Governor Seyi Makinde has described those who asked him to handover to his deputy, Engr. Aderemi Olaniyan, while in isolation as jobless.
Makinde, who last night announced his recovery from coronavirus after close to a week in isolation, was quoted as making the remark when he formally resumed work on Monday.
He spoke immediately after he conducted an inspection tour of the state’s largest isolation centre- Infectious Disease Centre, Olodo, Ibadan.
Makinde, OYOINSIGHT.COM recalls, had appointed the immediate past chief medical director of the University College Hospital, UCH, Prof. Temitope Alonge, as acting head of the COVID-19 task force.
But people like Sen. Teslim Folarin, who is representing Oyo Central senatorial district for the third term, had disagreed with him, saying that apart from Alonge, the deputy governor should have been allowed to provide the political leadership.
This newspaper recalled that earlier while speaking on a Fresh FM COVID-19 situation room monitored by OYOINSIGHT.COM, Makinde had explained that “I worked throughout this period, even though, I took a back seat and designated Professor Temitope Alonge as the Head of the Oyo State COVID-19 Task Force. So, I will be resuming as the Head of that Task Force from today. And let me use this opportunity to once again, you know, thank Prof Alonge for his commitment and diligence while acting in my stead during this period. And of course, members of the Task Force also, for their cooperation.
“Let me quickly add….I was reading today’s Punch, I believe it’s on page 14 and I saw a story in there that “Group Faults Makinde’s Choice of Task Force Coordinator.” They call themselves Ibadan Mesi Ogo and they say their president is one Dr Jide Oriolowo. I think, yes, I know a lot of people are jobless right now because people are staying at home and they have a bit of free time but this is a period that calls for concerted effort from everybody.
“That group says that I should have chosen a virology professor and things like that. But we do have virology professors as part of the Task Force team. I am not a virology professor myself; you know. So, people should spend their time on things that are productive. That’s my advice.”
