NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

The last set of 11 new commissioners in Delta State were on Thursday sworn in by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa with a charge to them to promote unity in their utterances and actions and eschew mutual suspicion.

They are Prof Patrick Muoboghare, Hon Chika Ossai, Hon Basil Ganagana, Chief Emmanuel Amgbaduba, Dr Mordi Ononye, Hon. Ovie Oghoore, Barrister (Mrs) Bridget Ayanfulu, Hon Solomon Golley, Barr Isaiah Bozimo, Hon Henry Sakpra, Barr. Jennifer Oma Adasen.

Eighteen commissioners had earlier been sworn in thereby bringing the total number of members of the state executive council to twenty-nine of which seven of them are women.

The governor advised the new commissioners to avoid issues that would breed distrust, exclusion and resentment among the people, saying that they emerged through a rigorous selection process that was necessary, especially as the administration entered a critical phase in its tenure.

According to him, Delta had broken the frontiers of female representation in government with the appointment of seven female commissioners and 17 Vice Chairmen of local government councils as well as other statutory positions of responsibility in governance.

“With today’s swearing-in, we have concluded the process of reconstituting the State Executive Council that was dissolved a little over two months ago.

“With two more female commissioners, the State Executive Council now has a total of seven women, further extending the frontiers of female representation in this government.

He stated that his administration had made significant breakthroughs in its quest to build a Stronger Delta standing on the tripod of Prosperity, Peace and Progress.

He averred that his administration had successfully anchored the entrepreneurship development programmes with over 100,000 youths being empowered to become self-employed and employers of labour.

The governor urged the commissioners to brace up and work towards achieving the administration’s set targets within the remaining period of his term in office.

“With less than two years to the terminal date of this administration, every remaining minute counts as we strive to deliver on our goals and promises to the good people of Delta State.

He told the people that his administration still had more grounds to cover in tackling the problems of youth unemployment, widespread poverty and social cohesion, saying “it is going to take all of us talking together, planning together and working together to change the current narrative in many of our communities.

Okowa urged the commissioners to promote unity in the diversity in the state and to work towards peaceful coexistence in the state.

Responding on behalf of the new commissioners, Patrick Muoboghare thanked God for the appointment and appreciated the governor for finding them worthy to serve.