Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has charged newly sworn-in Special Advisers to treat their appointments as a call to duty and not a position of comfort or celebration.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Friday, Fubara said the appointments were aimed at strengthening the machinery of governance and accelerating the administration’s developmental agenda.
“It is not pleasure; it is work. And every one of you here that has been assigned some responsibility in time past has always proven yourself,” he said.
The governor, who reaffirmed his commitment to steady governance amid ongoing political tensions in the state, said his administration is determined to recover lost ground and continue delivering on its mandate.
He said, “We have every reason to move on, to ensure that the lost grounds are regained. So what we are doing this morning, or let’s say this afternoon, is bringing in some persons on board to ensure that the wheel of governance continues to roll smoothly in our state.”
Fubara noted that the appointees are not new to the workings of government, stating that their prior experience makes them well-suited for immediate impact.
“They’ve been with us, they’ve worked with us, and they understand the philosophy of this administration. So my charge is not much, because you already know what you have come to do.
“It will not be a problem following and ensuring that our goals are achieved,” he said.
Congratulating the appointees, Fubara reminded them that their selection was a rare privilege and urged them not to betray the confidence reposed in them.
He said, “Let me congratulate you for finding your name in the lists, in the midst of millions. It’s a rare opportunity. Don’t let us down. We will start to work for Rivers people.”
Those sworn in include:
Barr. Eloka Tasie-Amadi, former Commissioner for Works
Prof. Peter Medee, former Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning
Barr. Emmanuel Frank Fubara, former Commissioner for Finance
Victor Ekaro, former Special Adviser on Security to ex-Governor Nyesom Wike
Dr. Darlington Oji, former Caretaker Chairman of Ikwerre LGA