Port Harcourt, October 3, 2025 | GMTNewsng
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has urged the newly sworn-in Permanent Secretary, Mr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, to remain steadfast in professionalism, uphold the values of the civil service, and shun all acts of illegality while discharging his duties.
The governor gave the charge during the swearing-in ceremony held at the Executive Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt, according to a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi. Fubara reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to due process, transparency, and institutional integrity, describing the civil service as the backbone of good governance in the state.
Reflecting on past administrative challenges, the governor lamented that some Permanent Secretaries had failed to defend due process during earlier administrations, instead engaging in actions that compromised the credibility of the system. He warned that such misconduct would not be tolerated, noting that public office holders must always be accountable for their stewardship.
Commending Mr. Ezekiel-Hart for his professionalism and principled record, Fubara praised him for resisting undue pressure and maintaining integrity. “Your colleagues can testify that you have always done the right thing, even in difficult times. That integrity earned you this appointment,” he said.
The governor reminded all civil servants to uphold truth, fairness, and due process above personal or political interests, stressing that no directive, regardless of its source, should override established procedures. He added that his government would not pressure officers to act outside the law or compromise their conscience.
“Our administration is focused on results, not rhetoric,” Fubara stated. “Appointments are strictly based on merit, professionalism, and dedication to service.”
He charged the new Permanent Secretary to justify the confidence reposed in him through improved performance, assuring him of the government’s full support in carrying out his responsibilities.
Reacting to the appointment, Mr. Daniel Green, a public affairs analyst, said the governor’s remarks reflect “a refreshing insistence on accountability and ethics in a civil service that has often been politicized.”
Also commenting, Mrs. Abigail Wokoma, a retired senior staff union leader in the Rivers State Civil Service, said Fubara’s message “should inspire a renewed sense of duty among workers who have sometimes felt undervalued.”
However, Mr. Boma Kio, a governance advocate, cautioned that “the true test will be whether the administration sustains this commitment to due process when political pressures mount.”
Reported by Tonye Okurumo, GMTNews Political Desk, Port Harcourt.
