BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

BENIN- A former principal of Western Boys High School, Benin City,  Mr. U.X Orhue, was among the 18  new permanent secretaries sworn-in, yesterday, by Governor Adams Oshiomhole .

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, Governor Oshiomhole said the new permanent secretaries were appointed on merit, adding “our campaign against godfatherism means even in the civil service, appointment should not be based on who you know, but what you know.

“This morning, I have the honour of swearing-in a teacher as Permanent Secretary. This is to send a clear message that the fact of your being in the classroom does not make you less important. You represent a constituency that is central to the development of our state.

“The second person I want to mention is our brother, who had an accident in the recent past and is battling between the wheel chair and crutches. Yes, that the accident had affected his physical structure but not his brain and it won’t affect his ability to discharge his duties effectively. And as you can see, the accident has not stopped us from swearing him in.”

Dispelling rumours of possible retirement of workers from the service, Oshiomhole said “nobody will be retired. On the contrary we have a lot of vacancies in the service. Civil servants and teachers are assets and not liability.”