Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has dissolved cabinet ahead of his February 24 inauguration. The dissolution of the State Executive Council (SEC) was announced in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan.

However, Aiyedatiwa retained the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, and the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs Omowunmi Isaac.The dissolved cabinet was constituted in March 2024 by the governor a few months after his emergence in December 2023 following the demise of his erstwhile boss, the late Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.  

According to Adeniyan, the governor, who commended the affected officials for their service to the state, urged them to hand over to the accounting officers in their ministries.

MEANWHILE, the governor, yesterday, disbursed N35 million in loans to 51 widows of the fallen heroes in the state. Aiyedatiwa, who handed cheques to the beneficiaries at the Cenotaph in Alagbaka, Akure, stated that the gesture was to support them as breadwinners of their families.

Speaking at this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day, the governor, represented by his deputy, Olayide Adelami, explained that the micro-credit loan scheme was zero interest-free.

Emphasising the need for financial and material support for dependents of the late military personnel, Aiyedatiwa commended the success of the Emblem Appeal Fund, and acknowledged contributions from various individuals, groups, and institutions.

He said: “For us in Ondo State, this celebration will not be complete without attending to the welfare of widows of the fallen heroes. This day is, therefore, not just about remembrance, it is also about empowerment.

“To the widows of the fallen heroes, we recognise the challenges you face and the sacrifices you continue to make. We are committed to supporting you, ensuring that you have the resources, opportunities, and recognition you deserve.

“Your loved ones served with honour, and we have vowed to honour their legacies by standing with you in solidarity, not only with words, but also through our actions.”

Today’s ceremony will be more worthwhile if it is backed up with financial and material support for the legionnaires and the well-being of widows and dependents of these patriotic heroes.

“As a mark of our continual support to the widows and dependents of the fallen heroes, we have made the disbursement of interest-free loans to be part of the annual celebration in Ondo State, and the same will be replicated this year.”