By Adekola Afolabi

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Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, yesterday inaugurated the newly appointed Chairman and members of the State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC).

Also, the Governor inaugurated Chairmen and members of the Governing Councils for the four state-owned tertiary institutions.

The institutions are, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA); University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) Ondo; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic (RUGIPO), Owo.

Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of AAUA is Dr. Tunji Abayomi, while that of UNIMED is Prof. Ayo Arowojolu. Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of OAUSTECH is Prof. Akinbo Akinwumi Adesomoju just as Chief Banji Alabi is the Chairman of RUGIPO.

The ceremony held at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office, Alagbaka Akure, was attended by the deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; members of the State Executive Council led by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu and other dignitaries including the Vice Chancellor, AAUA, Prof Olugbenga Ige; members of the families of the appointees, and several other dignitaries.

First to be inaugurated were the ODIEC Chairman Dr. Joseph Aremo alongside six other members of the Commission where Governor Akeredolu charged them to remain impartial umpires and assist in deepening the democratic practice.

”The Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission is one of the tripods, a very important institution, whose effectiveness determines the extent of peace and stability at the grassroots.

“This Commission is empowered by law to conduct elections to elect those who will serve the people of Ondo State at the local level.

“The members of this Commission will conduct Local Government elections. Their ability to remain impartial umpires will assist, tremendously, in deepening our democratic practice.

“There is the argument which holds that since this body is normally constituted by the State Government, it is unwise to rely on its activities.

The Governor also advised the Chairmen and members of the Governing Councils of the State owned institutions to think outside the box, saying that the state will be willing to grant the institutions full autonomy provided they can raise funds to run them.

“The third set in today’s series of inauguration is, perhaps, the most important in nation-building. I am delighted to inaugurate the Governing Councils of our tertiary institutions. This may, perhaps, be the last time I will be having the privilege to exercise such powers as provided by the law.

The Governor admonished members of the families of the inaugurated officers to allow them to discharge their duties as expected of well-bred members of the society.

The Chairman, Governing Council of OAUSTECH, Prof Akinwumi Adesomoju, who spoke on behalf of others, lauded Governor Akeredolu for his passion and commitment for the development of the state as well as his positions in national issues.