The
Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Tuesday swore-in his 39 member
executive council comprising Commissioners and Special Advisers, thus
inaugurating the team that would accompany him in what he called “our home
run.”
On
the list of the commissioners are an Associate Professor of Economics, Olalekan
Dauda Yinusa; a Doctor of Law, Ajibola Basiru and a former Senator, Mudasiru
Hussain.
The
Governor announced that he as well as his deputy, Iyaafin Grace Titi
Laoye-Tomori, were dropping their portfolios in Works and Infrastructure and
Education respectively for new entrants into the cabinet to allow for more
effective policy coordinations and supervisions.
The
Governor at the inauguration at the parking lot of Bola Ige House in Osogbo stated that the inauguration was long overdue, but for
dire constraint of funds.
Aregbesola
stressed that Osun was not insulated from the financial challenges that the
country had during the Peoples Democratic Party-led administration in Nigeria.
He
held that Osun was receiving negative monthly allocations from the Federation
Account during the period, saying what hit Nigeria during this period was the equivalent
of economic natural disaster and Osun was not alone.
According
to him, "I congratulate all the appointees for being considered worthy of
service to the government and people of our dear state and for scaling the
hurdle of screening.
"Many
of you served in the first term; the rest are fresh hands. Of course, this is
long overdue. It should have come up immediately after my inauguration on
November 27, 2014. As you all know, we were hamstrung by dire constraint –
principally financial.
"Our
second term coincided with the onset of a national economic disaster. The first
on account of a purported daily theft of 650,000 barrels of crude oil under the
watch of the immediate past PDP national government. This is curious and
improbable.
"We
must note that 650,000 barrels of crude oil is the equivalent of 65 super
tankers each laden with over 300,000 metric tons of crude oil. By the way, a
super tanker is about 450 metres long, the equivalent of four and a half
football fields.
"Indeed, 27 states and the Federal Government were
unable to pay salaries of workers. It might interest us to know that the
government of Goodluck Jonathan, according
to his Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had to borrow N476 billion
from commercial banks to be able to pay salaries in the last four months of his
administration," Aregbesola told the gathering.
The
Governor further stated that his government has responsibilities to three broad
categories, the most important of which is the commitment to the generality of
the people of the state whose mandate he swore an oath to exercise faithfully.
He
also added that state workers whom his administration has a contractual
obligation to pay at the end of every month, and the political class who made
it possible to campaign, contest and win elections will be carried along in his
administration.
He said, "What we have done during the special
time occasioned by the emergency period we faced was to play a delicate
balancing act between the three categories.Painfully, we came to an
understanding with the workers on a realistic schedule of payment.
"We
also continued with our programmes and critical social intervention albeit on a
reduced scale. Lastly, we have good understanding from the political class on
the need for them to make sacrifice as we defer appointments and cabinet
formation.
"Our
traducers, rather than reasonably comprehend the situation went to town to harp
on the non-composition of cabinet but in the process expose their own
ignorance.
"They
thought by doing this, they would discredit us. However, right thinking people
started asking them what business they have got with the formation or
non-formation of an APC government cabinet". The Governor emphasised.
The
Governor spiced his one hour plus speech with intermittent musical renditions
which enlivened the event.
Speaking
on behalf of newly sworn-in cabinet members, the new Attorney General and
Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Surajudeen Ajibola Bashir, described the delay in
the constitution of the cabinet by Mr Governor as a sign of courage and
commitment to good governance. He said Aregbesola had exhibited high
sense of commitment to raise the bar of governance in the last six years of his
administration, saying this had reflected in the general well-being of the
citizens.
The
new Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice said the new cabinet would
leave no stone unturned at ensuring unflinching support and cooperation with
the present administration in the state.
Ajibola
assured the people of the state of the readiness of the new cabinet to
consolidate on the legacies built by Aregbesola-led administration in the last
six years.
"With
this delay, it shows the courage, commitment and doggedness of this
administration in managing the limited resources.
"Though
this would have been done, but with the economic prowess of Mr. Governor in
meeting the demands and needs of the people of the state, it was delayed.
"So,
the formation of this cabinet shows the commitment and courage of this
government despite the economic recession.
"It
also shows the doggedness and commitment of the present administration led by
Governor Aregbesola to weather the storm.
"But
the remaining 18 months to the expiration of this administration is enough to
galvanise development.
"I
urge my colleagues to rally round our governor to move the state forward.”
The
New Executive Council at a Glance
Commissioners:
1)
Ismail Jayeoba Alagbada: Commerce, Co-operatives, Industries and Empowerment
2)
Miss Mobolaji Akande: Human Resources and Capacity Building
3)
Kolapo Alimi: Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs
4)
Mrs Mofolake Adetohun Adegboyega: Empowerment and Youths Development
5)
Mr. Emmanuel Kunle Ige: Agriculture, Food Security and Youths Engagement
6)
Dr. Surajudeen Bashir Ajibola: Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice
7)
Mr. Bola Ilori: Regional Integration
8)
Hon. Idiat Babalola: Commissioner for Federal Matters
9)
Hon. Biyi Odunlade: Social Affairs Special Needs
10)
Wasiu Kolawole Omotunde-Young: Education
11)
Mudasiru Hussain: Cabinet Matters
12)
Oguntola Mudasir Toogun: Special Duties
13)
Idowu Michael Korede: Environment and Sanitation
14)
Alh. Bola Oyebamiji: Finance
15)
Mr Adelani Baderinwa : Information and Strategy
16)
Mrs Latifat Giwa: Women Affairs
17)
Engr Remi Omowaiye: Innovation and Technology
18)
Dr. Rafiu Kusamotu: Health
19)
Engr. Kazeem Aderemi Salami: Works and Transport
20)
Dr. Dauda Yinusa: Economy, Planning and Budget
21)
Dauda Adebiyi: Home Affairs
22)
Akintunde Akinajo: Lands and Physical Planning
Special
Advisers:
1)
Hon. Samuel Adebisi: Special Adviser to the Governor Local Government and
Chieftain Affairs
2)
Barrister Mikail Adejare Adebisi: Special Adviser to the Governor on Special
Projects, Office of the Governor
3)
Barrister Gbenga Akano: Special Adviser to the Governor on Tax Matters
4)
Hon. Ipoola Binuyo: Special Adviser to the Governor on Legislative Matters
5)
Gbenga Oyinlola: Special Adviser to the Governor on Health Matters
6)
Mr. Ayinde Olateju: Special Adviser to the Governor on Science and Technology
7)
Mr. Ismail Adetoyese: Special Aviser to the Governor on Wealth Creation
8)
Simeon Popoola : Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce
9)
Olajide Opatola: Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment and Sanitation
10)
Tunde Ajilore : Special Adviser to the Governor on Natural, Mineral Resources
11)
Claudius Kolajo : Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Food Security
and Youth Engagement
12)Ademola
: Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Production and Efficiency
13)
Grace Oluyemi: Special Adviser to the Governor on Higher Education Bursary of
Schools
14)
Mrs Taiwo Oluga: Special Adviser to the Governor on Culture and Tourism
15)
Olugebenga Awosode: Special Adviser to the Governor on Cooperative
16)
John Ibirogba: Special Adviser to the Governor on Women and Community Affairs
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