Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra on Wednesday swore in the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chiamaka Nnake, alongside 13 other key appointees.
He urged them to prioritise service and collective responsibility in governance.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at the executive council chamber of the government house, Awka, saw the new officials take their oath of office at about 12:47 pm.
Addressing the appointees, Soludo described their selection as deliberate and merit-based, welcoming them into what he termed “Team Solution 2.0.”
The governor noted that the appointments marked the first phase of a broader plan, stressing that public office should be seen as a responsibility rather than an avenue for personal gain.
He said, “I welcome you all to the ‘Team Solution 2.0’. Each of you has been carefully vetted through a thorough process, and we were very intentional in selecting everyone on this team. The plane is on autopilot, and if you don’t get into the plane, you get into the cockpit.
“The team is unfolding. This is the first batch of appointments that is unfolding today; there will be other batches.
“I want to sincerely congratulate all of you and also commiserate with you. I say congratulations because it’s always an honour to serve. Out of the estimated over nine million Ndi Anambra, you have been called upon to serve, and I know each of you will carry the responsibility of the Ndi Anambra on your shoulders.
“I commiserate with you because of the task ahead, but you are among the team we are calling upon to pay to serve; there will be sacrifices, and all I see is a call to serve. It is in the collective interest of the people resident in the state, and when you think of the weight you are carrying, you realise that it is beyond you.
“When people are call to serve, they see it as a means to “chop”, but here, I didn’t see any table, for me, I don’t actually see the benefit, yet you are called upon to serve.
“I want you to remember that we swore to the same oath of office and allegiance. I placed my oath of allegiance and oath of office in my bedroom, and every morning before I step out, I take a look at them.
“This is not just a ceremony; you have taken an oath, and beyond this moment, just sit down and read every sentence in the oath and reflect on what it means. Provide your compass for the rest of the service.
“Each one of you has been carefully vetted with a thorough process, and we were very intentional in picking everybody who is in this team. The plane is on autopilot, and if you don’t get into the plane, you get into the cockpit.”
Among those sworn in were Mrs Ngozi Iwouno as head of service, Joachim Anetoh as principal secretary, Ben Nwankwo as chief of staff, and Tobechukwu Nweke as attorney-general, among others.
The governor appealed to residents, particularly families of the appointees, to avoid placing undue demands on them, noting that their primary duty is to serve the state.