By Adekola Afolabi

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The new Secretary to Ondo State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, has described her appointment as a ray of hope for women in the state and beyond.
Princess Odu who spoke with The Hope yesterday in Akure, particularly appreciated the state Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and the First Lady, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, for their strong belief in women.
Princess Odu is the first female to occupy the exalted position in the history of the state.
She described her appointment as a surprise and a shock, saying she never thought such topmost appointment which is always reserved for men could be given to a woman.
She dedicated her appointment to the First Lady of the state for her firm belief in women development.
The new SSG expressed her readiness to work assiduously to add value to the system and bequeath a lasting legacy.
“It came to me as a surprise; it was like a rude shock when I learnt of it. But I think the Governor knows me very well. He has known me for more than two decades, so he knows my capability, and I have told him I’m willing and ready to work with him.
“I’m willing and ready to add value to the system. I will put in my all to see that we leave Ondo state better than we met it.
“I’m one person who believes in the best, I’m one person who believes in excellence, I’m one person who believes in perfection and hard work, and I’m going to do things that will bring the office into good repute.
“I want to thank the First Lady who believes in women. She has a BEMORE, which says a woman can be more than what society wants her to be. So, this appointment as SSG is actually dedicated to the First Lady of because she has brought out women and she is leading women to be part of governance in the state.
“She is in the forefront, and she made this possible because of her belief in women. It was also made possible because Mr Governor is also women friendly.
She challenged women to always be hardworking and give their best anywhere they find themselves.
The Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, had on Wednesday appointed Princess Catherine Oladunni Odu, as Secretary to the State Government.
Akeredolu equally approved the appointment of immediate past Head of Service of the state public service, Mr. Dare Aragbaiye as Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties.
Other appointees include Mrs Olubunmi Adedipe Ademosu, Special Adviser, Public and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr Babatunde Kolawole, Special Adviser, Rural and Community Development and Mr Summy Smart Francis, Special Adviser on Entrepreneurship Development.
Until her new position, Princess Odu, a legal practitioner, was the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
She is the first female to occupy such exalted position in the history of the state.
Princess Odu had served in many capacities at both the State and Federal levels. She was Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, and at different times, former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Education respectively.
According to a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Richard Olatunde, her appointment was in recognition of her proven integrity and outstanding record of performance in her previous assignments.
Other appointments approved by the Governor included, Mrs. Olubunmi Ademosu, Special Adviser, Public and Intergovernmental Relations; Hon. Babatunde Kolawole, Special Adviser, Rural and Community Development and Mr. Summy Smart Francis as Special Adviser on Entrepreneurship Development.
The appointees would be sworn- in by the Governor on Monday, March 22, 2021 at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, Akure at 1pm.
Governor Akeredolu congratulated the new appointees while urging them to discharge their duties with utmost responsibilities deserving of the new offices and the accompanying responsibilities.