OUR APPOINTMENTS ARE BASED ON MERIT – GOV. OTTI

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti says appointments in his administration are based on merit and not on premodial sentiments.

Governor Alex Otti stated this while speaking at the special thanksgiving service by an appointee, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi held at the Adventist Secondary Technical College (ASTEC) Owerrinta, Isialangwa South LGA.

The Governor said that though he has known Elder Ubochi for close to 50 years, his appointment as Commissioner in the State was not based on relationship. He said that he rather believes in skills and competence when appointing government officials, assuring that he would continue with the policy of appointing individuals who have what it takes to deliver.

“I have known Elder Goodluck Ubochi for close to 50 years. So his (Ubochi’s) appointment
was not because I knew him. He was appointed because he is competent

“In our administration, we appoint people we know and people we don’t know. That we knew you, does not guarantee your appointment and that we didn’t know you will not also stop you from being appointed”.

“Our appointments are based on merit. Last year, we appointed 24 Permanent Secretaries and they went through a process from writing tests and oral interview. It turned out that from 1 to 24. I didn’t know any of them.

“Something interesting happened for the first time in Abia State, someone who was not from Abia State, someone who wasn’t from the South East, someone from Edo emerged as a Permanent Secretary

“This shows you that this administration is about skills, competence, capacity and merit. We can’t apologise for it”, Gov. Otti stated.

The State Chief Executive who described education as one of the areas of priorities of his government, assured that he is not going to go beyond 20 percent budgetary allocation for education.

“As long as I am Governor of this State, the amount allocated to education in our budget is not going to go below 20 percent of the budget”. Otti assured.

While reminding Christians on the need to remain firm in Christ so as to make it to heaven, Governor Otti congratulated the celebrant on his appointment and commended him for remembering to return thanks to God.

In his speech, the celebrant and Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi narrated his life history and spoke on how God saw him through life challenges at various times till his appointment as a Commissioner.

He stressed the need for all to trust in the Lord while assuring that he would continue to assist in ensuring that the vision of Governor Otti for Abia is fulfilled.

Earlier, the principal of Adventist Secondary Technical College
(ASTEC) Owerrinta, Pastor Dr. Ahaoma Nwama thanked Governor Otti for finding one of them fit for appointment as a Commissioner and member of the State Executive Council.

He appreciated the achievements of Governor Alex Otti, especially in the area of infrastructural development and assured of their continuous support to his administration.

Governor Alex Otti who was accompanied by the Speaker Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, Commissioners, Mayors among other top government officials also attended the send-off ceremony of the immediate past President of Abia North Central Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Umuoriehi Umuahia Pastor Enyinnaya Uguru and the immediate past Treasurer, Mrs. Onyinyechi Ogwo where he urged them to continue serving the Lord even at retirement.

Divine Nwankwo
Govt. House Press, Umuahia.
09-11-2024.