Gov. Fashola Disengages Assistants, Other Aides

Following the dissolution of the cabinet, over 100 aides of Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, South West Nigeria have been asked to submit their handover notes and disengage from service.

The aides include special advisers (non-cabinet rank), senior special assistants, special assistants and personal assistants.

A circular issued from the office of the Head of Service, HOS on Tuesday said Fashola had ordered his aides to submit their hand over notes, giving detail accounts of their stewardship in office in the last four years.

The circular signed by the HOS, Mr. Adesegun Ogunlewe asked the governor’s  aides to submit their handover notes to the office of the Chief of Staff latest tomorrow.

“All special advisers (non-cabinet rank), senior special assistants, special assistants and personal assistants are being directed to render a report of their activities which should be forwarded to the  Chief of Staff, Governor’s Office on or before Thursday, 26 May, 2011 in soft and hard copies,” it stated.

According to the circular with the reference number CIR/HOS/11/VOL.1/040, the governor’s aides had to be disengaged from service in line with the nature of their appointments.

The circular reads: “In order to keep government abreast of the day to day running of some ministries, departments and agencies and to serve as special liaison, government appointed some individuals to serve in the capacity of special advisers, senior special assistants, special assistants and personal assistants to His Excellency the Governor or to select members of the State Executive Council.

“The performance of these individuals has no doubt greatly contributed to the modest achievements of this administration towards improved service delivery to the good people of Lagos State.”

It added that “it is in view of this that I wish that we thank this category of political appointees for their invaluable services to the state.

“However, as it is customary and by nature of their appointment, the term of these individuals expires with the dissolution of the State Executive Council by His Excellency.

“In keeping with the tradition of this administration to always render account of its stewardship, it therefore becomes imperative that they give an account of their activities for the duration of service.”

The state government, however, wished the governor’s aides success in their future endeavours and urged all ministries, departments and agencies to give the circular adequate publicity and asked the affected individuals to comply fully with the directive.

—Kazeem Ugbodaga