Governor Seyi Makinde has sworn-in members of the Oyo State Executive Council who will work with him to steer the affairs of the state for the next four years.
The officials sworn-in included the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Olanike Adeyemo; the Head of Service (HoS), Mrs. Olubunmi Oni; the state Accountant General, Mrs. Kikelomo Adegoke, 16 commissioners and 12 permanent secretaries.
During the ceremony which held at the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office in Ibadan, the state capital, the governor appealed to the critics of his administration to either help him with constructive criticism or stop distracting him from serving the people of the state.
Makinde further assured that he would not fail to discover qualified people from every nook and cranny of the state, who can add value to his administration.
Apparently reacting to insinuations that the selection of the commissioners was lopsided and against a particular region of the state, Governor Makinde said his administration had always prioritised inclusiveness in the choice of people to serve with him.
Makinde stated: “Since we sent the names of commissioner-nominees to the House of Assembly, we have been inundated with all sorts of analysis about where the nominees came from, who brought them and all that.
“Well, let me say this, we started these during our first term. This is the first administration that had commissioners from all the 14 Federal constituencies from Oyo State. I know who came from where,” he disclosed.
The governor therefore reeled out the names of the commissioners and their Federal constituencies thus: Akinola Ojo (Ibadan North), Prof Sangodoyin (Ibadan South East/ North East), Niyi Adebisi (Saki West/Saki East/Atisbo), Alhaja Faosat Joke-Sanni (Iseyin/Iwajowa/Kajola/Itesiwaju), Seun Ashamu (Oyo), Barrister Olaleye (Surulere/Ogo Oluwa), Prof Babatunde (Oyo), and Wasiu Olatubosun (Ibadan North West/ South West).
Others are: Segun Olayiwola (Akinyele/Lagelu), Mojeed Mogbojunbola (Oluyole), Ademola Ojo (Ibarapa Central/Ibarapa North), Prince Dotun Oyelade (Ogbomoso South/ North/ Orire), Biodun Aikomo (Oyo), and Toyin Balogun (Irepo/Olorunsogo/Oorelope).
Makinde noted: “The governor is from Ibadan, the Deputy is from Oke Ogun, the Chief of Staff is from Ogbomoso, the Speaker of the Assembly is from Ibarapa, now the SSG is from Oke Ogun. So, when people do analysis, I wonder what they meant and then this is still a government that is being formed.
“So, I appeal to our people, if you cannot help us by criticising us constructively, please don’t distract us. Let us serve the people of the state to the best of our ability. I think we should be talking about service delivery to our people. What we have demonstrated is that all these individuals are eminently qualified,” he explained.
The governor further noted that the caliber of commissioners appointed is proof that there is no part of Oyo State that cannot contribute its quota to the progress and well-being of the state.
Makinde said: “To the SSG, HoS, commissioners and others being sworn-in today, this is a call for more work. Some of the commissioners served with me in the first term, some of you already know how I work. Nothing is going to change.
“People have said to us that second term administration are usually very lax because you are not looking for anything. Well, we are looking for a strong legacy to give to Oyo State, so we are not going to let our people down,” he promised.
The governor charged the newly sworn-in officials that there is a lot to do for the people of Oyo State, disclosing that the already developed Roadmap to Accelerated Development for Oyo State 2023-2027 has not changed.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the swearing-in, the new Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the state, Mr. Abiodun Aikomo, promised to ensure adherence to the rule of law and use the law as a tool for societal development.
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