Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at his first official outing, announced the appointment of three officers of his administration.
First was the retention of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Oseloka Obaze, who served in the Peter Obi administration.
Howard University Professor in the United State, Joseph Asike, was appointed his Chief of Staff. Mr. Willy Nwokoye, said to be a banker, became the Principal Secretary to the governor. The oaths of allegiance and office were also administered to the new government officials by the Solicitor-General of the state, Mrs. Tina Emeke -Ekwue, at Government House, Awka.
In his brief remarks, Obiano said they were his first appointments and that he was confident that the appointees whom he described as capable hands, would perform satisfactorily in their respective positions.
“The task ahead is huge, we need the best hands, and I believe they will deliver,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the new appointees, Oseloka thanked the governor for the honour extended to them, saying they would work hard to meet the expectations of the governor and the challenges of governance in the state.
Meanwhile the governor yesterday gave an indication of his agenda for the state legislature when he met with members of the House of Assembly as part of the activities of his first day in office with a call on the lawmakers to join hands with him to build the state.
In a move seen as manifestation of clear intent to institute governance by engagement and sustainable partnerships with various arms of government, Obiano praised the legislators for their commitment to the good of the state, stressing that his visit underscores the importance of the legislature in a democracy as well as his high regard for the parliamentarians.
The governor defined his belief and respect for the role of the legislature thus: “Long before I began to take political leadership seriously, I had always known that any democracy without a strong parliament is a farce! I have known that the legislature is the true backbone of democracy and the single most important repository of the sovereign will of the people. I have the greatest regard for you and what you represent to the quest for a new and better Anambra State.”
