Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has appointed his son Babajide as Director General, Performance and Project Implementation Monitoring Unit (PPIMU).
Babajide’s appointment, which positions him strategically as projects czar, was announced, along with the nomination of 14 commissioners and seven special advisers.
It was announced by Commissioner for information, Donald Ojogo, amid accusations by loggers that the governor had handed the management of the forest reserves to a company linked with the son.
The furore that Babajide’s appointment triggered Tuesday night almost overshadowed the nominations of commissioners and seven advisers.
Akeredolu in the list sent to the House of Assembly, followed the constitution, which says the appointments should reflect the character of the state.
The commissioners nominated are Mrs Bamidele Ademola Olateju – Akoko South East, Otunba Adefarati Adegboyega – Akoko South West, Rt. Hon. Fatai Olotu- Akoko North East, Dr. Julianah Oshadahun – Akoko North West and Otunba Dele Ologun -Akure North
Others are Mr. Sunday Adekunle – Idanre, Engr. Razak Obe -Ifedore, Dr. Banji Awolowo Ajaka- Ilaje, Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan – Irele, Mrs Yetunde Adeyanju- Odigbo, Mr. Femi Agagu – Okitipupa, Akinlosotu- Ondo East, Lola Fagbemi- Ondo West and Chief Olayato Aribo- Ose.
READ ALSO: Akeredolu releases list of 14 Commissioner nominees, 7 Special Advisers for Assembly confirmation
Those appointed Special Advisers are Chief (Dr) Victor Ategbole, Dr. (Mrs)Wunmi Ilawole, (Barr) Tobi Ogunleye, Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye, Mrs Olamide Falana, Dr . Francis Adedayo Faduyile and Mr Niyi Oseni.
According to Babajide’s LinkedIn bio, he is the secretary of Ondo state Transition Strategy and Implementation Committee, which probably selected the 14 new commissioners to handle the governor’s agenda.
He had also served as the secretary of Ondo State COVID-19 fundraising committee, from April 2020 till April this year.
Babajide is well educated, indubitably. He had his first degree at New Jersey Institute of Technology in 2010, studying chemical engineering, environmental engineering and business.
Then he went to Colorado School of Mines for a Masters in Chemical Engineering and petroleum refining. He obtained the degree in 2014.
Not still satisfied with his degrees, he went to Queen’s University in 2014 for another Masters in Mining and Mineral Engineering. He graduated in 2015.
He is at present president of the Nigerian-American Football, co-founder Nigeria Flying Labs, Emerging Communities Africa and technical consultant for WorleyParsons.