Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State Wednesday carried out a major cabinet reshuffle, swearing in a new Head of Service, six new Commissioners, and reassigning three others to different portfolios.
The swearing-in ceremony, which took place at the State Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Enugu, saw the administration of the Oath of Office by Chizoba Ogbodo, a representative of the Ministry of Justice.
The newly sworn-in appointees are:
- Dr. Godwin Anigbo – Head of Service,
- Engr. Benjamin Osita Okoh – Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure,
- Prof. Benedett Ekwutosi Okoli – Commissioner for Human Development and Poverty Eradication,
- Enyinna Franklin Ogbonna – Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources,
- Dr. Samuel Ogbu-Nwobodo – Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Industry,
- Prof. George Ugwu – Commissioner for Health,
- Engr. Ben Collins Ndu Jr. – Commissioner for Water Resources.
Governor Mbah also announced the reassignment of three commissioners:
- Dr. Felix Nnamani moved from the Ministry of Water Resources to the Ministry of Labour and Employment,
- Dr. Malachy Agbo moved from Human Development and Poverty Eradication to the Ministry of Information,
- Engr. Gerald Otiji, formerly Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, is now Commissioner for Housing.
Speaking during the event, Mbah charged the appointees to deliver immediately, warning that there would be no grace period.
“You would soon notice that here in Enugu, we have steered such a high expectation among our people. And every day it feels as though we are presenting a scorecard. Therefore, you have to hit the ground running, as there will be no honeymoon period for you, unfortunately,” the governor said.
He noted that his administration has set ambitious targets and measurable indicators for all ministries:
“We set targets, we set goals, and we have key performance indicators, we have measurable indicators, hence, we have to measure and we have to constantly take analysis of where you are in respect to the set goals and what your results are. Those key performance indicators are key to us and we will measure you based on these outcomes and results.”
Mbah further emphasized teamwork, urging the appointees to collaborate rather than compete.
“We also recognise teamwork champions. We do not encourage working in silos. You have to work as a team, we believe that by working as a team, we are able to accomplish our collective goals. You should not see your colleagues as rivals. They should actually complement your efforts instead.
Our modest accomplishment in the state so far is not done by a single champion. We like to recognise our successes as team efforts.”
Speaking on behalf of the new appointees, Dr. Samuel Ogbu-Nwobodo expressed gratitude to the governor for the opportunity and pledged loyalty and dedication.
“Since you chose to entrust us with this sacred duty as you make history on a daily basis, we will keep faith with our Oath of Office. We will be loyal and dedicated in the discharge of our duties. We will strive to contribute to the nationally acknowledged success that your government has become,” he said.
The ceremony was attended by Deputy Governor Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, Secretary to the State Government Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, Chief of Staff Barr. Victor Udeh, several other commissioners, senior government officials, and family members of the appointees.
