By Adekola Afolabi

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History was made last Monday as Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, sworn- in the first female Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Princess Oladunni Odu.
Governor Akeredolu also swore in immediate past Head of the State Public Service, Mr. Dare Aragbaiye as Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties; Mrs. Olubunmi Adedipe Ademosu, as Special Adviser, Public and Intergovernmental Relations; Babatunde Gabriel Kolawole, as Special Adviser, Rural and Community Development and Mr. Summy Smart Francis, as Special Adviser on Entrepreneurship Development.
The Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office, was full to capacity as member of the families, friends and associates, and other well wishers thronged in to celebrate the chosen ones.
People outside the venue of the event trippled those in the hall.
Drums were rolled out as songs of joy rented the air. Different cultural groups and entertainers also added glamour to the event.
Dignitaries at the ceremony included wife of the Governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu; the Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa; acting state chairman of APC, Ade Adetimehin; members of the State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Bamidele Oleyelogun; Chief Judge of the State, Hon. Justice Olutoyin Akeredolu; President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Eunice Alade; traditional rulers, religion leaders and several other dignitaries.
First to take the Oath of Office and Oath of Allegiance was the Princess among them, and followed by the ‘Special’ four.
Addressing the appointees, Governor Akeredolu who particularly congratulated them, equally advised them to work in line with his REDEEMED agenda to further bring good governance to the people.
He added that the people of the state expect more services at the optimal level and that all appointments shall be marked as templates for impactful governance.
Speaking on the choice of Princess Odu as the SSG, Governor Akeredolu described her as a symbol of limitless possibilities of attainment for a well-trained female child.
The Governor said Odu represented the erstwhile suppressed voices on account of gender, adding that she has been around for quite some time and seen it all.
“This is a new experience. She is expected to bring to bear her wealth of experience as a seasoned administrator, lawyer and, I dare say, an academic. This State is proud of her investment in her and other female children making us proud.
“The immediate past Head of Service, Mr. Dare Aragbaiye. It is a great privilege knowing and working with this decent man. He will make any shortlist designed for altruistic service anywhere. I am happy to have him back so soon after his disengagement from public service as a career civil servant. I am sure many civil servants, especially members of the workers’ unions, are happy to have him back.
“The other appointees are returning to continue to offer their services to the State in almost the same or contiguous turfs. The importance of their offices, as well as their performances during the first term made their return compelling. We shall be exacting more positive results based on their work plans,” he said.
The Governor also used the occasion to stress his administration’s stance to evict and punish all those occupying the government forest reserves illegally, saying that his administration is totally committed to security of lives and property of the citizens and to rid the State of undesirable elements.
He also warmed those agitating for division in the country to desist, saying the state would continue to remain…
‘I must not fail to comment on the current agitations by some people who express grievances arising from the challenges of nationhood. The noises generated by seeming inaction or passive indifference on the part of elected and appointed representatives of the Government at all levels appears to be responsible for the growing disaffection in the land.
“Why some have been measured in their reactions to these problems, others have been less diplomatic. It is not uncommon to find groups and individuals purporting to act or speak on behalf of the rest of us.
“While it is the right of citizens to discuss, agitate and even fight to right perceived wrongs, culminating in self-determination, this must be done within known and acceptable parameters. All concerned must be ad idem, that is, agree to pursue the same objectives to achieve a desirable or desired end.
“There must be a common platform through which the demands, from the most mundane to the sublime, must be presented. There must be a general consensus, articulated and presented after rigorous engagements on the level of intellection as the agendum for action.
“The reasons for the declaration of hostilities must not be fleeting fancies of disaffection engendered by perceived politics of exclusion for personal benefits. Self-determination must be a collective programme of action.
“I state, unequivocally, as the Governor of Ondo State, elected by the people to serve them and protect their interests, that our people have elected to stay in the Federal Republic of Nigeria as constituted at present.
“We recognise that there are reasons to demand that certain anomalies be put right. We will continue to encourage dialogue as an effective tool in resolving disputes. We will also not shy from joining others to insist on socio-economic justice. We will, however, not subscribe to banditry and recklessness in putting forth our demands.
“Consequently, no part of the entire State, known and delineated as Ondo State, shall permit any gathering or agitation which may suggest, however remotely, that we are in support of unthinking rabble rousing”, the Governor emphasised.
Speaking on behalf of other appointees, Princess Odu, who appreciated the Governor for counting them worthy for appointment equally assured the Governor of their readiness to work with him to leave the state better than they met it.