Why I chose Anyim as SGF – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday explained why he chose former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Several names were shortlisted and submitted to the President by the leaders of the South East for possible appointment as SGF, following the zoning of the office to the geopolitical zone by the Peoples Democratic Party.

Jonathan had on Monday named Anyim as Alhaji Yayale Ahmed’s successor as SGF, and the former Senate President was inaugurated at a brief but well attended ceremony in the Council Chambers of the State House on Tuesday.

The President, in his remarks at the event, explained that Anyim emerged after a careful selection process.

According to Jonathan, Anyim’s conduct while he served as Senate President played a prominent role in his selection.

He said, “In selecting Senator Anyim, we took into cognizance his records of public service, his career as a senator, his role as the President of the Senate and his leadership skills that our nation need at this time.”

Jonathan charged Anyim to live up to the qualities that inspired his selection by displaying integrity, transparency and openness in the discharge of his assignment.

Addressing Anyim, Jonathan said, “I therefore, urge you Senator Anyim to bring these virtues and experience to bear to the service of Nigeria as you coordinate the activities of the government.

“The challenge before you, therefore, is to ensure high integrity, accountability and openness in the conduct of government’s business.”

Jonathan in the same breath spelt out what he expects from the new SGF and other political office holders. He said, “Our nation needs men and women who can match words with action, leaders who are ready to learn and lead at the same time.

“All of us must together commit ourselves to the entrenchment of good government at all levels.

“We must live by example in words and deeds.

“We must show the people that this time around, we are determined.

“We must alleviate the sufferings of our people, we must create jobs, provide electricity and deliver on our electoral promises.

“This is the most urgent task before this government.”

Jonathan also said Anyim, as the SGF, was part of a team of champions he was putting in place to drive his transformation agenda.

Defining Anyim’s job schedule, he said, “He (SGF) is to coordinate government policies, ministries, extra-ministerial departments and agencies including the Cabinet Office.”

The President thanked the former SGF for his year of service to the nation.

There was a mild drama in the course of the event when Ahmed, who initially sat on the seat officially assigned to the SGF at the beginning of the inauguration, immediately moved to vacate the position once Anyim finished taking the oath of office.

However, Anyim, unknowingly moved to return to his earlier position, where he had until then sat on a seat set aside for those being inaugurated, in keeping with tradition.

Jonathan had to beckon on the former Senate President to come over and take up the seat being vacated by Ahmed.

“Come, come, the outgoing SGF is in a hurry to hand over his seat”, Jonathan said.

Thereafter, Ahmed, who had already stood up from the seat, waited for Anyim to come over; – they shook hands and embraced. Ahmed left and Anyim sat down on the seat.

Speaking to journalists after the inauguration, Anyim said he would “fit into” Jonathan’s vision.

The brief exchange went as follows:

Did you see it coming?

Anyim: “No, but God has His own plans.”

What are you going to bring into government?

Anyim: “Within the limits of the responsibilities of my office, I will fit into the vision of Mr. President. I will help to drive his vision to the best of my abilities.”

Will you be loyal?

Anyim: “Sure.”

What is your view on the belief that the zoning of the position of SGF position to the South East had derailed the geopolitical zone’s chances of producing Speaker of the House of Representatives?

Anyim: “But the party has zoned the position to the South East and as a loyal party member of the party I am bound by the decision of the party. Every loyal member of the party should be bound by the decision of the party.”

The event witnessed a strong turnout of politicians from the South East, including former members of the PDP.

These included Sen. Ifeanyi Araraume, who left the PDP for the Action Congress of Nigeria, on which platform he contested the governorship election in Imo State.

-Punch

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Posted by admin on May 31 2011. Filed under General Politics, Latest Politics, National Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry