One of the qualities of a successful leader is the ability to engage competent hands.
Delta State Governor, Rt Sheriff Oborevwori, is already a known go-getter, reputed for hard work, sobriety, focus and commitment to the good of the people, but he made assurance double sure on Wednesday with the unveiling of his workroom team.
As announced by his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, the list as released by the Permanent Secretary, Government House Administration, Sir Eddy Ogidi-Gbegbaje, an experienced hand himself, include Dr Kingsley Emu, Secretary to the State Government; Hon Prince Johnson Erijo, Chief of Staff to the Governor; Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, Senior Political Adviser to the Governor; and Barr (Mrs) Lyna Aliya-Ochulor, Principal Secretary to the Governor.
Deltans across all spheres have hailed the Governor’s appointments as a reinforcement of the indication that he means business, seeing that the appointees are not just stars in their own rights but are unarguably round pegs in round holes.
Just as the Governor himself, all the appointees are distinguished professionals and highly experienced public servants who have shown commitment to the development of the state. They know where the state is coming from, they know where the state is at the present, they know the direction the state is headed, the prospects, the challenges one the road and the ways and means required to arrive at the desired destination.
The SSG, Dr Kingsley Emu, is a reputed and hugely cerebral change agent, widely educated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology, Masters of Science degree in Industrial Sociology, Masters in Managerial Psychology, MBA in Marketing, Doctorate degree in Management, Harvard Certificate in Public Policy and Management Certificate in Leadership.
Unassuming, almost self-effacing and with sharp eyes for details, he was last Chief Economic Adviser to the immediate past Governor after he had served at different times as Commissioner for Commerce and Industry as well as for Economic Planning.
With over 23 years experience in the private sector as a banker, financial consultant and entrepreneur before joining public service, Dr Emu is a stickler for fiscal discipline, financial prudence, effective social investment and efficient management of men and resources.
The Chief of Staff, Prince Johnson Erijo, needs no introduction in the political scene of Delta State. With his wide contacts in politics and business, he can be said to have seen and knows it all, and he comes with a flavour of charisma.
A product of the prestigious Government College, Ughelli, the University of Calabar and Federal Government Scholarship Award Winner for Academic Excellence, he was a legislator in the Delta State House of Assembly for several terms in which he served in various committees for the development of Delta State.
His last appointment was as Special Adviser to the immediate past Governor on Projects Monitoring and Implementation in which he was reputed for his insistence on complete delivery on project specifications.
The Senior Political Adviser, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, is also a known hand in nation building.
A former member of the House of Representatives, Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic and one time Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, he is not only a politician but a widely sought after technocrat majoring in financial engineering and critical infrastructure development.
His dossier speaks loud of him as a “goal-driven personality with over thirty-five years experience in policy making, strategy development, financial budgets, economics, infrastructural development and journalism,” as well as expertise in private and public sector policy formulation, strategic planning, relationship management, political leadership, legislation and economic stimulation.
As they say, again, behind every sweet banquet are those who take the heat of the kitchen. Barr (Mrs) Lyna Aliya-Ochulor, the newly appointed Principal Secretary to the Governor, belongs to this class.
As former Chief Clerk of the Delta State House of Assembly, she shares a kudo for the harmony, stability and effectiveness with which the state legislature has distinguished itself over the years.
A workaholic and stickler for strict adherence to rules and laws, especially so as a lawyer, she manages men and situations to provide ease of doing business and you cannot go wrong with her service.
While Deltans await the constitution of the State Executive Council, expectedly after the convening of the 8th Assembly, the array of stars called into the Situation Room already shows that Governor Oborevwori has got his eyes on the very best to join him in steering the ship of state, and this gives reassurance on the promise of advancement.
