….As 19 Commissioners, 14 Special Advisers sworn in
By Afolabi Sunday
After months of high expectations and anxiety, The Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, on Tuesday, finally inaugurated his Commissioners and Special Advisers amidst pomp and celebration.
The Governor who described the list as second batch debunked claims in some quarters that his administration has been foot dragging over constituting an executive council since he assumed office last year.
But In his short address, Oyebanji disclosed that the seeming delay was in line with his resolve to keep to the promise he made with the people of Ekiti during electioneering campaigns that people at the grassroots would be involved in the formation of the State Executive Council.
The high profile political gathering which held at Osuntokun Pavilion section of Government House, Ado Ekiti, was witnessed by a mammoth crowd of people drawn from all the 16 Local Governments in the state
He further clarified that his cabinet had been in place since November 2022 with the appointment and inauguration of the first set of Commissioners and Special Advisers who have been holding executive council meetings on regular basis.
His words; “We inaugurated Commissioner for Finance, Commissioner for Health, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and many Special Advisers in November last year and yesterday was our 8th exco meeting and the exco had approved the 2023 Budget and Supplementary Budget”.
“It was our agreement that we will not do (more) appointments until the end of the general elections which ended in March. The Committee on Political Appointments submitted its report May 31, the old Assembly ended on June 5 and the new Assembly began on June 6 and the screening of the nominees was part of the first assignment they undertook.”
“I can’t understand why party members are alleging that the Governor has refused to form his cabinet. We had one in place. What we are doing today is to expand the State Executive Council membership in line with understanding we had with the leadership of the party. I want to be remembered as a governor that tells the truth, and does the right thing,”
The Governor enjoined the new appointees not only to hit the ground running but to be connected with the grassroots and pay attention to their political environments and not be ‘political moonlighters’ who are rarely seen at home.
Speaking further, he urged them to develop the right socio- political skills and emotional intelligence to manage expectations with tact and empathy.
The Governor disclosed that the entire cabinet would proceed to a retreat that will 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.
The new Commissioners and their portfolios are Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade (Agriculture and Food Security), Mr. Oyeniyi Adebayo (Budget, Economic Planning and Performance Management), Rt. Hon. 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 Natural Resources) and Mrs. Peju Babafemi (Women Affairs and Social Development).
Others are Mrs. Tayo Adeola (Industry, Trade and Investment), Prof. Patrick Tedela (Capacity Development and Training), Mr. Seun Fakuade (Innovation, Science and Digital Economy), Mr. Kayode Fasae (Wealth Creation and Empowerment), Mr. Femi Awe (Rural and Community Development), Otunba Dolamu Adeniyi (Special Duties), Prof. Ojo Bakare (Arts, Culture and Creative Economy), Dr. Kareem Akande (Regional Development and Intergovernmental Affairs) and Mr. Ojo Atibioke (Chieftaincy and Home Affairs).
The new Special Advisers and their portfolios are Hon. Tade Aluko (State Capital Development Authority), Mr. Gbenga Oloniyo (Housing and Mortgage Development), Mr. Gbenga Agbeyo (Human Capital Development and Allied Matters), Mrs. Kemisola Olaleye (Gender Empowerment and Mobilisation), Hon. Abiola Olowookere (Legislative Affairs), Mr. Femi Ajayi (Independent Project Monitoring), and Mrs. Yemisi Ayokunle (Social Investment Programmes).
The rest are Mrs. Remi Ajayi-Babington (Rural Mobilisation), Mrs. Adetoun Agboola (Special Education and Social Inclusion), 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).
Responding on behalf of other commissioners, Dr Olabimpe Aderiye thanked the Governor for the confidence reposed in them, she said they are fully prepared to put in their best in the service to the state and its people.
Other 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; former Senator Tony Adeniyi; former and serving members of the state House of Assembly among others.
Royal fathers are ably represented including the Ewi of Ado Ekiti HRM Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, the Olojudo of Ido Faboro and the newly elected Chairman Ekiti council of Traditional Rulers HRM Oba Ayorinde Ilori, the Olupoti HRM Oba Kolade, the Onikun of Ikun Ekiti and a host of others
