Appoint Technocracts as Cabinet Members, Muslim Council Tells Abiodun
A call has gone to the present Government in Ogun State, to put in place an all-inclusive administration by bringing on board seasoned technocrats and best materials available to join in the onerous task of taking the State to the next level.
The Chairman, Council for Islamic Affairs, Ogun State Chapter, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Mayaleeke, who made this call during a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, in her Office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, advised government to launch a sustainable feedback mechanism that would allow for the impulse of the masses from time to time and address them accordingly.
While presenting some of the achievements of the Council, Alhaji Mayaleeke, said it has been creating awareness on HIV/AIDs through the AIDs Programme for Muslim Ummah (APMU), promoting good governance, co-ordination of Inter-faith Coalition, Abuja interventions on Malaria prevention, which included sensitization and distribution of insecticidal treated net and radio outreach through Supreme messages’ platform, specially packaged to preach against antithetical behaviours in the society amongst others.
The Chairman added that through the Council’s reconciliation mission, it has successfully engendered peace among warring factions, on age long disputes, at different levels, which had helped in maintaining peace and harmony among communities in the State.
He however implored the State government to look into the dearth of Islamic Religious Knowledge (IRK) teachers in public schools, soliciting for better recognition of Ogun State Inter-religious Council, a forum that would bring Muslim and Christian leaders together, as well as being fair in the inclusion of Muslims in appointments of the State Cabinet.
In her response, the Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako Oyedele, appreciated the Council for the visit, while pointing out that all issues raised were in line with the programmes and policies of government, she assured that they would be sorted out in a matter of time.
She stated that a feedback mechanism such as regular dialogue with traditional institutions, labour unions, schools, religious bodies, student union in order to prevent communication breakdown would be put in place.
“The Dapo Abiodun led administration, has pledged to be a listening government that will give room for feedback from the citizens of the State and in return respond to their yearnings and aspirations. We will engage regular consultations at specific periods and as time goes by, if there are particular issues that cannot wait, we call for quick meetings to clarify such issues to avoid friction”, she said.
On youth friendly programmes, the Deputy Governor said the youths are dear to the Governor’s heart and that a vocational centre for skills acquisition would be established to enhance youth empowerment, adding that, Industrial Parks would also be created all over the State, as well as provision of basic infrastructure for businesses to thrive through Small and Medium Enterprise.
Salako–Oyedele also pointed out that Ogun, being an Agrarian State, the present administration would develop the agricultural sector by setting up farm settlements for the youths, where they could be gainfully employed.
While making clarifications on appointments, she said government would be fair, equitable and just and without any bias, saying, ‘’best hands would be engaged in positions. Technocrats and professionals, who are exemplary in various fields, would be appointed into various positions, not necessarily on religion, tribe or Senatorial Districts’’.
