Protocols,
1. Introduction
It is with a heart full of gratitude to God that I rise to address the
people of Ogun State this morning as the next elected Governor of Ogun
State. When I look back at my life: the humble beginnings from which I
came, and the battles of life that I have survived, it is obvious that, it is by
2
His grace alone, that I could have come this far and that I see the dawn of
this day. Today, by the grace of God Almighty, and the goodwill of the
people of Ogun State, and others too numerous to mention, we stand on
the threshold of a new dawn and a new beginning.
Let me start this address by acknowledging my predecessors in this
office, those who have held this exalted position since the state was
created in 1976. Each of these compatriots has served the State with
varying degrees of commitment, vigour and vision. I am honoured to have
3
taken the mantle of leadership handed down by these great men and I
accept the same with a deep sense of responsibility.
There is no gain saying the fact that Ogun State is unique and well
endowed, in many respects. It is well acknowledged that Ogun State is
home to some of the greatest Nigerians of all times. Though a toddler at
nation’s independence, the hope of a strong, united and prosperous
Nigeria was still very much pervasive in the country later in my adolescent
years.
4
To the good people of Ogun State, you have now provided me the
mandate to serve our dear State. When I signed the Oath of Allegiance
and Oath of Office a while ago, I solemnly did so beyond being a
requirement for formal assumption of office. It was much more than that.
I hold it as a tripartite covenant between me and God, on one part, to
serve Him and reciprocate His faithfulness through the journey so far by
being a tool to bring the greatest good to the greatest number of Ogun
State people, regardless of creed, gender and political affiliation. On the
other part, it is also a covenant with the good people of Ogun State.
5
• You will always find in me conduct of Omoluabi expected of Omo
Teacher!
• I will govern with character!
• I will serve you diligently and sincerely!
• I will make your interests the core of governance!
• I will neither personalise nor abuse the mandate!
• I will not betray your trust
2. Building: Always a Collective Task
6
Our vision summarises the kernel of our Agenda:
“To give Ogun State focused and qualitative governance
and to create the enabling environment for a public
private sector partnership, which is fundamental to the
creation of an enduring economic development and
individual prosperity of the people of Ogun.”
In our determination to achieve this vision and hit the ground running,
we set up Economic Transition Committee of eminent sons and daughters
of Ogun State and Work Groups to develop a Blueprint and an
7
Implementation Roadmap. The Work Groups held a series of engagements
with stakeholders in the State and interfaced with other stakeholders
outside the State, including but not limited to development partners and
multilateral organisations.
The Committee and Work Groups comprised of not only technocrats
and professionalsfrom the industry, but actors in the political space drawn
from our great party, All Progressives Congress (APC), and other major
political parties in the State, including co-contestants for the seat of the
governor. This collaborative and inclusive approach, the first of its kind in
8
the state, will continue to underpin the conduct of government affairs. My
strong belief is that our State will benefit from the collective wisdom,
knowledge and passion of all citizens that are in abundance across the
different regions of our State and the political parties and groups.
I am proud that we have received the preliminary report of the
Economic Transition Committee and delighted that a number of initiatives
have emerged that will no doubt propel our State in the desired direction.
Once again, I thank all the members of the Economic Transition
Committee ably led by Mr. Tunde Lemo. If our Agenda development has
9
been deliberate, our disciplined approach and execution strategies will
even be more so.
3. Public Service Reform
We are aware that the workers in Ogun State have been confronted
with a number of challenges that resulted in low morale and productivity.
While we pass no judgment before knowing all the facts, we wish to repeat
the promise made to our workers during electioneering campaigns: Our
10
workers are the prime resource of the State and an economy is only as
good as its managers. Within the limit of available resources, we shall
endeavour to be fair, open, just and equitable to all our workers and
pensioners. The Civil service must be professionalised and empowered to
carry out the basic mandate of running government operations effectively
and efficiently. We shall embark on massive re-training and relevant skills
acquisition programs especially in ICT and related managerial and
functional courses that will prepare our Civil service for the great tasks
ahead. We will ensure that their welfare is paramount and the
environment in which they work is conducive to enhance their
productivity. I trust that our workers, made up of reasonable men and
women, will moderate their demands and cooperate with us to take Ogun
State to the next level.
4. Empowerment of Local Government Council
The commitment of our Administration to the empowerment of our
Local Government Councils to effectively and efficiently discharge their
constitutionally guaranteed mandate is total. Apart from constitutional
12
arrangement that places this tier of government close to the people, it is
also in the self-enlightened interest of the State government that is
focused on good governance, like our Administration, to so do. Our
development agenda will be deepened and fast-tracked if our Local
Governments are truly governments and not just mere appendices of the
state government and salary payment centres.
