Lagos state new executive council members resume duty

Babatunde Fashola, Lagos State governor,

Lagos state new executive council members resume duty
Abdul Semiu Babalola, Lagos

New cabinet members of the Lagos State government including the secretary to the government, chief of staff and Special advisers to the state government in South West Nigeria, on Tuesday resumed duty signifying the beginning of another four years.

The Cabined was sworn in on Monday, by the state governor, Babatunde Fashola.

Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Fashola urged the new appointees to see their appointments as a social contract with the people. He said this contract must be faithfully fulfilled through delivering of more dividends of democracy to the 18 million population of the state.

 Speaking at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium in Alausa-Ikeja, the governor said: “You are the privileged few upon who the hope and aspirations of ‘Lagosians’ who voted for and those who did not vote rest. You have been chosen to hold one of the most sorted out offices in our country today. You will be the recipients of so many congratulatory letters and accolades. But I will be the last to congratulate you. I urge you to earn and justify your place in the Lagos state executive council”.

The ceremony had in attendance former Governors of the state including Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, party leaders, family friends and party supporters.

Ensuring continuity

Governor Fashola while commending the last cabinet members for their discipline, integrity and diligence at work, which contributed greatly to the development of the state, urged the new team to resist any temptation to rest on the successes of the last cabinet.

“We must see whatever that they achieved as challenges for us to do better. This is the only way that we can meet their aspirations. The only reward for hard work is more hard work. The expectations of our people are very high. It is understandable; they have seen their lives improved year after year since 1999 to 2011 and they will not settled for anything less”, Governor Fashola told the new appointees.

The new executive members

Among the new cabinet members are four women, including the secretary to the government, Mrs Oluranti Adebule, Shola Oworu (Commerce and industry), Florence Oguantuashe (Establishment and Pensions) and Barrister Olayinka Oladunjoye (Education).

The male commissioners are Mr. Adeola Ipaye (Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice), Ben Akabueze (Economic Planning and Budget), Femi Hamzat (Works and Infrastructure), Remi Aderogba (Information and Strategy), Tunji Bello (Environment), Jide Idris (Health), Oyinlola Danmole (Home Affairs and Culture) and Ademorin Kuye (Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs).

Others include, Disu Holloway(Tourism and Intergovernmental Relations), Bosun Jeje (Housing), Ayinde Olutoyin (Physical Planning and Urban Development, Ojelabi Cornelius(Rural Development), Abiru Olatokunbo(Finance), Adesegun Oniru(Water Front), Kayode Opeifa( Transport), Wale Hammed(Special Duties) and Oshodi Enitan(Youths, Sports and Social Development). Mr. Mukaila Lanre Babalola was also sworn in as the Chief of Staff.

Fourteen new special advisers equally took the oath of office, among them are two women. They are Dr. Mrs Yewande Adeshina(Health) and Aderinsola Disu(Central Business District). Others include Ajao Jimoh(Housing), Badru Dolapo, Folami Oladiran(Environment),Gbeleyi Ayo( Private Public Partnership) and Hunpe Babatunde(Rural Development).

Also appointed as special advisers are, Ganiyu Johnson( Works and Infrastructure), Oladejo Sheye(Commerce and Industries), Olukoga Fatai(Education), Lateef Raji(Information and Strategy), Gboyega Salva dore-Adebajo( Parastatal Monitoring), Sodipo Abimbola (Taxation and Revenue) and Tijani Taofeek(Mineral Resources).

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, the Attorney general and commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeola Ipaye expressed gratitude for the unique opportunity to serve in the cabinet of the state.

He pledged the total commitment of the new members to work as a team in uplifting the state to greater heights.

The swearing in ceremony came after the state House of Assembly, on Friday, screened and gave them a clean bill paving the way for their appointment.

Williams