By Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki.
Former Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State yesterday urged the political appointees to always bear in mind that their conduct in the society has a way of making or marring the integrity of the government they represent.
He gave this advice while delivering a lecture during a 4-day orientation course for commissioners and principal officers of Ebonyi State government at Re Meritona Hotel and Suites, Abakaliki.
Elechi commended the State Governor, Chief Nwifuru Nwifuru for organising the workshop which was packaged to impact the appointees, mostly dominated by the new ones to acquire the needed skills for effective service delivery to the citizens.
While advising Nwifuru not to renege in delivering his good leadership plan for the Ebonyi people, Elechi charged the government functionaries to exemplify ideal life as public servants in their various offices.
"Your Excellency, I can tell you that you confused so many of us. We didn't know what you were, but it is now that we know who you are. You are very focused, principled and dedicated to your course and please do not renege, but continue on this line!
"Being oneself is the best thing one can aspire to in life but it is the most difficult. Being yourself means a lot. Wherever you are, you are the representative of the government. And whatever you say or do will be attributed to the government. So, ensure that whatever you do must be right always," he said.
The Ebonyi Elder Statesman observed that the workshop organized by Governor Nwifuru to enlighten his appointees was not only good but should be repeated from time to time
Flagging off the exercise, Governor Francis Nwifuru explained that the training was put together to expose the appointees to the fundamental skills for effective service delivery in their offices.
He called on the participants of the workshop to take the training seriously to achieve the policy thrust of his administration encapsulated in his campaign manifesto.
"Let me on behalf of the finest people of Ebonyi State, welcome you to this great event. We thought it wise to sit down with senior government officers and brainstorm on what is expected of them knowing that we came together on the platform of Divine Mandate.
"To our dear principal officers of government, let me first of all congratulate you. It is not easy to agree to work with the government at this very challenging moment. The dividends of democracy do not stop at sharing money and some people would always want you to bring out the money and share and that is the challenge of the time.
"Whatever actions we take must be correct, if we do this, a lot of people will be happy with us and agree with our mantra which is the people's charter of needs."
"As you are being encouraged to show love to others, still show love to your family, find a way of managing yourself as a government official and someone who changed," Nwifuru said.
