Okowa tasks new permanent secretaries on leadership

DELTA State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday, urged the newly appointed permanent secretaries in the state not to look down on their subordinates and show leadership, saying the best public officers are those who listen to useful advice.

Okowa, who gave the advice while swearing in 12 permanent secretaries and AuditorGeneral of Local Governments in Asaba, said looking down on people hinders free flow of ideas that engenders proper coordination and development of the civil service.

The new permanent secretaries are: Jude Winful- Orieke, Joy Enwa, Blessing Edewor, Toriseju Ubogu, Anthony Nwokolobia, Bernard Okonta, Ngozi Mogbolu, Israel Ogheneaga and Henry Onyeukwu.

Others are: Rhoda Osokpo, Mabel Ekpenisi and Funmilayo Omoraka, while Bruno Ebitonmo is AuditorGeneral of local governments.

He cautioned the permanent secretaries against bullying their directors and other lower cadre workers, and urged them to allow ideas from them to flow for better governance of the state.

“Permanent secretaries play vital roles in running the civil service. A lot of them have left service in the last few months and most times, the spaces are filled from the local government areas from where they exited.

“Those who have been elevated to permanent secretaries based on their capacity and competences need to know that there is plenty of work to do in these trying times,” he stated.

He explained that the permanent secretaries were selected due to their competence, seniority and geographical spread, adding: “Now that you have been appointed, it’s important to bring your wealth of experience to bear in the ministries to which you will be deployed.”

Okowa also charged them on the need to have clear understanding of the vision, agenda and promises to Delta people.

“Set your goals right and work closely with your commissioners, directors and other staff in your ministries. Groom other people to step into your shoes, because you will not always be around. “Ensure that you protect the government and always speak truth to power,” he admonished.

He urged the AuditorGeneral to work closely with the local governments to ensure proper direction to enable them to navigate the difficult times councils were facing.