Former Secretary to the Oyo state government, Mr Sarafadeen Alli and one Mr Joseph Olaitan were conspicuously absent as Governor Seyi Makinde inaugurated the state advisory council, on Friday.
Both Alli and Olaitan were among the 10-member advisory council members announced by Makinde, in a June 11 statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Taiwo Adisa.
In his address at the inauguration held at governor’s office, Ibadan, Makinde said members of the advisory council were expected to focus on specific programmes of government with a view to providing advice and bringing up new initiatives.
Pointing to council members boasting of vast knowledge in various fields of endeavour, he avowed optimism that the team will bring its experience to bear and ensure the government is effectively guided in its policy decisions.
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While tasking the council members to be driven by the need to restore the state to its former days of glory, Makinde said the team must be readily available anytime his government needed expert advice.
“The 10-member advisory council is expected to augment the knowledge and skills of the leadership of this administration in order to have a more effective guide of the government. They are expected to be readily available when there is a need for expert advice.
“This is a new government, I believe we have taken the right step in the right direction. The council, I believe would be able to focus on specific programmes in order to advise and/or support the government in her policies and bring up new initiatives for this administration,” Makinde said.
Meanwhile, Alli in a conversation with Tribune Online said he was absent because he had been in Abuja since Wednesday and was only just on his way back to Ibadan.
He said Makinde was a witness to his travelling as they were on the same flight to Abuja on Wednesday.
“I have been in Abuja for the past two days. In fact, I went in the same flight as the governor. I had a programme there. I just got to Lagos and will be coming to Ibadan now. And that was why I was absent,” Alli said.
Asked if his absence was tantamount to a rejection of his nomination, Alli said, “Have I made any comment to say I have rejected the nominated? The truth is that I was not around.”
The advisory council inaugurated by Makinde has former Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Hosea Agboola as its head.
Other members inaugurated are former majority leader of the House of Representatives, Honourable Mulikat Akande-Adeola; Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN); former Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; Chief Jacob Adetoro; former honourable Kamil Akinlabi; Chief Gboyega Laoye and Professor Kolapo Hamzat.
Speaking on behalf of the council, Hosea Agboola said they would offer advice driven by the fear of God and the need to improve the lives of the people of the state.
He said the presence of the eight council members showed their acceptance and commitment to the assignment to advise government properly.
The advisory council members subsequently went into a meeting with Makinde.
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