Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has stated that the choice of his Secretary to the State Government was based purely on merit, devoid of any sentiments or political considerations.
The Governor disclosed this during the swearing-in ceremony of the new Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Gabriel Ajah, at the Exco Hall, Government House, Enugu.
Ugwuanyi who described Ajah as “a thorough-bred civil servant”, declared that his appointment “marks a further demonstration of our resolve to take what we believe would constitute giant strides in the arduous task of governing our dear Enugu State in this dispensation”
The Governor further explained that the new Secretary to the State Government, prior to his appointment, was the longest serving Permanent Secretary in the State, having been appointed into the former office since 2001.
He said that Ajah has served the state meritoriously and charged him to deliver on the new mandate to justify the confidence reposed in him.
Ugwuanyi who used the opportunity of the occasion to thank the people of the State for their prayers and “unalloyed support” for his administration, reaffirmed its commitment to deliver on its campaign promises to justify their unprecedented show of love during the electioneering period.
In his response, the new Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Gabriel Ajah assured the Governor and the people of the State of his determination to render selfless service to the State for others to emulate.
He promised to work hard and serve diligently to the best of his ability to take the state to the next level of advancement.
Other dignitaries that witnessed the ceremony included: the Deputy Governor, Her Excellency, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi, the State Chairman of PDP, Chief Ikeje Asogwa, the State Chairman of ALGON, Hon. Cornelius Nnaji and other Council Chairmen, traditional rulers, among others.