Fanfare and Funfair, As Barr. Obiano Thanks God for Elevation to Post of Perm. Sec.

By Izunna Okafor, Awka

It was a thankful gathering, as Barr. (Mrs.) Nwando Obiano, PhD, joined by family members, relatives, friends and well-wishers, appreciated God for her elevation to the post of Permanent Secretary in Anambra State Ministry of Basic Education.

The well-attended thanksgiving service, which held at St. Theresa's Catholic Church, Nibo in Awka South Local Government Area, drew the participation of many dignitaries and stakeholders from different sectors of the state and beyond, including top-ranking public and civil servants, religious leaders, business moguls, and others who came to felicitate with the celebrant.

Speaking at the event, the Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uchenna Okafor, who described the elevation as a reward for hardwork and a call for more dedication, congratulated the newly celebrant and haild Governor Willie Obiano as a workers friendly governor who has remained committed to the welfare and motivation of the state's civil servants since his assumption of office.

Earlier in his homily, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor charged Christians to always seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and worship Him in truth and faith, rather than prioritize material things over the things of God or remember God only in time of need and difficulties.

On his own part, the husband of the celebrant, Dr. Edwin Obiano who is also a retired civil servant, described the post as the pinnacle of civil service, and congratulated the wife, who, he said, has made the family proud by attaining such an enviable and juicy position in the Service — a position he said, he also dreamt to attain, but could not, till he retired as a Director.

In a remark, the first son of the family and Publisher/Editor-in-chief, Explorer Magazine, Mr. Tobenna Obiano said they were privileged to have been blessed with such wonderful parents who instilled good virtues and fear of God in them and laid solid foundation for them, which saw them become not only graduates and very successful in their respective fields of endeavours.

He said, "Seeing the kind of wonderful and lovely parents that God gave us and all that He has been doing for us in the past, especially this new elevation, we decided to thank God in a special way and also celebrate them in a big way. We thought it wise to celebrate our dear mother and her promotion now that she is alive and sees it by herself, rather than doing so 'behind her'."

Earlier speaking, the celebrant, Barr. Mrs. Obiano, said her life has been full of testimonies, looking back to how she started, some of the challenges that had confronted her, and how God helped her surmount them all.

She narrated how she started as a teacher but later transferred her services to the civil service, where, she said, she showed more dedication and also enjoyed the adequate support and encouragement of the (now) ex-Permanent Secretaries and other senior officers in the ministry and eventually got to the apex.

She said, "I thank the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Chief Dr. Sir Willie Obiano, for finding me worthy for this appointment. I also thank the Heads of Service whom I have worked under, for reposing great confidence in me, and also appreciate my family members and every other person who has supported or contributed in one way or the other to my success story."

Mrs. Obiano also pledged to remain dedicated in the service and continue to give her best to the state.

In their respective goodwill messages to the celebrant, the Chairman, Chinmark Groups, Dr. Amb. Marksman Chinedu ijiomah; the state's Head of Service, Barr. Harry Uduh; Attorney General of Anambra State and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Barr. Uju Nwogu; Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha and others congratulated the newly elevated Permanent Secretary and wished her greater prospects in the service.

Chaired by the MD/CEO of Anambra Broadcasting Service, Chief Uche Nworah; the thanksgiving occasion featured cutting of the celebration cake, among other highpoints that made the event a memorable one indeed.