Gov’s Aide: Colleague clears air on Femi Adebayo’s status

By Adebayo Olodan
A prominent member of Theatre and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Alhaji Suleiman Ayodeji (otherwise known as Akinkanju Ode) has maintained that Nollywood actor, Femi Adebayo was among the aides earlier retained by Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed.
According to Ayodeji, even after the dissolution of the cabinet sometimes in January by Governor Ahmed, his colleague, Femi Adebayo continued in his role as Special Assistant on Culture and Tourism to the Chief Executive Officer of the state.
Ayodeji, who is also the former governor of Freelance Independent Broadcaster Association of Nigeria (FIBAN) in the state, said the confusion emanated when the state government last weekend announced portfolios for the new aides without including the thespian on the list.
“I am aware that after the dissolution of the cabinet in January, Femi Adebayo has continued in his role as Special Assistant on Culture and Tourism. In fact he led the Kwara State Arts Council Troupe alongside Saheed Balogun to Abeokuta where they emerged winner of the Drum Festival.
“Where the confusion probably emanated from was because his name (Femi Adebayo) was missing on the list of Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants made available from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.
“That aside, our colleague remains an integral part of this administration and we are glad that the government through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Isiaka Gold made the clarification on its Facebook page saying, “Mr Lateef Femi Adebayo remains Special Assistant on Arts and Culture.”
The SSG had on Sunday released a list of 28 aides of Governor Ahmed with their portfolios. Among those assigned briefs was Alhaji Sulyman Toyin Olokooba as Special Adviser, Political Matters, Prince Tunji Moronfoye as Special Adviser, Communication Strategy, Alhaji Mahmud Babatunde Ajeigbe as Special Adviser, Parastatals Monitoring and Chief Olabode Adekanye as Special Adviser, Electoral matters, among others.