Despite criticism from the opposition party, Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on Monday, December 13, swore in his son, Babajide Akeredolu, as Adviser and Director-General of the state’s Performance and Project Implementation Monitoring Unit.
The Commissioners who were also sworn in by the governor include Mrs Bamidele Ademola Olateju – Akoko South-East; Otunba Adefarati Adegboyega – Akoko South West; Rt. Hon. Fatai Olotu- Akoko North-East; Dr. Julianah Oshadahun – Akoko North West; Otunba Dele Ologun -Akure North; Mr. Sunday Adekunle – Idanre and Engr. Razak Obe -Ifedore.
Others are Dr. Banji Awolowo Ajaka- Ilaje; Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan – Irele; Mrs Yetunde Adeyanju- Odigbo; Mr. Femi Agagu – Okitipupa; Hon. Akinlosotu Adewale- Ondo East; Deaconess Lola Fagbemi- Ondo West and Chief Olayato Aribo- Ose.
The Special Advisers include: Chief (Dr) Victor Ategbole; Dr. (Mrs) Wunmi Ilawole; Barr. Tobi Ogunleye; Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye; Mrs Olamide Falana; Dr. Francis Adedayo Faduyile and Mr Niyi Oseni.
The Governor, while charging the newly sworn-in cabinet members to show leadership in whatever positions they find themselves, asked them to shun acts that stand at variance with the expectations of the people.
The governor, while justifying his decision to appoint his son, Babajide as Director-General of Performance and Project Implementation Monitoring Unit, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary Richard Olatunde, said
“The need to recalibrate our development agenda has given rise to the establishment of the Performance and Project Implementation Monitoring Unit (PPIMU). This will assist us in ensuring value for all resources being deployed by our government.”
According to the governor, the PPIMU, office of his son has been charged with a number of mandates which include: to design and implement project management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation platform for the office of the governor, to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the execution of the Ondo State 8-point agenda, state development plan and its approved programmes and projects.
Babajide’s appointment comes about 20 months after Akeredolu bragged that he could reward his son for his hard work during the campaign for his election and that there was nothing anyone could do about it.
He said his son worked hard during his campaign and that there was nothing anyone could do if he decided to appoint him as his Chief of Staff.
The governor while speaking during a dinner organised in commemoration of his third anniversary in March 2020 said his son worked harder than most members of the campaign.
“When somebody says Baba (Babajide) is this, I just laugh at them. If I wanted to make Baba my chief of staff, he can be; did you do more than him in the campaign? Ask yourself, how many of you did more than Baba in the campaign? How many?” he had asked.
“The young boy was going everywhere and all of us saw him but we decided not to because he wouldn’t want it. My son is satisfied, that’s why. If he is not, I will put him somewhere, there is nothing anybody can do. I will put him there, there is nothing you can do. Is he not my son? Is he not from Ondo state? Has he not worked?”