Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on Friday appointed his son secretary of a six-member COVID-19 Palliative Committee he constituted to consult and make recommendations to the government on how to mitigate the harsh economic effect of the lockdown on the residents of the state.
To serve alongside Babajide Akeredolu is Mr. Kayode Falowo who is appointed to lead the committee, while other members are Engr. Akin Odumakin – Vice Chairman, Ms. Cecilia Akintomide – Member, Mr. Segun Fagboyegun- Member, Prof. Adesegun Fatusi- Member.
Speaking in Akure on the initiative, Governor Akeredolu said the committee became important to find a viable solution to the enormous burden imposed on the citizens by the steps put in place by the government to curb the spread of COVID-19 within the state.
He said the committee would work out modalities and mobilise human and material resources that would help cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in the areas of making food available and accessible to the residents of the state.
Meanwhile. the development did not go down with some people in the state who opined that the governor’s desire to fix his son up in government did not start today. It would be recalled that Akeredolu had during his 3rd-anniversary dinner in Akure said his son, Babajide worked hard during his campaign and there is nothing anyone can do if he decides to appoint him as his chief of staff.
“When somebody says Baba (Babajide) is this, I just laugh at them. If I wanted to make Baba my chief of staff, he can be; did you do more than him in the campaign? Ask yourself, how many of you did more than Baba in the campaign? How many?” he asked.
“The young boy was going everywhere and all of us saw him but we decided not to because he wouldn’t want it. My son is satisfied, that’s why. If he is not, I will put him somewhere, there is nothing anybody can do. I will put him there, there is nothing you can do. Is he not my son? Is he not from Ondo state? Has he not worked?”.
However, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation Donald Ojogo, while reeling out the functions of the committee said it’s mandate, amongst others, is to help mobilize funds, in cash or kind, and manage the efficient and transparent utilisation.
In the press statement made available to newsmen, Ojogo stated that the terms of reference of the committee includes recommend and advise the government on funding strategies, manage funds mobilized, direct funding campaign, identify and contact effective funding channels/sources and carry out any other activities for the success of the above-mentioned.
The Committee is expected to begin work immediately till the last resolution of the pandemic is achieved, Ojogo submitted.
Read the Full Statement Below:
“Following the constitution of the palliative committee put in place by his administration to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has constituted a committee for Ondo State CoronaVirus Response Fund to mobilize resources to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
The committee’s mandate, amongst others, is to help mobilize funds, in cash or kind, and manage the efficient and transparent utilisation.
Members of the committee include:
Mr. Kayode Falowo – Chairman
Engr. Akin Odumakin – Vice Chairman
Ms.Cecilia Akintomide – Member
Mr. Segun Fagboyegun- Member
Prof. Adesegun Fatusi- Member
Mr. Babajide Akeredolu – Secretary
The Terms of Reference of the Committee are as follows:
i. Recommend and advise the government on funding strategies.
ii. Manage funds mobilized.
iii. Direct funding campaign.
iv. Identify and contact effective funding channels/sources.
v. Carry out any other activities for the success of the above-mentioned.
The Response Fund Committee will work closely with the State Inter-ministerial Committee and is expected to begin work immediately till the last resolution of the pandemic is achieved. It will equally provide weekly reports and submit a concrete completion report at the end of its activities.
For transparency and accountability, the committee will work with Ernst and Young as Fund Advisors, and SIAO Partners will serve as Auditors for the Fund.”