Gov. Adeleke appoints lawyer health commissioner in Osun state

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke yesterday swore in a lawyer, Sola Akintola, as the Commissioner for Health among the 25 newly appointed commissioners he assigned various portfolios to.

The governor, who assigned the Works portfolio to himself and that of Sport and Special Needs to his deputy, Kola Olawusi, warned the commissioners against corrupt practices.

The House of Assembly had confirmed the 25 commissioner-nominees after screening and Speaker Adewale Egbedun had announced the confirmation of the appointments.

Speaking during the inauguration at his office in Osogbo, Governor Adeleke said he would not condone what he called a solo show by any of the appointees.

He said: “I seek a very responsive government that listens and satisfies the wishes of the people. So, your goal must be real service to the people. I value honesty and integrity in public service. You must be above board. Corrupt conducts will be heavily sanctioned.

“I love thinking out of the box in governance. As political heads of your ministries, be very innovative. Generate and implement new ideas.

“In times of national economic emergency, I love achieving much with little resources. Be prudent and adopt measures that reduce cost of projects and services.

“As we all know, I am a team player. There won’t be any room for solo actors in our State Executive Council (Exco). You must work as a team with a common goal to make a difference in the lives of our people. Above all, my leadership is about due process and rule of law. You must not cut corners. I will not compromise transparency and accountability.”

One of Aregbesola’s allies, who was the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affair, was assigned Information and Public Enlightenment portfolio, while Biyi Odunlade, who is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was assigned Political Affairs and Inter-Government Affiliation portfolio.

Reading the names and portfolios of the commissioners, Governor Adeleke said: “Dr. B. T. Salam (Regional Integration and Special Duties), Morufu Dele Ayanfe (Science, Information and Communication Technology), Mr. Moshood Olagunju (Youth Affairs), Mrs. Adenike Folasade Adeleke (Federal Affairs), Dosu Babatunde (Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs), Alfred Sesan Oyedele, (Transport), Rev. Bunmi Jenyo, (Commerce and Industry), George Alabi (Land and Physical Planning) and Mr. Sola Ogungbile (Finance).”

He added: “Prof. Morufu Ademola Adeleke (Budget and Economic Planning), Wole Jimi-Bada (Justice), Dipo Eluwole (Education), Mr. Gbola Faseru (Agriculture); Sola Akintola (Health), Mayowa Anjorin (Environment and Sanitation), Kolapo Alimi (Information and Public Enlightenment).”

“Alhaji Aderibigbe Rasheed (Home Affairs), Ayobola Awolowo (Women Affairs and Children Welfare), Mr. Ojo Abiodun Bankole (Tourism and Culture), Alhaji Abdulganiyu Ayobami Olaoluwa (Rural Development and Community Affairs), Sunday Oroniyi (Water Resources), Biyi Odunlade (Political Affairs and Inter-Government Affiliation), Mr. Soji Adeigbe (Government House Protocol), Festus Adeyemo (Energy), Governor Ademola Adeleke (Works), Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi (Sports and Special Needs).”

It will be recalled that former president Buhari appointed a lawyer, Babatunde Fashola as minister of power, works and housing.