Aiyedatiwa warns families against seeking unnecessary favours from commissioners 

The Ondo State Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Monday inaugurated 16 commissioners in Akure, the state capital, urging them to hit the ground running as they assume office immediately.

He, however, warned the friends and families of the newly sworn-in commissioners against putting undue pressure on his appointees by seeking undue favours from them.

Aiyedatiwa gave the warning while addressing the new appointees at the International Centre for Culture and Events, Akure.

The governor also stated that the reason for taking his time before appointing the commissioners was to enable him to carefully select the best hands to handle the work of the state with him.

He said, “As you assume office, I urge you to hit the ground running. The people of Ondo State expect nothing but the best from us, having entrusted us with an overwhelming mandate, and we must strive to deliver on all our electioneering promises. Your appointments or upgrades are a testimony to your capabilities and outstanding attainments in your private endeavours and the public service. I have the confidence that you will make meaningful contributions to statecraft with a view to delivering dividends of good governance to our people in the Sunshine State.

“As you are aware, I wish to reiterate that our administration is in a hurry to put in place policies and programmes for the all-round development of our Sunshine State. It therefore behoves you to discharge the duties and responsibilities of your office with integrity, patriotism, bearing in mind always the collective interest of the people. As appointees of the government, you must also foster a cordial working relationship with the bureaucracy in your various Ministries, Departments and Agencies. You must respect due process and work together with your Accounting Officers and other top government functionaries towards ensuring that we deliver on our promise of providing dividends of good governance to our people.

To your family members, friends and associates, I offer congratulations and a word of caution. While we appreciate their support, they must not put the new appointees under undue pressure by soliciting from them unnecessary favours. You must refrain from promoting sectional interests, as your constituencies are not limited to specific areas – the entire state is their responsibility.”

The governor also assured those who are yet to be appointed that there were still ample opportunities for them to serve the state in various capacities.

The newly inaugurated commissioners include Professor Igbekele Ajibefun, Ayorinde Olawoye, Ayodele Akande, Alabi Johnson, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, Adewale Akinlosotu, Idowu Ajanaku and Oluwaseun Osamaye.

Others are Dr Tobi Loko, Olaolu Akindolire, Sunday Olajide, Omoyofunmi Segun, Bola Ademuwagun, Leye Akinola, Dr Banji Ajaka and Adesoji Afolabi

Responding on behalf of the newly inaugurated commissioners, Mr Omoyofunmi Segun expressed gratitude to the Governor for the trust and opportunity to serve, assuring that they would discharge their duties diligently and serve the state to the best of their abilities.