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The occasion was grand; it was a gathering of the who is who and the venue was SilverBird Galleria, Abuja. Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, had decided to host a reception in honour of the three ministers from the Gateway State newly sworn in on Monday by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as members of the federal cabinet. It was the first time three ministerial appointees were picked from the same state in the history of Nigeria and Ogun State, noted for scoring first position in many areas, also became the leading light for other states in ministerial appointments.
The reception was meant to celebrate the appointees, namely Mr Wale Edun (Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy); Dr Bosun Tijani (Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy) and Dr Ishak Salako (Minister of State for the Environment) and the uniqueness of Ogun State in Nigeria with its abundant human resources. The moment symbolised the unity of the state, with the presence of eminent personalities from across the three senatorial zones.
Governor Dapo Abiodun spoke with profound happiness even as he reeled out several such indigenes of the state holding sway at the top of the ladder in the current dispensation. They include the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Folasodun Sonubi, and Accountant General of the Federation. Mrs Oluwatoyin Sakirat Medein.
“We are the gateway to Nigeria’s prosperity, the nation’s educational capital, the industrial capital and investors’ destination in Nigeria. Number one in the production of cassava in the entire world, number one in the production of poultry and eggs, the religious capital, and the emerging breadbasket of Nigeria.
“These appointments by Mr President are a further testament to our first position in Nigeria and the abundant human capacity that we are known for and possess. You have been selected because of your excellent antecedents in the public and private sectors. Your credentials speak for each of you. Hon. Ministers, we are here to celebrate you today on behalf of all the people and government of your home state. I join others to congratulate you and thank God for these worthy and eminent appointments and elevation.”
Prince Abiodun reminded the ministers that they are the representatives of their people back home and thus must live up to the high standards expected of them.
“Today, we have a cross-section of your people here from across the length and breadth of Ogun State; paramount rulers, parliamentarians, our eminent sons and daughters and leaders; our party leaders. They are here to felicitate you and get to know you. You are representing them as our ambassadors in Abuja. We are politicians; we worked very hard campaigning with Mr President and by God’s grace, we won all our elections. That is why you are here today. It is perfect and in order for us to look forward to enjoying the dividends of this democracy through you,” he said.
Emphasizing the imperative of supporting the state, the governor said: “Amongst others, you will use your offices to support and compliment the implementation of our ‘Building Our Future Together’ agenda and our vision which is to create a focused and qualitative governance whilst providing an enabling environment for public private partnerships which is very fundamental to the economic growth of the state and the individual prosperity of our people.”
He said his administration had in the last four years fulfilled all the promises made to the people of the state as encapsulated in the ISEYA mantra. “We promised our people to be fair, just and equitable in the distribution of infrastructure across the state and we’ve done just that. We continue to complete all inherited projects that are of economic importance to our people. We have turned the push factor from other states to what we call the pull factor in Ogun State. We constructed over 400 km of roads in the first four years, over 2000 affordable homes, over 100 PHCS rehabilitated and over 1000 schools. And of course, finally, we built a world-class airport with the longest runway in Nigeria within two years.
The governor laid the groundwork for collaboration with the ministers by proposing a bi-quarterly meeting with them. This move is meant to bring the ministers closer to home and solidify their bonding with the state.
Abiodun said: “We will endeavour to have bi-quarterly meetings with you to ensure we sustain this bond that is being established here today. Go forth and do exploits. We do not doubt that you will do us proud. May the Almighty grant you the grace and health so you make the best of the opportunity.”
Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, described the occasion as unique. According to the traditional ruler, other states are envious of Ogun State as a result of the appointments.
Admonishing the ministers to be good ambassadors, Oba Gbadebo reminded them that their constituency is Nigeria.
Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Dr Kehinde Olugbenle, described the appointments as historic.
“I want to congratulate the three ministers, and I do not doubt that the three of them will make our great state very proud at the federal level. The youth ambassador among them, Bosun, I congratulate you, and I congratulate my son also, Dr Ishak Adeboye Salako, for being honoured with the honourable minister of state for the environment.
Akarigbo of Remo Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, was represented at the occasion by Asiwaju of Remo, Chief Solomon Kayode Onafowokan, described the finance minister as trustworthy and diligent.
Senator Shuaib Salisu, who spoke on behalf of the Ogun State caucus in the National Assembly, expressed appreciation to the President for the appointments, which he said reflect the abundant human resources in the state.
“To the ministers, on behalf of the Ogun State caucus in the national assembly, we want to assure you of our support, we will be there for you, we will defend you, we will provide you insight and we will also work together with you to make sure that you are superstars in your various ministries.
Eminent personalities at the event included Governor of Imo State and Chairman, Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodinma; Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman; the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Oyedele-Salako; Olota of Ota. Oba Yemi Obalanlege; the Acting IGP, Kayode Egbetokun; Acting CBN Governor, Folashodun Sonubi; Deputy CBN Governor, Aisha Ahmad; members of the Ogun State caucus on the National Assembly; members of the state House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, Chairman of the All of Progressives Congress (APC), Yemi Sanusi.
Others included former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji; Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; a former commissioner in Lagos State, Teju Philips and members of the APC in the state.
