There is no gainsaying that Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Governor-Elect of Ogun State, would be a different kind of governor.
Every matrix and action points in this direction. Perhaps one of the most prepared persons for the job of governance of a cosmopolitan Nigerian state, a boardroom guru and successful businessman, the announcement of his transition committee team members with mandate to implement the action plans of his administration that is to kick- off on May 29, is a further pointer to his preparedness and profundity.
Interestingly, like he had promised the people of Ogun State that his focus would be on the rejuvenation and rebuilding of the state’s economy; rather than the conventional transition committee usually instituted by other state governor-elects, Prince Abiodun specifically named his, the Economic Transition Group.
He would further break ranks with the conventional way of Nigerian politicians with the composition of the broad-based committee. He looked outside his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, to painstakingly select from critical stakeholders, experts, women, youth, the organised private sector, people with special needs and non-indigenes, among others, a robust and rich blend of human resources, which is a further demonstration again that the incoming governor’s commitment to inclusiveness is not a lip service.
To ensure effective and efficient discharge of its assignment, the Economic Transition Committee will be assisted by work groups, each of which will focus on its assigned thematic area such as Education, Youth and Sports, Health and Social Services, Commerce and Industry, Government Processes, Agriculture and Food Security e.t.c.
According to a statement announcing the committee members, “There are 10 workgroups to focus not only on key items in our manifesto but also on connected matters that strengthen institutions and build capacity that will ensure that government agencies deliver on their mandates effectively and efficiently on a sustainable basis. The motivation of the Ogun State workforce is a very key objective in this regard.”
On the list are a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Tunde Lemo, who is chairman of the committee; preeminent chartered accountant, Folusho Phillips; former deputy governor, Salimot Badru; legal luminary, Prof. Konyin Ajayi, SAN; foremost public affairs commentator and deputy governorship candidate of the PDP in Ogun, Dr Reuben Abati.
There are also the Governorship candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka and Rotimi Paseda respectively, among other distinguished Nigerians. While the Economic Transition Committee will focus on developing the roadmap, another committee has been set up to interface with the incumbent government to ensure a smooth and orderly change of administration in the state.
At the inauguration of the committee members held at the TCC Resort and Conference Centre, Remo, Ogun State, the Governor-elect said that Ogun State is blessed with an abundance of human resources in all fields of endeavour and this is reflected in the array of distinguished sons and daughters who have volunteered their skills, rich and diverse experience and vast network to work on this important assignment. “Our commitment to providing an inclusive government is expressed in the composition of the committee,” he said.
According to Akogun Olanrewaju Alfred, Convener of the Dapo Abiodun Alliance Group, a coalition of young professionals that went around the state during electioneering, propagating the ideals and vision of Prince Abiodun, “The Governor-elect has shown that indeed, he has the best intentions for the people of Ogun State and he is ready to work with the best hands from everywhere around the world to achieve this.
“We are particularly happy that he did not pander to party or ethnic or religious sentiments in his selection of members of the Economic Transition Committee and the workgroups. The people of Ogun State should brace up for the beautiful days ahead.”
Source The Capital
