Abiodun swears-in new Attorney General, urges him to hit ground running
By Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has charged the new Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Oluwasina Ogungbade, to provide the right leadership and also come up with innovative ways of improving on the administration of justice in the State.
Gov. Abiodun according to statement from his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Kunle Somorin made this call in his office on Monday after swearing in the Senior Advocate designate as a member of the State Executive Council.
Ogungbade takes over from Akingbolahan Adeniran who resigned from office on personal ground earlier this month.
The Governor said, “I will urge you to provide the right kind of leadership for the Ministry of Justice and come up with innovative ways of improving the delivery and administration of justice in our dear State. Let me quickly inform you that there is little or no time for settling down, you have to roll up your sleeves to commence work immediately.
“I agree that you have established yourself in private practice, like most of us in this administration, but I must also let you know that I do not envy your role here. It is a different ball game in the public sector.
“Your position, going forward, puts you at a very challenging threshold, and if you like call it crossroads, in our quest to have a virile, disciplined, morally upright, peaceful and secured society, built on inclusiveness, accountability, fairness, equity, transparency, justice, and, obedience to rule of law. You are now a professional in politics,” the Governor said.
He noted that Ogungabde, might have the requisite skills as a solicitor and avocate but he needs more than “intellectual endowments to drive the process as a decorated legal draftsman and well-grounded solicitor in a manner that will ensure a better future for all the good people, investors and those whose paths might cross the state government through his office.”
He reminded the new Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice that the state is a trail-blazer in Law, having produced more Senior Advocates in the country than “many other States combined; we have produced everything possible in the practice of Law, First Lawyer, First and Second Senior Advocates of Nigeria, First Female Senior Advocate, First Indigenous High Court Judge, First Indigenous Chief Justice of Nigeria and a Court of the International Justice at the Hague.”
Gov. Abiodun stated that the Ministry of Justice is vital towards the attainment of the vision of his administration to create an enabling environment for Public Private Sector Partnership, adding that he would continue to do all he can to support the Judiciary
The State Governor who also noted that his administration would continue to support other arms of government, added that his administration would continue to uphold the principles of separation of powers.
In her remarks, the Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu while charging the new Attorney General to build on what is on ground as well as bring his own ideas, assured the Govenor that he won’t be disappointed with the appointment.
Responding, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Oluwasina Ogungbade while appreciating the Governor for the honour to serve the state of his birth promised to do his utmost best towards the overall development of the State.
