Being the full remarks by His Excellency Seyi Makinde, the Executive Governor Of Oyo State, at the Inauguration of the State Executive Council and swearing-in of new commissioners on Friday, August 6, 2021
Two years ago, I inaugurated the first State Executive Council with 14 members. The number eventually grew to 17, a cabinet I had to dissolve about a month ago. All seven of you here were members of that cabinet. As they say, you don’t change a winning team. But they did not say you should not reassess your team. In fact, regular assessments and reassessments are important to keep teams working optimally. So, to all 7 of you here today, I say, welcome back.
The time off you got, I hope that you used it to rest and reinvigorate yourself for the task ahead. You have just under two years left to make even greater marks in your various portfolios. Our administration has become known for sustainable development in all sectors, with no communities left behind. We want to continue to do even more than what we have done.
Two years ago, I spoke to you about the key role you would play in ensuring that our people partake of “omituntun” we promised. Today, there is clear evidence of the massive works we have done in the four pillars upon which our Roadmap to Accelerated Development in Oyo State, 2019-2023, is built and all other sectors.
Yes, we have done so much already, but this is no time to rest on our oars. Rather, we should be thinking of more innovative ways to deliver on our mandate and positively touch the lives of the good people of Oyo State. When we complete our tenure in office, we would have set a new bar on governance in Oyo State.
I hear people sometimes say the bar on governance is so low that the bare minimum is being praised. And then I remember that over a year ago, they said, “everything is audio”. From it being audio, they are now acknowledging the visuals. By the time we are done, they will also admit that we have set a new bar on governance. The people of Oyo State will no longer be dragged down to the days of mediocre leadership. You all have a role to play in ensuring that empathetic leadership becomes the new normal in Oyo State.
One of the books I am reading this month talks about how power dynamics have changed and how leaders are being held more accountable. I think it is a good thing that the people of Oyo State are asking more questions. We have provided channels for them to do this. I will also continue to ask you questions to ensure that we remain on the path to sustainable development in Oyo State.
So, I urge you to rededicate yourself to your position. You presented your scorecard before the state assembly, which was a prerequisite to your re-appointment. I want you to look at that assessment and ask yourself if that was indeed your best. Are there ways you can serve the people of Oyo State better? There is definitely a difference between doing something and getting high praise for it and doing your personal best and pushing yourself to the limits. The latter is certainly more desirable.
Ask yourself: “How do I want to be remembered?” Write down your answer and then revisit that answer quarterly and measure your activities against your goals. This is a sure way to self-correct any inadequacies you may notice.
So once again, I welcome you back to the Oyo State Executive Council. In the next few weeks, we will have the whole cabinet once more. Our goals will remain the same: To do everything in our power to take Oyo State from poverty to prosperity.
I congratulate you all on your re-appointments.
Let’s do this again!
Thank you, and God bless you.
~ Governor Seyi Makinde, August 6, 2021