By Uzoma Ekweaga
The newly posted Permanent Secretary of the Anambra State Ministry of Housing, Mr. Tochukwu Obodoha, has called on staff of the ministry to remain dedicated, disciplined and united in advancing the housing development agenda of the Anambra State Government.
Mr. Obodoha made the call during his maiden interactive meeting with members of staff on July 27, at the Jerome Udoji Secretariat Complex, Awka.
Addressing the workforce, the permanent secretary stressed the importance of teamwork, professionalism, integrity and commitment in achieving the ministry’s mandate and delivering quality service to the people of Anambra State.
He urged staff to work with a shared sense of purpose to restore the dignity and excellence traditionally associated with the civil service through discipline, accountability and efficient service delivery.
Recalling his upbringing in a civil service family, Mr. Obodoha noted that his father, a former Head of Department, earned respect through dedication, integrity and exemplary service, saying the civil service could regain its enviable reputation if officers remained committed to ethical conduct and complied with established rules and regulations.
The permanent secretary emphasized punctuality, directing staff to resume work by 8:00 a.m. and close officially by 4:00 p.m, encouraging officers to handle official documents responsibly, maintain decent dressing, uphold fairness and avoid favouritism, victimisation as well as workplace conflicts.
“You should work as a team and see one another as members of the same family rather than engage in witch hunting or harbour grudges and malice,” he said.
He advised junior officers to accord due respect to their senior colleagues, while urging senior officers to mentor and treat their subordinates with fairness and respect.
Acknowledging the prevailing economic challenges, Mr. Obodoha encouraged staff to continue projecting a positive image of the civil service through professionalism, proper conduct and appropriate appearance.
Responding on behalf of the management team, the Director of Quantity Surveying, QS Edison Obianor, congratulated the permanent secretary on his appointment, describing his address as timely, inspiring and reassuring.
He pledged the full cooperation of the ministry’s management and staff in supporting the permanent secretary’s efforts to reposition the ministry of housing for greater efficiency and improved service delivery.
Also speaking, the Director of Building Construction and Maintenance, Builder Samuel Ojeleke, thanked Mr. Obodoha for engaging with staff, assuring him of the workforce’s commitment to supporting his leadership.
Some staff members, including QS Victor Omesue, Principal Statistician Mr. Chigozie Kingsley, and Administrative Officer Mr. Collins Ufomdu, appealed to the ministry’s leadership to provide essential working tools and an operational bus to enhance official duties and improve productivity.
The interactive session ended with a renewed commitment by management and staff to work together in advancing the vision and objectives of the Anambra State Ministry of Housing.
Uzoma Ekweaga is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
