Ondo State governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, yesterday, said his administration would continue to parade people of value and intelligent capacity at the helm of affairs in the state . The governor spoke at the swearing -in of the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde and the Chief of Staff, Chief Olugbenga Ale.
The ceremony which was held at the Cocoa Conference Hall in the Governor’s Office, Akure, the state capital, was attended by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Ajayi Agboola, traditional rulers, All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains and top government functionaries among others. 12 appointees including Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants and Chief Protocols also shook hands with the governor. In his address, Akeredolu charged the new appointees to dedicate themselves to the words of the oath of allegiance which they took. Akeredolu said the personalities, the SSG and the Chief of Staff and the high ranking offices they occupy bear testimony to the significance that his administration attaches to excellence and best practices. The governor, particularly said the new SSG has a pedigree that speaks loud for experience, loyalty and vision.
According to him, “Abegunde is urbane, exposed and loyal. As you know, he is a consummate politician with and enduring and enviable grassroots appeal”. On his new Chief of Staff, Akeredolu said, he is not only an accomplished bureaucrat, his vast experience in public service has trained him to be steady, focused and systematic in finding solutions to difficult challenges. He added that he has no doubt that his appointees so far, would add value to his efforts at delivering his promises to the people of the state. His words: “In setting out to achieve these lofty goals, our administration is conscious of the fact that change itself is a process. It is a process that must be clearly thought out, clearly articulated and clearly implemented to produce a definite and quantifiable result.
“To drive this change process, we believe there is the need for an excellent human resources comprising experience, competence, vision and confidence. “
The governor, however, promised that his administration would continue to reward loyalty, dedication, competence and diligence.
He said more party loyalists would soon be appointed to serve in his administration.
“We urge our people to understand that this state needs help and that as patriots, their sacrifice and service to common good remain the only purpose of their involvement in government.
“While waiting for such opportunities to come, we wish to appeal for patience with government, renewal of faith in our party and a complete dedication to our promises to the people of our state, “ Akeredolu stressed.
A political advocacy group within the APC, Movement for Good Governance (MGG) formerly known as Movement Against Imposition (MAI), has commended the Akeredolu administration the appointments and payment of staff’s salaries. According to a release signed by the coordinator of the group, Engineer Austin Pelemo, the payment of staff salary and pensions and the appointment of tested hands into his government are great signs that his government is for the people. Then group described Akeredolu as a “committed democrat, an astute politician, a focused and concerned leader, whose crave for governance is to improve the well being of the people and jumpstart an industrial revolution to eradicate unemployment and poverty in the state.”
