BY VINCENT UJUMADU, Awka
GOVERNOR Peter Obi yesterday, swore in 12 new commissioners and the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, recently cleared by the state House of Assembly, urging them to serve the state with diligence.

Of the number, five were members of the dissolved state executive council, with three of them retaining their former portfolios.

The former commissioners who retained their former positions were Professor Chinyere Okunna (budget and economic planning), Mr. Emeka Nwankwu (public utilities and water resources) and Architect Callistus Ilozumba (works), while Mr. Peter Afuba, formerly of lands was named attorney general and commissioner for justice, just as Mr. Robert Okonkwo moved from transport to commerce and industry.

The other seven commissioners are Patrick Obi (hosing and urban development), Dr. Chike Ohamobi (transport), Lady Henrietta Azuka Agbata (women affairs), Dr. Edozie Aroh (youth and sports) and Mrs. Azuka Enemuo (local government). The rest are Chief Joe Martins Uzodike (information) and Mr. Vincent Ezenwajiaku (special duties). The new SSG is Mr. Oseloka Henry Obaze who, until recently, was a top official of the United Nations in New York .

Ministries yet to have commissioners include agriculture, education, health, lands and survey and environment.

Obi explained at the swearing in ceremony at the executive chambers of the Government House, Awka that more commissioners would soon be cleared by the House of Assembly to ensure full compliment of the state executive council (EXCO).

Governor Obi told the new EXCO members that though he appointed them, it was the wish of God that they should serve the people of Anambra State to the best of their abilities, urging them to emphasize on the things that would improve the living conditions of the people.

According to him, serving the state at this critical time required a lot of sacrifices and informed them that though the state’s internally generated revenue, IGR, dropped by 22% in the last few months, the state had remained financially stable and advised that efforts should be made to shore it up.

Obi also announced that many projects would be executed within the remaining period of the administration, including the construction of a new sports stadium in Awka, adding that all hands must be on deck to realize the projects before the expiration of the tenure of the administration.

Responding on behalf of the new EXCO members, the SSG, Mr. Obaze expressed gratitude to the governor for appointing them and pledged that they would not disappoint the people.

He observed that Governor Obi had remained a source of inspiration to Anambra people both at home and abroad, adding that he had succeeded beyond general expectations in restoring civility, peace and stability in Anambra State.