The Special Adviser to Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde on Culture and Tourism, Hon. Akeem Ademola Ige has enjoined all political appointees at the local government level to ensure that they complement the efforts of the present administration in the State at spreading dividends of democracy to the people in their respective council areas.
Hon. Ademola Ige stated this in his remark at the closing ceremony of a 2-day training retreat organized for the Special Advisers, Special Assistants and other local government political appointees in Oyo State held at an event centre, Ibadan.
According to him, “when we talk about spreading dividends of democracy to the masses it is from you that they can better feel it because you are the closest to them at the grassroots.
You were carefully appointed to add value to the government through the portfolio that was given to you at the local level but not to be at loggerhead or in rivalry with the elected Chairmen, councillors or supervisory councillors.
I want to talk to you from my experience as a former council Chairman, former state Lawmaker, former Senior Special Assistant and now Special Adviser to the Governor and House of Representatives hopeful,
if you want to continue to remain relevant in politics, don’t ever disconnect yourself from your people. Be aware that unlike before, 80 to 90 per cent of phone calls you will be receiving may be for personal requests but that should not discourage you to detach yourself from them.
This is important because the majority of you are aiming higher than this present position but you should see this as a stepping stone and your action and inaction now will determine how far you will go and how soon you will achieve that aim.”
Hon. Ademola Ige stated further that the local government appointees have very significant roles to play in ensuring the continuity of the PDP led government, adding that Governor Seyi Makinde and the leadership of the party are watching their activities in this regard.
He further reminded them that the moment they were appointed, they have become public figures, hence they must be mindful of their utterances and behaviour in the public, stressing that there is now a limitation to their freedom as a public figures.
“As I said earlier, I have worked with four Governors in this state and I can boldly tell you that we have never had it so good as this because none of the previous administrations can be compared to this present one under His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde in terms of the welfare of workers, building infrastructures, health care delivery, agriculture, education, sensitivity to the issue of security and human relations.” He disclosed.
Hon. Ademola Ige who advised the participants to make use of their position to improve themselves in all ramifications – intellectually, educationally, spiritually and so on, urged them to work assiduously for the re-election of Governor Seyi Makinde’s second term in office come 2023.
He commended the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government, Hon. Kazeem Adeniyi for jointly organizing such a timely and befitting seminar for the political appointees at the local government in the State.
