Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday swore in members of his cabinet made up of 35 members and assigned portfolios to them immediately.
Twenty-two of them took oath as commissioners while the remaining 13 are special advisers.
The ceremony took place amidst tight security at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja with dignitaries and party leadership, members of the Lagos Assembly, Governor Advisory Council (GAC) members including traditional rulers from across the state, top civil servants, relations and well wishers of the new appointees in attendance.
The immediate past secretary to state government, Mr. Tunji Bello takes over as commissioner for Water Resources and the Environment and Lagos state APC publicity secretary, Joe Igbokwe is special adviser on Drainage Services and Water Resources and
the former Editor, The Nation Newspaper, Gbenga Omotoso was assigned as commissioner in the ministry of information and strategy.
Other members and their portfolios are: Mr. Rabiu Olowo Onaolapo, Commissioner for Finance; Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, Commissioner for Education; Prof. Akin Abayomi, Commissioner for Health; Dr. Idris Salako, Commissioner for Fiscal Planning and Urban Development; Mrs. Bolaji Dada, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation; Mr. Lere Odusote, Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources; Dr. Frederic Oladeinde; Commissioner for Transportation; Mr. Gbolahan Lawal, Commissioner for Agriculture; Moruf Abdul-Fatai, Commissioner for Housing.
The commissioner list continues; Mr. Moyo Onigbanjo (SAN), Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; Mr. Hakeem Fahm, Commissioner for Science and Technology; Mrs. Ajibola Ponnle, Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pension; Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure; Mr. Segun Dawodu, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development; Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, Commissioner for Home Affairs; Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke, Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs.
Still on the list of commissioners are: Mrs. Lola Akande, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry; Mrs. Olufunke Adebolu, Commissioner for Tourism Arts and Culture and Mr. Sam Egube, Commissioner for Economy Planning and Budget.
The special advisers and their portfolio are: Dr. Wale Ahmed, Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations; Ms Ruth Bisola Olusanya, Special Adviser, Ministry of Agriculture; Princess Aderemi Adebowale, Special Adviser in the Office of Civic Engagement; Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo, Special Adviser on Political and Legislative Affairs; Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, Special Adviser, Ministry of Housing.
Others are: Tubosun Alake, Special Adviser for Innovation and Technology; Architect Kabiru, Special Adviser, Urban Development; Anofi Olanrewaju, Special Adviser, Central Business Districts; Bonu Sulaiman Saanu, Special Adviser, Arts and Culture; Oluwatoyin Fayinka, Special Adviser, Ministry of Transportation; Oladele Ajayi, Special Adviser on Commerce and Industry; Tokunbo Wahab, Special Adviser, Ministry of Education; Solape Harmmond, Special Adviser on Sustainable Development Goals and Mr. Olatunbosun Alake Tunbosun, special adviser Innovation and Technology.
In his address after swearing in the cabinet members; Sanwo-Olu congratulated the appointees, saying they will assist him in discharging the functions of the Executive arm as members of the State Executive Council.
“I gladly welcome these men and women who shall valiantly lead this new administration to realize its vision for a Greater Lagos.
Describing their appointment as well-deserved, the governor said it is a “testament to your capacity, your accomplishments and your track record of hard work, commitment, dedication and professionalism in your private and public endeavors.
“Today, you are inducted into a singular administration, unique in its diversity – both of heritage and of creed – made up of technical and politically skilled men and women who understand the challenges of our State, grasp the grand vision of this new administration, and are sensitive to the yearnings of our people, the citizens of Lagos State whom we must ultimately serve.”
The governor also appreciates the Legislative arm under the leadership of the Speaker, Hon Mudashiru Obasa for presiding over a swift and decisive screening and confirmation process.
Sanwo-Olu reiterated: “Our ultimate goal would be to ensure that Lagos State remains one of the top destinations on the African continent to live, work and invest in”, emphasizing that “this is not just our goal, it is what the people expect from us and we cannot afford to disappoint them”.
According to him, the government is fortunate to have a foundation on which to build from. “The Blueprint for a new Lagos and the Development Plan (2012 to 2025) are still relevant as strategic reference materials for a systematic implementation of medium and long-term policies in line with the overall vision for our State.
“However, in this administration, our task must be to accelerate the trajectory of growth and development of Lagos State embarked upon by the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and built upon by successive administrations.
“I am happy to note that the Deputy Governor and I, as well as some of you have had the honour and privilege of being part of that process. Today, providence has entrusted us with the great responsibility of ensuring that the vision of the blueprint and the Development Plan comes to pass wholly and completely”.
Assuring that his administration will build upon the foundations laid by past administrations and will erect its six pillars of state development, encapsulated in the acronym “T.H.E.M.E.S.”
“These pillars form the backbone of this administration’s grand objective and represent the framework that ensures our efforts and allocation of resources is solely devoted to building a Lagos we can be proud to call home.”
The governor urged the appointees to prepare for challenges ahead, reminding them that their appointment is a unique privilege and a call to service. “It must not be seen as opportunity for self-service.”
He urged them to discharge the responsibility that will be assigned to them with transparency, accountability, fairness and value for money.
“I, therefore, Implore you to earnestly commit yourselves to the agenda and vision of this administration, be prepared to pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, and support or oppose whomever you must, in order to accomplish our grand ambition of building one of the great cities of the 21st Century, a beacon of social, commercial and political excellence for the rest of our dear nation.
“The challenges we face as a mega city whether in the areas of security, waste management, transportation, or environmental sustainability are not peculiar to us. But they are the undesired consequences of an ambitious and growing economy providing opportunities for people to realize their dreams. But they must surely be addressed before they undermine our achievements and hinder our progress.
“Great opportunities for employment and wealth creation can only be realized sustainably if we are able to enhance governance with creativity, innovation and technology while embracing collaboration with the private sector and continual dialogue and partnership with all relevant stakeholders.
According to him, it is a task they have been called upon to undertake in the next four years on behalf of Lagosians who are relying on government to support their dreams and aspirations.
“I charge you to show commitment, diligence and exemplary leadership as the necessary virtues needed to achieve the greatness we desire for our State and to deliver the prosperity our people deserve; I implore you to give your all as the very minimum requirement in service of this great State and its people.”
Sanwo-Olu reassured Lagosians of his government’s commitment to serve selflessly and fulfil all promises, appealing to them for support and cooperation, saying together, we shall make Lagos greater”.
The exco members and permanent secretariat will commence a four day retreat tomorrow to further prepare them for the task ahead.
