Society Gists

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, through his Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila delivered second batch of his Ministerial-Designates to the Senate President.

Among the new 19 nominees is Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Adeboye Salako.
However, there are indications that the governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun is against his nomination and he’s working behind closed door to get his name withdrawn from the ministerial list submitted to the National Assembly.

Our sources also revealed that Abiodun opposed the nomination of Salako mainly because he was the former Director General of Yayi Campaign Structure in Ogun State and this may give Yayi an edge in the Presidency ahead of him.

It is also pertinent to note that the governor does not have a political structure of his own and he is not ready to build one anytime soon.
With this recent development, Dapo Abiodun and Senator Olalekan Solomon’s relationship may be hitting the rocks as the formal is hell-bent to use all the power within his reach to stop Salako’s nomination as a minister under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government.

With the impending confirmation of Salako as Minister in the Federal Executive Council, political watchers in the state are of the opinion that it is a boost for the Yayi group and avenue to empower his followers.

Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, is the pioneer President of Majo Noble Club of Ayetoro (MANCA) is a Public Health Physician, health activist, politician, public analyst, community mobilizer, writer and radio presenter. He holds an MBBS degree from the University of Lagos and Master in Public Health from the Lagos State University. He is a certified colposcopist and sonologist.
He has worked in many institutions including the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Onicha General Hospital, Ebonyi State, St’ Raphel Hospital, Lagos, Mucas Hospital, Lagos and the Lagos State Health Service Commission where he rose to the position of Senior Medical Officer before exiting the organization to pursue other vision.

Due to his community activities and impactful youth mobilization efforts, in 2007 Salako was appointed a commissioner in Ogun State without being a member of any political party. He went on to serve in 3 strategic ministries of Agriculture, Housing and Health. In these ministries, he was able to introduce some innovations which promoted public health and the general welfare of the people for which he was recognized severally by organizations and bodies like The Nigerian Tribune Newspaper, Lions International (District 404), Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association, Property and Environmental Writers Association of Nigeria, Lagos Housing Fair, Nigeria Union of Journalist, National Association of Resident Doctors (LUTH Branch) and the Yewa Traditional Council, just to mention a few.

In 2020, he was appointed as the Chairman, Ogun Hospitals Management Board and was adjudged the best government parastatal Chairman in the State in 2021 by Gateway News Magazine.

Dr. Salako was a student leader and served in several capacities including the President, Association of Medical Students University of Lagos, Vice President, Federation of Africa Medical Students Association and Parliamentarian/Caucus leader, University of Lagos Student Union. He is a member, Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria and the Nigeria Medical Association. He served as the publicity secretary of the Lagos State branch of the NMA in 1993/1994.
While serving the nation in the NYSC programme in 1994/1995, he emerged as one of the top 10 youth corps members in Old Abia State and was also awarded the Golden Handshake Award of President Jimmy Carter of the United State for his efforts at eradicating Guinea Worm in Onicha local government area of old Abia State (Now Ebonyi).

He has been involved in many voluntary activities and currently serve as a member of the Advisory Board of Quality Management Development Institute, Lagos, Member Afisu Olabimtan Foundation, llaro, Secretary, Board of Trustees HOW Foundation, Abeokuta and Secretary, Board of Trustees of Ayetoro Central Initiative for Development. He sits on the board of some profit-making organizations and is currently the Chairman of Klasik Healthtech and Pharma Nigeria Ltd, Remade Pharmacy and Health Stores and SetUp Solar Nigeria Ltd.

He is a well-traveled man and has attended conferences/delivered papers in many professional fora in Nigeria and in other countries of the world including Accra, Ghana, London, UK, New Delhi, India and Ottawa, Canada.
Dr Salako is married with children.