My Administration will evolve a new but constitutionally backed
arrangement that will make our Local Government responsive and
responsible to the yearnings of the people.
13
5. Transparent Public Finance Management
Central to good governance is transparent and accountable public
finance management that eliminates leakages and ensures efficient and
judicious use of the commonwealth.
Some of the immediate steps in this regard are:
• Full implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA)
• Full automation of Ogun State Finance functions
• Strict adherence to Fiscal Responsibility Act
14
• Institution of Credit Rating for Ogun State by internationally accepted
rating agencies
• Strengthening of the internal audit functions
• Timely publication of audited accounts
These steps, apart from preventing leakages, will ensure prudent
financial management and also help to attract financial support from
financial institutions, multilateral agencies and development partners.
6. Security
15
It is well known that the primary responsibility of government is
security and welfare of the people. And that no meaningful development
can take place in an insecure environment. I am determined to live up to
the oath of office that invests in me the responsibility of the Chief Security
Officer of our State.
A number of recent ugly developments and security breaches indicate
that some elements in the society may be testing the grounds to gauge
16
the resolve of the new Administration to ensure security of lives and
property in the state.
I wish to make it abundantly clear to all and sundry that Ogun State
under my watch will be an unfavourable environment for criminal
elements to practice their unwholesome trade. Security agencies have
been fully briefed to visit the full weight of the law on anyone engaged in
any activity or conduct that threatens peace and security of this state.
The following are additional measures that will be taken in this regard.
17
• Immediate support to the security agencies to aid communication
and mobility
• The Security Trust Fund will be revived and the Board of Trustees will
be constituted in a manner that will gain the trust of the stakeholders,
particularly the donors, and thus enjoy their support.
7. Employment Trust Fund
Unemployment has attained the status of an epidemic in the country
and in our State too. The army of unemployed youth roaming the streets
18
should be a matter of concern to all. Lack of gainful employment and
lawful means of survival for these able-bodied young men and women
make them prone to criminal activities and immoral behaviour. We have
designed multi-pronged approach to address this unpleasant situation.
• In the next two weeks or so, a portal will be unveiled to register
unemployed persons in the state with details of their qualifications
and skills. The resultant database will be available for employers of
state and new investors to recruit from. Other uses include internship
opportunities for those who may not have immediate permanent
19
employment and nominations for intervention programmes and skills
acquisition training
• Establishment of Employment Trust Fund that will focus on providing
entrepreneurship training, skills acquisition and access to seed funds
to the trained applicants to start their businesses
• Establishment of Ogun State Enterprise Development Agency that will
facilitate the development of Micro, Small and Medium Scale
Enterprises to enhance their capacity, through Business Development
Services, Access to Market, Access to Fund and similar services.
20
8. Physical Infrastructure
In the course of electioneering, my extensive tour showed me the
unsatisfactory state of our public infrastructure roads: rural and urban,
water, electricity and housing leaves much to be desired and the concerns
of our people in this regard, are well placed. From Ilaro to Ilara, Ajebo to
Ajenbadele, Odeda to Odogbolu, Iwopin to Iwoye, Iperu to Ipokia, SangoOta to Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode to Ijoko, Igbesa to Igbogila, the story is the
same.
21
Resources appeared to have been poorly allocated as the rural areas
have been totally neglected. Our promise is that our government will be
fair in the allocation of infrastructure to all parts of the State. We shall
deploy several strategies and alternative financing options, such as Public
Private Partnership (PPP), establishment of an Infrastructure development
Bond and other initiatives in the funding and delivery of infrastructure
projects across the State. .
In order to maximise the full benefits of government spending on
infrastructure, we shall ensure adequate planning, evaluation and
22
preparation before infrastructure projects are embarked upon. This will
ensure that we get full multiplier effects on the economy and will enable
us to deliver those projects on time and on budget. Provision of multimodal transport infrastructure will be considered for different parts of the
State and will traverse rural to urban areas, commercial centers to
industrial clusters as well as connect our various towns and cities while
ensuring that all critical inter-state roads are fixed and in some cases
expanded to enable smooth flow of human and material resources as the
Gateway State. The Public Works Department will be resuscitated, and
23
empowered to commence immediate rehabilitation of some of the
township and rural roads.
In order to take advantage of the gas pipeline network that passes
through the State, we shall work closely with the power sector regulator,
NERC and the Ibadan Disco as well as private sector investors in order to
develop new IPPs through PPP especially in industrial clusters, residential
estates and commercial centers where the regular power supply will be a
major attraction to private sector investors. We shall consider deployment
of solar power especially in our communities, primary health care centers
as well as select educational institutions.
