By Ayodele Oni
Ondo state Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Friday sworn in seven commissioners, eight special advisers and the new Head of Service.
At the ceremony in Akure, the governor explained that injecting new blood into the administration was geared towards enhancing development trajectory
“It is imperative to inform you that our decision to dissolve the last Executive Council was well informed, consequent upon wide consultations and in response to the yearnings of our people.
“The decision was devoid of neither political undertone nor misgivings. It was basically carried out in the overall interest of the State.
“As you can rightly observe, some of these Commissioners and Special Advisers have been with us since the beginning of our second term, others are fresh hands with proven core competencies in their chosen careers.
“All of these are geared towards enhancing our development trajectory.”
Advising them to see their appointment as a call to service, Aiyedatiwa stated that “To our new Commissioners and Special Advisers, I congratulate you on your new appointments and for being found worthy to be preferred from amongst thousands of other equally qualified individuals.
“I want to enjoin you individually to see this appointment as a call to service, to deliver more, in the delivery of good governance to our people.
“You must be dedicated, up and doing and focused in the discharge of the duties and responsibilities expected of your office. It is equally important that you see yourselves as servant-leaders and not lords in your respective MDAs.
“Kindly cooperate with your Accounting Officers. You are expected to work in partnership with them and ensure you are guided by relevant rules and regulations in the performance of your duties and responsibilities.
“The entire State is looking up to you to bring to bear your wealth of experience, skills and competencies in your new assignments.
“It is no more news that our country is facing hard times economically and as a State, we are not immune to these challenges. As Commissioners and Special Advisers, you are coming on board at a very critical time.
“It, therefore, behoves you to come up with creative ideas and policies geared towards alleviating the sufferings of our people. We cannot afford to fail in this regard.
“This time requires us as political leaders to lead by example and be prepared to make necessary sacrifices by shunning ostentatious lifestyle.
“Let me use this medium to plead with our people not to mount undue pressure on these new appointees. We should let them perform their duties without let or hindrance or distraction.”
He charged the new Head of Service, Mr. Bayo Philip, “to see yourself as an ambassador, holding the office in trust for public servants in Ondo State.
Besides, you are to provide the required leadership for the entire public service and see your appointment as a call to service. The oath of allegiance which you have taken is very significant in many ways; one of which is higher commitment to ideals of service.
“You are to ensure that the resources of the State are not misappropriated, while ensuring the continued optimal generation of revenue by the public service.”
On the current economic challenges, the governor assured the people that with efforts being put in place by the federal government and state, the situation would soon end.
“My dear people, our administration is not oblivious of the current economic challenges that we are facing in Nigeria especially the high cost of food which has led to high cost of living for our people.
“I wish to inform you that the Federal Government is working in synergy with State Governments by putting necessary measures in place to cushion the effects of this hardship.
“As part of these measures, Mr. President has directed the immediate release of about 102,000 metric tonnes of various grain types from the Strategic Reserve and the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria.
“It is our expectation that the positive effects of this decision will be felt across the country within the shortest time possible.”
