By Tunde Johnson, Abuja
Roachas Okorocha, Governor of Imo State has blamed what he termed the printer’s devil for the wrong christening of the Ministry of Happiness which has generated a lot of uproar within and outside the country.
Sam Onwuemeodo, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, in a statement issued on Wednesday said a typographic error led to the naming of the ministry as the Ministry of Happiness and Couples Fulfillment, rather than its proper nomenclature — Ministry of Happiness and Purpose Fulfilment.
Onwuemeodo noted that the word “Couple” was inadvertently written, instead of the word “Purpose.”
The statement went on to justify the essence of the new ministry and its purpose in the state.
The statement reads in part: “The essence of life is to be happy and to fulfill one’s purpose in life. Government officials are elected to address this.
“There was a typographic error in the first statement issued on the swearing-in of the new commissioners.
“The word “Couple” was inadvertently written, instead of the word “Purpose.” We regret that.”
“Happiness and Purpose Fulfillment Ministry, therefore, is established for the lost time to correct the policy framework to guide ministries and departments on what they must do to guarantee the citizens’ happiness and contribute better to the society.
“This is the very reason people elect their leaders: to guarantee their happiness and purpose fulfilment.
“A great leader, therefore, is one who provides happiness to the people.
“Unfortunately, this vital element of our social lives has not been properly addressed.
“Governments at different levels have created several ministries and departments to achieve this, yet people are bitter, angry, with hate speeches, which led to crisis, war and even terrorism.”
The statement further described the choice of Okorocha’s sister, Ogechi Ololo, as the supervisory commissioner in charge of the ministry as a wise choice, considering her experience in administration.
“The choice of Mrs. Ogechi Ololo, a Master’s degree holder in Computer Science from USA who has been the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor on Domestic Matters and Food Security can be described as a round peg in a round hole.
“Before her appointment as the Supervisory Commissioner, she was charged with the responsibility of liaising with the Federal Government on N-Power Project, CBN Anchor project and BOI Empowerment Projects.
“Governor Rochas Okorocha has also created other similar ministries such as the Ministry of Non Formal Sector and Market Development to address issues of poor state of Imo markets and organise the non-formal sector to make them more productive.
