Safiu Kehinde
Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (Rtd) has sworn-in eight newly appointed permanent secretaries.
The new appointees were on Friday sworn-in by Ibas at the state’s government house.
As captured in a post shared on X, the Rivers Administrator, in his address, charged new appointees on the need to drive institutional reform, embrace innovation and digital transformation amongst others.
He also urged them to foster collaboration across the ministries and departments while ensuring fiscal prudence by accounting for every Naira allocated to them.
“You must mentor future leaders, build up your teams, cultivate a culture of discipline, innovation and service excellence amongst your subordinates.
“You must drive institutional reform, embrace innovation and digital transformation, challenges status quo and eliminate inefficiencies.
“You must foster collaboration across ministries and department agencies. Government must function as one united system delivering goals.
“You must ensure fiscal prudence. Every Naira allocated must be accounted for. Be deliberate, transparent, and accountable in all financial matters.”Ibas said.
The Rivers Administrator reiterated his mandate to stabilise the state which requires the cooperation of the new appointees.
“Let it be clear that our mandate to stabilise Rivers State and restore the confidence of our people requires your full cooperation.
“It requires dedication behind personal ambition and loyalty beyond convenience. You must become enablers of peace, advocates of reform and champions of national unity through your stewardship.” He added.
Coupled with the controversies surrounding the legitimacy of the Administrator’s appointment of officials, the resolution of the clash between the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the suspended Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, has raised eyebrow over Ibas’s reign.
With anticipation for Fubara’s early return to office, the appointments have raised public concern.