Soludo swears in 18 new Anambra commissioners and agency hea

The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, on Monday swore in 18 commissioners following their confirmation by the Anambra State House of Assembly.

Soludo, who performed the function at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House, otherwise known as the “Light House”, in Awka, charged the newly appointed officials to deliver optimal service to the people of Anambra State.

He urged his new cabinet to prioritise the “Anambra spirit” of excellence, calling on them to shift their focus from the traditional celebration of political appointments to selfless public service and strict adherence to their oaths of office.

The commissioners include Ben Odoemena (Agriculture); Chukwukadibia Okoye (Budget and Economic Planning); Udoji Amedu (Culture, Entertainment and Tourism); and Dr Ekene Ogugua (Education).

Others are Clem Aguiyi (Environment); Dr Afam Obidike (Health); Dr Law Mefor (Information and Value Reorientation); Prof. 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); Casmir Agummadu (Power); Okey Ezeobi (Works and Infrastructure); Eddy Ibuzo (Transport); Esther Onyekesi (Women Affairs and Social Development); Patrick Agha (Youth Development and Sports); Henry Arinze (Housing); and Nonso Chukwuma Ebonwu (Commerce).

Some commissioners, including Law Mefor (Information and Value Reorientation), Afam Obidike (Health), and Patrick Agha (Youth Development and Sports), served in the governor’s first term.

The commissioner for finance, as well as the commissioner for justice and Attorney-General of the state, had already been sworn in in March, bringing the total number of commissioners to 20.

Addressing the newly appointed officials shortly after the oath-taking ceremony, Soludo said they were part of his “Solution 2.0” team, emphasising that their appointments were strictly a call to rigorous work, sacrifice and public accountability, rather than personal celebration.

He admonished the appointees to immediately focus on the task of governance, reminding them that the decisions they make would directly impact the lives of over nine million residents of Anambra State.

He said, “I welcome you all to the ‘Team Solution 2.0’. See your appointments as strictly a call to rigorous work, sacrifice and public accountability, and not personal celebration.

“I admonish you to immediately focus on the task of governance and be reminded that the decisions you make will directly impact the lives of over nine million residents of Anambra State.

“Each of you has been carefully vetted through a thorough process, and we were very intentional in selecting everyone on this team. We charge you to run your respective ministries with a high level of prudence and synergy.”

Also inaugurated were the Managing Director of the Anambra Road Traffic Agency, Emeka Okonkwo; the Managing Director of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, Dr Ossy Onuko; the Managing Director of the Information Communication Technology Agency, Fred Agbata; and the Managing Director of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Obi Okonkwo.

On March 25, Tochukwu Nweke, SAN, was sworn in as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, while Izuchukwu Okafor was sworn in as Commissioner for Finance, bringing the operational total of the state’s cabinet to 20.