By Opeyemi Adelakun
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has charged newly appointed commissioners, special advisers, Tutors-General and members of government boards and commissions to justify their appointments through measurable results and effective service delivery.
Aiyedatiwa gave the charge on Thursday during the swearing-in and inauguration ceremony held at the International Centre for Culture and Events, The Dome, along Igbatoro Road, Akure.
The governor warned the new appointees against needless rivalry, bureaucratic bottlenecks, mediocrity and any conduct capable of undermining public trust.
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; Muyiwa Ogunyemi, Special Adviser on Transport; Femi Fadairo, Special Adviser on Special Duties and Strategy; and Rt. Hon. Iroju Ogundeji, Special Adviser on Legislative Matters.
The three newly appointed Tutors-General are Iwagun Austin Olusola for Ondo South Senatorial District, Dr Jogbodo Bosede for Ondo Central and Fasawe Toluwalase Abayomi for Ondo North.
The governor also inaugurated Dr Man Ali as Chairman of the Ondo State Civil Service Commission, with Michael Oshodi as a member; Oladimeji Abimbola as Chairman of the Ondo State Sports Council and members; 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.
Others inaugurated included Alhaji Adam Chandy as Chairman of the Ondo State Muslim Welfare Board; Pastor Peter Abimbola as Chairman of the Christian Welfare Board; Oluyemi Fasipe as Chairman of the Ondo State Competition and Consumer Protection Agency; and Omolade Fabiyi as Chairman of the Ondo State Cocoa Revolution and Management Board, alongside their respective members.
Aiyedatiwa said the ceremony represented more than the fulfilment of a constitutional requirement, describing it as an opportunity to renew the commitment of the administration to good governance and strengthen institutions responsible for delivering services to citizens.
He said the appointees were selected from among qualified indigenes based on their competence, experience, character and capacity to contribute to the development of the state.
The governor reminded them that public office should be regarded as a trust and not a reward, while appointment should be treated as a mandate to serve rather than a personal achievement.
According to him, citizens now expect government to deliver tangible outcomes, rather than promises and rhetoric.
Aiyedatiwa therefore charged the appointees to demonstrate competence, loyalty, discretion, intellectual courage and measurable performance, while urging board and commission members to uphold merit, fairness, transparency, professionalism and due process.
He warned against allowing personal preferences or sectional considerations to influence decisions relating to appointments, careers, regulation, resources and public services.
The governor directed the new appointees to work as “One Administration and one team” and familiarise themselves with the administration’s “OUR EASE” development agenda.
He also called for financial prudence, stressing that the people of Ondo State must remain the ultimate beneficiaries of government policies, budgets and decisions.
Aiyedatiwa disclosed that following a mid-year review of the 2026 Appropriation Law, the state’s budgetary framework had increased from N524.411 billion to N769.384 billion.
He said the additional resources would support projects in roads, water, healthcare and other critical infrastructure.
According to the governor, at least five kilometres of roads would be constructed in each of the state’s 18 local government areas, translating to a minimum of 90 kilometres of roads across Ondo State.
He also announced additional funding for the Adegbola–St Mathias Flyover along Oba Adesida Road in Alagbaka, Akure.
On the 2027 elections, Aiyedatiwa reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election and the success of APC candidates, recalling his earlier Executive Order declaring Ondo State’s support for Tinubu in 2027.
He urged the appointees to serve with humility, excellence and integrity and ensure that every institution under their watch is left better than they found it.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, said public office carries the responsibility of protecting citizens’ fundamental rights and promoting responsible governance.
Fasoranti said the new appointees had important roles to play in sustaining development across infrastructure, education, health and agriculture, adding that their efforts should contribute to building an economically self-sufficient and prosperous state.
He commended Aiyedatiwa’s leadership and urged the appointees to operate as a united team anchored on loyalty, transparency and dedication to public service.
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 assured him that the appointees would deploy their experience, expertise and commitment to justify their appointments and serve the people of Ondo State.
The ceremony was attended by 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; APC State Chairman 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 and religious leaders.
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