There was an outpouring of love, affection and goodwill om Wednesday in Asaba between the immediate past Commissioner for Lands and Surveys in Delta state, Mrs. Kate Onianwa, and staff of the ministry who treated her to a sendoff party.
Staff of the ministry rated Mrs. Onianwa as the best commissioner the ministry ever had, who they said, came, saw and conquered the animosity, bitterness and diabolism that characterized the ministry.
The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Gladys Peugeren, described Onianwa as a woman of substance, a trail blazer, a workaholic, and a go-getter.
She noted that the former commissioner successfully threaded where men feared, pointing out that she was a passionate mother, generous to a fault and always committed to putting smiles on the faces of people in need.
The Director of Admin, Emmanuel Ovuezirie; Director of Finance and Accounts, Paul Ataine; Director of Lands, Pastor Steve Edremoda; and Director of Mapping and Geoinformatics, Office of the Surveyor General of Delta State, Surveyor John Jibunor, all spoke in same vein.
Others were the Secretary, Land Use and Allocation Committee, Mr Joshua Ekakiti; Councillor representing PDP ward 8, Ibusa, in the Oshimili North Local Government Council, Anthony Nweke; a retired employee of the Ministry, Elder John Egbunike; Miss Chioma Okoye and Evangelist Moses Uduoborie.
They added that the tenure of the ex-commissioner was a blessing to the ministry, adding that she succeeded in unifying all the departments of the ministry and engendered love among staff.
The speakers thanked former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for appointing Mrs Onianwa into the State Executive Council and assigning her to the Ministry of Lands and Surveys, even as they appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to reappoint her to an office of higher responsibility.
Responding, the former commissioner admitted that presiding over the affairs of the Ministry of Lands and Surveys was not an easy task, but that with God on her side she threaded through the thorny road, using love for one another in the Ministry as a weapon.
Mrs Kate Onianwa thanked her former aides and staff of the Ministry for celebrating her, even as she said it did not come to her as a surprise, and promised that the bond she had with the staff of the Ministry would be sustained, as she would be calling from time to time to check up on everyone of them.
She confessed enjoying her stay in the ministry and urged the management and staff to strengthen the existing cordial relationship between them, saying it would permanently neutralize the stigma of acrimony and bitterness in the ministry and make the best of their careers.
The event featured the presentation of gifts to the ex-commissioner, who in turn rewarded those she adjudged to be the most punctual, most dedicated and best dressed staff members with cash gifts.
Similarly, the immediate past Commissioner for Secondary Education in Delta State, Mrs. Rose Ezewu has been described as a quintessential educationalist whose systematic approach contributed immensely towards the achievements recorded in the education sector by the immediate past administration of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Augustine Oghoro stated this in Asaba during a valedictory session/ sendforth for the commissioner.
Oghoro said that the former commissioner operated an open-door policy and carried everybody along in the scheme of things.
He noted that Ezewu carried out her job with utmost commitment and diligence, adding that she was an uncommon asset to the education sector.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Director of Administration, Mr. Henry Odum, and his counterpart in charge of the Schools Department, Mrs. Kehinde Oderehwo, said that the commissioner gave them free hand to discharge their duties without hindrance.
Others who added their voices to the outpour of encomiums included the Director of Examinations and Records, Mr. Sunday Egomagwuna, Director of Adult and Non-Formal Education, Comrade Ernest Ossai and the Director of Science Education, Mrs. Hope Igumbor as well as the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Anthony Akponovo.
While describing the outgone commissioner as a mother with a listening ear and a team player, as well as, an administrator with a high sense of humility, the directors prayed and wished her well in her future endeavour.
They appealed to the present administration of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to appoint her as the next Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, stressing that her achievements in the Okowa led administration was unprecedented.
Responding, Mrs. Ezewu commended the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Augustine Oghoro, the Directors and staff of the Ministry for their support, pointing out that she would not have achieved much without them.
Ezewu, who also expressed gratitude to former Governor Okowa for appointing her as Commissioner for Secondary Education in his administration.
