From Joseph Aribisala, Ado-Ekiti
The Ekiti state governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji on Tuesday declared zero tolerance for corruption, warning the newly inaugurated commissioners and special advisers to shun financial malfeasance.
The Governor who stated this during the swearing-in ceremony for the new 19 commissioners and 14 Special Advisers in Ado-Ekiti,
urged the Commissioners to hit the ground running, saying that there is no time to waste as his administration is almost a year in office.
“Our administration have zero-tolerance for corruption and I will urge you to shun all corrupt tendencies including greed and personal aggrandizement. Don’t do or involve in anything that will embarrass the government.”
The Governor used the forum to debunk allegations in some quarters that he had been running government without cabinet members since coming to power on October 16 last year.
He also disclosed that it took him time to form a full cabinet because of his resolve to keep to the promise he made that the people in the grassroots would be involved in the formation of the State Executive Council.
Oyebanji said that the new commissioners must strive to do the right thing and be committed to the development of the state, saying that “I know that one day we’ll give account of our stewardship to our creator.”
The Governor noted that the appointees who were product of consultation and community engagement were selected from across the 16 council areas government areas in order to get the best hands that would join him in taking Ekiti to greater heights.
He explained that his administration had much to do towards making Ekiti State epicentre of development, adding that an independent project monitoring unit had been created to ensure implementation of projects and programmes.
The governor said that the unit would be headed by former Commissioner for Budget, Femi Ajayi, adding that it would ensure Ekiti have value for its money by tracking the implementations of projects and programmes.
Oyebanji admonished them not to betray the confidence reposed in them and key into the six pillars of his developmental agenda for effective delivery of goodies and services to Ekiti people.
The new commissioners included Taiwo Olatunbosun (Information), Mr. Oyeniyi Adebayo (Budget), Mr. Seun Fakuade (Science and Technology), Folorunso Olabode (Local Government), Mr. Gold Adesola (Youth Development), Prof. Ojo Bakare (Art and Culture), Dr Kofoworola Aderiye (Education) and Mr. Kolawole Ajobiewe( Transportation).
Others are Prof. Patrick Tedela Training and Capacity Development) Dr Kareem
Akande (Regional Development), Kayode Fasae (Wealth Creation) Otunba Dolamu Adeniyi (Special Duties) Mrs Tayo Adeola (Trade and Investment) and Mr Ebenezer Boluwade (Agriculture).
The rest are Mr Adesola Adebayo (Work) Mrs. Olapeju Babafemi (Women Affairs) Mr. Ojo Atibioke, (Chieftaincy) Mrs. Tosin Aluko (Environment) and Mr. Oluwafemi Awe (Rural Development).
The Special Advisers include The Nation Columnist, Dr. Moyo Ekundayo, Mrs Kemi Olaleye, Mes Yemisi Ayokunle; Gbenga Agbeyo; Dr Akeem Azeez, Tade Aluko, Mr Gboyega Oloniyo and Abiola Olowokere.
Others are Hon. Femi Ajayi, Mrs Oluremi Babington, Mrs Adetoun Agboola, Mr Niyi Idowi, Mr. Adeola Ayeni and Mr. Sunday Akinyele.
