Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa on Wednesday swore in Wisdom Sawyer as the state’s 12th head of service.

Mr Sawyer, 55, was appointed on Tuesday, following the retirement of his predecessor, Biobelemoye Charles-Onyema, on August 31.

Mr Diri also swore in two special advisers on legal matters, Alabo Ozubide and Inemo Oruebimiekumo, during the 172nd state executive council meeting in government house in Yenagoa.

The governor said the HoS was appointed on merit and charged him to exhibit a high sense of professionalism in executing his duties and ensure that the civil service remained loyal and disciplined.

He also stated that Mr Sawyer was chosen based on integrity and as the most senior permanent secretary and not on any other primordial considerations.

“You were appointed as head of service not because you are from the governor’s local government area, but because you have proven to be a man of integrity. Also, among your peers, you are the most senior.

“There are some who are qualified by several other parameters, but their dates of retirement are just one or two years left, and I do not want to appoint another HoS before I leave office. Having gone through your resume, clearly you will outlive my administration the way I inherited your predecessor,” Mr Diri said.

The governor appreciated the immediate past HoS, who he noted discharged her duties with utmost responsibility, describing her as among the finest in the civil service.

He directed the new HoS to ensure the redeployment of all staff of the state pensions board, including heads of departments, and that new postings be made.

Mr Diri equally charged the two special advisers to display the highest standards of integrity in the performance of their duties and to continue creating synergy with the Attorney-General and the Commissioner for Justice.

(NAN)