Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has issued a warning against the excessive tradition of congratulatory visits to elected and appointed government officials. He made this statement on Tuesday during the swearing-in ceremony of Grace Umezurike as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
The governor, who also swore in Emmanuel Echiegu as his new Chief of Staff, emphasized that government activities would now shift into full gear following the inauguration of commissioners. He expressed his intention to focus on governance, declaring that it was time to put an end to visitations that had taken up the past two weeks. According to Mr. Nwifuru, time is of the essence, and immediate action is necessary.
Highlighting the commitment of his administration to good governance, the governor underscored the importance of women in fulfilling campaign promises. He assured the new SSG of his cooperation, emphasizing that women had become the cornerstone of his administration’s agenda. While acknowledging that his appointment choices had surprised many, Governor Nwifuru urged patience from those who were not appointed, assuring them that their prayers could still lead to future appointments.
Governor Nwifuru announced that he would be swearing in commissioners on June 20, signaling the next phase of his administration. In addition to the SSG and Chief of Staff, several other aides were also sworn in during the ceremony. Mathias Adum assumed the position of Principal Secretary, and Timothy Nwachi was appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff.
The governor’s cautionary statement serves as a reminder to curtail the culture of excessive congratulatory visits, redirecting the focus towards effective governance and fulfilling campaign promises.
