UYO (Sundiata Post) – Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel says in selecting a team his administration will not only go for spread, but will ensure that quality and competence are not sacrificed at the altar of geography.
Emmanuel who stated this Friday after the swearing in Sir Etekamba Umoren as Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government at the Exco chambers of Governor’s Office, Uyo, noted ”Let us strive to put accent on competence and eschew the narrow impulse of ethnicity in all our deeds. That will be a disservice to our state and a sin against God”.
According to him, ”We will have square pegs in square holes. Our dear state has become a model in development, leadership and good governance. We need persons with the right skills-set to ensure that we do not lose our pride of place in the larger national enterprise. We need experienced technocrats and administrators like Sir Etekamba.
”This administration is receiving the baton when the ovation is loudest and we have a duty not only to sustain the ovation but also increase its tempo. The expectations of the good people of this state are high, and we will not only meet but exceed those expectations. This is our commitment to this state and its good people. Let us be rest assured that we will neither retreat nor surrender from the task of building a greater Akwa Ibom State.
”In the next few days, we intend to continue the task of building a solid performance team which will support our drive to sustain and deepen superior performance. We are fully conscious that a chain is as weak as its weakest link, and we hope to ensure that there are no weak links in this administration. Everyone who will have the opportunity to serve will be expected to serve with his heart, body and soul and consider his services debt owed to God and our community”, the governor pointed out.
He explained that ”Central to our plans as a government, is to ensure that we bridge the gap between the promise of Akwa Ibom State and the reality of the state. In doing this, we will ensure that every nook and cranny of the State is accommodated in our endeavours and that not one section feels left out.
Emmanuel recalled that ”Sir. Etekamba Umoren has paid his dues in the civil service. He rose through the ranks and ended up as a permanent secretary, Government House and ultimately on his retirement from the service, was appointed as the Chief of Staff in the past administration of Chief Godswill Akpabio. His service record speaks for him. Not only does he bring a strong set of skills and experience to the job, but also comes with a great attitude and passion. He comes with a reputation for vigour, zeal, commitment, determination, love, a heart of service to the State and has a deep fear of God. We trust that these attributes, which recommended him for the job, will suffice for him in this new office. We are not in doubt that he will justify the confidence reposed in him by this government.
Congratulating the new SSG, he described the office as a high office of public trust, which will be central in our plans to move our state to the next level and will, therefore, enjoy great public interest, hoping that ”We believe that Sir Umoren is a perfect fit for this office”.
The governor reminded him that as Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government, he must stand for the overall interest of Akwa Ibom State and the good people of Akwa Ibom without bias or prejudice, imploring him to allow the office to reflect in the character, content, lofty dream and heart of the administration and Akwa Ibom person and enjoining Akwa Ibom people to keep Umoren in their thoughts and prayers.
In an interview with Government House correspondents, the new Secretary to the State Government, who thanked the Governor Udom Emmanuel for giving him opportunity to serve the State, called on the people to cooperate with the administration for successful execution of its lofty plans and aspirations.