The immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Friday, urged the newly inaugurated commissioners and special advisers in the state to steer clear of actions capable of making them become a cog in the wheel of progress.
Fayemi urged them to rather focus on excellent service delivery in order to bring additional value to the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
The former governor, who gave the advice in his remarks at the ongoing three-day retreat for members of the Ekiti State Executive Council and accounting officers, in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, said Oyebanji was already doing well and making giant strides in the areas of development and inclusivity.
He expressed gladness that the Oyebanji administration had become a reference point for continuity in governance, adding that the main task before the new commissioners should be how to add value to the administration.
He said, “When I was asked by an interviewer to describe the quality of my would-be successor, I remember saying that I would want a successor that can perform excellently well, relate well with the people, be sociable, and one that possesses street credibility.
“I am happy to say that Governor Oyebanji is doing all of that. He is doing a great job, the evidence is all over the place. He is also out there relating well with the people regardless of their political leaning. He has been able to broaden the base and bring more admiration for the government.
“Governor Oyebanji has almost turned the state into a one-party state – the Ekiti Party. The issue here is we should not become internal enemy to ourselves. As commissioners, don’t become poison in the system.
“You should count yourselves privileged to be appointed Exco members. Focus on service. And service is all about sacrifice, not self-seeking”, the former governor said.
Fayemi urged the new appointees to familiarise themselves with the state’s 30-year master plan and the six-pillar development agenda of the Oyebanji administration and translate them into action in their respective MDAs, adding that that is one of the ways to add value to the administration.
Fayemi advised the EXCO members to accord respect to the established leaders and elders of the party and channel their energy on their primary assignment in government.
Oyebanji thanked the former governor for making out time for the retreat despite the short notice
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