind that the public will beam their searchlight individually and collectively” in their capacity as public servants.
Each appointment would undergo quarterly assessments and evaluations, according to Uzodimma, who announced the establishment of a Monitoring and Evaluation Unit in his office.
He charged, saying, “There is no time to waste, as all eyes must be on the ball.”
Prominent figures attended the occasion, including the wife of the governor, Chioma Uzodimma; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chike Olemgbe; Ikedi Ohakim, a former governor of Imo State; and Raymond Ucheoma, the head of services.
Source: https://punchng.com/uzodimma-takes-charge-of-land-ministry-swears-in-24-commissioners/
