Periodically, the Governor of Imo State, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma
appoints and reappoints people of unquestionable integrity, towering intellect, impeccable academic, administrative and professional qualifications and fear of God to head government’s Departments, Agencies and Ministries.
The people so appointed are charged with the task of assisting in formulating policies, implementing and executing government policies, programs and decisions.
Perhaps, it was based on this premise that Governor Hope Uzodinma appointed Lady
Chikodi Emenalom as the state’s new Acting Head of Service on Tuesday, October 2, 2024, following the retirement of the former Head Of Service, Barr. Raymond Ucheoma from service.
Expectedly and with gratitude to God and the governor, Emenalom humbly accepted the appointment as a great honour, a privilege, a reward for hard work and an opportunity to contribute her own quota to the 3R administration of Imo State.
The numerous congratulatory messages and commendations for the Governor on this spectacular appointment by Imolites and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in particular are eloquent testimonies that Lady Emenalom will translate the governor’s vision for Imo Civil Service into reality.
They are also an indication that she will tackle the challenges of her new office with determination, resilience and passion.
The challenges include the implementation of workers promotions, implementation of the new national minimum wage, reinvigoration of the state civil service, enhancing efficiency and optimal productivity.
Others are boosting the morale of Imo workers through prompt payment of salaries, inclusion of new retirees in the pension scheme and harmonized pensions and gratuities.
Unarguably, the Civil Service of every nation is the store or repository of knowledge and experience that guarantees the stability of successive governments before, during or after any military or political instability.
To this end , the success or otherwise of any administration , be it military or civilian
depends on the effectiveness of its civil service.
According to available reports, Lady Chikodi Emenalom joined Imo Civil Service in 1990 as an Information Officer and rose to the position of Permanent Secretary in 2018 by dint of hard work , dedication and strict adherence and obedience to the rules and regulations of the service.
Before her present appointment, Lady Emenalom, a top flight civil servant, functioned in other capacities in the state.
She served as Chief Press Secretary to two Military Administrators of Imo State namely Navy Captain James Aneke and late Colonel Tanko Zubairu.
Apart from the Ministry of Information, Strategy and Public Orientation, Lady Emenalom worked in different capacities in the Ministries of Finance, Agriculture, Women Affairs and Special Duties .
She also served as Imo State Communicator in the World Bank Assisted Program on Corona Virus between 2020 and 2021.
A former Chairperson of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Imo State Chapter, Lady Emenalom belongs to many educational and professional bodies including the Nigeria Union of Journalists and the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) among others.
A devout Christian and virtuous woman, Lady Emenalom has earned several awards and titles from notable professional groups, organizations and institutions within and outside Nigeria in appreciation and recognition of her sacrifices and immeasurable contributions to the society.
