Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has charged the newly sworn-in Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dayo Apata (SAN) on the need to develop new socio political skills and emotional intelligence to cope with the pressure associated with their offices.
The Governor, who gave the charged on Monday during the swearing-in ceremony of the duo at the governor’s office conference hall in Ado Ekiti, commented that his predecessor, Dr Kayode Fayemi and his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi did not impose anyone on him to serve in his cabinet.
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Funminiyi Afuye; Ekiti State First lady, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji; Deputy Speaker, House of Assembly, Hon Hakeem Jamiu; traditional rulers led by the Chairman, Ekiti State Traditional Council and Onisan of Isan Ekiti, Oba Gabriel Adejuwon; Wife of Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Eyesorun Abosede Adejugbe; Ekiti State Chairman, All Progressives ongress, Barr Paul Omotosho, Permanent Secretaries, top Government Functionaries, clerics, among others.
Governor Oyebanji maintained that those he had appointed so far were chosen based on merit and their proven level of “competence, level headedness, compassion, character, capacity and experience that the occupant of such offices require.”
He said he had promised the people of the state that members of his cabinet would be the best set of individuals that would assist him in managing the affairs of Ekiti in a manner that would bring about the fulfilment of his electoral promises to the people of the State.
According to him, “Why I recognize the right of people to freedom of expression, I also have the right to respond, I am using this forum to respond to everyone. haven listened to the CV of the two appointees, you will discover that they got this job clearly on merit, my promised to Ekiti indigene is that I am going to look for the best anywhere they are to help me run Ekiti and that is what we are going to do.
“We are not going to be intimidated neither are we going to be distracted as long as we are doing what is right but I need to put it on the record that neither the Governor nor his wife, nor the former deputy Governor has put any pressure on me but if I have to go back to his cabinet where I can see people that can assist me I will go and pick them.”
Expressing confidence in the professionalism and competence of Dr Adubiaro to serve in the capacity of secretary to State Government, Governor Oyebanji stated that her appointment was in consonance with his administration commitment to gender balance and equity.
The Governor further charged the duo to develop a robust policy engagement platform where policy stakeholders can learn, interact, engage, review and evaluate government plans and programme from time to time to achieve the overall objectives of his administration.
“As you assume office, you need to learn fast on the job and familiarize yourself with the function of your respective offices, you must also acquaint yourself with the manifestoes that earn us the mandate of the good people of Ekiti State and to understand the direction of policies and programs of this administration.
“Similarly you must pay attention to the political environment under which we operate and apprise yourself to its uniqueness and idiosyncrasies. As top government functionaries, you will expectedly come under intense pressure. You however need to develop the right socio political skills and emotional intelligence to manage pressure with firmness and magnanimity.”
Responding on behalf of the duo, Barr Dayo Apata assured the Governor that they would live a life of dedication, commitment, integrity, loyalty in discharging their responsibilities.
Expressing gratitude to the Governor for the appointment, Barrister Apate promised that they would key into the vision and mission of his administration and also add value to the progress of the State.
Dr Habibat Adubiaro was the former Vice Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), FOUYE Chapter while Barr Dayo Apata is a renowned legal professional and a former Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja.
