Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has congratulated the Obi of Onitsha and Chairman, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, on his 74th birthday.
Obiano, in a statement in Awka on Monday, thanked God for the gift of Achebe to humanity and the state.He said it was with a sense of pride and admiration that he sought to share in the joy of the anniversary.
According to him, the premier traditional ruler belongs to the class of those who not only attained great heights but live to be widely celebrated.
Obiano said the record of Achebe’s service in the oil industry where he rose to the height of his career was inspiring; just as the seamless switch to royal leadership had been remarkable.
He observed that the Onitsha community in particular and Anambra in general have been better for it in a climate of peace and cultural renaissance.
The governor said it was a source of pleasure that at 74, Achebe was strong and focused as ever, suggesting that the best was yet to come from him.
He restated the commitment of the state government to a robust partnership with the traditional institution for the benefit of the people. Obiano prayed God to grant the monarch good health and protection, while wishing him many more happy returns. NAN
Meanwhile, Governor Obiano yesterday appointed five new commissioners to assist in piloting the affairs of the state.
The five, who were sworn in and given portfolios yesterday at the Governor’s Lodge, were Mr. Okey Moka (Finance), Mrs. Gladys Ilobi (Special Duties), Mr. Afam Mbanefo (Agriculture), Mr. Frank Offor (Housing and Urban Development) and Dr. Uju Nwogu (Information, Culture and Tourism).
The governor, who spoke after the new commissioners were administered the oath of office by the Director of Civil Litigation, Mr. Emeka Ike, was, however, silent on the fate of other commissioners, especially those whose portfolios were given to the new appointees.
He congratulated the new commissioners and told them to see their appointments as a privilege, saying, “serving under this administration is an honour for yourselves and we look up to you to assist in moving the state forward.
“What you have just signed is your job specifications with timeframe for performance monitoring, which is usually every 100 days. So, you will only stay as part of the team if you are found worthy,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the appointees, the new Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Nwogu, thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve the state and promised that they would maintain the tempo of development.
She also assured the governor of their dedication in ensuring the success of Obiano’s four pillars of development in the areas of agriculture, oil and gas, trade and commerce and industrialisation.
Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mrs. Chinwe Nwebili, who was one of those confirmed by the house as commissioner, was, however not mentioned yesterday.
