The Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, on Monday swore in 18 commissioners following their confirmation by the state House of Assembly.
The ceremony was held at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House, also known as the Light House, in Awka, the state capital.
Soludo charged the newly appointed commissioners to deliver quality service to the people of Anambra State, stressing that their appointment should be seen as a call to public service rather than an occasion for personal celebration.
Addressing the commissioners shortly after the oath-taking ceremony, Soludo described them as members of his “Team Solution 2.0”.
He urged them to embrace what he called the “Anambra spirit” of excellence and to remain guided by their oaths of office.
The governor said the task before the new cabinet members required sacrifice, discipline, prudence and accountability.
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.”
The commissioners sworn in include Ben Odoemena for Agriculture, Chukwukadibia Okoye for Budget and Economic Planning, Udoji Amedu for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, and Dr Ekene Ogugua for Education.
Others are Clem Aguiyi for Environment, Dr Afam Obidike for Health, Dr Law Mefor for Information and Value Reorientation, Prof. Offornze Amucheazi, SAN for Lands, and Vin Ezeaka for Local Government and Community Affairs.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that Prof. Charles Ofoegbu was also sworn in for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Chijioke Oseloka Ojukwu for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Casmir Agummadu for Power, Okey Ezeobi for Works and Infrastructure, and Eddy Ibuzo for Transport.
The list also includes Esther Onyekesi for Women Affairs and Social Development, Patrick Agha for Youth Development and Sports, Henry Arinze for Housing, and Nonso Chukwuma Ebonwu for Commerce.
Some of the commissioners, including Mefor, Obidike and Agha, served in the governor’s first term.
The swearing-in brings the number of commissioners in the state cabinet to 20.
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.
With Monday’s inauguration, the operational strength of Soludo’s cabinet now stands at 20 commissioners.
Soludo also inaugurated four agency heads during the ceremony.
They include 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.
The governor urged all the appointees to work together, avoid waste and ensure that government policies produce real results for residents across the state.