The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has sworn in Dr. Mrs. Folashade Arike Ayoade as the Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Honourable Ali Bello as the Chief of Staff to the Governor, commissioners and other senior aides to the Governor.
According to Ismaila Isah
Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, the Governor administered the oath of office on the Secretary to the State Government and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, while the oath of office was administered on the commissioners and senior aides by the State Solicitor General, Justice Falilat Yusuf.
In his remarks. Governor Ododo charged the new appointees to be fair to everyone in the discharge of their responsibilities while offering their best services to the administration.
He noted that the appointees were chosen on the basis of their enviable track records and they are therefore expected to demonstrate commitment by being worthy representatives of the people of the state.
“As you assume office in your various ministries, departments and agencies of the Kogi State government, you must be reminded that we are neither the best nor the most deserving of the over 4 Million Kogites that are equally very eminently qualified”, he said.
He enjoined the appointees to work in the interest of all Kogites without discrimination in whatever guise or form, stressing that they must be dedicated, committed and do right to all manner of people in the course of their service to the state.
The Governor further noted that the people of the state expects a better performance from the new administration, adding that a system of performance evaluation has been put in place to track and measure the impact of the government on the lives of the people at every point in the tenure of the administration.
While acknowledging the support his administration has received from the people of the state so far, Governor Ododo promised to lead by example by putting ensuring a culture of service, probity, tranpanecy and accountability in service to the people of the state.
He called on the new appointees to work as a team to deliver on the mandate of the people for consolidation and continuity under the new administration.
Responding on behalf of the new appointees, the Secretary to the Government of the State, Mrs. Folashade Arike Ayoade thanked Governor Ododo for the confidence reposed in her and other appointees and promised not to disappoint the governor and the people of Kogi State.
The new commissioners and their portfolios are:
- Muizideen Yunus Abdallah: Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice
- Engr. Muhammed Ihiezu Abdulmutalib: Ministry of Rural Development and Energy
- Barr. Momodu Salami Ozigi Deedat: Ministry Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs
- Dr. Adams Abdulziz: Ministry of Health
- Mrs. Fatima Momoh: Ministry of Women Affairs
- Mr. Abanika Taiye: Ministry of Housing and Urban Development
- Engr. Muhammed Yusuf: Ministry of Works
- Hajiya Rabiyetu Okute: Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation
- Mr. Timothy Ojoma: Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security
- Asiwaju Ashiru Idris: Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning
- Engr. Bashir Muhammed Abubakar: Ministry of Solid Mineral and Natural Resources
- Mr. Sunday Faleke: Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations
- Evangelist Kingsley Fanwo: Ministry of Information and Communication
- Engr. Farouk Danladi: Ministry of Water Resources
- Joseph Olwasegun: Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management
- Mr. Wemi Jones: Ministry of Education
- Mr. Anyebe Aridaojo Monday: Ministry of Youth and Sports
- Mr. Muhammed Mukhtar Shaibu: Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Other senior aides sworn in along with the commissioners are:
- Air Commodore Jerry Omodara (Retired): State Security Adviser
- Hon. Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege: Auditor General for Local Government
- Alhaji Suleiman Ibrahim: Director General of Protocol in Government House
- Ismaila Isah: Special Adviser to the Governor on Media
- Hon. Oladele John Nihi: Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
