Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Thursday swore in a new commissioner, special advisers and Tutors-General, while inaugurating chairmen and members of various commissions and boards, charging them to justify the confidence reposed in them through effective service delivery and measurable results.
The ceremony, held at the International Centre for Culture and Events (The Dome), Akure, saw the governor cautioning the new appointees against rivalry, bureaucratic bottlenecks, mediocrity and abuse of public trust.
Among those sworn in were Erelu Taibat Yemi Oloruntoba as Commissioner for Special Duties; Rt. Hon. Abimbola Fajolu as Special Adviser on Environment; Chief Ade Adeniyi as Special Adviser on Rural and Community Development; Mr. Muyiwa Ogunyemi as Special Adviser on Transport; Mr. Femi Fadairo as Special Adviser on Special Duties and Strategy; and Rt. Hon. Iroju Ogundeji as Special Adviser on Legislative Matters.
The governor also administered the oath of office on the newly appointed Tutors-General, including Mr. Iwagun Austin Olusola for Ondo South Senatorial District, Dr. Jogbodo Bosede for Ondo Central and Mr. Fasawe Toluwalase Abayomi for Ondo North.
Also inaugurated were Dr. Man Ali as Chairman of the Ondo State Civil Service Commission, Mr. Oladimeji Abimbola as Chairman of the Ondo State Sports Council, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Ademulegun-Brown as Chairman of the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), and Pastor Segun Ayerin as Chairman of the Ondo State Local Government Service Commission, alongside members of the respective bodies.
Others included Alhaji Adam Chandy, Chairman of the Muslim Welfare Board; Pastor Peter Abimbola, Chairman of the Christian Welfare Board; Mr. Oluyemi Fasipe, Chairman of the Ondo State Competition and Consumer Protection Agency; and Mr. Omolade Fabiyi, Chairman of the Ondo State Cocoa Revolution and Management Board.
Addressing the appointees, Aiyedatiwa described the event as more than a constitutional requirement, saying it represented an opportunity to renew the commitment to good governance and strengthen institutions responsible for delivering development to the people.
He said the appointments were based on competence, experience, character and capacity, noting that public office should be seen as a responsibility rather than a reward.
“Appointment is not a trophy for personal gratification but a mandate for service and a responsibility to produce results,” the governor said.
According to him, citizens now expect tangible outcomes from government and not mere rhetoric, urging the appointees to demonstrate competence, loyalty, discretion, intellectual courage and measurable performance in office.
He further charged members of commissions and boards to uphold fairness, transparency, professionalism and due process, warning against allowing personal interests or sectional considerations to influence decisions on appointments, regulation and public service delivery.
The governor urged all appointees to work as one team under his administration and align their activities with the state’s “OUR EASE” development agenda.
He also disclosed that the state’s 2026 budget had been reviewed upward from N524.411 billion to N769.384 billion following a mid-year assessment, with additional resources earmarked for roads, healthcare, water supply and other critical infrastructure projects.
Aiyedatiwa said the government planned to construct at least five kilometres of roads in each of the state’s 18 local government areas, amounting to a minimum of 90 kilometres statewide.
He added that additional funding had also been provided for the ongoing Adegbola–St. Mathias Flyover project in Akure.
The governor used the occasion to reiterate his support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and the victory of all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in future elections.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, said public office comes with the responsibility of protecting citizens’ rights and ensuring accountable governance.
He urged the appointees to support ongoing efforts in infrastructure, education, healthcare and agriculture while working in line with the administration’s vision of building a prosperous and economically self-reliant state.
Responding on behalf of the appointees, the new Commissioner for Special Duties, Erelu Oloruntoba, thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in them and pledged that they would deploy their experience and expertise to advance the state’s development objectives.
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami; Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ololade Gbegudu, who represented Speaker Olamide Oladiji; APC State Chairman, Babatunde Kolawole; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Head of Service, Chief Segun Odusanya; members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other dignitaries.