Okowa Swears-In 17 New Commissioners

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has swore in 17 new commissioners as members of the State Executive Council with a charge in them to be humble and diligent in their duties.

Speaking at the event which took place at Government House Asaba, Okowa said,  “Fellow Deltans, as many of you can imagine, sifting through the long list of potential appointees, most of who are eminently qualified, can be quite exacting and draining and it took weeks of broad-based consultations, geo-political considerations, rigorous scrutiny and quiet contemplation to come up with this second and final list of commissioners,” the governor said.

Adding, he said, “we may not have satisfied everybody to be honest, and I don’t think we can; but, I dare say the choices largely mirror the wishes and aspirations of a broad spectrum of leaders, relevant stakeholders and the populace in the various local government areas as we did our best to carry everybody along as has been our approach to governance since the first tenure of this administration.”

Governor Okowa who congratulated the 17 Commissioners urged them “not to succumb to such negative emotions as complaining, grumbling and murmuring, as this administration will strive to ensure that all who have laboured in the past and especially during our electioneering campaigns will be rewarded one way or the other, if not by appointment but through some other means and I plead with Deltans to be patient with us as we navigate our way through this process.”

“As a Commissioner, be humble because, being a commissioner does not mean you are better than others; also, it is a call to higher responsibility as you must resist the temptation to look down on others or be brash with those around you, especially your peers and contemporaries; be a unifier because, as a commissioner, you have to rise above petty sentiments and divisive tendencies; it is your mandate and responsibility to rally all together for the sake of unity, progress and you must exercise good judgment, show tenacity of purpose and be willing to stoop to conquer for the greater good of all,” Governor Okowa said at the well attended ceremony.

Responding on behalf of the Commissioners, Sir Fidelis Tilije thanked Governor Okowa for finding them fit to be part of his team to build a stronger Delta State, assuring that they will carry out their functions diligently to the benefits of Deltans and to the glory of God.

Those swore in are: Sir FidelisTilije, Mr. Lawrence Ejiofor, Barry Pere Gbe, Julius Egbedi, Mr Churchill Amagada, Mr Arthur Akpowowo, Hon. Martin Okonta, Mr Charles Aniagwu, Comrade Ifeanyi Egwunyanga, Dr Mordi Ononye, Mr Ovie Oghoore, Prince Emmanuel Amgbabuba, Mrs Gbubemi Ikolo, Mr Matthew Tsekiri, Hon. Christian Onogba, Mr  Omamofe Pirah, and Chief Henry Sakpra.