*Says reappointment means greater responsibility, less tolerance for lapses
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, on Tuesday, swore in the reappointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, and Chief of Staff, Mr Oyeniyi Adebayo, charging them to deploy the wealth of experience they acquired during the first term of his administration to deliver on their responsibilities without delay.
The Governor declared that his second-term administration would not tolerate anything short of excellent service delivery, noting that the reappointment of the two officials placed greater responsibilities on them to serve the government and the people of Ekiti State.
At the brief swearing-in ceremony held at the Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office in Ado-Ekiti, Governor Oyebanji clarified the nature of the two offices, explaining that while stakeholders could nominate commissioners and special advisers, the SSG and Chief of Staff were his personal choices and closest administrative aides.
He commended the two officials for their loyalty, dedication and contributions to the administration, describing them as steady hands who had served creditably as foundation appointees since he assumed office four years ago.
The Governor stressed that their reappointment was a call to greater service and higher responsibility, urging them to hit the ground running and demonstrate renewed humility, commitment and dedication to duty.
Govenror Oyebanji cautioned them against becoming complacent, overconfident or too comfortable in their positions, emphasising that the demands of the second term required a higher level of diligence, discipline and accountability.
Governor Oyebanji also noted that the two officials would face considerable pressure in the coming weeks as they would be expected to multitask and provide administrative support to cover existing vacancies in government, pending the constitution of the full cabinet.
The Governor reminded them that their appointments were made possible by the mandate freely given to the administration by the people of Ekiti State, urging them to remain accessible, respectful and compassionate in their dealings with citizens.
“Treat our people with courtesy; be compassionate, humble, fair and God-fearing. It is their votes that brought us here. So, by extension, they are our employer.
“They put us into this job. We cannot get to office and assume to be lords over them,” he said.
While congratulating the appointees, their friends and family members present at the ceremony, the Governor urged them to continue to pray for the success of the administration.
He described their reappointment as evidence that good performance attracts greater responsibility, while acknowledging that there were areas in need of improvement during the first term.
“This reappointment is, therefore, proof that the reward for good work is more work. But I will be dishonest if I do not acknowledge that there were areas in need of improvement.
“You, therefore, have no reason to grope around. The burden that comes with this, however, is that I will be less tolerant of lapses than I was in the first administration because you cannot claim inexperience again,” the Governor said.
Speaking on behalf of the duo, Prof. Adubiaro expressed profound gratitude to Governor Oyebanji for the confidence reposed in them, commending his compassionate leadership, humility and unwavering support throughout her public service and academic career.
She also lauded the Governor for what she described as an unbroken record of good governance in Ekiti State, noting that the developmental strides recorded during his first term had earned him widespread respect across different segments of society and laid the foundation for continuity and further progress.
The SSG pledged the renewed commitment of the two appointees to the service of the state, assuring the Governor that they would not take their reappointments for granted but would redouble their efforts to justify the confidence reposed in them.
