The Executive Governor of Kwara state, Mall. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Friday swore in 16 commissioners and special advisers.
He also designated Saadu Salau (SS) as Special Adviser Political; Mr Yinka Aluko as Special Adviser on Special Duties; Attahiru Ibrahim as Special Adviser Youths and Sports.
Speaking at the ceremony, AbdulRazaq said, “Let me remind all of you that we are not the best out of the 3.5m people in this state. However, providence has placed on our shoulders the historic responsibility to take our people out of Egypt and safely into the Canaan land.
“This task requires focus, patience, sacrifice, tact, speed, and constant supplication to God Almighty to guide us every step of the way. We must engage, listen, and relate well with our people whose mandate has brought us here. In doing so, we must see the whole of Kwara as our constituency.”
The Governor reminded the cabinet members of the need to always relate well with the public and to work together as a team, “stronger together, each watching the back of the other.”
He added, “The recent retreat has offered you a clearer picture of where Kwara stands today and where we are headed as a team. Whatever assignment given to you must be done with all sincerity. Think always about what you want to be remembered for when you leave this office.
“Our team is faced on the one hand by high expectations of a populace long deprived of good governance and on the other by detractors who may never see anything good in whatever we do or stand for. But rest assured that the only obligation before us as a team is to prove the naysayers wrong and deliver on our mandate to the people of Kwara State.
“We are to build a state that is viable, accountable, inclusive, responsive to the basic yearnings of its people, and is equipped with the necessary infrastructure and institutions to meet the challenges of the 21st century, while also welcoming constructive criticism to make us better at what we do. Iseya!”
Some of the commissioners were Ayinla Jawondo, Ministry of Justice; Heriat Adenike, Ministry of Agriculture; Saadat Modibbo Kawu, Ministry for Tertiary Education; Olasumbo Flourence, Ministry of Finance and planning; and Aliyu Mohammed Ministry of Environment.
Others included Fatimoh Bisola, Ministry of Education; Raji AbdulRasaq, Ministry of Health; Rotimi Suleiman, Ministry of Works; Funke Oyedun Juliana, Ministry of Special Duties; Ministry of Finance; Arinola Lawal, Ministry of Water Resources; Murtala Olarewaju, Ministry Communication; Aliyu Moro Sabi, Ministry Energy; Deborah Bose Aremu, Ministry of Social Development; Ministry of Enterprise, Agbaje Wahab; Ministry of Sport and Youth Development, Joana Kolo; and Aisha Ahman Patigi, Ministry of LGA and Chieftaincy title.
He also sworn in members of the Civil Service Commission and the Deputy Chief of Staff Adebukola Risikat Babalola whose appointment was announced earlier Friday.
The event was attended by hundreds of Kwarans and top government functionaries, including the Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi; Speaker of the House of Assembly Salihu Danladi Yakubu; Representative of the Chief Judge Justice Bayo Yusuf; Grand Kadi of Kwara State Ola Abdulkadir; principal officers and members of the House of Assembly; Secretary to the State Government Prof Mamman Jibril; Head of Service Modupe Oluwole; and Chief of Staff to the Governor Aminu Adisa Logun.
