Alhaji Adamu Uba Musa and the other 12 commissioner candidates received the oath of office from Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade on Tuesday.
Musa, therefore, became the first non-native Muslim to be appointed to a state body, making history.
Additionally, according to the governor, two Ministries will undergo a small exco reorganisation. The Ministry of Orientation and Information now reports to Eric Anderson.
New people were appointed to replace the vacancies after the governor switched parties to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a number of commissioners resigned or sought higher positions.
High-ranking government representatives and dignitaries attended the inauguration in Calabar, including the Governor's Wife, Dr Linda Ayade, Chief Judge Hon. Justice Akon Ikpeme, and Deputy Governor Prof. Evara Esu.
Prof. Ayade emphasised how crucial it is for the incoming commissioners to work hard in order to ensure that his administration's tenure comes to a good finish.
He remarked, “Your coming on board is not by accident; you have been carefully selected based on your integrity and competence to bring your wealth of experience to bear on our administration.
“I, therefore, advise you to work assiduously to ensure we finish strong as an administration. Your jobs are cut out for you. I expect that you make our dear state proud.”
Replacing Dr Betta Edu as Commissioner for Health, Dr Janet Ekpenyong thanked the governor for “finding us worthy of joining you in the crystallisation of Cross River State, changing and transforming our state for the betterment of the citizens.”
Ekpenyong, formerly the Director General of Cross River Primary Health Care, vowed that she and her new colleagues would do a good job representing the governor in their respective ministries.
The new health commissioner pledged, “We will work in line with your vision and plan for Cross River State.”
The other newly appointed commissioners and their respective areas of expertise are as follows: Mrs Ekwele Agube (Sustainable Development), Prince Sunday Williams Awara (Social Housing), Wogor Umari (Homeland Security), Dr Hippolytus Lukputa (Water Resources), Patrick Ebam (Special Duties), and Okama Inyang (Infrastructure).
The rest are Janet Eyo Nsing (Climate Change); Goddy Eta (Finance); Arikpo Pius Edet (Science and Technology); Ntufam Ekpenyong Effiom Iso (Culture and Tourism); Associate Professor Gertrude Njar (Women Affairs) and Alhaji Adamu Uba Musa (Inter-Governmental Affairs).
Anderson, formerly the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, is now the Commissioner for Information. Oliver Orok, formerly the Commissioner for Sustainable Development, is in charge of the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.