Fashola, others laud special adviser's resignation on health ground


IT was a show of class and leadership yesterday as the Lagos State government held a valedictory Executive Council Session in honour of a cabinet member, Mr. Segun Ayobolu who resigned as Special Adviser on Information and Strategy on health grounds, with effect from November 30.

Governor Babatunde Fashola, while speaking during the emotionally touching session, commended Ayobolu, who opted out of the state cabinet to attend to his health, for not being a desperate public officer.

The event was held at the Exco Chambers of the Lagos House, Ikeja.

Pouring encomiums on Ayobolu, the cabinet members said in tendering his resignation, he has shown his true colour as a patriotic and selfless public servant.

Governor Fashola said he shared the emotions of cabinet members about the departure of the special adviser, adding that his exit will leave a very big vacuum in the Lagos State team.

Fashola recalled that when Ayobolu told him of his decision to leave on health grounds, he could not go against it, because it would have been very unfair to insist that he continues in office against his wish.

He described Ayobolu as a respected public commentator who served the state for an uninterrupted period of 10 years.

Assuring that Ayobolu is not suffering from a terminal disease and would always be available after undergoing the best of treatment of which the state would support him, Governor Fashola said his action epitomises the belief that people do not need titles to render service to the public.

The governor expressed the hope that the former Special Adviser would not abandon his monthly backpage treatise on Alausa Alert newspaper, saying it is a piece he enjoys reading regularly.

In his contribution, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris said Ayobolu was a conscientious and diligent man whom he was very happy to have worked with.

He added that already, the Ministry of Health, had initiated a memo to the council on plans for his medical treatment.

In his comment, Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Mr. Jide Sanwo Olu while wishing Ayobolu the best of luck in his future undertakings, noted that with his voluntary resignation, he has demonstrated what leadership should be about.

He said everyone should be able to ask himself or herself if he is really giving his best at all times because: "Segun decided that he was not giving his best and bowed out when the ovation was loudest".

Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Prince Adesegun Oniru prayed that God grants Ayobolu and all cabinet members good health in the service of their fatherland.

http://odili.net/news/source/2009/dec/1/17.html