By Emmanuel Chukwu.
Barely two weeks ago, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma announced Hon. Chief Ferdinand Uzodinma as Deputy Chief of Staff, General Services alongside others in the second phase of his appointments.
The announcement of Hon. Ferdinand Uzodinma as Deputy Chief of Staff, General Service generated excitement in the hearts of many who have kept record of his previous assignments, while arm chair critics raised their voices.
As a matter of fact, Hon. Uzodinma cannot be described as an inexperienced appointee or a neophyte. That is to say he did not just emerge from the blues to be appointed Deputy Chief of Staff, General Services .
Before his present appointment, he was Special Adviser to the governor on Project Monitoring and Evaluation. He once held the position of a councillor in Oru East.
Also, Chief Ferdinand Uzodinma was former Transition Committee Chairman and Sole Administrator of Oru East local government. In these previous offices, he performed creditably to draw public attention for further elevation.
Therefore ,in terms of experience and integrity his track record shows a robust profile of an experienced public servant, qualified for other higher offices one of which is Deputy Chief of Staff, General Services.
Justifiably, a citizen with this record is qualified for appointment to public office, irrespective of his or her relationship with the governor or president as the case may be.
Demonstrably, Hon. Uzodinma proved his abilities in his previous offices without being drawn into controversies that his present appointment deserves commendation from every unbiased non partisan observer.
In previous administrations in the state and elsewhere other chief executives appointed their blood relatives into public offices. For instance, Chief Ikedi Ohakim appointed his younger brother, Sir Emma Ohakim as Chief of Staff.
In each case what has been the most important factor in determining such appointments is experience in addition to loyalty as no governor would like to toe the wrong line in appointing key officers
Governor Uzodinma’s appointment of his brother was highly driven by the experience, abilities and character of Hon.Chief Ferdinand Uzodinma which are in the public domain and there are precedents where governors appointed their blood relatives as earlier stated.
Hon Uzodinma has been known to be a focused personality with independent mind and sober sense of judgement in his previous positions. He is a public servant that shows total commitment to any cause he believes in and this must have made Governor Uzodinma to consider him for the present office in view of the obvious record that he gave good account of himself in his previous appointments.
Certainly, his performance as former council chairman convinced the public to vouch for his ability to perform in his subsequent positions, hence his new elevation did not surprise them.
It is incontrovertible that Governor Hope Uzodinma has consistently given strategic offices to people who are experienced and not prone to scandalous records to avoid denting the image of his administration, not necessarily because of family religion. In his first tenure he strictly followed this path and has also moved in the same direction to silence his critics .
Beyond his present appointment, Hon. Ferdinand Uzodinma has demonstrated faith in the Shared Prosperity government of Governor Uzodinma by supporting its vision. Unequivocally, he is qualified to be described as an apostle of the Shared Prosperity Government who has lifted its banner to lofty heights long before now.
Being mindful of the demands of his new office, the Deputy Chief of Staff, General Services is straight akimbo in dealing with the expected challenges as he did in previous offices.
His well wishers, friends and admirers are bent on praying for his success and beckon on Providence to lighten his path to deliver on his new mandate to promote common good, project the image of the government and ultimately write his name in gold.
There is a renewed zeal in all genuine apostles of the Shared Prosperity administration to renew the hope of Imolites in the ability of this government to better their lot. With appointees like Hon. Ferdinand Uzodinma the government will achieve this.
We salute you on your new appointment!
Emmanuel Chukwu is an Owerri based journalist.
07039515521.
