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From Judex Okoro, Calabar
Cross River State governor, Sir Ben Ayade, has sworn-in the former Vice President East of Nigeria Guild of Editors, Mr imothy Ogbang Akwaji as the state’s new Head of Service.
Akwaji was a former secretary of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Cross River State Council, Editor and General Manager of state’s newspaper, Nigerian Chronicle.
He was also the financial secretary of the Guild, Permanent Secretary, Cross River State ministry of climate change and international development corporation respectively. He is the first journalist to be so appointed.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony held at the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Calabar, Ayade commended the new Head of Service for a harmonious working relationship with commissioners of the various ministries, especially, Dr Inyang Asibong, commissioner for MIDC, where he served as permanent secretary.
According to the Governor, “I want this to be a lesson to all the permanent secretaries that this is what the relationship between the permanent secretary and commissioner should be.
“Within the short period of their working together, they have bonded to the point that she could cite his citation without almost reading it.”
“it shows clearly that the cleavage that divides us is far seen than the ones that unite us. It shows that a commissioner who has a good attitude and conduct can bring his or her Permanent Secretary so close that they become one.”
Describing the new Head of Service as a distinguished scholar, a researcher, a fellow, an outstanding double masters degree holder in science genetics, management, public administration, as well as in journalism, he said he is a distinguished man in terms of attitude, integrity, character, honour and value.
“I know you are self-charged. This is the first time I am swearing-in a permanent secretary without giving a charge because I believe that you will know the right thing to do, ” Ayade said.
Responding, Akwaji expressed gratitude to the governor for appointing him, saying his appointment had excited the media community in Nigeria.
He assured the governor that as Head of Service, he will work conscientiously to drive productivity in the Cross River civil service.
“I will work with the civil service commission and the local government service commission, two institutions of the service that are responsible for recruitment, promotion and discipline so that the two services would work smoothly and harmoniously with an aim to providing the key points upon which the laudable policies of government can seamlessly be implemented.”
He pledged to ensure that promotion in the civil service is based on productivity, adding that “key performers indicators will be introduced and reckoned with before anybody gets promoted, promising to tackle the issue of ghost workers headlong.”
The new Head of Service said: “We will try as much as possible to reconcile the nominal roll with the payroll so that Cross River State that has challenges of funds will not accommodate any criminal process in the payroll.”
