Ambode Swears-in New Commissioners, Special Advisers

By Ayo Balogun

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday swore in the newly appointed Commissioners and Special Advisers, with a charge on them to work round the clock and ensure that the state fulfills its potentials.

Speaking at the well-attended ceremony held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Secretariat, Governor 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 was currently experiencing rapid urbanization 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 fulfill 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.

Governor Ambode said Lagosians relied 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.

“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 decision has stabilized 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.

The Governor also named the various portfolios of the newly appointed Commissioners and Special Advisers.

The Commissioners appointed and their portfolios include, Gbolahan Lawal, (Housing); Dr. Jide Idris, (Health); Folarin Coker, (Tourism, Arts and Culture); Seye Oladejo; (Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations); Engr. Ganiyu Johnson, (Works and Infrastructure); Mr. Oluwatoyin Suarau, (Agriculture); Mr. Rotimi Ogunleye, (Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives); Mr. Akinyemi Ashade, (Economic Planning and Budget); Dr. Babatunde Adejare, (Environment); Mr. Olawale Oluwo, (Energy and Mineral Resources); Dr. Benson Akintola, (Establishment, Training and Pensions); Dr. Mustapha Akinkunmi, (Finance); Dr. Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef, (Home Affairs) and Mr. Steve Ayorinde, (Information and Strategy).

Others are Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, (Justice); Alhaji Musiliu Folami, (Local Government and Community Affairs); Tpl. Wasiu Anifowoshe, (Physical Planning and Urban Development); Mr. Olufemi Odubiyi, (Science and Technology); Dr. Ekundayo Mobereola, (Transportation); Engineer Adebowale Akinsanya, (Waterfront Infrastructure Development); Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, (Wealth Creation and Employment); Hon. Lola Akande, (Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation) Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, (Youth and Social Development).

The Special Advisers and their portfolios include, Mr. Ayodeji Tinubu, Special Adviser (Sports and Chairman Lagos State Sports Council); Mr. Ganiu Okanlomo Sanni, (Food Security); Mrs. Yetunde Onabolu, (Urban Development); Mr. Kehinde Joseph, (Civic Engagement); Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, (Arts and Culture) and Dr. Olufemi Onanuga, (Primary Healthcare).

Others are Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh, SA (Education); Hon. Adeyemi Olabinjo, (Commerce); Prince Anofi Elegushi, (Transport); Mr. Babatunde Hunpe, (Environment); Professor Ademola Abass, (Overseas Affairs and Investment); Mrs. Aramide Giwanson, (Housing); Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, (Community and Communications) and Mr. Agboola Dabiri, (Central Business District).

The Deputy Governor, Dr. Mrs. Oluranti Adebule was also assigned to oversee the Ministry of Education.

Among those present at the ceremony include former Military Governor of Lagos State, Brig Mobolaji Johnson, first civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu I, 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, top government functionaries, traditional rulers, clerics among others.