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From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has officially sworn-in 18 commissioners recently screened and cleared by the state House of Assembly.
The swearing in ceremony took place at the Executive Council Chambers of the new Government House, also known as Light House, Awka, yesterday.
Addressing the newly sworn in commissioners, Soludo emphasised that their appointments were strictly a call to rigorous work, sacrifice, and public accountability rather than personal celebration.
Delivering a stern, philosophical charge to the new Executive members, Governor Soludo re-emphasised his administration’s departure from traditional political entitlement. He warned the appointees that their roles must be treated as heavy burdens of public trust rather than invitations to personal luxury.
“In Nigeria, a public appointment is too often viewed as a call to ‘come and chop.’ But under this administration, I don’t see a dining table. What I see is grueling work; I see fields where you must sweat to serve,” Governor Soludo stated.
The governor revealed that the entire cabinet selection process was highly intentional, characterised by deep vetting to ensure merit and capacity. Using a metaphor to describe the high-velocity pace expected of his second-term administration, he remarked:
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“The plane is already on autopilot. If you don’t get into the passenger cabin, you must get directly into the cockpit. We are in a race against time to build a liveable and prosperous homeland for over nine million Ndi Anambra. Your decisions from this moment forward will directly impact their lives and millions more in the diaspora. Your celebration ends with this ceremony; work begins immediately.”
The 18 commissioners sworn in include; Ben Odoemena (Agriculture); Chukwukadibia Okoye, FCCA (Budget and Economic Planning); Udoji Amedu (Culture, Entertainment and Tourism); and Dr. Ekene Ogugua (Education). Others are Dr. Clem Aguiyi (Environment); Dr. Afam Obidike (Health); Dr. Law Mefor (Information and Value Reformation); Professor Offornze Amucheazi, SAN (Lands); and Vin Ezeaka (Local Government and Community Affairs).
Also sworn-in were Prof. Charles Ofoegbu (Petroleum and Mineral Resources); Chijioke Oseloka Ojukwu (Physical Planning and Urban Development); Engr. Casmir Agummadu (Power); Engr. Okey Ezeobi (Works and Infrastructure); Eddy Ibuzo (Transport); Esther Onyekesi (Women Affairs and Social Development); Patrick Agha, MBA (Youth Development and Sports); Arc. Henry Arinze (Commissioner for Housing) and Mr. Nonso Chukwuma Ebonwu (Commissioner for Commerce).
With Barrister Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN (Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice) and Mr. Izuchukwu M. Okafor (Finance) having been cleared and sworn in earlier, the state’s cabinet now stands at a functional strength of 21 commissioners.
Heads of agencies also sworn in by the governor, yesterday, include the Managing Director, Anambra Road Traffic Agency (ARTMA), Mr. Emeka Okonkwo; Managing Director, Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Dr. Ossy Onuko; MD and CEO, Information Communication Technology Agency, Mr Fred Agbata, as well as Managing Director, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Engr. Obi Okonkwo.
Responding on behalf of the newly inaugurated executive council members, the Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor, expressed profound gratitude to both the state legislature for its swift confirmation process and to Governor Soludo for the privilege to serve.
