By Ezechukwu Adimoha

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has sworn in 10 newly appointed Permanent Secretaries into the state civil service, charging them to make competence, integrity and commitment to service their watchwords.

Governor Otti, while swearing-in the new permanent secretaries at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, said his administration had, since assuming office in 2023, prioritized merit, competence and transparency in appointments. He stressed that political considerations, state of origin and local government of origin had no place in determining appointments into public office.

The Governor disclosed that out of the many applicants who initially applied for the selection exercise, only candidates who demonstrated the requisite competence and qualifications progressed through the various stages, which included computer-based tests and oral interviews.

He maintained that his administration was committed to ensuring that only qualified individuals were appointed to positions of responsibility, noting that his government would continue to uphold merit as a fundamental principle of public service.

Governor Otti urged the newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries to see their appointments as opportunities to serve the people and contribute meaningfully to the development of the state. He also charged them to justify the confidence reposed in them, stressing that their conduct and performance would determine their success in office.

The Governor highlighted the strong representation of women among the appointees, noting that seven of the 10 Permanent Secretaries, representing 70 per cent, were women. He attributed this to his administration’s commitment to merit-based selection, maintaining that women had demonstrated their competence and ability to excel when given equal opportunities.

The 10 newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries are;

1. Uwaoma Ajike

2. Rollingstone Frances Ogechi

3. Okoro Precious Uma

4. Nwaogwugwu Peace C.

5. Uwajimgba Vincent Uchechukwu

6. Jackson Sunday Onyebuchi

7. Ukpabi Ngozi Juliet

8. Chinyere Josephine Kanno

9. Egesie Ijeoma Michelle

10. Ogugbue Kelechi Stella

Governor Otti also inaugurated three other appointees: Mr Godwin Adindu, General Manager of the Abia State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ABSAA); Ms Sandra Ivonye-Ntofon, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park; and Mr Emenike Onyembi, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on National Assembly Matters.

He urged the appointees to distinguish themselves through dedication, professionalism and a strong commitment to service.

Speaking on behalf of the newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries, Mrs Uwaoma Ajike thanked Governor Otti for finding them worthy of being part of his administration’s transformation agenda. She pledged that they would uphold the principles of excellence, accountability, transparency and selfless service in the discharge of their duties.

The Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Lilian Abai; principal officers and other members of the 8th House of Assembly; members of the State Executive Council; and other distinguished Nigerians attended the ceremony.