Our government understands the importance of housing as a major
social need of our people. We intend to work with private sector and
financial institutions in the deployment of affordable homes and ensuring
availability of mortgages for prospective home owners.
9. Education
The state of Education in the State is worrisome. We have been
regaled with stories of unpaid salaries, poor funding, unremitted
25
deductions, moribund projects, controversial campus relocations, hasty
appointments, strikes etc. Confidence has been eroded, Unless we act
quickly, education which is already in serious trouble will get worse. We
cannot afford to have our education, which should be the bedrock of all
our development activities, our topmost industry- be in such a state.
Today, this State has the largest number of public and private
universities, and we are what Boston is to the United States of America.
However, this legacy is being gradually eroded with the declining
standards of education system in the state and uninspiring performances
26
of the products in national and internationally moderated examinations.
Restoring the glory of Ogun State education system requires an urgent,
comprehensive and disruptive approach akin to the declaration of a State
of Emergency.
Consequently, we will convene an Education Stakeholders Summit that
will bring all experts and relevant stakeholders to discuss and proffer
solutions to the deplorable state of education in the State from Early Child
Education (ECE), to primary, secondary, tertiary as well as technical and
vocational training schools. Visitation panels will be set up to select
27
tertiary institutions for fact-finding missions and to proffer practical
solutions to the lingering problems experienced in many of these
institutions. We shall establish Centers of Excellence in our educational
institutions that will be driven by our ICT initiatives, which will contribute
significantly to research, learning and innovation through review of
curriculum, provision of broadband connectivity and strategic alliances
with other local and foreign institutions of repute. We shall ensure that
our schools are conducive for learning through provision of adequate
infrastructure and facilities. We will embark on a massive capacity building
28
program for our teachers to enable them upgrade their skills and
qualifications in order to prepare them adequately for their unique role of
imparting knowledge and finally, we shall put in place a monitoring and
performance management systems to ensure that all these interventions
bear good results.
10. Health
Topmost of any welfare initiatives for citizenry by government is the
facilitation of easy access to quality and affordable healthcare services by
29
government. This is a major component of the Building Our Future
Together Agenda. Indeed, there is no future without a sound health.
We intend to provide easy access to health through a number of
initiatives, which include:
• Focus on primary healthcare centres (PHC) as the nucleus of the
health care delivery system. This will bring healthcare services close
to the grassroots, ensure most of the day-to-day health challenges of
the people are treated locally, thus freeing the secondary and tertiary
30
health institutions to concentrate only on those ailments requiring
specialist attention as well as teaching and research. PHC’s will further
assist to collect heath related data and engage in preventive
medicine, including health education.
• Rehabilitation, equipping and adequate staffing of the General
Hospitals and Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching Hospital to serve as effective
referral centres for the lower tier healthcare delivery centres.
Government, in conjunction with stakeholders, will also consider
31
designating some of the hospitals as specialist centres to sharpen
their focus and become centres of excellence in their designated
specialist areas.
• Deliberate capacity building to upscale knowledge and skills required
to deliver effective and efficient healthcare in our hospitals.
• Restructuring of the Health Insurance Scheme to address identified
lapses and make it more efficient and affordable.
32
• The Healthcare centres will also be gradually connected to the
Broadband Internet to leverage on technology for centralised Health
Records Management System, development of reliable database on
healthcare system, and telemedicine.
11. Agriculture and Food Security
Ogun State occupies a land mass that is over 16,000 square
kilometres, most of which arable. There is no doubt that the immense
potentials of the favourable climate and fertile soil for agriculture have not
been fully harnessed. The target of this Administration is to produce
33
enough food to attain self-sufficiency in food security in the short term,
and over long term produce enough for other states and for export.
To achieve this, government will implement a framework that will
ease acquisition of land for agriculture purposes, facilitate linkages
between farmers and the industries, encourage local processing to
enhance value-chain and thus reward on investment, and organise
farmers into groups and establish an off-taker system to encourage more
production and guarantee price stability. Other initiatives include
facilitation of access to intervention funds to provide the much-needed
34
capitals and encouragement of our youths to take advantage of the
incentives in Agriculture and become Agro-entrepreneurs.
Furthermore, our farm settlements that used to be the main stay of
the economy of our region under Chief Obafemi Awolowo will be revived
and new ones will be established that will have the full compliments of
modern day living and thus be attractive to our youth. Roads leading to
our farm settlements and rural areas in general will continue to receive
priority attention to facilitate the movement of farm produce to markets.
