Aregbesola sacks self, deputy as commissioners, swears in replacement

…Restates how national economic disaster caused delay

‎The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on Tuesday swore-in his 39 member executive council comprising commissioners and special advisers, thus inaugurating the team that would accompany him in what he called “our home run.”

On the list of the commissioners are Professor Olalekan Dauda Yinusa; Dr. Ajibola Basiru and a former Senator, Mudasiru Hussain.

The Governor announced that he, as well as his deputy, Iyaafin Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, were dropping their portfolios in works and infrastructure and education ministries respectively for new entrants into the cabinet to allow for more effective policy co-ordinations and supervisions.

The Governor at the inauguration at the parking lot of Bola Ige House in Osogbo‎ stated that the inauguration was long overdue, but for dire constraint of funds.

Aregbesola stressed that Osun was not insulated from the financial challenges that the country had during the Peoples Democratic Party-led administration in Nigeria.

He held that Osun was receiving negative monthly allocations from the Federation Account during the period, saying ‎what hit Nigeria during this period was the equivalent of economic natural disaster and Osun was not alone.

He said, “I congratulate all the appointees for being considered worthy. Many of you served in the first term; the rest are fresh hands. Of course, this is long overdue. It should have come up immediately after my inauguration on November 27, 2014. As you all know, we were hamstrung by dire constraint – principally financial.

“Our second term coincided with the onset of a national economic disaster. The first on account of a purported daily theft of 650,000 barrels of crude oil under the watch of the immediate past PDP national government. This is curious and improbable.

“We must note that 650,000 barrels of crude oil is the equivalent of 65 super tankers each laden with over 300,000 metric tons of crude oil. By the way, a super tanker is about 450 metres long, the equivalent of four and a half football fields.

“Indeed, 27 states and the Federal Government were unable to pay salaries of workers. It might interest us to know that the government of Goodluck Jonathan‎, according to his Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had to borrow N476 billion from commercial banks to be able to pay salaries in the last four months of his administration,” Aregbesola told the gathering.

Speaking on behalf of newly sworn-in cabinet members, the new Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Surajudeen Ajibola Bashir, described the delay in the constitution of the cabinet by Mr Governor as a sign of courage and commitment to good governance.

He said Aregbesola had exhibited high sense of commitment to raise the bar of governance in the last six years of his administration, saying this had reflected in the general well-being of the citizens.

He said, “With this delay, it shows the courage, commitment and doggedness of this administration in managing the limited resources.

“Though this would have been done, but with the economic prowess of Mr. Governor in meeting the demands and needs of the people of the state, it was delayed.

“So, the formation of this cabinet shows the commitment and courage of this government despite the economic recession.

“It also shows the doggedness and commitment of the present administration led by Governor Aregbesola to weather the storm.

“But the remaining 18 months to the expiration of this administration is enough to galvanise development.

“I urge my colleagues to rally round our governor to move the state forward.”

The New Executive Council are commissioners: Ismail Jayeoba Alagbada: Commerce, Co-operatives, Industries and Empowerment; Miss Mobolaji Akande: Human Resources and Capacity Building; Kolapo Alimi: Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Mrs Mofolake Adetohun Adegboyega: Empowerment and Youths Development; Mr. Emmanuel Kunle Ige: Agriculture, Food Security and Youths Engagement.

Others are: Dr. Surajudeen Bashir Ajibola: Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; Mr. Bola Ilori: Regional Integration; Hon. Idiat Babalola: Commissioner for Federal Matters; Hon. Biyi Odunlade: Social Affairs Special Needs; Wasiu Kolawole Omotunde-Young: Education; Mudasiru Hussain: Cabinet Matters; Oguntola Mudasir Toogun: Special Duties.

They also include: Idowu Michael Korede: Environment and Sanitation; Alh. Bola Oyebamiji: Finance; Mr Adelani Baderinwa : Information and Strategy; Mrs Latifat Giwa: Women Affairs; Engr Remi Omowaiye: Innovation and Technology; Dr. Rafiu Kusamotu: Health; Engr. Kazeem Aderemi Salami: Works and Transport; Dr. Dauda Yinusa: Economy, Planning and Budget; Dauda Adebiyi: Home Affairs and Akintunde Akinajo: Lands and Physical Planning.

The Special Advisers are Hon. Samuel Adebisi: Special Adviser to the Governor Local Government and Chieftain Affairs; Barrister Mikail Adejare Adebisi: Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Projects, Office of the Governor; Barrister Gbenga Akano: Special Adviser to the Governor on Tax Matters; Hon. Ipoola Binuyo: Special Adviser to the Governor on Legislative Matters; Gbenga Oyinlola: Special Adviser to the Governor on Health Matters; Mr. Ayinde Olateju: Special Adviser to the Governor on Science and Technology.

Others are: Mr. Ismail Adetoyese: Special Adviser to the Governor on Wealth Creation; Simeon Popoola : Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce; Olajide Opatola: Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment and Sanitation; Tunde Ajilore : Special Adviser to the Governor on Natural, Mineral Resources; Claudius Kolajo : Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Food Security and Youth Engagement; Ademola : Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Production and Efficiency.

Other advisers are: Grace Oluyemi: Special Adviser to the Governor on Higher Education Bursary of Schools; Mrs Taiwo Oluga: Special Adviser to the Governor on Culture and Tourism; Olugebenga Awosode: Special Adviser to the Governor on Cooperative and John Ibirogba: Special Adviser to the Governor on Women and Community Affairs.