Governor Hope Uzodinma Swears-in, Assigns Portfolios to 23 Commissioners, Inaugurates 89 other Aides
…Urges Them to be Good Ambassadors of his Administration
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has 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.
Almost immediately after swearing in the Commissioners, 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
Bar COC Akaolisa —Orsu LGA
Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice
Prof. B. T. O Ikegwuoha —Orlu LGA
Ministry of Education
Dr. Mrs. Damaris Osunkwo —Ahiazu Mbaise LGA
Ministry of Health
Dr Iyke Njoku —Aboh Mbaise LGA
Ministry of Environment
Barr. Francis Dibiagwu —Oguta LGA
Ministry of Special Duties
Bar Doris Akubuo –Njaba LGA
Ministry of Tourism & Creative Arts
Hon Daniel C Oguh —Okigwe LGA
Ministry of Youths & Social Development
Hon Noble Atulegwu —Owerri West LGA
Ministry of Entrepreneurship & Skills Acquisition
Engr C C Osuala —Nwangele LGA
Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning
Hon Lambert Orisakwe —Isu LGA
Ministry of Agriculture & Natural Resources
Mrs Obiageri Ajoku —Ohaji Egbema LGA
Ministry of Livestock Development
Hon Mrs Nkechi Ugwu –Ideato South LGA
Ministry of Gender and Vulnerable Group
Simeon Ibegbulem —Ihitte Uboma LGA
Ministry of Special Projects
Bar Kingsley Ononuju — Mbaitoli LGA
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Declan Emelumba —Oru West LGA
Ministry of information & Strategy
Bar Enyinnaya Onuegbu –Ngor Okpala LGA
Ministry of Lands
Bar Rex Anunobi –Nkwerre LGA
Ministry of Transport
Hon Raph Nwosu —Oru West LGA
Ministry of Works
Fabian Ihekwueme —Obowo LGA
Ministry of Foreign/International Affairs
Tony Umezuruike —Owerri North LGA
Ministry of Public Utilities
Iyke Umeh –Ideato North LGA
Ministry of Technology Development
Dr Elias Martins Emedom –
Ministry of Social Welfare and Sanitation
Love Ineh —Obowo LGA
Ministry of Housing