…While Ogun governor swears in two commissioners, Lagos counterpart appoints six permanent secretaries, service commission members
As their administrations approach the final stretch of their respective eight-year tenures, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and his Lagos State counterpart, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have made fresh appointments into key positions in their governments.
While Abiodun recently swore in two commissioners, Sanwo-Olu inaugurated six permanent secretaries and members of two state service commissions, charging them to strengthen governance and improve service delivery.
At the swearing-in ceremony held on Monday at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Abiodun inaugurated Mr Olayemi Sanusi and Mrs Adenike Ademokun as commissioners, urging them to place the interests of Ogun State above personal considerations, political differences and sectional loyalties.
The governor tasked the new commissioners with demonstrating integrity, humility, fairness and commitment to public service, stressing that their appointments must translate into tangible benefits for residents.
He urged them to remain accessible, listen to the concerns of the people and exercise prudence in managing public resources.
Abiodun also emphasised the need for continuity in governance, charging the commissioners to preserve institutional knowledge, maintain proper records and ensure the completion of ongoing projects and programmes.
He advised them to familiarise themselves with the administration’s priorities, assess the status of existing projects and bring fresh energy, sound judgment and a strong sense of responsibility to their assignments.
According to him, public confidence grows when citizens see that those entrusted with leadership understand their needs and take practical steps to address them.
The governor further called for teamwork and effective collaboration with ministries, departments and agencies, urging the commissioners to respect the professionalism of the public service and work collectively towards achieving the administration’s objectives.
He noted that the value of public office should be measured by the problems it solves and the opportunities it creates, adding that the immediate task was to consolidate existing achievements, address unfinished priorities and leave Ogun State stronger and more prosperous.
Describing the period as the final lap of his administration, Abiodun said the remaining months demanded urgency, discipline, political maturity and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
He urged the new commissioners to recognise the significance of their appointments at a time when the government still had important responsibilities to fulfil, noting that history would judge the administration by the impact of its decisions on the lives of the people.
Speaking on behalf of the appointees, Ademokun expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in them, promising that they would not take the appointments for granted.
She pledged their commitment to supporting the administration’s development agenda and improving the welfare of residents across the state.
In Lagos, Sanwo-Olu appoints six permanent secretaries
Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu, at a separate ceremony held at the Banquet Hall of Lagos House, Ikeja, on Monday, swore in six new permanent secretaries, bringing the total number appointed under his administration to 135.
The new appointees are Dr Olawale Adegbite, Mrs Folashade Thomas-Orogan, Mr Adebayo Haroun, Mrs Olayinka Oye-Bamgbose, Mr Olatunbuson Ogunbanwo and Mrs Toyin Adekoya.
The governor also inaugurated the chairmen and members of the Lagos State Audit Service Commission and Local Government Service Commission.
The Audit Service Commission comprises Mrs Arinola Dawodu as chairman, alongside Hon. Bukola Ogunnowo, Ms Omotayo Gbajabiamila-Olamona, Hon. Bowale Shosimi and Hon. Sunday Kappo.
The Local Government Service Commission members are Hon. Akeem Bamgbola, chairman; Hon. Adeyinka Durosinmi, Mr Ahmed Seriki, Mr Shamsideen Olaleye and Hon. Folashade Olabanji-Oba.
Sanwo-Olu charged the appointees to hit the ground running, uphold high professional standards and ensure effective implementation of government policies and programmes.
He said the appointments recognised their experience and service but also imposed greater expectations on them, stressing that their responsibility went beyond occupying offices as they were also to ensure that the institutions under their supervision delivered measurable results.
The governor maintained that his administration’s vision of a Greater Lagos required a public service capable of translating policies into tangible outcomes that residents could feel in their daily lives.
He urged the appointees to discharge their duties with integrity, fairness and accountability, while promoting initiative, collaboration and professionalism in addressing administrative challenges.
Earlier, the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr Olabode Agoro, described the appointments as another milestone in the state’s pursuit of effective governance and excellent service delivery.
Agoro assured the governor that the appointees were prepared for the responsibilities ahead, expressing confidence that their experience and expertise would strengthen the state’s institutional capacity.
He said the appointments reflected the administration’s commitment to meritocracy, professionalism, accountability and transparency.
In their separate votes of assurance, the appointees thanked Sanwo-Olu for the confidence reposed in them and pledged to discharge their responsibilities efficiently in the interest of Lagos State.
The fresh appointments in both states underscore the continuing effort to strengthen government institutions and sustain service delivery as the two administrations approach the concluding phase of their second terms.
