- pledges total loyalty
An ex-deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, Chief Olayide Owolabi Adelami, was sworn in on Thursday as the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, pledging absolute loyalty to his principal, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.
The State Chief Judge, Justice Olusegun Odusanya administered the oath of office to the Deputy Governor at the event held at the International Event Centre, The Dome, in Akure, the state capital.
In his acceptance speech, Adelami said, “Mr Governor, I hereby wholeheartedly accept to be your Deputy and my loyalty to you will be total.
“To the good people of Ondo State, I’m here to join hands with Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to serve you and ensure that lives are made more meaningful for you in all facets.
“I want to therefore appeal to all our people in Ondo State at home and abroad to kindly support Mr Governor and me in our sincere desire to entrench good governance in our Sunshine State.
“You will agree with me that within a month that Governor Aiyedatiwa had been in the saddle of governance in our dear state, a fresh lease of life has manifested across sectors of the state.
“Contractors working on various infrastructural developments in Ondo State are back to sites and they are more committed than ever before, because of the assurance of Mr Governor that he would not abandon any of the laudable projects of our former governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON.
“To our great men, women, and ever-vibrant youths in our great party, The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State, I equally plead with you for more cooperation with our dear governor to foster great collaboration and unalloyed unity for the development of our state to the admiration and pride of our great leader and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR who has been very supportive to our state.
“To our farmers in Ondo State, this is your time to shine; to our ever-vibrant youth, now is the time to rediscover yourselves; to our market men and women, now is the season of your productivity and to our all residents of Ondo State better days are here.
“Once again, Mr Governor my wealth of experience in both public and private sectors coupled with my connections nationally and internationally are available for you to explore for the wellbeing of our people”.
A one-minute silence was observed for the departed Governor Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, whose passage a few weeks ago paved the way for the elevation of his deputy, Aiyedatiwa to the governorship seat in line with the constitutional provision.
In his address, Governor Aiyedatiwa described Adelami as a competent personality who could work with him to take the state to a greater height.
He declared that some of the commissioners who were recently dissolved as members of the State Executive Council would soon be reappointed.
Aiyedatiwa, expressed confidence in Adelami to contribute meaningfully to the state’s progress just as he acknowledged his sterling credentials describing him as a seasoned technocrat, administrator, and philanthropist.
According to him, “The Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Owolabi Adelami, mni, is a seasoned technocrat, administrator, philanthropist, and politician who had served the nation creditably at various levels, including serving as Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, before his eventual retirement.
“He is an urbane gentleman who had paid his dues in the service and development of Ondo State, and the nation at large. I have no doubt that finding himself again in a familiar terrain he will serve with integrity, devotion, loyalty, and accountability.
“We expect that you will provide fresh ideas and new drive to support this administration in consolidating our legacy projects, building a sustainable socio-economic base as encapsulated in our redeemed agenda; and pilot the politics of the state to a higher level of humility, justice and harmony as you serve the citizens.”
While urging him to bear in mind that the administration has zero tolerance for corruption, Governor Aiyedatiwa said, “We expect you to demonstrate transparent, open, and accountable leadership in your new office.
“You must also avoid discrimination as you have the entire State as your constituency, rather than serving sectional interests.”
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