Aiyedatiwa Charges New Appointees to Deliver Results, Shun Rivalry
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has charged newly appointed commissioners, special advisers, Tutors-General and members of government boards and commissions to deliver measurable results, warning them against rivalry, bureaucratic obstruction and misuse of public trust.
Aiyedatiwa gave the charge on Thursday at the International Centre for Culture and Events (The Dome), Igbatoro Road, Akure, during the swearing-in of a commissioner, special advisers and Tutors-General and the inauguration of chairmen and members of various state commissions and boards.
The governor said the appointments were not rewards for political loyalty or personal gratification but a mandate to serve the people and strengthen the institutions of government.
According to him, the appointees were selected from among qualified sons and daughters of the state based on their competence, experience, character and capacity to contribute to Ondo State’s development.
Those sworn in included Erelu Taibat Yemi Oloruntoba as Commissioner for Special Duties; Rt. Hon. Abimbola Fajolu, Special Adviser on Environment; Chief Ade Adeniyi, Special Adviser on Rural and Community Development; Mr Muyiwa Ogunyemi, Special Adviser on Transport; Mr Femi Fadairo, Special Adviser on Special Duties and Strategy; and Rt. Hon. Iroju Ogundeji, 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 member.
Others inaugurated included Mr Oladimeji Abimbola as Chairman of the Ondo State Sports Council and members; Mrs Olufunmilayo Ademulegun-Brown as Chairman of the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board and members; and Pastor Segun Ayerin as Chairman of the Ondo State Local Government Service Commission and members.
Also inaugurated were Alhaji Adam Chandy as Chairman of the Ondo State Muslim Welfare Board and members; Pastor Peter Abimbola as Chairman of the Christian Welfare Board and members; 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 and members.
Aiyedatiwa described the ceremony as more than a constitutional formality, saying it represented a renewal of the government’s commitment to good governance and effective service delivery.
He said citizens’ expectations of government were increasingly high and complex, stressing that the people wanted tangible outcomes rather than rhetoric.
The governor urged the appointees to demonstrate competence, loyalty, discretion, intellectual courage and measurable performance, while charging board and commission members to uphold merit, fairness, transparency, professionalism and due process.
He warned against allowing personal preferences or sectional interests to influence decisions concerning appointments, careers, regulation, resources and public services.
“You must work together as one administration and one team,” the governor said, cautioning against needless rivalry, bureaucratic obstruction, mediocrity and the abuse of public trust.
Aiyedatiwa also directed the appointees to familiarise themselves with the administration’s “OUR EASE” development agenda and exercise financial prudence, noting that the ultimate beneficiary of government policies, budgetary allocations and decisions must be the people of Ondo State.
Budget Raised to N769.38bn
The governor disclosed 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.
He said the additional resources would be directed towards roads, water, healthcare and other critical infrastructure across the state.
According to him, at least five kilometres of roads would be constructed in each of the 18 local government areas, amounting to a minimum of 90 kilometres across Ondo State.
He added that additional provision had also been made for the construction of the Adegbola–St Mathias Flyover along Oba Adesida Road, Alagbaka, Akure.
On the forthcoming electoral season, Aiyedatiwa reaffirmed his commitment to the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the success of APC candidates, recalling his earlier Executive Order declaring Ondo State for Tinubu in 2027.
He urged the new appointees to serve with humility, excellence and integrity and ensure that they leave every institution better than they found it.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, said public office came with the responsibility to uphold fundamental rights and practise responsible governance.
Fasoranti highlighted the roles of the appointees in sustaining the administration’s efforts in infrastructure, education, health and agriculture, urging them to align their activities with the broader objective of building an economically self-sufficient and prosperous Ondo State.
He commended the governor’s leadership and urged the appointees to operate as a unified team, guided by loyalty, transparency and dedication to the people.
Responding on behalf of the appointees, the new Commissioner for Special Duties, Erelu Taibat Yemi Oloruntoba, thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in them.
She pledged that the appointees would bring their experience, commitment and expertise to bear on their respective responsibilities and justify the trust placed in them.
Those present at the ceremony included the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami; Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ololade Gbegudu, who represented the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji; 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.
