Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Monday swore in a new Head of Service and two commissioners, while also announcing a cabinet reshuffle geared towards strengthening governance and service delivery across the state.
The governor inaugurated Dr (Mrs) Adenike Ayobami Fasina, mni, as the new Head of Service, alongside Dr Lateef Idowu Oyeleke and Hon. (Barr.) Ayobami Oluwaseun Ojo as commissioners, at a ceremony held at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
Speaking shortly after administering the oath of office, Makinde charged the newly appointed officials to justify the confidence reposed in them by working diligently, collaboratively and selflessly in the interest of the people of Oyo State.
Following their inauguration, the governor assigned portfolios to the two commissioners. Dr Oyeleke was named Commissioner for Special Duties, while Barrister Ojo was deployed to the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
As part of the cabinet reorganization, the former Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaja Faosat Joke Sanni, was redeployed to the Ministry of Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry.
The governor said their appointments were products of merit, competence, outstanding performance and years of dedicated service to the state, stressing that his administration has consistently prioritized excellence over sentiments in making public appointments.
According to him, the state government will continue to identify and reward hard work, professionalism and integrity within the public service and political space, noting that such values remain critical to achieving sustainable development.
He urged the appointees to remain loyal to the government, discharge their responsibilities with utmost commitment and contribute meaningfully to the continued growth and transformation of the state.
In his remarks during the inauguration of the new Head of Service, Governor Makinde described Dr Fasina’s appointment as another milestone in his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance and gender representation.
He noted that Dr Fasina becomes the 19th Head of Service in Oyo State and the seventh woman to occupy the position, adding that her emergence further reflects the administration’s adherence to the 35 per cent affirmative action policy on women’s participation in governance and public office.
The governor explained that while Dr Fasina’s appointment was principally based on merit and professional excellence, it also marks a significant moment for the Ibarapa geopolitical zone, which had no permanent secretary in the state civil service when his administration assumed office in 2019 but has now produced the Head of Service.
Makinde reaffirmed his administration’s determination to strengthen the state’s civil and public service as a vehicle for effective governance, saying reforms and capacity-building initiatives would continue to receive priority attention.
The governor also reiterated his commitment to the security of lives and property across the state, urging residents to remain vigilant and make use of the state’s toll-free emergency line, 615, to report suspicious movements and activities within their communities.
Addressing concerns over the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, Makinde assured affected families and Nigerians that the government, in collaboration with security agencies, was intensifying efforts to secure the safe rescue and return of all victims.
The event attracted a broad spectrum of government officials, traditional rulers, labour leaders and stakeholders. Among those in attendance were a former Governor of Oyo State and Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, represented by Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; Deputy Governor Barr. Bayo Lawal; Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; and the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Hon. Justice Iyabo Yerima, represented by Hon. Justice M.O. Ishola.
Others present included the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; immediate past Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni; Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Kazeem Adeniyi; Senior Executive Assistant to the Governor on General Duties, Chief Bayo Lawal; Chairman and Co-Chairman of the Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun and Chief Wole Oyelese respectively; Chairman of the Oyo State Advisory Council, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde; commissioners, permanent secretaries, local government chairmen, traditional rulers, religious leaders and labour union representatives.