Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State on Tuesday swore-in his 39-member executive council comprising commissioners and special advisers almost three years into his second term in office.
Among those inaugurated into the team that would accompany what the governor calls “our home run” is Mrs Idiat Babalola, who was attacked at the burial of late Senator Isiaka Adeleke in April.
The woman who was rescued by Governor Ibikunle Amosun from her attackers at the home of the late first executive governor of Osun State is now commissioner for federal matters.
Also on the list of the commissioners are an associate professor of economics, Olalekan Dauda Yinusa; a doctor of law, Ajibola Basiru and a former senator, Mudasiru Hussain.
Aregbesola announced that he as well as his deputy, Titi Laoye-Tomori, were dropping their portfolios in works and infrastructure and education respectively for new entrants into the cabinet to allow for more effective policy coordination 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.
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.
According to him, “I congratulate all the appointees for being considered worthy of service to the government and people of our dear state and for scaling the hurdle of screening.
“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 (Peoples Democratic Party) national government. This is curious and improbable.”
Speaking on behalf of newly sworn-in cabinet members, the new Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Surajudeen Ajibola, described the delay in the constitution of the cabinet 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 the new cabinet would leave no stone unturned at ensuring unflinching support and cooperation with the present administration in the state, assuring the people of the state of the readiness of the new cabinet to consolidate on the legacies built by the Aregbesola administration in the last six years.
New Osun Executive Council
Commissioners:
1) Ismail Jayeoba Alagbada: Commerce, Co-operatives, Industries and Empowerment
2) Miss Mobolaji Akande: Human Resources and Capacity Building
3) Kolapo Alimi: Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs
4) Mrs Mofolake Adetohun Adegboyega: Empowerment and Youths Development
5) Mr. Emmanuel Kunle Ige: Agriculture, Food Security and Youths Engagement
6) Dr. Surajudeen Bashir Ajibola: Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice
7) Mr. Bola Ilori: Regional Integration
8) Hon. Idiat Babalola: Commissioner for Federal Matters
9) Hon. Biyi Odunlade: Social Affairs Special Needs
10) Wasiu Kolawole Omotunde-Young: Education
11) Mudasiru Hussain: Cabinet Matters
12) Oguntola Mudasir Toogun: Special Duties
13) Idowu Michael Korede: Environment and Sanitation
14) Alh. Bola Oyebamiji: Finance
15) Mr Adelani Baderinwa: Information and Strategy
16) Mrs Latifat Giwa: Women Affairs
17) Engr Remi Omowaiye: Innovation and Technology
18) Dr. Rafiu Kusamotu: Health
19) Engr. Kazeem Aderemi Salami: Works and Transport
20) Dr. Dauda Yinusa: Economy, Planning and Budget
21) Dauda Adebiyi: Home Affairs
22) Akintunde Akinajo: Lands and Physical Planning
Special Advisers:
1) Hon. Samuel Adebisi: Special Adviser to the Governor Local Government and Chieftain Affairs
2) Barrister Mikail Adejare Adebisi: Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Projects, Office of the Governor
3) Barrister Gbenga Akano: Special Adviser to the Governor on Tax Matters
4) Hon. Ipoola Binuyo: Special Adviser to the Governor on Legislative Matters
5) Gbenga Oyinlola: Special Adviser to the Governor on Health Matters
6) Mr. Ayinde Olateju: Special Adviser to the Governor on Science and Technology
7) Mr. Ismail Adetoyese: Special Adviser to the Governor on Wealth Creation
8) Simeon Popoola: Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce
9) Olajide Opatola: Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment and Sanitation
10) Tunde Ajilore: Special Adviser to the Governor on Natural, Mineral Resources
11) Claudius Kolajo: Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Food Security and Youth Engagement
12) Ademola: Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Production and Efficiency
13) Grace Oluyemi: Special Adviser to the Governor on Higher Education Bursary of Schools
14) Mrs Taiwo Oluga: Special Adviser to the Governor on Culture and Tourism
15) Olugebenga Awosode: Special Adviser to the Governor on Cooperative
16) John Ibirogba: Special Adviser to the Governor on Women and Community Affairs
