Governor Siminalayi Fubara has warned the newly sworn-in government officials against unauthorised late-night meetings or any conduct that could embarrass his administration.

Mr Fubara made the remark shortly after the inauguration of the new secretary to the state government, Dagogo Wokoma, and the chief of staff, Sunny Ewule, in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

The governor cautioned that such behaviour would attract immediate dismissal.

Earlier, the oath of allegiance and oath of office were administered to the two appointees by the chief registrar of the Rivers High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi.

Mr Fubara said the appointments were a call to public service, not a platform for political grandstanding or the pursuit of personal ambition, and urged the officials to uphold integrity, restraint and dedication to the public interest.

He expressed confidence in Mr Wokoma’s intellectual capacity, describing him as an accomplished academic and mathematician, and urged him to discharge his duties as SSG with diligence and professionalism.

The governor also charged the SSG to represent the state government honourably and to support the successful completion of ongoing development projects aimed at advancing the state’s progress.

Mr Fubara told the chief of staff, Mr Ewule, that his office required proper administrative coordination, management of official engagements and protection of the government house’s public image.

He stressed that the chief of staff must operate strictly under the governor’s authority and avoid independent political engagements or private strategy meetings without approval.

The governor also directed permanent secretaries who have reached retirement age to prepare handover notes promptly.

He warned against financial misconduct, saying he was monitoring the system to enforce accountability.

(NAN)