By Matthew Ajai-Kume
Governor Samuel Ortom has sworn-in 12 Permanent Secretaries in the Benue State Civil Service with a charge to them to contribute to the development of the state through selfless service.
Performing the ceremony Thursday at the New Banquet Hall, Benue People’s House, Makurdi, Governor Ortom said the appointment of the new permanent secretaries is made possible by the merit, commitment and dedication to their duties and responsibilities.
In his words: “Those sworn-in have been selected based on the requirements for such appointment, including career, other relevant qualification, sound character, commitment to duty, discipline as well as fair representation and reward for excellence in service, the appointments have also conformed with the extant civil service rules and regulations.”
“Your loyalty and total commitment to duty and adherence to our philosophy of total abhorrence to corruption, indiscipline and all the negative tendencies that can weigh the state down from moving forward must be your guiding principles,” Governor Ortom stated.
Governor Ortom charged the new permanent secretaries to shun all forms of corrupt practices, while maintaining that, any one of them who indulges in such practices shall be arrested and prosecuted.
The governor who appealed to the people of the state to give the newly sworn-in permanent secretaries the total support to succeed commended the State Head of Service, Mrs Victoria Onyeke for selecting the newly sworn-in permanent secretaries on merit.
Responding on behalf of the sworn-in permanent secretaries, Mr Apir-Ityu Ayaka thanked the governor for finding them worthy for the job, while he promised to work hard for the development of the state and the state civil service in general.
The newly sworn-in permanent secretaries are: Mr Apir-Ityu Ayaka, Mr Stephen Abagi, Mr Samuel Orchir, Mr John Umoor, Mrs Felicia Alubo and Mrs Rhoda Gum.
Others are: Mr Chia Ikuleke, Mr Stephen Adah, Mr John Akume, Mrs Margaret Ikpe, Mr Frank Usa-Adi and Mr Tor Moses Leva.
