Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has said that lack of respect for the rule of law and impunity are the two major obstacles against the progress of Nigeria.

He said that the country’s development and progress was no doubt over the years impeded by unbridled culture of impunity and flagrant disobedience to the rule of law.

He declared that until the citizens decided to wean themselves from those negative tendencies, Nigeria as a country might continue to lag behind in all the metrics of socioeconomic development.

Ajimobi while reminding the new appointees that they were chosen based on their track record of achievements, integrity and patriotism, enjoined them to consider themselves as strategic partners in his quest to transform the state.

“Go and check countries that work well. You will see that they are countries where citizens obey the rule of law; where all people and institutions are subject to and accountable to the extant law that is fairly applied and enforced and where there are no short cuts.

“Instead of engaging in soul searching, we blackmail and abuse our leaders as being wicked, too rigid. We cannot continue this way and expect to progress. Even God created hell and heaven for a purpose. If you keep to His commandments you go to heaven and when you go against them you go to hell.”

Ajimobi urged the new appointees to bring their wealth of experience to bear by rewriting the history of the board and commissions to which they were appointed to serve in order to justify the confidence reposed in them individually and collectively.

The governor urged the appointees to key into his vision on security, social and physical infrastructure, education, agriculture and industrialization, which he called the five carefully thought out pyramid of development that formed the policy thrust of his administration.

“You are coming on board as strategic partners to our administration in our quest to transform our dear state.

“We are confident that you will make a remarkable change in the history of the board and commissions where you are to serve.

“We are in competition with other states for investors and investments. That is why our pyramid of developments begins with the restoration of peace, before provision of social and physical infrastructure. Investors will only take their money to peaceful states; where the environment is also aesthetically pleasing for business.

“Our people expect that we should take Oyo State from its current level to its former position of ‘firsts’ in economy, infrastructure and social services. This informs our restoration, transformation and repositioning agenda. I, therefore, enjoin you to play your part in all these.”

Chief Judge of the State, Justice Muntar Abimbola who was inaugurated as the chairman of the JSC while responding on behalf of other appointees said that the new appointees would not let the governor down.

The CJ said that they were aware of the onerous task before them and would not spare any effort towards making a remarkable difference on their beats.

Abimbola said, “You have given us this opportunity among other eminently qualified citizens of this state. In the words of Archimedes of Syracuse, you have given us a place to stand and we shall move the world.

“We will use this rare opportunity to reposition our board and commissions. I want to specifically promise that together with my colleagues, we will reposition the judiciary to attain the pacesetter cognomen that Oyo State is known for.”

The LGSC is to be headed by Chief George Akintola as chairman; while Apostle Samson Aderounmu will serve as Chairman of State Pension Board.

A pro-democracy activist and Convener, Voters Assembly, Mr. Mashood Erubami, will also serve on the SPB as a member.