Swearing-In of the Secretary to the Delta State Government

Your Excellency, Sir Monday Onyeme, the Deputy Governor;

Your Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, former Governor of the State;

Your Excellency; Sir B.S.C Elue, former Deputy Governor of the State;

Members of The National Assembly and Members Elect;

My Lord the Chief Judge;

The Deputy Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly and members of the House and Members elect;

My Lord the President of the Customary Court of Appeal;

The Head of Service;

The State Chairman and Executives of the Delta State PDP; 

Top government functionaries;

Distinguished Deltans;

Party Leaders;

My Lords Temporal and Spiritual;

Gentlemen of the Press;

Ladies and Gentlemen

I welcome you all to this ceremony, and congratulate Dr. Kingsley Emu who has just been sworn in as Secretary to the State Government, and Senator Emmanuel Edesiri Aguariawodo who is now Senior Political Adviser.

2. I have no doubt that Dr. Emu will excel in his new role as SSG. He is a proven technocrat and strategist. Dr. Emu has served in various capacities as Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Commissioner for Economic Planning, and Chief Economic Adviser. He combines broad and deep intellect with administrative competence, networking abilities, and strong communication skills that is needed for the office of the SSG.  It goes without saying that the new SSG possesses the comportment and carriage required for the office.
3. Dr. Emu has a reputation for discipline, hard work, tenacity of purpose, high ethical standards, and passion for excellence. He is a consummate team player and I am fully persuaded that he is well prepared to enrich the social, political, and economic narratives of our beloved State.
4.  Furthermore, Dr. Emu represents a bridge between the old and the new. This administration is set to build on the legacies of the previous government and break new grounds in infrastructure renewal, human capital development, and social investment programmes. In this regard, Dr. Emu’s broad experience in government will be very useful in the implementation of our MORE agenda.  He has a firm grasp of our policy direction and therefore, in a position to properly integrate it into the operations and activities of the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government.
5.  A major requirement for success in this office is the ability to marry policy and politics. Policy generally points the direction of the government but good political skills enable their seamless execution. As the engine room of government, the SSG interfaces with and coordinates the operations of all the MDAs.  Hence the SSG must be a consensus builder with the wisdom to marry policy with politics.  Indeed, how the SSG carries out this function is very critical to the success of this administration.  With his vast experience in corporate governance and the public sector, Dr. Emu is well equipped to handle this responsibility.
6. I advise Dr. Emu to ensure that he is accessible to all. This office will certainly task your patience and resourcefulness because you will be confronted with all manners of issues from all manners of persons.  But you must never lose your cool.   Ask God for the grace and enablement to always remain calm, while maintaining the highest standards of discipline, firmness, and decorum.
7. Senator Aguariawodo, the Senior Political Adviser, is a veteran in politics. He has the responsibility of ensuring that the policies and programmes of the government are in consonance with its stated objectives, advise on their political implications, mobilise the support of relevant stakeholders, and serve as a sensor of stakeholders and public opinion.
8. As his impressive resume shows, Aguariawodo is a tested and trusted politician. The array of executive offices and elected positions he has occupied since the beginning of the current democratic dispensation speaks volumes of his deep political roots, character and reliability.  He will be an asset to this administration given his unassuming nature and benevolent disposition. I have absolute confidence in his ability to manage diverse persuasions and interests for the peace and stability of the State.
9. Let me sound it loud and clear that this administration has zero tolerance for sectionalism or nepotism. I am an unrepentant believer in the unity of Delta State. Therefore, both of you must always strive for unity by ensuring that there is fairness, equity, and justice in all your actions and utterances.
10. In conclusion, I wish to reassure the good people of Delta State that this administration will be faithful to its MORE agenda. In formulating our manifesto, we were very mindful of the needs and aspirations of our people at this time. Deltans should expect MORE policies and programmes that will touch their lives positively because ours is a home-grown approach to governance and development.
11. As I have always said, this will be an all-inclusive government whether in terms of projects distribution or appointments. With the appointment of the SSG, the process of constituting the State Executive Council has commenced. However, I wish to state that appointments into this administration will be based on capacity and merit. We need capable, tested, and competent hands who can hold their own and be worthy ambassadors of the government. Rest assured, it will be a good mix of youth and experience but they must be deserving.
12. Once again, I congratulate Dr. Emu and Senator Aguariawodo on their well-deserved appointments. This is a call to service.
13.   God bless Delta State.
14.   God bless us all.

Office of the Governor

Government House, Asaba

Delta State.

June, 2023.