By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the new governor of Kogi State has appointed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in the immediate past administration, Dr (Mrs) Folashade Arike Ayoade as his SSG.
Ododo who is the 5th Executive Governor of the state disclosed this in his inaugural speech to the people shortly after inauguration on Saturday in Lokoja saying that the appointments were with immediate effect.
He said that the move to reappoint the SSG alongside 35 others into political offices was in line with the pledge of his administration to hit the ground running,
It would be recalled that Ayoade who is from the Kogi West Senatorial District has been the SSG in the last eight years of the immediate past administration of Governor Yayaha Bello.
The new Governor said that the appointments were in consonance with his administration’s mantra of continuity and consolidation as a student of Governor Yahaya Bello’s School of Thought.
“Hence, we do not intend to keep the people of Kogi State in doubt about the character of this administration as they are eagerly waiting to key into our policies and programmes.
“Therefore, I will today be presenting the names of the following nominees to the Kogi State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation as members of the Kogi State Executive Council under my administration.
The appointments include: Secretary to Kogi State Government, Dr (Mrs) Folashade Arike Ayode and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Ali Bello.
Others are Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor in the Office of the Deputy Governor, Hon. Hilary Ojoma-Egwada; Head of Service, Elijah Egwemi; State Security Advisor, Comdr Jerry Omodara (Retired).
Others are: The Special Advisor on Media to the Governor, Hon. Issa Ismail; Director-General of Protocol, in Hon. Sulemani Ibrahim; Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Oladele John Niyi; Director-General, Government House, Alhaji Shaibu Umaru Oricha; State Legal Advisor to the Governor, Hon. Barr Mohammed Sanni (SAN).
Ododo also said he would be presenting the names of the following nominees to the Kogi State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation as Commissioners designate and members of Kogi State Executive Council under his administration.
They include Engr Farooq Danlami; Barr Salami Mohamed Deedat Ozigi; Engr Bashir Abubakar; Dr Adams Abdulaziz; Engr Joseph Oluwasegun; Mr Kingsley Femi Fanwo; Barr Muiz Yunus Abdullah and Hon. Wemi Jones.
Others are: Hon. Mrs. Rabietu Okute; Hon. Farooq Gizli; Hajiya Fatima Momoh; Engr Mohamed Yusuf; Hon. Timothy Ojoma; Hon. Sunday Faleke; Mr. Abani Kataye; Hon. Asuwaji Idris Ashiru; and Engr Mohamed Ihiezue Abdumutallib;
Governor Ododo appealed to the leadership of Kogi State House of Assembly to accord the Commissioner designates speedy consideration in the usual cooperation between the Legislature and the Executive in the state.
He used the opportunity to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Vice President Kashim Shettima; National Chairman of APC, Dr Abdullah Umar Ganduje and other leaders for ensuring that Nigeria remains united.
“They have been trying to make sure we remain united because we are made to understand by them that governance is all about the people. I want to sincerely appreciate you”, he said.