Ondo Governor Appoints First Female SSG

By Ahmed Rahma

The Governor of Ondo State, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, has made history with the appointment of Ms Catherine Oludunni Odu as the first female Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

A statement issued on Tuesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Richard Olabode Olatunde, disclosed that Ms Odu who is a legal practitioner and formerly the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

The statement further said before the appointment of the new history-maker, she has served in many capacities at both the state and federal levels.

According to the statement, Ms Odu was a federal commissioner, Public Complaints Commission and at different times as former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Education in Ondo State.

The CPS said the appointment of the new SSG was in recognition of her proven integrity and outstanding record of performance in her previous assignments.

Ms Odu studied law at the University of Lagos for her first degree and obtained an LLM from the same institution after graduating from the Nigerian Law School.

She also obtained a BSc in Sociology from the University of Benin, Edo State and a Master of Science in Industrial Sociology from the University of Calabar, Cross River State.

In a related development, Mr Olatunde announced that his boss has approved the appointment of the immediate-past Head of the State Public Service, Mr Dare Aragbaiye, as Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties.

He said the Governor also approved the appointments of Mrs Olubunmi Adedipe Ademosu as the Special Adviser on Public and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr Babatunde Gabriel Kolawole as Special Adviser on Rural and Community Development, and Mr Summy Smart Francis as Special Adviser on Entrepreneurship Development.

Mr Olatunde, who said the appointments take effect immediately, noted that Mr Akeredolu congratulated the new appointees and urged them to discharge their duties with utmost responsibilities deserving of the new offices and the accompanying responsibilities.

According to him, the appointees will be sworn in by the Governor on Monday, March 22, 2021, at the Cocoa Conference Hall, Governor’s Office Alagbaka, Akure.