Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode monday swore in five newly appointed members of the State Executive Council, urging them to uphold the policy of inclusive governance that defined the focus of his administration.
Ambode, however, asked the new cabinet members to infuse creativity and innovation into governance, noting that his government “cannot afford to rely on the status quo approach to providing solution to new and emerging issues.”
He gave the advice at their inauguration at the Executive Council Chambers, Alausa, explaining that there “is still a lot of work to be done in order to achieve the desired vision of Lagos we all want to see, live and work in.”
He had fortnight ago dropped three commissioners namely; Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola, who was the Acting Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mr. Femi Odubiyi of the Ministry of Science & Technology and Mr. Anifowoshe Abiola of the Ministry of Physical Planning & Urban Development.
He had, subsequently, appointed Mr. Hakeem Fahm as the Commissioner for Science & Technology, Mr. Ladi Lawanson for Transportation, Mr. Segun Banjo for Economic Planning & Budget, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye for Commerce and Industry and Mr. Hakeem Sulaiman as the Special Adviser on Communities & Communications.
He swore the new cabinet members Deputy Governor, Dr. Oluranti Adebule and Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, thereby calling for a new approach to problem-solving given the challenges often associated with megacities.
Specifically, the governor explained that his administration had relied on the power of innovation and creativity to achieve sustainable growth in Lagos State given its cosmopolitan nature and the peculiar challenges of a mega city
On this ground, Ambode noted that the state could no longer afford “to rely on the status quo approach to providing solution to new and emerging issues. We must, therefore, as a matter of necessity, adopt new methods to achieve greater efficiency and increased productivity.”
He added that the greatest asset of his administration “is the goodwill of the people which cuts across all segments of the society. We will sustain this goodwill by upholding our policy of inclusion and implementing programmes and projects that will positively and directly impact on the livelihood of all our people.
“Moving Lagos forward on the path of sustainable growth requires regular stock taking and injection of new ideas to reinvigorate and reenergize government machinery. This is the thinking behind the appointment of the new members of the State Executive Council whom we have just sworn in today.”
He noted that the council “is the highest policy making body of the state which is charged with the responsibility of implementing government programmes. It is my expectation that you will bring to bear, your knowledge, expertise and experience, on the mandate of the Ministries to which you have been assigned and the overall vision of this administration.”
