Governor Dapo Abiodun has implored the newly sworn-in ministers from the Ogun State to be good representatives of their people and leverage on the experience they have gathered over the years to achieve the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu led-administration.
Abiodun, who spoke during a reception organised in honour of the new ministers – Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the Economy; Ishak Kunle Salako, minister of state for the environment and Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, in Abuja, also charged them to use their offices to support and compliment the implementation of his administration’s ‘Building Our Future Together Agenda’.
He said the state has produced people who have served the nation meritoriously and, therefore, much is expected of them.
“We are the gateway to Nigeria’s prosperity, the nation’s educational capital, the industrial capital, number one in cassava, poultry, eggs, religious capital, emerging breadbasket of the nation and fast becoming the economic heartbeat of Nigeria. These appointments by Mr. President are a further testament to our first position and the abundant capacity we are known for and possess. You have been selected because of your excellent antecedents in the public and private sectors. Your credentials speak for you
“Among others, you will use your offices to support and compliment the implementation of our ‘Building Our Future Together’ and our vision which is to create a focused and qualitative governance while providing an enabling environment for public-private partnerships which is very fundamental to the economic growth of the state and the individual of our people,” he said.
The governor said his administration has constructed over 400 kilometres of roads, built over 2,000 affordable homes, and rehabilitated over 100 primary health centres while over 100 schools were built during his first term in office
A world-class airport, Governor Abiodun said, was built in less than two years, adding that his government was leading other states in the energy transition by the conversion of state-owned buses from diesel to 100 per cent compressed natural gas and will soon begin the implementation of E-mobility programme aimed at swapping Petrol Okada for electric ones, all as part of initiatives to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal.
“We will endeavour to have a bi-quarterly meetings with you to ensure we sustain this bond that is being established here today. Go forth and do exploits. We do not doubt that you will do us proud. May the Almighty grant you the grace and health so you make the best of the opportunity,” the governor said.
Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, said the appointment was an opportunity to serve, emphasising that with their wealth of experience and outstanding qualifications, she was hopeful they would perform creditably well.
House of Assembly Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, said the appointment of three ministers from Ogun was the best thing that has happened to the state since the return to democracy in 1999, expressing the hope they would perform to showcase the stuff the state is made of.
In their goodwill messages, Alake of Egbaland, Aremu Gbadebo, described the new ministers as people of high integrity and impeccable character who are ready to serve their fatherland, while the Olu of Ilaro, Kehinde Olugbenle, said the appointment was historic in the annal of the state.
Akarigbo of Remoland, Babatunde Ajayi, represented by the Asiwaju of Remoland, Solomon Onafowokan, said the ministers were trustworthy and dedicated sons of the state and well equipped to handle any responsibilities, while the Olota of Ota, Abdulkabir Obalanlege, said the state is blessed with natural leaders who can excel wherever they find themselves. He thanked the president for finding them worthy to serve in his cabinet.
Responding on behalf of his colleagues, Tijani lauded Governor Abiodun for his infrastructure development and for leveraging technology to drive the state’s economy. He said the state would achieve more when it is fully digitalised.