A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, has urged the Minister of State for Transport, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, to bring to bear his wealth of experience and integrity on the transformation of the transport sector in the country.
Adegoroye, a former Acting Chairman of the Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, Zamfara State, is one of the seven new Ministers sworn in by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday.
Ahmed, a former Head of Service and former Minister of Defence, who commended the President for Adegoroye’s appointment, said people like the Akure Prince deserve their opportunities to serve the country with the capacity and intelligence they process.
Ahmed made these remarks in Abuja on Thursday while chairing a dinner in honour of the Minister hosted by a former Permanent Secretary, Dr. Goke Adegoroye.
Expressing optimism that Adegoroye will make a difference in the transport sector, Ahmed said he has been highly impressed with the antecedents, political experience and leadership qualities of the minister.
He said: “Ademola is a very distinguished politician in Ondo State and Ondo being one of the highly educated states in Nigeria from time immemorial, I have no doubt in his ability to perform well in his new assignment.
“The remaining months of the government is still enough for you to make your own mark. You only need to remain sincere, honest, hard working and committed to the ideals of good governance. Nigeria needs people like you at this crucial junction.”
Ahmed, however, urged the minister to de-emphasize politics in order to concentrate on governance, saying Nigeria is at a point that all hands must be on deck to tackle the current challenges bedeviling the country.
Also speaking, the host of the event, Dr. Goke Adegoroye, uncle of the minister, urged him to make the best use of the remaining months of the Buhari administration to make a lasting impact on the administration and the country.
Responding, the minister thanked all the guests who came to honour him, promising that he would hit the ground running in making indelible contributions to the development of the transport sector.
Commending Buhari on the achievements so far recorded in the sector, including expansion of railway network and new ports development, Adegoroye said attention will be placed on the completion of many of those projects in the coming months.
Talking about his colleague, the Minister of Transport, Engr. Mu:azu Sambo, Adegoroye said even though he was yet to meet him, all he had heard about him are positive, as he’s said to be a pleasant gentleman, adding that they will work very hard closely together to make their impact in the one year or less left in the dispensation.
“Even though I have never met him, everyone who knows him has told me that Engr. Sambo is easygoing, humble, pleasant and a purposeful man, with a good track record in the public sector. I am sure we can leverage on his capacity and experience for us to move the Ministry forward seamlessly”, he added
Earlier, a separate reception in honour of the minister in Abuja was attended by former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who described Adegoroye as a fine gentleman, who has indeed paid his dues as a leader of men and responsible politician and he’s undoubtedly qualified for his new position.
Other dignitaries at the event included Justice Bode Adegbehingbe of the Ondo State judiciary, Mr. Ogaga Ovarawah, SAN, Mrs. Funmi Awoloomo, SAN, Dr. Remi Olatubora, SAN, Mrs. Nmadi Ogbwue, a former Managing Director of the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) and members of the National Assembly, among others.