35
Our administration will work closely with the Federal Government, Central
Bank of Nigeria and other local and multi-lateral development agencies
and research institutions to provide a holistic value-chain approach to the
development of agricultural sector in the State while facilitating the muchneeded intervention funds available for use by our farmers.
12. Industry, Trade and Investment
This Administration is committed to making Ogun State a truly
Investors’ First Choice Destination in Sub-Sahara Africa. Our geographical
location as the gateway to the country and the proximity to Lagos, the fifth
36
largest economy in Africa, put us in a vantage position for this aspiration.
Ogun State has experienced some influx of companies, largely by a push
factor rather than deliberate and concerted pull factors from Ogun State.
This is the differentiating element in the intended approach of this
Administration.
Some of the pull factors that will draw investors into Ogun State and
retain their investments to the mutual benefits of the investors and the
State include, but not limited to:
37
• Reorganisatio of Ogun State Investment Promotion Agency that will
provide a truly one-stop-shop for investors to know about the natural
and solid minerals resources of the State and the business
opportunities, and the facilitation required to invest in the State and
commence operations. The facilitation will include land acquisition
and ownership, community relations, statutory documentation, and
linkages with the suppliers, especially farmers.
38
• Development of Ogun State Masterplan and designation of industrial
hubs with provision of power, leveraging on the gas pipeline that runs
through the state.
• Constant rehabilitation and upgrade of roads leading to the industrial
hubs and the inner roads.
• Harmonisation of taxes and levies to eliminate multiplicity and ensure
ease of self-assessment and payment.
• Regular interaction with the business community to obtain direct
feedbacks and input into government policies and programmes
39
• Interface between the industry and the academia will be
strengthened to ensure that the curricular equip the products of our
tertiary institutions with the competencies required by the industry.
Our government will establish and maintain regular dialogue with the
private sector with a view to getting feedback and ensuring that all
their concerns are speedily addressed.
• We shall work with the Ogun State House of Assembly to pass
necessary laws towards the establishment of a viable and
autonomous PPP Unit, which will lay out the process and guidelines
40
for all private sector partnership engagements such as Joint Ventures,
Concessions and Strategic Alliances especially in the development of
infrastructure and exploitation of the State’s natural and mineral
resources proven in commercial quantities.
• We shall establish the Ogun State Enterprise Development Agency to
provide much-needed support and capacity building to the Micro,
Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) which are the bedrock of any
economy. The Agency will also assist in the facilitation of all available
intervention funds from the Federal Government through the Central
41
Bank of Nigeria and monitor compliance with all requirements in
order to achieve its objectives.
13. Information & Communication Technology (ICT)
Information Technology is both a strategic resource and an industry
with a huge economic benefit of its own, like any other industry.
Ogun State under my watch is poised to harness the full benefits of
Information Technology, both as an enabler of good governance and the
core of the Digital Economy.
42
The government will, as a matter of priority, commission the
development of Ogun State Information Technology Plan that will draw
from and be supportive of the Building our Future Together Agenda. The
plan will identify initiatives that will enhance operational efficiency,
effective service delivery and accountability, citizens engagement, and
transparency in the conduct of government affairs. Furthermore, we will
expect the plan to highlight a roadmap to how the State can build a strong
Digital Economy, taking advantage of its many tertiary institutions and
enterprising youth population.
43
14. Tourism and Entertainment Industry
Our State is proud to also hold the flag in the entertainment industry
with the highest number of prominent practitioners in all genres of arts
and entertainment. It is an industry that has demonstrated its potentials
as employers of labour and earners of foreign exchange, in addition to the
promotion of the nation’s diverse but rich culture and brand to the outside
world.
This Administration will tap into the growing industry. Some of the
Ogun State sons and daughters in the industry have indicated a strong
44
interest to partner with the government to develop an Entertainment
Village as a way of promoting tourism and boosting the economy of the
State. Appropriate government agencies will be directed to work out the
details and present an implementation document for consideration and
approval.
15. Appreciation
The well-deserved victory we celebrate today is sweet. The mandate
is sacred and treasured. But the path to this moment was rough and the
ride was bumpy. No leave can fall from the tree without the permission of
45
God Almighty. He sometimes achieves His will for one through the support
of other men and women of goodwill and inexplicably through opposition
of others, even from unexpected quarters. Everyone plays the role divinely
assigned to him in a project. But the will of God will always prevail. With
that at the back of my mind, my appreciation goes to all without any illfeeling whatsoever.
