Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, has inaugurated the reconstituted State Civil Service Commission, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Board and the governing councils of four institutions- the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo, and the Enugu State College of Education Technical (ESCET).
At the ceremony at Government House, Enugu, the governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said the reconstitution was in line with his determination to build strong institutions.
He said the administration was counting on the new appointees to help grow the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion, which he said required an efficient civil service and skilled manpower for a 21st-century economy.
‘We promised Ndi Enugu that it would no longer be business as usual. We promised to run the state like an enterprise to maximise efficiency and results,’ he said.
Mbah said transparency, traceability and accountability were not slogans but guided the administration’s decisions, charging the appointees to operate on the basis of evidence, merit, innovation and teamwork.
‘In our administration, we do not compete, we complement and collaborate. Operating in isolation could create room for corruption and duplication,’ he said.
Prof. Gabriel Ajah was inaugurated as Chairman, Civil Service Commission; Ambrose Nwodo named Secretary, as well as Christian Mbah, Mrs Stella Ekweremadu, Mrs Theresa Onyefuzili Ifeanyichukwu and Uzonna Emmanuel Ogarabe as members.
For ESUT Council, Barr. Victor Chukwuani (Chairman), James Ifeanyichukwu Ajibo (Secretary), Dr Eric Oluedo, Dr Gladys Ngozi Okoro and Mr Chukwu Chikaodiri Joy Chukwu (Members).
IMT Council had Chinedu Onu as chairman, Dr Barth Nwankwo (secretary), with Emeka Ede, Mrs Rita Chimaobi and Prince Tony Nwonye as members.
TVET Board had Dr Amaka Ngene (Chairman-designate), Bonaventure Onu, Nnadi Eluke, Kingsley Agwu and Mrs Joy Odike (members).
For Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo, a priest, Prof. Anthony Aniagboso Igwe (Rector), Deaconess Ifeoma Nwobodo (Council Chairman), Obinna Aleke,. Henry Okeke and Emeka Abba (Members).
ESCET Council: Nwabueze Ugwu (Chairman), Prince Cletus Ajaegbu, Dr Chiesonu Isiga Eruchalu, Dr Chukwuemeka Nwatu and Theophilus Onyebeke (Members).
Ajah, thanked the governor on behalf of the members, unveiling the ‘P.R.E.S.E.N.T’ philosophy to guide the commission: Professionalism, Responsibility, Excellence, Service to all, Exemplary conduct, Neutrality and Team spirit.
Onu pledged to work with IMT management to uplift the institution. Chukwuani assured that the ESUT council would work with management to promote the university’s growth and that there would be no going back on Mbah’s Experiential Learning model.
Nwobodo said the polytechnic ranked 29th nationally when she was first appointed, but now ranks second among state polytechnics and fourth among all federal and state polytechnics, which she attributed to the governor’s investment in education.
The ESUT Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, Ngene and Ugwu also commended the governor’s investment in education. Ugwu said his team was ready to improve productivity and