Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, on Wednesday swore in a new Head of Service and six commissioners, while also announcing the reassignment of three others in a major cabinet reshuffle.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House in Enugu, saw Dr Godwin Anigbo formally appointed as Head of Service.
The new commissioners and their portfolios are: Engr. Benjamin Osita Okoh, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure; Prof. Benedett Ekwutosi Okoli, Commissioner for Human Development and Poverty Eradication; Enyinna Franklin Ogbonna, Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources; Dr. Samuel Ogbu-Nwobodo, Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Industry; Prof. George Ugwu, Commissioner for Health; and Engr. Ben Collins Ndu Jr., Commissioner for Water Resources.
Additionally, three commissioners were reassigned to new roles: Dr. Felix Nnamani, now Commissioner for Labour and Employment; Dr. Malachy Agbo, now Commissioner for Information; and Engr. Gerald Otiji, now Commissioner for Housing.
The oath of office was administered by a representative of the Ministry of Justice, Chizoba Ogbodo.
Mbah charged the appointees to hit the ground running, stressing that there would be no honeymoon period.
He said the administration had, in two years, stirred high expectations among the people of the state as well as Nigerians in general and could not lower its performance across sectors.
The governor said, “You would soon notice that here in Enugu, we have steered such a high expectation among our people. And every day it feels as though we are presenting a scorecard.
“Therefore, you have to hit the ground running, as there will be no honeymoon period for you, unfortunately.
“We set targets, we set goals, and we have key performance indicators. We have measurable indicators; hence, we have to measure and we have to constantly take analysis of where you are in respect to the set goals and what your results are. Those key performance indicators are key to us and we will measure you based on these outcomes and results.”
He further charged the appointees to work as a team, in line with the established cultures of the administration.
“We also recognise teamwork champions. We do not encourage working in silos. You have to work as a team. We believe that by working as a team, we are able to accomplish our collective goals. You should not see your colleagues as rivals. They should actually complement your efforts instead.
“Our modest accomplishment in the state so far is not done by a single champion. We like to recognise our successes as team efforts,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of other appointees, Dr. Ogbu-Nwobodo thanked the governor for finding them worthy out of the many other highly qualified Enugu citizens and beyond, assuring that they would not let him down.
“Since you chose to entrust us with this sacred duty, as you make history on a daily basis. We will keep faith with our Oath of Office. We will be loyal and dedicated in the discharge of our duties. We will strive to contribute to the nationally acknowledged success that your government has become,” he said.
The swearing-in ceremony was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Victor Udeh; several commissioners and senior appointees of government; and the spouses of the appointees.
