Kunle Adelabu
Like the usual intense politicking and conflicting of interests that anything involving political decisions usually generates in Ikorodu, the selection process for the Education Secretary of the Ikorodu Local Government has been a political battle among various power blocs, royalty and other competing interests.
As at today, about five names have been sent by various power blocs to Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB) which is now facing difficulty on how to handle the situation since Ikorodu is expected to submit one name which it will ratify for the appointment of the new Education Secretary.
THE IMPACT gathered that Mr Y.O. Aregbesola, Mr Afolabu Amusa, Alhaji Taiwo Odumbo, Alhaji Wakiludeen Anibaba and Mr Adegboyega Odofin, are the names nominated by various power blocs in the division out of about 15 candidates that have shown interest in replacing the immediate past Education Secretary, Hon. (Hon) Lion Austen Taiwo Oduloye.
Candidates that are interested in the job appeared before two committees led by the former Head of Service, Alhaji Babatunde Rotinwa, and the Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade last year.
Meanwhile, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Kabir Adewale Shotobi, has assured the residents of Ikorodu, especially teachers, that various interests concerning the appointment of the new Education Secretary will be harmonised soon.
The royal father spoke at the ceremony to mark the last day in office of the immediate past Education Secretary, Hon. (Lion) Austen Taiwo Oduloye, held at the Teachers’ House, Methodist Primary School, Ikorodu on Friday, January 24, 2020.
He was represented by Sir (Otunba) Ayodele Elesho, former Commissioner for Information, Lagos State and the Agbaakin of Ikorodu Kingdom.
Oduloye, who assumed office in 2009 but was not confirmed until 2010, retired on Friday while his successor is yet to be determined due to the intense intrigues surrounding the process.
Confirming the multiple nominations for the much coveted position at the ceremony, Otunba Elesho, while speaking on behalf of Shotobi , stated that the division is working towards presenting one nomination.
“We are working towards harmonsing the list. Currently, we have four nominations with SUBEEB and the fifth one is germinating”, he stated.
“SUBEB does not have the power to appoint for us. The local government will appoint and send nomination to SUBEB and not nominations.
“I am aware that about five Councils in the State have recently succeeded in having their new Education Secretaries in place but you know that we, the Ikorodus, are Ogas and our things are always different, but I can assure you that we are going to harmonise the nominations “, he stated while reassuring the residents on the harmonisation of the nominations for the position.
He stated that the issue of who will eventually be appointed to lead the local government education authority will be resolved at a round table where a capable hand will be picked to sustain the good work of the immediate past Education Secretary.
“Our prayer is that the programme that kabiyesi went for will be successful and when he comes back, we are going to organize a conference where we will harmonise all the nominations so that we can have just one nomination; be it from Constituency l or II .
“What is important is to have a good successor to Austin Oduloye. If we have that, whatever he (Oduloye) might have done in office would not be destroyed. That is the essence of it” , he stated.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we want to assure you that we are preparing for the Ayangbure’s arrival and after he arrives, we are going to sought things out.
“For those of you in LGEA, continue to do your job and do it appropriately. I am sure that the Director of Admin will stand in as the acting Executive Secretary. Do your job effectively and efficiently and by the grace of God, things will work-out well”, Otunba Ayodele concluded.
