Chukwuma Soludo on Wednesday in Awka swore in a new Secretary to the State Government and 13 other officials to serve in key positions in Anambra State, as part of efforts to strengthen governance and service delivery in the state.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at the State Executive Council Chamber of the Government House, where Mrs Chiamaka Nnake assumed office as Secretary to the State Government alongside other appointees who took their oath of office and allegiance.
Before the ceremony, Mrs Ngozi Iwouno, who had served as Solicitor-General, administered the oath of office on the new Attorney-General, Tobechukwu Nweke, who then carried out the swearing-in of the remaining officials.
Addressing the new team, the governor said they were carefully selected after a detailed process and urged them to focus on delivering quality service to the people. He described their appointment as the first batch, noting that more appointments would follow.
He told them to see their roles as a duty to serve the people of the state and to understand the responsibility placed on them. He added that the task ahead would require sacrifice, teamwork, and dedication, stressing that public office should not be seen as an opportunity for personal gain.
Soludo also encouraged the officials to remain guided by the oath they had taken and to carry out their duties with commitment. He explained that teamwork and coordination would be key to achieving the goals of his administration.
During the inspection of ongoing and completed projects across the state, the governor restated his administration’s focus on monitoring work to ensure that contractors deliver projects on time and meet required standards.
He also called on residents, especially families and associates of the appointees, to avoid placing pressure on them, noting that their primary responsibility is to serve the state.
Among those sworn in are Mrs Ngozi Iwouno as Head of Service, Joachim Anetoh as Principal Secretary to the Governor, Dr Ben Nwankwo as Chief of Staff, Prof Frank-Collins Okafor as State Chief of Protocol, and Uzochukwu Okafor as Commissioner for Finance.
Others include Tobechukwu Nweke as Attorney-General, Christian Aburime as Chief Press Secretary, Dr Vincent Okechi as Deputy Chief of Staff, Ms Ngozi Okoye as Deputy State Chief of Protocol, Dr Godwin Nnadozie as Special Adviser on Medicals and Pharmaceuticals, Ms Chinwe Okoli as Special Adviser on Innovation and Business Incubation, Prof Ebuka Nwankwo as Special Adviser on Special Projects, and Ken Emeakayi as Special Adviser on Community Security.
The inauguration marks the start of a new phase in the administration as the governor prepares his team to handle different sectors of governance in the state.