The governor also warned that his administration would not tolerate indiscipline, corruption, unethical conduct or poor performance, stressing that appointees must demonstrate integrity, professionalism and commitment to effective service delivery.
Oyebanji gave the warning on Wednesday during the swearing-in ceremony held at the Osuntokun Pavilion, Government House, Ado-Ekiti.
He described the appointments as part of his administration’s determination to ensure that its second term commenced without unnecessary delays, insisting that a second term in office should not be an opportunity for complacency or self-indulgence.
According to him, the appointments reflected his confidence in the abilities of the newly appointed officials and recognised their previous contributions to the development of the state.
He urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them by redoubling their efforts and delivering measurable results in their respective portfolios to advance Ekiti State’s development, economic prosperity and sustainability.
The governor further directed the appointees to ensure that administrative processes and projects undertaken by their respective ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) met the highest standards of technical competence, transparency and professionalism.
He also emphasised the importance of efficiency and timely execution of government projects in line with global best practices.
“Today’s event is a further demonstration of our resolve to ensure that this administration takes off quickly without any further delay and to prove a point that a second term in office is not for complacency or self-indulgence,” he said.
Oyebanji reminded the appointees that their reappointment was a demonstration of his confidence in their performance, urging them not to become arrogant or regard themselves as indispensable.
“That you have been recalled to continue your job is proof of my confidence in you and an affirmation of your performance. I will therefore like to counsel you to resist the temptation of invisibility and indispensability, which could ultimately bring arrogance. At the end of the day, only God is indispensable,” he stated.
The governor added: “I must make it unequivocally clear that I will be very impatient and completely intolerant of any kind of indiscipline, unethical behaviour and corruption. We must work very hard to successfully translate all our electoral promises into visible, concrete and life-changing outcomes for the citizens.”
Responding on behalf of the newly sworn-in cabinet members, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Dayo Apata (SAN), pledged their commitment to honesty, impartiality, transparency and hard work in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Apata described their appointments as a call to service, noting that the swearing-in ceremony marked the beginning of their responsibility to work closely with the government in implementing its development agenda.
He said the appointees were conscious of Oyebanji’s determination to leave enduring legacies that would stand the test of time and contribute to a better Ekiti State.
The Attorney-General stressed that public office should be regarded as a position of trust and service rather than a commercial enterprise, assuring residents that the new cabinet members would discharge their duties with integrity and accountability.
He also expressed appreciation to the governor and the people of Ekiti State for the opportunity to serve, assuring that the commissioners and special advisers would hit the ground running and translate the administration’s vision into concrete achievements.
Following the ceremony, the newly sworn-in commissioners and special advisers took their oaths of secrecy at the Executive Council Chambers before participating in their maiden State Executive Council meeting.
Dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye; Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro; and Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Folakemi Olomojobi.
Also present were members of the State House of Assembly, other members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers, community leaders and family members of the appointees.
