Mary Akanbi
16th January, 2025
The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia on Tuesday inaugurated 13 new permanent secretaries in the state civil service.
The swearing in ceremony took place at the Benue State Government House Makurdi, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula disclosed in a statement.
The new permanent secretaries are: Dr. Elvis Ogenyi, Mr. Cephas Hough, Mrs. Bibiana A. Tyoishi, Dr. Philip Nongu, Mrs. Martha Edor, Sir James Iorpuu, Mr. Batholomew Geraga, and Mrs. Eunice Ihu Ogbenyi.
Others are Barr. Thomas Ese, Debbie M. Amine Esq, Engr. Donald K. Wakwagh, Mrs. Helen Nembativ and Ogaagbenu Elijah Agweye.
Speaking at the ceremony, the governor charged the new permanent secretaries to be non-partisan, and act as responsible officers in their areas of coverage.
He said his government carried out due diligence in selecting the new permanent secretaries, insisting that experience, integrity and track record of service were the yardstick for the selection.
“As a government, we took our time to search carefully and conducted due diligence to arrive at these 13 officers.
“We also consulted widely to ensure that their appointments were based on merit. Indeed, they are civil servants with cognate experience, proven integrity and exemplary track record of service.”
He tasked the new administrative heads of the ministries to ensure that staff adhere to the codes of the civil service, and to instill in them the culture of discipline and respect for constituted authorities.
Alia emphasised that the appointment of the new permanent secretaries is not political patronage but reward for hard work.
The governor warned that any of the permanent secretaries found culpable of misconduct or anything capable of tarnishing the image of his government would be made to face appropriate sanctions.
“You must avoid partisan politics and conduct yourselves as responsive and responsible officers who are duty bound to implement policies and programmes of the administration in line with its seven point agenda.
“Be advised that anyone of you found culpable of any form of misconduct or anything capable of tarnishing the image of this government would be made to face appropriate sanctions.
“Our eyes would be placed on you not to police you but ensure that you do the right things all the time.”
Alia commended the covering permanent secretaries, some of whom have not been confirmed, for doing a great job, saying he did not receive any news of misconduct or an attempt to shortchange the system by them.
Responding, the Permanent Secretary, Government House Administration, Mr. Batholomew Geraga, appreciated the governor for the trust reposed in them, assuring that they would do everything in their powers to deliver on the new assignment.
He appealed to the general public to be supportive, emphasising the need to avoid undue pressure on the new permanent secretaries.
