•••As He Swears In New Commissioners
The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo on Saturday vowed to declare a state of emergency on security and other sectors in the state.
This came as he swore in 20 new Commissioners cleared on Thursday by the Anambra State House of Assembly at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House Awka.
The commissioners are Mr. Ifeatu Chinedu (Finance), Prof. Ofonze Amucheazi (Lands) Mr. Ifeanyi Okoma (Works and Infrastructure ), Ms Chiamaka Nnake (Budget and Economy Planing) Dr Afam Obidike (Health), Mr. Patrick Agha-mba (Youth Development), Mrs Ifeyinwa Obinabo (Women/Children Affairs), Dr Obinna Ugonnadi (Commerce and Industry), Mr. Julius Chukwuemeka (Power and Water Resources), and Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh (Education).
Others are Mr. Paul Nwosu (Information), Dr Foster Ihejiofor (Agriculture), Mrs Patricia Igwebuike (Transport), Mr. Felix Odimegwu (Environment), Mr. Chikodi Anara (Home Land Affairs), Prof. Chika Ifemeje (Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice), Mr. Collins Nwabunwanne (Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs), Mr. Donatus Onyeji (Culture/Entertainment), Mr. Anthony Ifeanya (Petroleum) and Mr. Paulinus Onyeaka (Housing).
Rtd Air-Vice Marshal Ben Chiobi, was also sworn – in as Special Adviser on Security matters.
Soludo charged the Commissioners to be ready to deliver optimal services to the good people of the state.
He said that his administration would declare state of emergency in all the sectors starting with security.
“All sectors will be given due attention beginning with security, which we have already started doing something about”, he said.
Soludo pointed out that the assignment of portfolio to each of the new Commissioners before the swearing-in was a clear departure from known tradition, adding that each person was selected based on his area of specialty.
“More than 22, 000 persons applied to serve, out of which more than 1, 000 indicated interest to serve as Commissioners.
“It is from this list that we picked the 20 Commissioners and another Commissioner nominee yet to be cleared by the lawmakers because I submitted his name after the initial list was sent”, he said.
He said each of the Commissioners would be given his election manifesto, Anambra vision 2070 document and the report submitted by a transition committee before his handover.
“Each of you must study the three documents because the documents constitute the template best tagged social contract with more than 15 million residents of Anambra plus our people in the Diaspora.
He urged the people of the state, especially the families and close relatives of the Commissioners not to place much demands on them as their services are more to the state.
“This is a call to work and not a call to celebrate. When I say congratulations to you, I also say commiserations. You have offered to serve Anambra, and you must provide service.
“The challenges are enormous, and that is why you have also offered to serve. During my campaign, I told everyone that the work put in to get office is just five percent, 95 percent of the work comes after swearing in, and you must bear that in mind.
“I charge you to read the oath of office and oath of allegiance very carefully and follow them. Where people see it as celebration, you see it as work,”
Your eyes must be on the ball always. Always think of how will your ministry, how will Anambra be better. If I were you, I will like to write down how will I like to be remembered after serving as commissioner.” Sọludo said.
Mrs Sylvia Ifemeje, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General who responded on behalf of others expressed appreciation to God and Governor Soludo for finding them worthy of the various appointments.
She assured that they would not disappoint the state and its people.