The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has charged the state’s newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries to lead with integrity, urging them to champion accountability, transparency, and transformative governance in the civil service.
Speaking on Thursday during the swearing-in ceremony held at the Executive Chambers of the Government House in Port Harcourt, Ibas said the appointments of the eight senior civil servants were both strategic and timely, following the retirement of experienced officials that left key administrative gaps.
“Your emergence at this critical juncture demands a firm commitment to excellence, discipline, and measurable impact,” the administrator stated. “It is no longer enough to go through the motions. Your work must translate into real improvements in the lives of our people.”
Vice Admiral Ibas emphasised that the civil service remains the backbone of governance, and as such, the new Permanent Secretaries must model ethical leadership and foster a culture of efficiency, innovation, and collaboration across ministries.
He urged them to be catalysts of reform by embracing digital transformation, streamlining bureaucratic processes, and aligning policies with the developmental goals of the state.
Ibas also delivered a stern warning against financial mismanagement, reiterating that fiscal discipline, transparency, and value-for-money spending are non-negotiable.
“Every naira of public funds must be accounted for,” he said. “You must be deliberate, transparent, and above all, accountable. Government must operate as a cohesive unit working toward common objectives—not fragmented silos.”
He further charged the appointees to challenge the status quo, rekindle public confidence in the civil service, and promote unity, peace, and prosperity through results-driven governance.
“Good governance promotes peace, and peace is the foundation for development. You must lead with vision and purpose,” he added.
The newly appointed Permanent Secretaries are: Imaonyani Roselin Ephraim-George, Dabite Sokari George, Soibitein Duke Harry, Lauretta Davies Dimkpa, Uche R. Ideozu, Jeremiah Egwu, Nicholas Iminabo Wokoma, Vera Sam Dike.
