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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the 12 newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries to regard their appointments as a call to selfless service, urging them to provide purposeful leadership and reposition the state civil service for greater efficiency and improved service delivery.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony at Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday, the governor said the appointments were intended to strengthen the administrative machinery of government and enhance the implementation of policies and programmes that will accelerate the development of Rivers State.
Fubara reminded the new Permanent Secretaries that they now occupy the highest career positions in the civil service and must justify the confidence reposed in them through professionalism, integrity and unwavering commitment to public service. He described them as custodians of government policies whose actions would significantly influence the success of his administration.
\"My charge to you is to do right to every man and woman, do right to Rivers State, and do right to the Federal Republic of Nigeria,\" the governor said. “At this particular point in time, it is my wish that your coming on board will help this administration achieve its goal—not a personal goal, but the goal of moving Rivers State forward.”
He urged the officials to ensure that every decision they take is guided by fairness, patriotism and the overall interest of the people, stressing that effective governance depends largely on the commitment, competence and dedication of senior civil servants responsible for implementing government policies.
Fubara warned against complacency, poor supervision and bureaucratic inefficiency, saying ineffective leadership could slow down government programmes and deprive the people of the dividends of good governance. \"Don\'t be at the head and make this administration suffer just like some of the ministries. I believe that your coming on board will bring changes and effectiveness to the system,\" he said.
The governor further stressed that their appointments should be seen as greater responsibilities rather than rewards, urging them to build enduring institutions that would continue to serve the state beyond the life of the present administration. \"When we are done with our own, I believe your good works will help whoever is going to take over from us to continue the good work in our dear State,\" he added.
He also called on the new Permanent Secretaries to uphold transparency, accountability and discipline, while fostering cordial working relationships with political office holders and members of staff to promote teamwork and improve service delivery. Fubara expressed confidence that their wealth of experience would drive reforms and enhance the performance of the Rivers State Civil Service.
The governor congratulated the officials on their appointments and wished them success in the discharge of their duties. The newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries are Mr. Freddy Ndigbara, Dr. Fortune Akpila, Dr. Promise Oguzie, Mrs. Ibisoye Lolomari Nwankwo, Mrs. Ibiyemiebara Joseph Uzoma, Mrs. Mercy Dagogo Iboroma, Dr. Wachukwu Vincent Worgu, Mr. Ifeanyi Anthony Ogboma, Dr. Mina Gogo Jim-Jaja, Mr. Henry Uzor, Mr. Chimemum Mpi and Dr. Mina Ikuru.
