By Anne Azuka
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State on Wednesday said the nation was experiencing times which requires innovative and creative thinking by governments at all levels to provide good governance for the people.
Governor Oborevwori stated this at the swearing-in of newly appointed Commissioners and Special Advisers at Government House, Asaba.
The new Commissioners are Barr. Val Arenyeka – Agriculture and Natural Resources; Hon. Peter Uviejitobor – Oil and Gas; Barr. Thankgod Trakiriowei – Youth Development; Hon. Ebikeme Clark – Directorate of Riverine Infrastructural Development; Hon. Sunday Tataobuzogwu – Energy and Mr Smart Ijeoma – Technical Education.
The Special Advisers are; Hon. George Oyefia – Agriculture and Natural Resources; Mr. Johnbull Edema – Bureau for Special Duties and Government House; Hon. Matthew Opuoru – Environment; Hon. Ramson Onoyake – Youths; Dr Toyin Agbolayah – Community Development and Chief Onajite Brown – Government Affairs.
While congratulating the newly sworn-in Commissioners and Special Advisers, Governor Oborevwori, charged the appointees to “be innovative and think outside the box. The times we live in call for creativity and innovation on the part of those of us who have been entrusted with leadership.
“Staying afloat in a turbulent economy demands mental rigour, strategic planning, and creative execution of policies and programmes.
“I urge you all to think outside the box. As leaders you must be resourceful, encourage and welcome new ideas, and be ready to churn out innovative policies and programmes targeted at meeting the real needs and aspirations of our people. You must therefore, guard against nonchalant attitudes and hit the ground running.”
The Governor also urged the appointees to acquaint themselves with and observe financial regulations, adding that the administration places high premium on fiscal discipline, probity, and accountability.
“Your conduct must align with these values. Many political appointees have gotten into trouble simply because they did not do this. It is not that they were corrupt or were intent on committing fraud but ignorance of the extant rules and regulations became their undoing.
“As we all know, ignorance is not an excuse in law. So, it is imperative that you educate yourself properly on financial rules and regulations to avoid running foul of the law.
“You must be intentional in your actions and utterances to foster understanding, build team effectiveness, and achieve lasting results.”
Responding on behalf of the appointees, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Barr. Val Arenyeka, thanked Governor Oborevwori for finding them worthy to serve, assuring that they would uphold the highest standards in contributing their quota to the administration’s MORE Agenda.
