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Dr. Alex Otti, the Governor of Abia State, has officially inaugurated the initial group of 24 Permanent Secretaries in the state’s civil service, tasking them with the mission of transitioning the state to complete digitalization within the next two years for data processing, storage, retrieval, and transfer.
He also urged them to dedicate themselves to self-improvement in knowledge, aiming to bring added value to the system.
After the oath of office and allegiance was administered by Barr. Emenike Okoro, the Director-in-charge of the Ministry of Justice, Governor Otti delivered his speech at the Government House in Umuahia.
He urged the 24 Permanent Secretaries to uphold their integrity and maintain the highest ethical standards as they carry out their duties in the renewed Abia.
‘In the new Abia, which we are progressively building ,we are more interested in what you can bring to the table. Competence and character for us would always take precedence over place of origin or the religion you profess,’ he said.
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‘In selecting the new Permanent Secretaries, the only thing that matters to us is professionalism, a robust understanding of the place of civil service in driving government policies and programmes successfully. We may not have selected perfect individuals, but I am confident the choices we have made aligned strongly with vision of the new civil service we want to build in the State’.
Otti cautioned them against involvement in any unethical conduct or corrupt practices and encouraged them to provide guidance and support to Commissioners in their pursuit of success in their roles.
The Governor congratulated the Permanent Secretaries and expressed his faith in their dedication to the oath of office and allegiance.
Speaking on behalf of the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, Mrs. Ngozi Queen Obioma conveyed their thanks to the Governor for entrusting them with the role of his first set of Permanent Secretaries.
She gave assurance that they would align their efforts with the civil service reform agenda of the current administration and pledged to demonstrate the worthiness of the trust placed in them.
According to The Eastern Updates, the process had a participation of more than 320 applicants, with 24 ultimately succeeding in the exercise.