By Our Reporter
Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, of Ondo state has charged newly appointed commissioners, special advisers, Tutors-General and members of various commissions and boards to justify the confidence reposed in them through measurable performance and service to the people.
The governor gave the charge on Thursday during the swearing-in and inauguration ceremony held at the International Centre for Culture and Events (The Dome), Igbatoro Road, Akure.
Aiyedatiwa cautioned the appointees against rivalry, bureaucratic obstruction, mediocrity and the misuse of public trust, urging them to work together as one administration and one team.
Those sworn in included Erelu Taibat Yemi Oloruntoba as Commissioner for Special Duties; Rt. Hon. Abimbola Fajolu as Special Adviser on Environment; Chief Ade Adeniyi as Special Adviser on Rural and Community Development; Mr. Muyiwa Ogunyemi as Special Adviser on Transport; Mr. Femi Fadairo as Special Adviser on Special Duties and Strategy; and Rt. Hon. Iroju Ogundeji as Special Adviser on Legislative Matters.
The newly appointed Tutors-General are Mr. Iwagun Austin Olusola for Ondo South Senatorial District, Dr. Jogbodo Bosede for Ondo Central and Mr. Fasawe Toluwalase Abayomi for Ondo North.
The governor also inaugurated Dr. Man Ali as Chairman of the Ondo State Civil Service Commission, with Mr. Michael Oshodi as a member.
Other appointments included Mr. Oladimeji Abimbola as Chairman of the Ondo State Sports Council; Mrs. Olufunmilayo Ademulegun-Brown as Chairman of the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board; and Pastor Segun Ayerin as Chairman of the Ondo State Local Government Service Commission, alongside members of the respective bodies.
Also inaugurated were Alhaji Adam Chandy as Chairman of the Ondo State Muslim Welfare Board; Pastor Peter Abimbola as Chairman of the Christian Welfare Board; Mr. Oluyemi Fasipe as Chairman of the Ondo State Competition and Consumer Protection Agency; and Mr. Omolade Fabiyi as Chairman of the Ondo State Cocoa Revolution and Management Board, alongside members.
Speaking at the ceremony, Aiyedatiwa said the exercise was not merely a constitutional ritual but an opportunity to renew the covenant of service, reaffirm commitment to good governance and strengthen the institutional framework through which government fulfils its obligations to the people.
He congratulated the appointees, noting that they had been selected from among several qualified sons and daughters of the state based on their competence, experience, character and capacity to contribute to its development.
The governor, however, reminded them that public office was a trust and not a reward, stressing that appointment was not a trophy for personal gratification but a mandate to serve and produce results.
He said the appointees were assuming office at a time when citizens’ expectations of government had become higher and more complex, adding that the people expected tangible results rather than rhetoric.
Aiyedatiwa charged the commissioners, special advisers and Tutors-General to demonstrate competence, loyalty, discretion, intellectual courage and measurable performance.
He also urged chairmen and members of commissions and boards to uphold merit, fairness, transparency, professionalism and due process in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The governor warned against personal preferences and sectional interests in decisions affecting appointments, careers, regulation, resources and public services.
He directed the appointees to familiarise themselves immediately with the “OUR EASE” development agenda and maintain financial prudence, stressing that the ultimate beneficiary of every policy, budgetary allocation and government decision must be the people of Ondo State.
Aiyedatiwa further announced that following a mid-year assessment of the 2026 Appropriation Law, the state’s budgetary framework had been increased from N524.411 billion to N769.384 billion, with additional resources targeted at roads, water, healthcare and other critical infrastructure.
According to him, at least five kilometres of roads would be constructed in each of the 18 local government areas, representing a minimum of 90 kilometres across the state.
He added that additional provision had been made for the Adegbola–St. Mathias Flyover along Oba Adesida Road, Alagbaka, Akure.
On politics, the governor reaffirmed his commitment to the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the success of all APC candidates as the next electoral season approaches.
He recalled his earlier Executive Order declaring Ondo State for Tinubu in 2027 and urged the appointees to serve with humility, excellence and integrity, leaving every institution better than they met it.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, emphasised the responsibilities that come with holding public office, particularly the duty to uphold fundamental rights and practise responsible governance.
Fasoranti highlighted the critical roles of the appointees in sustaining development across infrastructure, education, health and agriculture, noting that their efforts must align with the broader vision of building an economically self-sufficient and prosperous state.
He commended the governor’s leadership and urged the appointees to work as a unified team, grounding their service in loyalty, transparency and dedication to the people.
Responding on behalf of the appointees, the new Commissioner for Special Duties, Erelu Taibat Yemi Oloruntoba, thanked Governor Aiyedatiwa for the confidence reposed in them.
She assured the governor that the appointees would justify the trust by bringing their experience, commitment and expertise to bear on their responsibilities.
Present at the event were the Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami; Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Ololade Gbegudu; State Chairman of the APC, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Head of Service, Chief Segun Odusanya; members of the State Executive Council; political appointees; traditional rulers; religious leaders and other dignitaries.
