Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has appointed Dr. Oluwatoyin Taiwo as his Chief of Staff.

Prior to this appointment, Dr. Taiwo was the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS) to the governor.

The Chief of Staff’s letter of appointment was handed over to him by Governor Abiodun on Wednesday, according to a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the governor, Hon. Kayode Akinmade.

The appointment, according to the letter, took effect from 18th December 2024.

The Governor, while congratulating the new Chief of Staff, described the appointment as well-deserved, the statement added.

Dr. Taiwo served as Commissioner for Culture and Tourism during the first term of Governor Abiodun and was subsequently elevated to the position of Deputy Chief of Staff before his new role.

He is an alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where he obtained a B.Sc. in Statistics before pursuing further degrees up to Ph.D.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joint Negotiation Committee (JNC) in Ogun State have described Governor Dapo Abiodun as a compassionate leader who has the interest of workers at heart.

In separate letters of gratitude to the governor for approving the Christmas bonus for the state workforce, the two unions said the gesture was a further demonstration of Prince Abiodun’s commitment to the welfare of their members.

TUC, in a letter signed by the Chairman of the Ogun State Council, Comrade Akeem Lasisi, described the bonus payment as a gesture that would help workers overcome the present economic challenges.

“This development was not unexpected, as we are well aware of the compassionate leadership that His Excellency embodies.

“The Christmas bonus package further reinforces the current administration’s reputation for delivering positive changes. This gesture will significantly help alleviate the daily economic hardships that our workforce and their families face. We assure you that this unexpected display of care from His Excellency will encourage our colleagues to strive for even more outstanding achievements for our beloved state.

“We sincerely appreciate the government’s efforts to maintain stability in our industrial relations.

“Please accept our heartfelt gratitude, unwavering loyalty, and support for your administration,” TUC said.

In its own letter of appreciation, JNC Chairman Comrade Olude Isa said the bonus would empower the state workers to have successful celebrations.

He said: “Beyond rhetoric, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, has done it once more, putting smiles on our faces in this season of celebrating Jesus Christ. The bonus has brought to the state workforce two factors: economic empowerment and the faithful heart of inclusiveness.

“We all received the payment; confidently and joyfully, we went shopping. Also, we felt that, indeed, we are included in the overall schemes of relevant stakeholders in our dear state. Honestly, we are very grateful for the timely gesture.

“May the good tidings of Christmas be with His Excellency always. And to his amiable cabinet, the strength to bring our state to our desired greater heights will surely be bestowed on each and every one of them.

“To you, Sir, our truest, passionate leader, the rewarding spirit of His Holiness will ever remain with you and yours.”

By Toyin Falola

The ancient Greek stones, time’s sentinels, align,
Their whispers weave with the winds’ resigned sighs.
A thousand steps, hewn out of will and design,
Call out the brave to the skies of the Venetians.

Every rise makes my heart a fast-beating drum,
The Argolic Gulf expands as a timeless sea.
Strangers go before, their strength steadfast,
While my family mounts upwards in boldness.

But at the topmost stair, fate played its freak,
A slip, a fall, the edge of the world thrown.
My head struck stone; my body, at rest—
The fortress walls my weakness thrown.

The echoes of fear rose from behind,
Three voices cried, their anguish shared.
Yet life, that dogged thread, still aligned,
And from it, I emerged repaired.

I rose with bruises, humbled, sore
But my spirit, Leonidas, roared to rise.
To stand and climb was my sacred chore,
To touch the heavens, claim the prize.

Finally, the summit wind stroked my face,
The bastions whispered: heroes past.
Kolokotronis, Achilles-their mighty grace,
Speaking to me that strength shall always last.

Then came my family and stood next to me, proud and serene,
Their courage-a mirror to who I could have been.
I gazed at my son and my daughter, their shine,
Their future, a fortress stronger than me.

Going down, the steps became small,
A survived journey-a life regained.
Palamidi heights, its rise, its fall,
Forever etched in memory’s frame.

For information on the Palamidi, see https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palamidi