Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has sworn in his Commissioners and inaugurated 89 aides who will function as Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants.
He charged the newly sworn-in Commissioners, Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants to bring to the fore, their wealth of experience to drive the shared vision of prosperity of his administration which is anchored on the 3Rs of Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Recovery.
Speaking at the swearing-in of Commissioners and inauguration of other appointees of his administration on Monday at the Ahiajoku International Convention Centre, Governor Uzodinma called on the appointees to see their appointments as a privilege they could not afford to abuse.
Governor Uzodinma assigned portfolios to them and urged them to hit the ground running.
He said: “It is important that you don’t take the oath of office as a mere ritual, you must take every word there seriously. You owe it a duty to Imo people and God to ensure that you don’t fail in your assignment. You are now a magnifying glass with which the public will see our government.”
He warned that he will not hesitate to sack any appointee who indulges in actions that will smear the image of the government in any form or shape.
Governor Uzodinma added: “Your actions and inactions going forward from today matters a lot. all those things you have done in the past that do not matter before, matter now. You must watch what you say or do as a government representative. Any action that is capable of bringing government to ridicule will be unacceptable to us.”
While encouraging the Commissioners, Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants to justify the confidence reposed on them, the Governor expressed confidence that coming back from the three days retreat, “they must have been equipped with new and modern innovations that will help drive the economy of the state.”
The Governor further enjoined them to instill discipline in their places of work. His words: “You must constantly bear in mind that the only way you can instill discipline in your place of work, be it Ministry or Agency is to be an epitome of discipline yourself.”
Governor Uzodinma reiterated that welfare of Civil Servants and entire Imo work force will continue to be among the top priorities of his administration. He noted: “To this end, it is important to make it absolutely clear that I have never broken, will never break my promise of making sure that workers salaries are paid before the end of the month.”
However, he advised heads of Ministries and Agencies of Government to submit their payrolls and other relevant data on time to the adequate authorities to facilitate quick payment of their salaries.
The event was graced by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chiji Collins, Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmas Iwu, members of the Federal and State House of Assembly and top Government officials (past and present) and traditional rulers.
The full list of the 23 Commissioners who have been sworn-in and assigned portfolios include:
LIST OF COMMISSIONERS AND THEIR PORTFOLIOS
S/NO
NAME
MINISTRY
1
Dr. Mrs. Damaris Osunkwo
Ministry of Health
2
Dr. Iyke Njoku
Ministry of Environment
3
Prof. B.T.O. Ikegwuoha
Ministry of Education
4
Raph Nwosu
Ministry of Works
5
Tony Umezurike
Ministry of Public Utilities
6
Dr. Love Ineh
Ministry of Housing
7
Dr. Elias Martins Emedom
Ministry of Social Welfare & Sanitation
8
Fabian Ihekweme
Ministry of Foreign/Int’L Affairs
9
Hon. Declan Emelumba
Ministry of Information & Strategy
10
Barr. Enyinnaya Onuegbu
Ministry of Lands
11
Barr. Rex Anunobi
Ministry of Transport
12
Engr. C.C. Osuala
Budget & Economic Planning
13
Hon. (Mrs.) Nkechi Ugwu
Ministry of Gender & Vulnerable Group
14
Hon. Daniel C. Ogu
Ministry of Youths & Social Devpt.
15
Dr. Lambert Orisakwe
Ministry of Agric & Natural Resources
16
Barr. Doris Akubuo
Ministry of Tourism & Creative Arts
17
Barr. Francis Dibiagwu
Ministry of Special Duties
18
Barr. Kingsley Ononuju
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
19
Hon. Noble Atulegwu
Ministry of Entrepreneurship & Skills Acquisition
20
Barr. C.O.C. Akolisa
Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice
21
Simom Ebegbulem
Ministry of Special Project
22
Mrs. Obiageri Ajoku
Ministry of Livestock Development
23
Hon. Iyke Umeh
Ministry of Technology Development
