By Adekola Afolabi

The Ondo state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu yesterday sworn in Mr. Tayo Oluwatuyi as the new Secretary to the state government (SSG) with a charge to dedicate his time and energy to the service of the state and the people.
This followed the resignation of the former SSG, Ifedayo Abegunde on Monday.
Inaugurating the new SSG at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office, Akeredolu congratulated him for being worthy to serve the people of the state at this crucial moment.
He urged him to use his wealth of experience to coordinate the affairs of the administration efficiently and honestly.
The event was attended by the Chief of Staff, Chief Olugbenga Ale; the state APC chairman, Ade Adetimehin; Head of Service, Dare Aragbaiye; the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi; the Chief Imam of Akure, Alhaji Yayi Akorede; members of the state Executive Council, among others.
Akeredolu equally promised to continue his ongoing road projects across the three senatorial districts of the state.
He added that government has been able to deploy the scarce resources of the state to bridge the huge infrastructural gap in the last three and a half years.
He revealed that at no time did his administration agree with anyone to do evil or participate in the commission of crime against the people of the state, contrary to what he called wicked fabrications credited to some people recently.
Governor Akeredolu emphasised that no government in the past achieved what his administration has achieved in three and a half years.
“I must not fail to pass a few remarks concerning the wicked fabrications credited to some people recently, the current being the unwarranted outpouring of lies ascribed to the immediate past Secretary to the State Government.
“Let it be known that at no time did I agree with anyone to do evil or participate in the commission of a crime against the people of the State. I am not only a lawyer of over four decades. I have spent 22 years of this as a Senior Advocate. I served the Nigerian Bar Association in various capacities including the office of the President.
“I have devoted a considerable quantum of my active legal practice in the defence of the rule of law. I will not allow any drive for personal aggrandisement to becloud my better sense of reasoning.
I made a solemn pledge to the people that I would allow considerations for their welfare to be the guiding principle of our administration from inception.
“I have not wavered at any moment. This government, under my leadership, has ensured prudent management of scarce resources.
We have improved on the Internally Generated Revenue with a significant leap. We have made the welfare of workers a priority. We have not owed salaries from inception till date. Our administration has offset six out of the seven months’ salary arrears inherited from the last Government.
“Promotion of workers has also been an area of priority for this current political leadership. No worker has been denied his/her entitlement unjustly. We have supported the New Civil Service Reforms designed to provide optimum service for the people.
The Governor also warned politicians against any act that could lead to breakdown of law and order ahead of the October 10 governorship election in the state, saying that government would not hesitate to sanction all infractions to the laws, firmly and promptly, as his administration continues to protect lives and property of the citizenry.
In his response, the new SSG, appreciated the governor for the opportunity given to him to serve the people of the state, promising to justify the confidence reposed in him for a higher responsibility in the present administration.