The Delta State Ministry of Information on Monday held a formal transition ceremony to mark the retirement of its outgoing Functioning Permanent Secretary, Mr. Harold Ojji, and the assumption of office by the incoming Functioning Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Stella Macaulay.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Communication, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, reflected on his long-standing professional relationship with Mr. Ojji, which he said dated back to their time at Government House. He described the outgoing Permanent Secretary as supportive, dependable and results-driven, noting that his private sector background and deep understanding of public service operations greatly assisted his own transition into government.
Mr. Aniagwu praised Mr. Ojji’s dedication, strong work ethic and emphasis on capacity building, describing him as an exemplary public servant whose steady growth in competence and effectiveness set him apart. He urged staff of the ministry to remain diligent, avoid unnecessary delays in file processing and understand that dedication and competence were key determinants of career advancement.
The Commissioner also addressed concerns over staff redeployments within the ministry, explaining that the exercise was strategic rather than punitive, aimed at enhancing performance and ensuring optimal utilisation of personnel. He charged the incoming Permanent Secretary to consolidate on existing achievements, raise performance standards and prepare for the demands of her new role.
In his remarks, Mr. Ojji commended the Commissioner for what he described as an unprecedented commitment to staff welfare and effective coordination of over 80 corps members whose contributions, he said, had positively impacted the ministry. He, however, highlighted operational challenges facing the ministry, including the lack of official operational and utility vehicles, inadequate equipment for staff, and the need to modernise facilities in parastatals under the ministry, such as Pointer Newspaper and the Delta Broadcasting Service in Asaba and Warri.
Responding, Mrs. Macaulay described the occasion as emotional, noting that she would miss working closely with Mr. Ojji, whom she praised as a highly experienced and competent administrator. She also lauded Mr. Aniagwu’s leadership, describing him as visionary and transformative, and pledged to prioritise staff training and retraining to enhance efficiency and service delivery.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Director of New Media, Mr. Salvation Ogono, and the Deputy Director and Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, Comrade Churchill Oyowe. Both speakers commended Mr. Ojji for his years of service and expressed confidence in Mrs. Macaulay’s ability to sustain and advance the ministry’s mandate.
The ceremony concluded with the formal signing of handover documents by Mr. Ojji and Mrs. Macaulay, officially sealing the leadership transition at the ministry.