Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has warned newly appointed commissioners and special advisers against arrogance, corruption and abuse of office, declaring that no public official should consider themselves indispensable.
Oyebanji gave the warning on Wednesday while swearing in three commissioners and 10 special advisers at the Government House in Ado Ekiti, as he moved to fully constitute his administration for a second term.
He urged the 13 appointees to remain humble, disciplined and committed to serving the people, stressing that their appointments should not become a source of complacency or entitlement.
“I will like to counsel you to resist the temptation of the illusion of invincibility and indispensability, which could ultimately breed arrogance. At the end of the day, only God is truly indispensable,” Oyebanji said.
The governor charged the appointees to remain dedicated to the interests of Ekiti residents and ensure that their conduct reflected the responsibilities entrusted to them.
He warned that his administration would not tolerate unethical conduct, unnecessary bureaucratic delays or avoidable mistakes capable of undermining its development agenda.
Oyebanji also said his second term should be viewed as an opportunity to consolidate the achievements recorded during his first tenure and accelerate development across the state.
According to him, structures have already been put in place to ensure a seamless start to the second term, leaving the administration with no justification for delays in delivering on its promises.
“ We must all therefore remain gracious and wholeheartedly dedicated to our unwavering service to the good people of Ekiti State,” he added.
The governor said discipline and prompt service delivery would remain central to the administration, urging the new appointees to take their responsibilities seriously.
Three returning commissioners were sworn in.
They are Dayo Apata, SAN, as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice; Akintunde Oyebode as Commissioner for Finance; and Dr Oyebanji Filani as Commissioner for Health and Human Services.
Ten special advisers were also sworn in to oversee various areas of government.
They are Prof. James Olaleye, e-GIS, Lands and Survey; James Folorunso, Bureau of Public Procurement; Dr John Moyo Ekundayo, Office of Transformation, Strategy and Delivery; Bunmi Talabi, Bureau of Special Projects; and Olayinka Oyebode, Media.
Others are Princess Adetoun Agboola, Special Education and Social Inclusion; Dr Gbenga Oyewole, Development, Planning and Budget; Kayode Adaramodu, Economic Affairs and Private Sector Development; Ebenezer Boluwade, Agriculture and Food Security; and Prof. Akeem Azeez, Special Duties.
The appointments followed approval by the Ekiti State House of Assembly after Oyebanji sought confirmation of the three commissioners and approval for the 10 special advisers shortly after beginning his second term.
The governor had said the appointments were intended to ensure early constitution of key components of his administration and continuity in critical sectors.
The 10 special advisers comprise returning officials and new appointees, while the three commissioners served in Oyebanji’s first administration.
Oyebanji was sworn in for a second four-year term on October 16 after winning the June 20 governorship election.
