By Precious Oluwole

The Ondo State House of Assembly has officially wrapped up the screening exercise for commissioner nominees forwarded which began on Thursday, 19th of June, 2025.

Addressing the press men after the screening, the Speaker, Ondo State House is Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji noted that the exercise, which spanned several days, involved thorough scrutiny of each nominee’s qualifications, vision, and commitment to public service.

The speaker applauded commissioner nominees for demonstrating maturity, composure, and capacity during the recently concluded screening exercise.

He noted that although the screening process is traditionally managed by principal officers of the Assembly, he deliberately decided it should be conducted by the Committee of the Whole House to ensure a more thorough and participatory engagement.

“When you make it a committee of the whole House, we’re talking about a larger number of lawmakers, which means more diverse questions. The nominees handled it well and showed the level of maturity required,” he said.

According to the Speaker, all 12 nominees initially sent by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa were carefully assessed. Their academic credentials and professional experiences were reviewed and verified.

“We checked their documents and certificates. Most of them are well-qualified, with a combination of technocratic and political experience. Some are outstanding technocrats, others are technocrat-politicians. Overall, they impressed us,” he stated.

Oladiji revealed that each nominee’s screening lasted no more than an hour, reflecting a smooth and focused exercise. Over the weekend, the Assembly received an additional list of four nominees from the Governor, bringing the total to 16.

“We will treat the new list in plenary and commit it to the appropriate committee – which remains the Committee of the Whole. We hope to conduct their screening by Friday,” he added.

He also emphasized that due process, as stipulated in Section 192 of the Nigerian Constitution, must be followed. The confirmation of all nominees will come only after the screening exercise is fully concluded.

While addressing public concerns, the Speaker acknowledged the receipt of one petition during the process. However, he clarified that the petition did not question the competence or qualifications of any nominee.

“The petition centered on issues like gender representation and geopolitical distribution, not on any misconduct or certificate forgery. Those are not grounds to reject a nominee unless they involve serious infractions,” he said.

Oladiji appealed to residents of the state to remain patient and allow the Assembly to complete its constitutional responsibilities. He assured the public that only individuals ready to serve and deliver results would be confirmed.

Mr Idowu Ajanaku, who previously served under two Lagos State governors, Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, highlighted his wealth of experience in public service and promised to deploy it to the benefit of his home state.

“If I’m confirmed and given the opportunity to serve, I will bring a lot of innovation into the system. I’ve served as Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs under Governor Fashola for eight years and later as Special Adviser and member of the State Executive Council under Governor Ambode. It’s time to give back to my state,” he stated.

He praised the professionalism of the Ondo State lawmakers during the screening, describing the process as thorough and inspiring. “The Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and entire House conducted themselves with honesty and asked very critical questions. I assure them and the people of the state that I will work closely with them for our development.”

Engr. Abiola Olawoye emphasized the need for urban renewal and socio-economic revitalization in Ondo State. He noted that despite the challenges of the screening process, it was a necessary step in promoting transparency and merit.

“I am going to bring urban renewal to the state. This position is to serve humanity and transform the economy of Ondo. I thank Governor Aiyedatiwa for the opportunity and promise to serve better in this capacity.”

Engr. Johnson Alabi with a background in entrepreneurship expressed his desire to revolutionize the state’s energy sector if deployed to the Ministry of Energy.

“Every consumer of electricity in Ondo must be able to enjoy 24/7 power supply. If given the chance, I will approach governance like a private business with discipline, efficiency, and results. That’s what we need to ensure Governor Aiyedatiwa’s success.”

He commended the House of Assembly for a rigorous vetting process that ensured only qualified individuals are appointed. “The questions were deep and unexpected, but it was clear that the lawmakers were determined to uphold standards. They were very professional and respectful.”

Segun Omoyofunmi pledged to bring new solutions to old systems. He also promised that his appointment would mark a turning point in the state’s governance. “If confirmed as commissioner, I’ll change the narratives. I’ll bring in innovative ideas and fresh approaches that will make this administration proud.”