Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has formally sworn in Cliff Agbaeze as the new Commissioner for Agriculture.
He replaces Professor Monica Ironkwe, who resigned from her job in July.
He also swore in the new Auditor General of the state, Mrs Ngozi Eke Ogbonnaya, as well as the chairman and members of the board of the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, ABSIEC.
Speaking while performing the ceremony at Government House, Umuahia, the governor said that his administration is founded on competence, accountability and responsibility.
Governor Otti said that the appointments of the officials came freely to them without anyone requesting money from them.
He informed the appointees that they were expected to serve the people and to avoid indulging in corrupt practices, as anyone found doing so would be shown the way out.
While inaugurating the board members of the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, ABSIEC, the governor, charged them not to bow to the pressure of compromise, as such would amount to suicide.
“Particularly to the board members of ABSIEC, you will come under heavy pressure. People would want you to compromise. They will bring money to you. They will promise you heaven on earth but you must know that the very day you succumb, you will have committed suicide and it will just be a matter of time before you find your way out. I do know that all of you are going to excel in this assignment,” Gov. Otti said.
In their responses, the new Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Cliff Agbaeze and the chairman of ABSIEC, Professor George Chima, thanked the governor for finding them fit for the task and pledged to discharge their new assignments creditably.
Other board members of ABSIEC sworn in were Kelechi Okere, Joseph Akara, Mrs Ekele Queen Ahuchaogu, Ms Bertha Ehumadu, Nkemdirim Kalu and Onyemachi Elekwa ( secretary).
Gov Otti swears in new Agric Commissioner, board of Abia electoral body