22nd August, 2023
By Emmanuel Mogbede
Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, the immediate past governor of Osun and the new Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, says his appointment is a call to service.
He spoke on Monday night in Abuja on the sidelines of the reception organised for him by the Osun chapter of the APC and other stakeholders.
According to the minister, he was challenged to be appointed to head a new ministry and assured that he would excel in the presidential mandate given to him.
Oyetola thanked President Bola Tinubu for considering him worthy of a ministerial appointment.
He also expressed gratitude to the organisers of the event, saying the level of solidarity displayed was encouraging and would propel him to do even more in the interest of Nigerians.
The minister added that he would need the cooperation and support of all stakeholders to succeed in the new ministry.
“I thank almighty God for this wonderful opportunity to serve and the people of Osun for coming all the way from the state to celebrate with me here.
“I am indeed happy to see people from all walks of life, including traditional rulers, coming to celebrate with me.
“I feel challenged to be made a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because it comes with a lot of responsibilities. I pray that the Almighty will see me through.
“Being a new ministry, I will have to start from scratch, and I trust God Almighty to succeed and deliver on my new mandate,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Sen. Iyiola Omisore, the immediate past National Secretary of the APC, described Oyetola’s appointment as “a round peg in a round hole.”
He expressed optimism that Oyetola would deliver on his new mandate.
Chief Bisi Akande, former Interim National Chairman of the APC, said Oyetola’s appointment was well deserved, adding that it was an honour for the people of Osun.
Akande, also a former governor of Osun, said the appointment had rekindled the hope of the people of the state in the Nigerian project and in the Tinubu-led administration.
The APC leader, who wished Oyetola a successful tenure in office, thanked the president for the appointment.
Oyetola had earlier, on assumption of duty, outlined his vision for a thriving blue economy sector that prioritises sustainability, innovation, and economic growth.
The minister, while speaking at his maiden news conference at the Ministry of Transportation on Monday, acknowledged the abundant marine resources existing in the country’s coastal region.
He stressed the need to fully harness the country’s marine resources.
The minister also said he would promote better inter-agency cooperation and coordination between the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority.
“As someone with a strong private sector background, we shall promote greater private sector inclusion while fostering greater efficiency through specialisation and the effective delineation of core duties between the units.
“We must seize this opportunity to create positive change, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come,” the minister said.
The reception was attended by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, traditional rulers, members of the Osun House of Assembly, and diplomats, among others.
NAN