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The Lagos State Executive Council on Wednesday held a valedictory session for two of its members who resigned to pursue their desire to continue to serve people at higher capacities through elective offices, with Governor Babatunde Fashola, SAN applauding the selfless and invaluable contributions they made to the development of the state.
The two members were the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Oluranti Adebule, who is currently running as Deputy Governor alongside the Gubernatorial Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State and Special Adviser on Youth and Social Development, Dr Dolapo Badru, who is contesting as Member of House of Representatives Candidate of the Party.
In his remarks at the Executive Council Chambers of the Lagos House, Ikeja, Governor Fashola, said the glowing tributes made by the colleagues of the departing members of the Council were very instructive because they were peer judgment which, according to him, “is most decisive”.
The Governor told the two former Council members, “These comments are very important because they were said by your peers and peer judgment is the most decisive judgment and for your peers to think very highly of you, it speaks volume. The respect that is most often the most difficult to earn is what you have earned”.
Noting that the tributes by heads of various government agencies showed the inter-ministerial and interdepartmental dependency of the efficiency of any serious government, the Governor declared, “If any ministry and its departments don’t work together, service delivery would be difficult to actualize”, adding that no Ministry could do anything alone.
He expressed satisfaction that over the years, succeeding administrations in the State including his own have built the spirit of teamwork adding, “The Executive and the Legislature have become models of example”.
Describing the secretary to the State Government, Dr Oluranti Adebule, as one “with a very amiable disposition that is very easy to get on with”, Governor Fashola added that she represents the youthfulness in the Lagos State Executive Council team.
“I think everyone would agree that our youthful days are something that we still very much cling to. Through her amiable disposition, we have diffused very contentious memos with banters across the board. I will miss her. Her nomination brings the potentiality of continuity to the Akinwunmi Ambode Governorship”, the Governor said.
Also thanking the Special Adviser on Youth and Social Development, Dr. Dolapo Badru, “for his passion and commitment towards youths, issues of destitute, deviant behaviours and their reformation”, Fashola noted that the former Special Adviser made it easier for an office of Youth and Social Development to be created as a separate office, adding that Dr Badru was also responsible for putting in place “a more structures control of the process of adoption of children which ensured that only people who have the means and disposition in terms of character and conduct got the custody of such children”.
Describing the feedbacks he has been getting concerning the two former Council members as very commendable, Governor Fashola expressed the confidence that irrespective of their new positions and call of duties, they would remain ambassadors of the State Executive Council.
Earlier in his comments on the departing colleagues, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, said the former Secretary to the State Government always ensured that Executive Council meetings were well documented pointing out that although it was not an easy start for her, she quickly got on top of the job and that it got to a time when one could say there were no difficulties there.
The Attorney General described her choice as running mate to Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode as “an exceptionally good one” adding that she would be an asset to the incoming Governor.
The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Sola Oworu, who also spoke on the former SSG, said despite the fact that she was the youngest member of the team, she still exerted herself describing the Deputy Governorship Candidate as “an astute and very amiable politician” who would, with her experience, represent the women folk very well in the next administration.
Commenting on Dr. Dolapo Badru, the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Hon Oyinlomo Danmole, described him as “a politician who is always supportive of other politicians” adding that the former Special Adviser demonstrated commitment and service in the course of his duties and when he later consulted his colleagues on his political ambition, everyone of them supported him.
In her remarks on Dr Dolapo Badru, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, described him as an astute politician who is also very passionate about his job saying her experience with the former Special Adviser was very wonderful especially in terms of taking care of welfare of children in remand centres and correctional homes.
The Deputy Governor, Hon (Mrs.) Adejoke Orelope- Adefulire, who also volunteered comments about the two departing Executive Council members, congratulated them on their upliftment, saying she particularly felt proud of Dr Oluranti Adebule who she described as a good ambassador of the womenfolk.
She also described Dr Dolapo Badru as a very passionate social worker who demonstrated a knack for hard work and thoroughness at all times and was always helpful to the cause of women and children.
In his response, Dr Dolapo Badru said it was a delight that he has worked with very professional colleagues and thanked the Governor for the opportunity he gave to him to serve the State adding that Governor Fashola engineered his vision about service and gave him the push to always resolve that nothing but the best is what the people of Lagos deserve and should get.
The former Secretary to the State Government while responding expressed her appreciation to the Council members for their support and cooperation with her while in the Council, adding that when she was sworn in, she had her fears about how she would cope as the youngest member.
She said the Governor has been particularly very supportive and was always ready to listen and explain grey areas to her concerning even some past policy decisions of the State adding that one of the attributes of the Governor that she would take along to her next point of duty was the willingness to listen to people.
The valedictory session had in attendance members of the State Executive Council.
