The Imo State Government has defended the decision of the state Governor, Rochas Okorocha in creating a Ministry of Happiness.
Commissioner for Information, Mr Nnamdi Obiareri said the action
was in line with Sections 1 and 92 of the 1999 Constitution (as
amended).
Okorocha had on Tuesday swore in his biological sister, Mrs Ogechi
Ololo (nee Okorocha). She is now the state’s Commissioner for Happiness
and Purpose Fulfillment.
The action, however, has received widespread criticism by eminent Nigerians over the controversial decision.
But defending his principal on Tuesday, Obiareri said the governor
did not violate any section of the decision. Rather, his aim was to
serve the people of his state better.
“The responsibility of the governor to create more ministry is
clearly captured in Section (1) and (92) subsection (2). So, it is the
prerogative of the governor of a state, out of overriding public
interest to create as many ministries as possible to serve the public
interest,” he said on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
“What the Governor of Imo State has done in creating the
Ministry of Happiness and Purpose Fulfilment is to be able to assist Imo
people to realise happiness which is the very primary essence of
government.”
The state’s mouthpiece further explained that the essence of the
newly carved out ministry was to ensure that lives and destinies were
being fulfilled in the eastern heartland.
He added, “Imo people must be happy. Imo people must be made to
fulfil their purpose in life. The young school leavers who are out
there in the street must be made to be mentored.
“The young apprentices that we have all over the place, the 305
youth millionaires that have been created by this government, the women
that have been empowered must be made to realise their purpose in
life.”