Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu who is the Governor of Lagos State, yesterday denied any rift between the Executive and Legislative arms of government in the State, stressing that he rejects the feelings of taking arms in totality.
The Governor pointed out that were the Executive designed to be omnipotent and omniscient, the oversight function of the Legislature would have been needless.
Sanwo-Olu made the remarks in his speech shortly after the swearing-in of 37-member State Exco in Alausa, noting his Second Term would be to build on the successes of the first four years in office.
The 37 new cabinet members are, Lawal Pedro – Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Bolaji Dada – Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Akin Abayomi – Commissioner for Health, Tokunbo Wahab – Commissioner for Environment, Moruf Akinderu Fatai – Commissioner for Housing and Gbenga Omotoso – Commissioner for Information and Strategy.
Others include, Ibrahim Layode – Commissioner for Home Affairs, Mobolaji Ogunlende – Commissioner for Youths and Social Development, Dayo Alebiosu-Bush – Commissioner for Waterfronts Infrastructure, Abisola Olusanya – Commissioner for Agriculture, Rotimi Fashola – Special Adviser, Agriculture, Gbenga Oyerinde – Commissioner for Special Duties and Toke Benson-Awoyinka – Commissioner for Tourism.
Others are, Osiyemi Oluwaseun – Commissioner for Transportation, Tunbosun Alake – Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo – Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pension, Engr. Abiola Olowu – Special Adviser, Commerce, Industry and Investment, Kayode Bolaji Roberts – Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Mosopefoluwa George – Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Sola Giwa – Special Adviser, Transportation, Olajide Babatunde – Special Adviser, eGIS, Idris Aregbe – Special Adviser, Tourism Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih-Awokoya – Special Adviser, Health, Adekunle Olayinka – Special Adviser, Works and Infrastructure and AbdulKabir Opeyemi Ogungbo – Special Adviser, Taxation and Pension.
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The rest are, Folashade Ambrose-Medem – Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Bola Olumegbon – Special Adviser, Central Business District, Jamiu Alli-Balogun – Commissioner for Basic Education, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu – Special Adviser, Environment, Afolabi Abiodun Tajudeen – Special Adviser, Political Education and Civic Engagement, Akinyeri Bankole Ajigbotafe – Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Barakat Odunuga-Bakare – Special Adviser, Housing, Yekini Nurudeen Agbaje – Special Adviser, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Olumide Oluyinka – Commissioner for Physical Planning, Abayomi Samson Oluyomi – Commissioner for Finance, Iyabode Oyeyemi Ayoola – Special Adviser, Central Internal Audit and Tolani Sule Akibu – Commissioner for Tertiary Education.
Sanwo-Olu said, ‘It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to this historic occasion, the swearing-in of new Commissioners and Special Advisers to form the new, improved Executive Council of Lagos State. This occasion is historic because it is another milestone in our democratic odyssey, and a fulfillment of the provisions of our Constitution.
‘In a world troubled by instability and a rising suspicion of the value of democracy in some quarters, this event and the journey to get here demonstrates how well we are doing, and how well we have imbibed the tenets of democracy.
‘Earlier, I alluded to the painstaking effort at selecting the members of this Executive Council. The process worked in the very way that it was designed to, a collaborative effort between the Executive and Legislature to throw up the best hands that will serve the people of Lagos State.
‘Accordingly, I want to express my utmost gratitude to the Honourable Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Mudashiru Obasa; and to every member of the Lagos State House of Assembly. As representatives of our people in their various constituencies, they did the job required of them by our Constitution. This Executive Council is so much better for their efforts.
‘Let me go further to say that I am not unaware of the feelings in some quarters that the initial rejection of some nominees by the Lagos State House of Assembly, necessitating the submission of a revised list of nominees, signified a call to arms between the Executive and the Legislature. I reject such feelings in totality.
‘Were the Executive designed to be omnipotent and omniscient, the very important oversight function of the Legislature will be needless.
‘Thankfully, our Constitution recognises that our people will be best served with a system of Checks and Balances that is led by independent bodies in each Arm of Government. This system demands collaboration, and a willingness to give and take without rancour. That is what the Executive and Legislature of Lagos State, in the past few weeks, have fully demonstrated in arriving at this event today. Once again, I thank the Right Honourable Speaker and all members of the Lagos State House of Assembly for their diligence, cooperation and contribution.’
The Governor tasked the new members of the Executive Council on the spirit of cooperation and collaboration with the State House of Assembly, saying the people of Lagos State demand and expect the best.