‘We’re prepared to put in our best in service to Ekiti’ – Appointees
By John Odunjo
Ekiti State Government House, Ado Ekiti played host to who-is-who in the state on Tuesday for the inauguration of commissioners and Special Advisers to the Governor.
The attendance comprised traditional rulers, folks, friends, relations, associates, political office holders, civil servants, groups and individuals from across the 16 council areas who had come to felicitate the appointees and their families.
To add colour, many of the groups and individuals who graced the event were dressed in different uniformed attires (aso ebi) to identify with the particular appointee they had come to celebrate with at the event presided over by Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
The Osuntokun Pavilion, venue of the inauguration in the Government House was filled even as the seats under the canopies in the expanse area were not enoughthe large number of crowds.
The newly sworn in commissioners and their portfolios are Mr Ebenezer Boluwade (Agriculture and Food Security), Mr Oyeniyi Adebayo (Budget and Economic Planning), Taiwo Olatunbosun (Information), Mr Adesola Adebayo (Works), Mr Kehinde Ajobiewe (Transportation), Dr Kofoworola Aderiye (Education), Chief Folorunso Olabode (Local Government Affairs), Mr Gold Adesola (Youth Development), Mrs Tosin Aluko (Environment) and Mrs Peju Babafemi (Women Affairs).
The rest are Mrs Tayo Adeola (Industry and Trade), Prof. Patrick Tedela (Capacity Development), Mr Seun Fakuade (Innovation and Science), Mr Kayode Fasae (Wealth Creation), Mr Femi Awe (Rural and Community Development), Dolamu Adeniyi (Special Duties), Prof. Ojo Bakare (Arts and Culture), Dr Kareem Akande (Regional Development) and Mr Ojo Atibioke (Chieftaincy and Home Affairs).
The new Special Advisers and their portfolios are Tade Aluko (State Capital Development), Mr Gbenga Oloniyo (Housing), Mr Gbenga Agbeyo (Human Capital Development), Mrs Kemisola Olaleye (Gender Empowerment), Abiola Olowookere (Legislative Affairs), Mr Femi Ajayi (Independent Project Monitoring), and Mrs Yemisi Ayokunle (Social Investment).
The rest are Mrs Remi Ajayi-Babington (Rural Mobilisation), Mrs Adetoun Agboola (Special Education), Dr Ekundayo Moyo (Transformation and Delivery), Mr Odunayo Ayeni (Governance), Mr Niyi Idowu (Legal Matters), Mr Olatunji Akinyele (Business Development) and Dr Akeem Azeez (Tertiary Education).
Supporters of the new political appointees drummed, sang and danced as they dined and wined to celebrate the attainment.
Speaking during the inauguration, Governor Oyebanji said it took him time to form a full cabinet because of his resolve to keep to the promise he made that the people in the grassroots would be involved in the formation of the State Executive Council.
The governor, who enjoined the new appointees to be connected to the grassroots, pay attention to their political environments and not be a “political moonlighter who is rarely seen at home,” also advised them to develop the right socio-political skills and emotional intelligence to manage expectations with tact and empathy.
Oyebanji said the entire cabinet would proceed to a retreat that runs from Thursday, August 10 to Saturday, August 12 “to give them opportunity to share ideas and get educated about the call of public administration procedures and properly understand and dissect the six pillars of his administration
A former commissioner for Education, who is also returning in the same capacity, Dr Olabimpe Aderiye, who spoke on behalf of other commissioners, thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in them, saying they were fully prepared to put in their best in the service to the state and its people.
Dignitaries at the event include wife of the Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji; spouse of the Deputy Governor, Mr Lawrence Afuye; former Deputy Governor, Biodun Aluko; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro; Head of Service, Barrister Dele Agbede; and former Senator Tony Adeniyi; former and serving members of the state House of Assembly among others.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, Hon. Olufemi Aduloju, while congratulating the newly appointed commissioners and special advisers, urged them to let their joining the Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji administration bring a marked difference in the bid to achieve its shared prosperity agenda.
Aduloju, who described the appointees as right pegs in the right holes, however, charged them to see the appointment as a call to serve humanity.
He advised them to ensure cordial relationship with civil servants in the various government ministries, departments and agencies as co-workers in the development of Ekiti State and wished them well and successful in their assignments.
