Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, on Monday, December 15, administered the oath of office to 13 newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, making it clear that their elevation to the top echelon of the civil service comes with enormous responsibility and no tolerance for underperformance.
The swearing-in ceremony, which took place at the Government House in Enugu, marked another step in the governor’s drive to entrench a results-oriented public service. Addressing the newly appointed officials, Mbah stressed that their roles are central to the successful execution of his administration’s development agenda.
“There is no honeymoon period,” the governor declared, emphasizing that the expectations on them are immediate and non-negotiable. He acknowledged that the appointees earned their positions through years of dedication and a rigorous, competitive selection process, but cautioned that the privilege of office also demands exceptional service.
According to Mbah, the administration is built on accountability, efficiency, and innovation, and only those who fully embrace these principles will thrive. He reminded the Permanent Secretaries that leadership at their level requires discipline, integrity, and the capacity to deliver measurable results in line with government policies.
The governor further explained that the appointments were not merely to fill vacant positions but reflected the state’s commitment to merit, fairness, inclusivity, and excellence within the civil service. He noted that transparency guided the entire selection process, reinforcing public confidence in the system.
Describing Permanent Secretaries as the “engine room” of governance, Mbah said they serve as custodians of institutional knowledge and play a crucial role in translating policies into action across ministries, departments, and agencies. He added that his administration is focused on reforming and modernizing governance structures to drive efficiency and sustainable growth in the state.
“Our government is not content with business as usual. We are reforming, restructuring, and rethinking how governance works to ensure long-term development and better service delivery,” the governor stated.
The newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries are Chigbogu Nnaji, Phoebe Edeh, Philip Arum, Jeremiah Egbonwonu, Ifeoma Igwe, Ngozi Egbo, Nkiru Ede-Ogunnaike, Pamela Ikpa, Canice Ngene, Anyaora Okereke, Adaobi Nwodo, Ikechukwu Ezenwukwa, and Paul Nwabuisi.
Speaking on behalf of the appointees, Ikechukwu Ezenwukwa, who also holds the position of Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, expressed appreciation to Governor Mbah for the confidence reposed in them. He praised the administration’s achievements, particularly in infrastructure development and revenue expansion.
Ezenwukwa assured the governor of the appointees’ dedication and loyalty, pledging that they would work diligently to strengthen the ongoing reforms and contribute meaningfully to the state’s progress.
“We are grateful for this opportunity and fully committed to adding value to the remarkable strides already made. We assure you that your confidence in us will be justified,” he said.
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