2015: I have what it takes to govern Delta State, says Obuh Sir Anthony Obuh, a leading governorship aspirant for Delta State under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the forthcoming primary election said he has the requisite experience to be the governor of Delta State in 2015. Speaking during a media interactive session with journalists in Lagos, Obuh said he had 32 years cognate experience in the public service, eight of which he spent as permanent secretary, thereby being the most eligible person to seek election for the office of the governor of Delta State. Obuh, who holds a master’s degree in Industrial and Labour Relations from University of Ibadan and a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Ile Ife, retired voluntarily as permanent secretary in charge of Government House, Delta State in August 2014 after 32 years of distinguished service, told journalists that he should be seen as a symbol of unity for the state, adding that he has what it takes to preside over the affairs of the oil rich state. “As someone who has been part of government for the past eight years at the level of permanent secretary, and earlier as director at various levels of administration and in addition to other capacities in the state, amounting to 32 years, I understand the workings of government and no one would be more experienced than I on issues concerning governance,” Obuh said. “In the past 32 years, my forte has been responsive policy formulation and management to meet exigencies and long-term well being of our dear state. “I promise to run an administration that will bring about the sustenance, extension, development and diversification of the many policies and programmes for economic transformation which has been firmly planted in many sectors of the state economy. My deep inside knowledge of these policies is an advantage that I want all Deltans to particularly note.” As permanent secretary, Government House, Obuh galvanised and restructured the machinery of the Government for improved productivity, according to sources in Government House, Asaba. Obuh has promised to run an all-inclusive and responsive government, building upon the very strong foundation already laid by previous administrations in the state. He noted that Delta State needs someone who understands governance, an experienced administrator who understands Delta State, someone who has been part of the system, to take over in 2015. “I have been part of the policy formulation in the state, I have headed many government initiatives aimed at building the Delta of our dream,” Obuh said, stressing, “I am not a stranger to governance.” Obuh explained that his decision to contest the governorship election is a commitment to further contribute to the development of the state for the improvement of the living standard of the people. “I began holding sensitive positions quite early in my career,” he said, “In 1993, while as a principal personnel officer, I was posted as director of personnel management of Governor’s Office. In this capacity I was co-coordinating the careers of senior management group of the entire public service, including processing the appointments in the Governor’s Office which subsumed a large number of departments at the time. These duties afforded me profound understanding of the machinery of government, its strengths and weaknesses.” He rose through the ranks steadily and served in directorial positions cutting across various ministries and parastatals, including director of planning, research and statistics in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning; acting chairman, Bendel Insurance Company Limited; acting chairman, UIDC; alternate director, PAMOL Industry Limited; director, Public Service Matters, Office of the Head of Service; General Manager, Delta Transport Service Limited; director, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Governor’s Office. Having served in all the critical departments where he distinguished himself as assiduous and indefatigable technocrat, Obuh gained the confidence and trust of the state government to serve in higher capacity where his experience and knowledge was of greater value to the state. In June 2006, he was appointed Permanent Secretary in the Delta State public service and retained in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, where he had served as Director before his elevation to the pinnacle of his career. Obuh was the pioneer permanent secretary in the office of the Secretary to the State Government. By June 2007, following his superlative performance, Obuh was posted to the Directorate of Government House and Protocol, but has retired voluntarily to contest for the Office of the Governor of Delta State. -[Vanguard]
Posted on: Sat, 04 Oct 2014 23:55:00 +0000
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