Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Monday, swore in Dr (Mrs) Adenike Ayobami Fasina, mni, as the new Head of Service, and the duo of Dr Lateef Idowu Oyeleke and Hon. (Barr) Ayobami Oluwaseun Ojo, as Commissioners.
Speaking at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, venue of the event, Makinde charged the three of them to put in their best and work with others for the interest of the people and the state.
He maintained that their appointments were based on competence, performances and recognition of years of diligence and distinguished service to Oyo State across different fields, stating that his government has thrived on appointing individuals based on merit and excellence rather than sentiments.
While congratulating the new appointees, Governor Makinde urged them to be loyal to the government, discharge their duties effectively and put in their best for the continuous growth and development of the state.
The new Commissioners were immediately assigned portfolios, with Dr Oyeleke to serve as Commissioner for Special Duties, while Barrister Ojo will man the Budget and Economic Planning Ministry.
Meanwhile, Alhaja Faosat Joke Sanni, who hitherto was the Commissioner for Special Duties, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry.
Inaugurating the 19th Head of Service, who is also the 7th female to occupy the position, Governor Makinde noted that his administration has continued to fulfil the 35 per cent affirmative action policy on women inclusion in governance and public office.
According to the governor, though the appointment of Dr Fasina was based on merit, it has enabled the state to transit from a situation in which there was no Permanent Secretary from Ibarapa Zone when he assumed office in 2019 to a situation where the zone has now produced a Head of Service.
The governor added that his administration would continue in its commitment to improve the civil/public service, while also keeping up with the agenda on the broader development of the state.
Reiterating his administration’s commitment to securing lives and properties of the citizens of the state, he asked residents to always use the Oyo State Toll Free Emergency Number 615 to report suspicious activities in their environments.
The governor also used the occasion to reassure the families and relations of the Oriire Local Government Area abductees and Nigerians that the government has been working assiduously to ensure the safe return of the pupils and teachers abducted.
The event had in attendance a former Governor of Oyo State and Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen Rashidi Ladoja, who was represented by Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Bayo Lawal; Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Hon. Justice Iyabo Yerima, represented by Hon. Justice M.O Ishola; Secretary to the State Government, Prof Musibau Babatunde; and Chief of Staff, Otunba (Dr) Segun Ogunwuyi.
Others were the immediate past Oyo State Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni; Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon Kazeem Adeniyi; Senior Executive Assistant to the Governor on General Duties, Chief Bayo Lawal; Chairman and Co-Chairman, Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun and Chief Wole Oyelese respectively; Chairman, Oyo State Advisory Council, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde; Commissioners; Permanent Secretaries; Local Government Chairmen, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and labour union leaders, among others.
