By Christian Abolu
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State on Friday swore in newly appointed Permanent Secretaries in the state civil service, charging them to raise the standard of performance and strengthen service delivery in line with his administration’s development blueprint.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at the International Centre for Culture and Events (The Dome) along Igbatoro Road in Akure.
Addressing the gathering, the governor said the exercise formed part of ongoing institutional reforms aimed at repositioning the state bureaucracy for greater efficiency and effectiveness.
Aiyedatiwa noted that the appointment of the new accounting officers was one in a series of similar exercises undertaken since he assumed office, stressing that the initiative aligned with the government’s commitment to implementing reforms and institutional realignments needed to revitalise the public service.
“The Public Service is a time-tested institution that drives the delivery of government policies and programmes. Government changes hands from time to time but the Public Service remains constant, serving as the institutional memory and the dependable engine room for any government in power,” he said.
The governor acknowledged that many of the officers had acted in the capacity of accounting officers for considerable periods without commensurate remuneration but had continued to discharge their responsibilities diligently.
“You have distinguished yourselves through hard work, diligence and perseverance. I am aware that a significant number of you have acted in the capacity of Accounting Officers for considerable periods without commensurate remuneration, yet you continued to give your best,” he added.
Aiyedatiwa said the appointments represented the government’s formal recognition of their dedication and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them.
He reminded the new Permanent Secretaries that their offices came with enormous responsibilities and urged them to raise the bar of performance in furtherance of the administration’s development agenda, tagged “OUR EASE”.
According to the governor, the state government has continued to prioritise the welfare of public servants, maintaining regular promotions while ensuring that no salaries, promotions or allowances are owed to workers.
He disclosed that the administration had also strengthened the workforce through the recruitment of more than 4,000 personnel across teaching, medical, legal, agricultural, administrative, cultural and tax cadres.
The governor explained that deserving officers were regularly elevated to positions such as Permanent Secretaries, Tutors-General, General Managers and Project Managers whenever vacancies arose as part of efforts to boost morale and encourage career progression within the service.
Aiyedatiwa further stated that the government had sustained cordial labour-government relations through open dialogue and prompt resolution of labour-related matters.
He added that the administration had continued to offset inherited gratuity liabilities at both the state and local government levels, while reaffirming its commitment to clearing outstanding retirement benefits within the shortest possible time.
The governor also assured workers that his administration would continue to subsidise healthcare for serving and retired public servants and prioritise capacity building across the service.
He disclosed that the latest exercise was the third such elevation in the civil service since he assumed office, noting that within two years, about 57 officers had been promoted to the rank of Permanent Secretary.
Aiyedatiwa commended the leadership and workforce of the state public service for their contributions to the achievements recorded by his administration.
He urged the new Permanent Secretaries to regard their appointment as recognition of their competence and capacity to advance quality service delivery, adding that as accounting officers in their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies, they represent the crucial link between policy formulation and implementation.
The governor also advised them to demonstrate empathy and humane leadership in their dealings with subordinates, warning against the harassment of junior officers.
He further urged them to uphold transparency and accountability in both official and personal conduct and remain politically neutral in line with the Public Service Rules.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Head of Service of Ondo State, Mr Bayo Philip, charged the newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries to demonstrate diligence, commitment and loyalty in the discharge of their duties.
Philip described their appointment as the beginning of a new phase of responsibility and service to the state, urging them to justify the confidence reposed in them.
According to him, the public service demands greater industry and dedication, stressing that they must prove the system right for selecting them from among several qualified officers.
He also appreciated the governor for his commitment to strengthening the state bureaucracy through policies and initiatives aimed at repositioning the public service.
Speaking on behalf of the newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries, Mr Steven Rotimi Aworere commended the governor for what he described as a historic milestone in the state’s civil service administration.
He described the appointments as a call to greater responsibility and assured that the new Permanent Secretaries fully understood the weight of the duties entrusted to them.
The ceremony was attended by the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prince Segun Omojuwa; members of the State Executive Council; the Head of Service of Ekiti State, Mrs Folakemi Olomojobi; traditional rulers; Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Victor Olabimtan; Director-General of OSRC Media Group, Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson; former members of the state executive council; and labour leaders.
