A SPEECH PRESENTED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, CHIEF T. A. ORJI (OCHENDO), GOVERNOR ABIA STATE, ON THE OCCASION OF THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY OF 24 NEW HONORABLE COMMISSIONERS OF ABIA STATE GOVERNMENT AND MEMBERS OF THE STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HOLDING AT THE MICHAEL OKPARA AUDITORIUM, UMUAHIA, ON THE 8™ OCTOBER, 2013 PROTOCOLS DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! I have the pleasure to be here today to perform this ceremony of swearing-in our new Commissioners of Government and members of our State Executive Council. I know that many of you have waited anxiously for this day, and I am glad that we are finally concluding this exercise - so that we can move forward with members of the Executive Council in addressing the important issues and challenges that face our State. As you are all aware, we are now in the mid-session of our second tenure in office. We have before us, many urgent challenges arising from the committed pursuit of our legacy projects, as well as the inevitable pressures of the politics of the future. But we need not be derailed in our resolve to delivering the dividends of democracy to Abians. It is therefore necessary that we face all these challenges with the support and expertise of our best, devoted and loyal citizens, who also fully represent the aspirations and support of our citizens and major stakeholders’ throughout the three Senatorial Zones of our State. These have partly informed our choices in selecting our new Commissioners being sworn-in today. We have also been very intensive in selecting the list of men and women that we swear-in today to ensure they meet our criteria of a gender sensitive Administration, experience and notable ability to perform under pressure. As usual, any lobbyists or godfathers beyond the general interests of our people have foisted no one who made the list of Commissioners on me. I therefore expect that those we have selected to serve will give their best to the entire State. In your various portfolios, we expect you to serve with integrity, devotion, loyalty and accountability. It is our expectations that you will provide fresh ideas and new drive to support our Government in consolidating our legacy projects, building a sustainable foundation of our economy, and moving the politics of Abia State to the next level of humility, justice and harmony as you serve our citizens. The new Commissioners we are swearing-in today are as Name Office Contact Information Chief (Sir) Don Ubani Commissioner for Petroleum donubani@abiastate.gov.ng Dr. Kenneth Nwosu Commissioner for Agriculture kennethnwosu@abiastate.gov.ng Engr. Emma Nwabuko Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs nwabuko.e@abiastate.gov.ng Dr. Mrs. O. M. Philips Commissioner for Education m.philips@abiastate.gov.ng Barr. Emelike Kalu Commissioner for Public Utilities emelikekalu@abiastate.gov.ng Eboh Duke I. Okorie Commissioner for Lands ebohokorie@abiastate.gov.ng Engr Ikechukwu Emesobom Commissioner for Transport emesobum@abiastate.gov.ng Hon. K. O. Mgbeahuru Commissioner for Housing mgbeahuru@abiastate.gov.ng Prince Emeka Nwachukwu (Longman) Commissioner for Works emeka.n@abiastate.gov.ng David Chigbu Monday Commissioner for Sports davidchigbu@abiastate.gov.ng Mrs. Nwogu Chidinma Florence Commissioner for Science and Technology nwoguchidinma@abiastate.gov.ng Dr. O. S. Ogah Commissioner for Health ogah.s@abiastate.gov.ng Engr. Solomon Adaelu Commissioner for Rural Development and Poverty Reduction solomonadaelu@abiastate.gov.ng Mrs Ngozi Orji Commissioner for Youth Development orjingozi@abiastate.gov.ng Dr. Philip Nto Commissioner for Finance ntophilips@abiastate.gov.ng Mrs. Nne Nwaejike Commissioner for Women Affairs nnenwaejike@abiastate.gov.ng Elder Godwin Nna Commissioner for Physical/Urban Planning nnagodwin@abiastate.gov.ng Chinwe Nwanganga Commissioner for Environment Chinwe.n@abiastate.gov.ng Barr. James Okpara Commissioner for Legal and Due Process jamesopkara@abiastate.gov.ng Barr. Umeh Kalu Commissioner for Justice umehkalu@abiastate.gov.ng Chisom Nwamuo Commissioner for Commerce and Industry chisomnwamuo@abiastate.gov.ng Hon. Sampson Orji Commissioner for Special Duties (Governor's Office) sampson.o@abiastate.gov.ng Mr. Eze Chikamnayo Commissioner for Information and Strategy ezechikamnayo@abiastate.gov.ng Elder Onwuka Uzoma Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Onwuka.u@abiastate.gov.ng I want to remind the new Commissioners that your assignment will be especially challenging, as we seek to accomplish most of our projects and other commitments under a disciplined financial regime and urgency, especially as the seasons of expectations of our citizens, active politics and elections fever begin to emerge. I therefore urge all those sworn-in today to bring with them the desirable winning attitude, ingenuity and deep insight in the handling of your various difficult assignments. These are the only ways you can assist our Government leave a desired legacy of service in Abia State, while also endearing yourselves with our citizens. I congratulate all the Commissioners we swear-in today and your families and wish all of you a very successful tenure. Thank you and God bless Abia State! http://www.abiastate.gov.ng/news/a-speech-delivered-by-h-e-t-a-orji-at-the-swearing-in-ceremony-of-the-new-commissioners