Sanwo-Olu gives Fashola, George new appointments

Sanwo-Olu gives Fashola, George new appointments

Babajide Sanwo-Olu

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved the appointment of Dr. Oluwarotimi Omotola Fashola as Special Adviser on Agriculture (Rice Mill Initiative) with immediate effect.

A statement signed by the Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, said Fashola’s appointment was in consideration of his credentials, extensive experience and documented track record in agriculture development, especially in the areas of rice production and integration of technology-based solutions into agriculture and food security.

Muri-Okunola explained that Fashola is expected to work closely with the governor on the State’s rice production agenda and the operations of the Imota Rice Mill as part of the present administration’s plans for sustainability and food security in Lagos State.

Fashola has 35 years of local and international work experience in both public and private sectors, particularly in Rice and cassava production, across organisations such as the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA); Africa Rice Centre, formerly called West Africa Rice Development Association (WARDA) as well as the Elephant Group Plc.

A Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants, Dr. Fashola also belongs to several other professional bodies such as the Japanese Society of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition; International Union of Soil Sciences; and the Agricultural Society of Nigeria. He has also participated in many Central Bank of Nigeria Agriculture-related Initiatives including National and International Food Security programmes.

In the same vein, Sanwo-Olu has also approved the upgrade of the Director-General Office of Public-Private Partnerships, Mr. Ope George, to Special Adviser (Cabinet Rank) with immediate effect.

George is expected to add impetus to government’s infrastructure renewal/expansion plans in the coming year.

The Head of Service expressed confidence in the ability of the new members of the State Executive Council to add value to the overall policy formulation, development and implementation process in Lagos State while contributing their expertise and wealth of experience to the realisation of the Lagos Dream.

While congratulating Fashola and George on their new appointments, Muri-Okunola implored the duo to justify the confidence reposed in them by the governor.