Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday swore in the newly appointed Commissioners and Special Advisers, with a charge for them to work round the clock and ensure that the state fulfils its potentials.
Speaking at the well-attended ceremony held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Secretariat, Mr Ambode reminded the new appointees that their primary allegiance is to the people of the state, irrespective of creed and colour urging them to dedicate themselves to the service of the state.
The Governor said that the state is currently experiencing rapid urbanisation and thus requires hard thinking solutions to develop befitting infrastructure to cater for the increasing population.
“My fellow colleagues in the cabinet, Lagos is on the brink of greatness and you have all been given this platform to write your names in gold. You must work to leave a legacy that will be spoken of in glowing terms in years to come,” he said.
He said as the most promising city state in Africa, Lagos has all the ingredients to compete globally in all sectors, saying that he expects his new team to join hands with him to move the state forward.
“The challenges that come with the boisterous profile of the state as one of the world’s fastest growing cosmopolitan city-state are as many as the opportunities that abound in it.
“We have all the ingredients to compete globally in all sectors; and we must. We owe it to the people of Lagos and to ourselves. You are today, being handed the reins to the government of Lagos State and together, we must fulfil the massive potentials of our state
“Lagos is a magnet for many Nigerians who want to pursue the Nigerian dream. The dream that wherever you are from, regardless of tribe or creed, you can achieve what you wish, this is the Lagos dream,” he said.
Ambode said Lagosians rely entirely on land transportation system, which has inevitably put pressure on road networks and traffic situation, urging his new team to develop ingenious means of transporting residents across the state with much ease.
His words: “You are to implement decisions that will combat crimes and secure our people. Lagosians call on you to create job opportunities for our youths and attract investments into the state”.
He said that the future of any modern state to provide infrastructure and effectively cater for its people lies critically in its ability to generate stable revenues and resources to drive growth, adding that in the last four months, his administration has worked hard to lay a solid foundation to drive effective governance.
“Our decisions have stabilised the financial economy of the state despite inherited financial liabilities. We have vastly reduced the cost of governance without bail-outs from the federal government and our reforms will be continuous,” he said.
Among those present at the ceremony were former Military Governor of Lagos State, Brig Mobolaji Johnson; first Civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande; Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu; Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos State, Otunba Henry Ajomale; Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central), Senator Solomon Olamilekan (Lagos West), Senator Olugbenga Ashafa (Lagos East), Senator Ganiyu Solomon, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Permanent Secretaries, traditional rulers and clerics,
Deputy Governor, Dr. Mrs. Oluranti Adebule, who was assigned to oversee the Ministry of Education, was also at the event.
Full list of commissioners, special advisers and their portfolios
Gbolahan Lawal – Commissioner for Housing
Dr. Jide Idris – Commissioner for Health
Folarin Coker – Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture
Seye Oladejo – Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations
Engr. Ganiyu Johnson – Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure
Oluwatoyin Suarau – Commissioner for Agriculture
Rotimi Ogunleye – Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives
Akinyemi Ashade – Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget
Dr. Babatunde Adejare – Commissioner for Environment
Olawale Oluwo – Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources
Dr. Benson Akintola – Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions
Dr. Mustapha Akinkunmi – Commissioner for Finance
Dr. Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef – Commissioner for Home Affairs
Steve Ayorinde – Commissioner for Information and Strategy.
Adeniji Kazeem – Commissioner for Justice
Alhaji Musiliu Folami – Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs
Wasiu Anifowoshe – Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development
Olufemi Odubiyi – Commissioner for Science and Technology
Dr. Ekundayo Mobereola – Commissioner for Transportation
Adebowale Akinsanya – Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development
Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti – Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment
Hon. Lola Akande – Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation
Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf – Commissioner for Youth and Social Development
Ayodeji Tinubu – Special Adviser Sports and Chairman Lagos State Sports Council
Ganiu Okanlomo Sanni – Special Adviser, Food Security
Mrs. Yetunde Onabolu – Special Adviser, Urban Development
Kehinde Joseph – Special Adviser, Civic Engagement
Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola – Special Adviser, Arts and Culture
Dr. Olufemi Onanuga – Special Adviser, Primary Healthcare
Obafela Bank-Olemoh – Special Adviser, Education
Hon. Adeyemi Olabinjo – Special Adviser, Commerce
Prince Anofi Elegushi – Special Adviser, Transport
Babatunde Hunpe – Special Adviser, Environment
Professor Ademola Abass – Special Adviser, Overseas Affairs and Investment
Mrs. Aramide Giwanson – Special Adviser, Housing
Kehinde Bamigbetan – Special Adviser, Community and Communications
Agboola Dabiri – Special Adviser, Central Business District.
