Soludo urges dedication, swears in SSG, 13 others

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The Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, on Wednesday, swore in the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Chiamaka Nnake, and 13 other newly appointed key state officials.

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Soludo, who performed the function at the State Executive Council Chamber of the Government House, otherwise known as “Light House” in Awka, charged them to deliver optimal services to the people of Anambra.

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The new appointees took the oath of office at about 12:47pm on Wednesday.

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Before then, the former Solicitor-General of the state, Mrs Ngozi Iwouno, had sworn in the new Attorney-General of the state, Tobechukwu Nweke, who, in turn, administered the oath of allegiance to the appointees.

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The appointees are Head of Service, Mrs Ngozi Iwouno; Principal Secretary to the Governor, Joachim Anetoh; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr Ben Nwankwo; State Chief of Protocol, Prof Frank-Collins Okafor and Commissioner for Finance, Izuchukwu Okafor.

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Others are Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke (SAN); Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Christian Aburime; Deputy Chief of Staff, Dr Vincent Okechi; and Deputy State Chief of Protocol, Ms Ngozi Okoye.

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Others are Special Adviser, Medicals and Pharmaceuticals, Dr Godwin Nnadozie; Special Adviser, Innovation and Business Incubation & CEO, Solution Innovation District, Ms Chinwe Okoli; Special Adviser, Special Projects and Director, Project Evaluation and Monitoring, Prof Ebuka Nwankwo; and Special Adviser, Community Security, Ken Emeakayi.

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Addressing the newly appointed officials, Soludo, who welcomed them into the “Team Solution 2.0,” said every one of them had been thoroughly vetted and given a thought process before the assignment of portfolio to each of them.

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He stressed that their appointments were for service and not personal enrichment, adding that bringing them on board was part of efforts to strengthen governance and expand service delivery across critical sectors.

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He emphasised that the positions were not an opportunity “to come and chop,” but a call to selfless service, sacrifice, and dedication to the people of the state.

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The governor said the appointment is the first in a series of appointments yet to come, adding that each of them should see their appointment as a “call to serve.”

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He said, “I welcome you all to ‘Team Solution 2.0’. Each one of you has been carefully vetted with a thorough process, and we were very intentional in picking everybody who is in this team. The plane is on autopilot, and if you don’t get into the plane, you get into the cockpit.

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“The team is unfolding. This is the first batch of appointments that is unfolding today; there will be other batches.

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“I want to sincerely congratulate all of you and also commiserate with you.

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“I say congratulations because it’s always an honour to serve. Out of the estimated over nine million Ndi Anambra, you have been called upon to serve, and I know each of you will carry the responsibility of the Ndi Anambra on your shoulders.

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“I commiserate with you because you are among the team we are calling upon to serve. There will be sacrifices, and all I see is a call to serve.

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“It is in the collective interest of the people resident in the state, and when you think of the weight you are carrying, you realise that it is beyond you.

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“When people are called to serve, they see it as a means to ‘come and chop,’ but here, I don’t see any table. For me, I don’t actually see the benefit, yet you are called upon to serve.”

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The governor reminded them of the oath of office and oath of allegiance they swore to uphold.

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“I want you to remember that we swore the same oath of office and allegiance. I placed my oath of allegiance and oath of office in my bedroom, and every morning before I step out, I take a look at them.

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“This is not just a ceremony. You have taken the oath, and beyond this moment, just sit down and read every sentence in the oath and reflect on what it means. Provide your compass for the rest of the service.

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“Each one of you has been carefully vetted with a thorough process, and we were very intentional in picking everybody who is in this team,” he added.

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He emphasised that the service is about teamwork, with one ball and 11 players, adding that the goal is to put the ball into the net in the opposite direction.

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“The word is collaboration, coordination, it’s about value. The title is simply to let you into the room,” he added.

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The governor appealed to the people of the state, especially the families and close relatives of the appointees, to ensure that they did not place many demands on them as their services were more to the state.

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“It’s about value, it’s an agenda with a deadline, and we have to move with the speed that it deserves.

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“It’s a team that has to work together. If what drives you is the value you bring to the table, we selected you to add value. This job is a 24/7 assignment.

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“For the people that were with me in the first term, you would remember my calls to you even at 1:30 am to continue a discussion we started earlier in the day. Be ready to receive my telephone calls at 1:30 am,” the governor added.

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Speaking to journalists shortly after the exercise, the governor’s spokesman, Mr Christian Aburime, said while the administration’s first term focused on laying foundations, the second term would prioritise execution.

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Aburime pledged to strengthen media relations and ensure credible and transparent reporting of government activities.

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“The media is critical and has been supportive. I urge continued support for the government as we deepen transparency and accountability,” he said.

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