Oyebanji: I’ll lead by example in appointing right people

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has said he was prepared to lead by example and be guided in appointing the right people into political offices.

Oyebanji said key requirements of prospective appointees would include among others, commitment, compassion, fear of God, character, and acceptability by the people.

He said this at the interfaith thanksgiving service organised to mark his resumption in office.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Olayinka Oyebode, the governor, who pleaded with political leaders and members of the State House of Assembly to show understanding and buy into his policies and programmes, said for the state to move forward, people must be ready to bear the pains, and sacrifices it requires.

“I how I wish going forward, in appointing people to offices, we would look at people who have compassion, fear God, character, people that are burden bearers indeed and are acceptable to the people. But when we get to that point we usually forget about what we have heard. I have made a pledge to Ekiti people, I am going to be guided by these things.

“We can get Ekiti to be a pride of state in Nigeria but it cannot come easily and I am going to lead by example, I am going to lead from the front and you will. I plead with members of House of Assembly to show understanding, because I need their support and their buy-in in whatever I do because I am going to need their support in moving forward,” Governor Oyebanji said.

Speaking in separate sermons at the service, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Ekiti State, Dr Emmanuel Aribasoye, advised the governor to appoint transformational leaders that are not self-seeking but burden bearers that are connected to the grassroots.

Aribasoye said: “Appoint people who love God and the people, appoint those who are innovative, and who believe in the ‘Project Ekiti’; appoint those who have something to bring to the table not those who want to share from the table, appoint real advisors and not sad visors.”

On his part, the Chief Imam, Ekiti State University, Prof. Musa Abdu-Raheem, urged Oyebanji to uphold the principle of justice and fairness in his administration with the understanding that all position of authority belongs to God.

The event held at the Government House grounds in Ado-EKiti, the state capital, had in attendance, the deputy governor, Mrs Monisola Afuye; wife of the governor, Dr Yemi Oyebanji; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon Funminiyi Afuye; former deputy governor, Abiodun Aluko; the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro; among others.

The Star

Segun Ojo