Ajimobi gave the warning while addressing the new cabinet members at a ceremony held at the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor’s Office in Ibadan on Friday.
He asked them to see themselves as ambassadors holding their offices in trust for the people.
The governor expressed delight that his cabinet had finally been inaugurated.
Among the commissioners sworn in were Mr. Abimbola Adekanmbi, Finance, Planning and Budget; Mrs. Atinuke Osunkoya, Women Affairs and Social Welfare; Mr. Abimbola Kolade, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Mrs. Taibat Adeyemi-Agaba, Trade, Industry and Cooperative.
Others are Mr. Oyewole Oyewumi, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development; Mr. Abayomi Oke, Youths and Sports; Mr. Wasiu Dauda, Works and Transport and Mr. Ajiboye Omodewu, Lands, Housing and Physical Development.
Also on the list are Chief Isaac Isola, Environment and Water Resources; Mr. Abdul-Ganiyu Bamidele, Special Duties; Mr. Toye Arulogun, Information, Culture and Tourism; Mr. Oluseun Abimbola, Justice and Mr. Fatai Salawu, Liaison Affairs.
A former Chairman of Ido Local Government Area, Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela, was also appointed as the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, while Dr. Azeez Adeduntan was appointed as Commissioner for Health.
Ajimobi charged the commissioners to see their appointment as a call to service, especially at a period when Oyo, like any other state, was having difficulties in providing basic necessities for the people due to low federal allocation.
He said, “Today, I congratulate our newly sworn in commissioners as they assume office to take up the challenge of leading their various ministries. It is a special day, not only for those of who gathered here but for all the stakeholders in the progress of our dear state.
“I must warn that there will be no room for backbiting, mudslinging, character assassination and undue frivolities that can erode the respect that people will ordinarily accord your offices.
“Your first assignment is to go back to your various communities and spread the information that the state has no intention of selling our schools, but to partner willing members of the society like alumni associations, mission bodies and corporate organisations to rejuvenate our education system.
“Even the free education policy of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo attracted interventions from private bodies. During former Governors Rashidi Ladoja and Adebayo Alao-Akala’s administrations, there was what they called ‘Adopt-a-School’ policy.”
