Ayodele Olalere
National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has charged members of the Lagos State cabinet newly inaugurated by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to see their appointments as opportunity to serve the people of the state.
He also urged them to prove they deserve the appointment.
Tinubu made a surprise visit to the Eko Hotel & Suites venue of the four-day retreat organised by the state government for the new cabinet members including the new nine permanent secretaries.
The APC leader told the 35 commissioners to count themselves lucky to be selected among other qualified Lagosians, and should therefore serve the people of the state and Nigeria as a whole.
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“My experience can only be shared with you as time progress. You are a team of selected few to serve the people of Nigeria and and Lagos. This is an important state and the heartbeat of Nigeria. Anything that go wrong here is a cancer to Nigeria. To serve Lagos is a great honour and opportunity for you. It shows you have been deemed to be one of the able professionals in your field with great character,” Tinubu said.
” However, talent can only give you the opportunity and recognition away from your peers but it cant pave the way for the well being of the society. Talent without character is zero. There are so many unrewarded talents across the world. Your appointment give you huge opportunity unavailable to rest of the people. Always place in your mind that honour and opportunity comes with great responsibility,” he added.
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Minister of Works and Housing and also a former governor of the state, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, who also made a surprise visit to the venue, advised the new appointees to work more, read a lot rather than resulting to prayers in discharge of their duties.
According to Fashola, “You have to read a lot. You can’t do this business without reading. I welcome you to life of service to your nation and state. Forget prayers, it’s what you do that matters. You have signed up for a difficult job but it’s a noble undertaking to serve your people. You have to prove you deserve yo be here. Some of you have been in politics, some are technocrats. You came here on a political platform so you all have become politicians.”
He continued: ” You must develop working relationship with political structure in your wards and state. Don’t leave the area from where they picked you. You are the ears and eyes of the governor from where you are picked.”