However, my special appreciation is reserved for President
Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo. Our nation is
blessed with your leadership and this has been amply appreciated with the
46
renewed mandate for another four-year term. Comrade Adams
Oshiomhole is a study in courage and leadership. It would be difficult to
imagine the fate our great party, All Progressives Congress (APC), in the
run up to and in the general elections without his tenacity and
forthrightness. Mr. Chairman, I thank you most sincerely. The duo of
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Akinrogun Olusegun Osoba will continue
to be sources of inspiration to many of us and great pillars to lean on, in
good and not-so-good times. May God preserve you for many more years
of service to the nation.
47
Leading a team of just three men for a work meant for many, Chief
Yemi Sanusi, the Chairman of APC caretaker committee in our State, did
an admirable job. I thank you for your leadership. My gubernatorial
campaign council was like no other in the history of our state. The political
environment was made toxic and uncertainty pervaded the atmosphere,
yet the Prince Segun Adesegun led Dapo Abiodun Campaign Organisation
(DACO) responded swiftly with flexibility as the occasions demanded. To
you and other members of DACO, I say well done.
48
Certainly, there are other leaders too numerous to mention here due
to space constraint and members of the party. You all demonstrated an
uncommon faith, steadfastness and character, resisting the temptation of
immediate gratification, even when you were in needs. Your sacrifices will
not be in vain. I assure you.
To my co-contestants, leaders and members of other parties who
have since responded positively to our calls to join hands to build our State
together. I thank you for your sportsmanship. You have my personal
assurances that our extension of hands of fellowship is not to achieve
49
political correctness but a genuine commitment to inclusiveness. The
interests of our State override any narrow and individual interests.
I also appreciate the Transition (Interface) Committee that liaised
with the preceding government for the maturity and patience with which
you approached the assignment. The Inauguration Committee and the
various sub-committees put together an impressive inauguration
programme which peaked with this event today. Your efforts, creativity
and sacrifices are deeply appreciated.
50
My family bore the traumatising experience of seeing their beloved
go through the crucible while the storm lasted without wavering for a
moment. I am yet to fathom how my two parents who are over eight-yearold coped with the turbulent period but I guess their unshaken faith in God
comforted them. I love you Dad and Mum. My lovely wife was like a rock
of Gibraltar. She is much stronger than her tender and elegant look. I
benefited, as always, from your support. Bamidele, I love you most dearly.
My adorable children are my advisors, counsellors, sounding board,
51
unsparing critics but greatest sources of inspiration and encouragement.
You know how much I treasure you.
Members of the fourth estate of the realm, you have largely
discharged your scared duty of informing, educating and entertaining on
a most professional way. Without your support, the storyline may have
been different today. I am grateful.
Words cannot convey my deep appreciation to the good people of
Ogun State for the state-wide mandate you have bestowed and for the
faith you reposed in me. I have good news for you. All my actions and
52
utterances will be in furtherance of your interests. This is the least I can do
to show my appreciation.
16. Conclusion
I stand here today as the standard bearer of the mandate of
the people and the facilitator-in-chief of our collective
aspirations. And I solemnly accept this responsibility with all
humility and sense of history. But I remember one of the witty
but wisdom-laden sayings of the hero of our current democratic
dispensation. The man that the stadium in which this event is
53
taking place is named after, Aare MKO Abiola. He once said “no
one can clap with one hand”. The task of building our future is a
collective task. It is beyond what I alone can shoulder or the team
that will work with me in government. Rather, it is an Aaro that
we owe each other.
However, I can assure all and sundry that the government
under my watch will be people-centred. The government will be
our government, not their government. I have experienced ups
and downs of life like any of you. I can relate to your challenges.
54
I can identify with your dreams. You want a government that
works for you, and not for cronies and families.
Let me pledge once again, that I, Adedapo Abiodun, will
keep faith with the people. I will lead with integrity and sincerity.
My Administration will be fair, just, equitable and inclusive. So
help me God!
God bless Nigeria. God bless Ogun State. God bless you all.
Igbega Ipinle Ogun, ajose gbogbo wa ni
Prince (Dr) Dapo Abiodun, MFR
Governor, Ogun State, Nigeria
Wednesday, 29
th May, 2019.
BEING THE INAUGURATION SPEECH OF PRINCE (DR) DAPO ABIODUN MFR,
ON THE OCCASION OF HIS INAUGURATION AS GOVERNOR OF OGUN
STATE HELD AT MKO ABIOLA STADIUM, KUTO, ABEOKUTA, ON
WEDNESDAY, 29TH MAY, 2019.
