Lagos: It has been ranked among the happiest places in the world despite widespread unrest, political crisis and recession. Now one Nigerian state has a minister in charge of contentment.

The commissioner for happiness and couples’ fulfilment is the brainchild of Rochas Okorocha, governor of the southeastern state of Imo.

Okorocha, who was previously widely criticised for using public funds to erect statues of prominent African leaders, on Monday appointed his sister to the post.

Ogechi Ololo now takes up the first such portfolio in Nigeria. She previously served as Okorocha’s deputy chief of staff and special adviser on domestic matters, in charge of Christmas decorations.

The governor’s spokesman, Sam Onwuemeodo, could not provide exact details of Ololo’s responsibilities when contacted by AFP on Tuesday, but said: “There is nothing unusual about the appointment.”

“The governor is a man of ideas, always introducing new things to governance.”

The commissioner’s job “is an innovation that should be copied by other governors,” he added.

Agence France-Presse