We’ll serve people to the best of our ability -Makinde

 

• swears-in SSG, HoS, commissioners, Perm Secs

Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, has assured the people of the state of quality service delivery under Omituntun 2.0, stating that he and the political appointees and top civil servants sworn-in on Wednesday, would serve the state to the best of their abilities.

According to press statement sent to Business247 News Online on Wednesday by Mr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the Chief Press Secretary to the Oyo State Governor, Governor Makinde maintained that contrary to the notion that administrations are often lax and non-committal during second terms, his government is looking to leave a strong legacy in the state and that it would not let the people of the state down.

The governor stated this in his remarks at the swearing-in of the Secretary to the State Government, Head of Service, 16 Commissioners, 14 Permanent Secretaries, including the Accountant-General of the State, held at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

He charged the SSG, Head of Service, permanent secretaries and returning commissioners to see their appointments and elevations as a call to greater work and responsibility, saying: “To you all, this is a call for more work. Some of the commissioners worked with me during the first tenure and some of you already know how I work and nothing is going to change.

“Some people have said that the second term administrations are usually very lax because they are not looking for anything. Well, we are looking for a strong legacy to give back to Oyo State. So, we are not going to let our people down.

“I want you to know that we have a lot to do for our people. We already prepared the roadmap for sustainable development 2023-2027. Please, key into it.

“These are very difficult periods. A lot has happened in this second tenure, and from what we have seen, a lot will be required from us. Please, there should not be laxity. You have all taken the oath of office and I expect you to deliver according to the oath you have just taken,” the governor added.

A former Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Ibadan, Professor Olanike Kudirat Adeyemo, was sworn-in as the Secretary to the State Government, while the Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni (mni), was also sworn-in, following her appointment in May.

Speaking further on the appointment of the Permanent Secretaries in the Public/Civil Service, Governor Makinde said the state government would continue with the conduct of the examinations, urging those interested in becoming Permanent Secretaries to get ready for examinations, as the list of successful applicants for the top civil service posts has been exhausted.

Governor Makinde, who maintained that his administration has continued to follow through on its commitment to run an all-inclusive government that leaves no zone behind, said all 14 federal constituencies in the state have at least one commissioner among those sworn-in.

He charged residents of the state not to distract the administration with criticisms that are not constructive, but should rather allow the government to serve the best interest of the people.

He said: “Since we sent the names of commissioner-nominees to the House of Assembly, we have been inundated with all sorts of analyses – like who is from where? Who brought who and all that.

“Well, let me state it clearly that we started it during our first tenure. This is the first administration that had commissioners from all the 14 federal constituencies of Oyo State, and I know who came from where.

“I read a story where people from Oyo criticised the fact that the Governor is from Ibadan, Deputy Governor from Oke-Ogun, Chief of Staff from Ogbomoso and the Speaker from Ibarapa. And now, the SSG is also from Oke-Ogun. But have we forgotten Oyo Federal Constituency?

“Well, in front of me today, we have three commissioners being sworn-in from Oyo Federal Constituency. So, if you say one commissioner per constituency, Oyo Federal Constituency has three. So, when people do these analyses, I wonder why.

“This is a government that is still being formed. So, I will appeal to our people that if they cannot help us by criticising us constructively, they should not distract us. Let us serve the interest of 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 people are eminently qualified. That means if we look very well, there is no part of Oyo State that cannot contribute its quota to the progress and well-being of our state. And, as a government, we will continue to search for such people from all the nooks and cranny of Oyo State to serve the state.”

Responding on behalf of the appointees, the newly sworn-in Secretary to the State Government, Professor Adeyemo promised to work with the vision of Governor Makinde to deliver the agenda of Omituntun 2.0 to the good people of Oyo State.

The Commissioners and their portfolios are as follows:

Mr. Akinola Ojo (Ministry of Finance)

Professor Tunji Babatunde (Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning)

Barr. Seun Ashamu (Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources)

Mr. Biodun Aikomo (Ministry of Justice/Attorney-General)

Mrs. Toyin Balogun (Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion)

Mr. Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola (Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources)

Mr. Williams Akin-Funmilayo (Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban development)

Mr. Wasiu Olatunbosun ((Ministry of Culture and Tourism)

Prince Dotun Oyelade ( Ministry of Information)

Mr. Segun Olayiwola (Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters)

Alhaja Faosat Joke Sanni (Ministry of Special Duties)

Professor Daud Shangodoyin (Ministry of Public Works and Transport)

Barr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye (Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development)

Mr. Ademola Ojo (Ministry of Trade, Investment, Industry and Cooperatives)

Professor AbdulWaheed Soliu (Ministry of Education, Science and Technology)

Mr. Adeniyi Adebisi (Establishments and Training).

Photo caption:

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde (second right); his deputy, Bayo Lawal (left); Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Debo Ogundoyin (right) and Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Prof Olanike Adeyemo during the swearing-in of SSG, Head of Staff, Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries held at Executive Chamber, Governor’s Office, Ibadan. Photo: Oyo Gov’s Media Unit.