The newly appointed Transition Chairman of the Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Sir Ogo Ekwueme, today, assumed duty at the Local Government Secretariat in Ajalli.
Ekwueme who arrived the Local Governments headquarters at 11.25am was welcomed on arrival by the Head of Service and acting Chairman, Barr. Williams Uduchukwu who immediately ushered him into the Council hall where he addressed the staff of the Secretariat who trooped out with joy and enthusiasm to welcome him.
Addressing the staff, the Orumba North Council boss solicited the support of the staff to deliver on the mandate given to him by the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo adding that his desire was to reposition the Council among the top three Local Government Areas in the state.
According to him, “Our governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo is a good man. When we were being inaugurated on Tuesday which is the 2nd of August, 2022, he told us that this one year as TC Chairmen, there will be competition among the Local Governments both in cleanliness, productivity, among others.
“Please, I just want to ask you to join hands with me so that one year down the line, Orumba North will be among the top three Local Governments in the state.”
While assuring the Staff of a pleasurable time working with him, he said, “Please, as the Venerable earlier said, we are starting a new dispensation, I don’t have any problem, I am a simple man but it does not mean that you will misbehave. Don’t go saying that the Chairman is very simple or that the Chairman does not have problem or you turn to a habitual late comer.
“Please, my prayer is that we join hands together and I promise all of you that you will enjoy this work under my watch as long as you do what you are supposed to do.”
On his part, the Head of Service and former acting Chairman of Orumba North Local Government Area, Barr. Williams Uduchukwu affirmed that civil service is known for humility and service noting that civil service is good if you have people who are well trained for it.
While assuring the Council boss that Orumba North Local Government Secretariat was manned by a crop of civil servants who were well selected and trained, he added, “I am assuring you that by the grace of God, we will give you one hundred percent support. We will stand by you and be advising you. Anything you want us to do, we will do for you so that Anambra State and Orumba North will become the light such that we too will in turn benefit from it.”
Earlier in his homily during a short prayer session to usher in the new Chairman into the Council Secretariat, the Archdeacon of the Oko Archdeaconry, Venerable Dr. Steve Nnadi who took dwelt his homily on 2nd Kings 18: 1-8 likened what is happening in Nigeria today to what happened in the time of King Hezekiah
While insisting that King Hezekiah stepped on toes in order to bring the desired reforms in the kingdom of Israel, he counseled Sir Ekwueme to step on toes if need be in order to bring the desired reforms in the Local Government.
The Venerable who decried bad leadership and poor work ethics as the bane of the country, appealed to the Chairman to eschew bitterness and rancour in bringing forth the said reforms insisting that whatever reform he intends to bring must have human face.
While advising the staff to show understanding when the Chairman would be stepping on toes to bring the desired reforms, he however, urged him to make integrity of heart and skillfulness of his hands his watchword as recorded in the book of Psalms 78: 70-72.
“Let the change begin here. There’s work for all of us to do and if each one does his part, then the Chairman would succeed. Let this be a new beginning, let there be a change in this new dispensation so that God will be glorified”, he admonished.
The new Council boss was later taken round the offices where he met with and familiarize himself with the staff of different units and departments in the Secretariat as well identified areas of intervention and later met briefly with the top management of the Local Government led by the Head of Service, Mr. Uduchukwu.
Highlights of the visit were group photograph with different groups and stakeholders who came around to welcome the new Chairman and light refreshments.
Photo 1: (L-R): Barr. Williams Uduchukwu, Head of Service, Orumba North Local Government Area and Sir Ogo Ekwueme, Chairman Orumba North Local Government Area shortly after the handover at the Council Secretariat, Ajalli, Friday.
Photo 2: Sir Ogo Ekwueme being ushered to his seat at the Orumba North Local Government Secretariat, Ajalli, Friday.
Photo 3: Venerable Steve Nnadi, Archdeacon, Oko Archdeaconry and Venerable Ifeanyi Ogbueli, Archdeacon of Amiyi Archdeaconry offering prayers for Sir Ogo Ekwueme shortly after assuming his seat at the Orumba North Local Government
Secretariat, Ajalli, Friday.
Photo 4: A cross section of staff and stakeholders of Orumba North Local Government Area who came around to welcome the new Chairman at the Council Secretariat, Ajalli, Friday.
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