NEWS UPDATE: AIYEDATIWA SWEARS IN NEW PERMANENT SECRETARIES, TASKS THEM ON HIGHER PERFORMANCE IN ONDO CIVIL SERVICE

AIYEDATIWA SWEARS IN NEW PERMANENT SECRETARIES, TASKS THEM ON HIGHER PERFORMANCE IN ONDO CIVIL SERVICE

Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has sworn in newly appointed Permanent Secretaries in the state civil service, urging them to strengthen service delivery and raise the standard of performance in line with the administration’s development agenda.

The swearing-in ceremony was held on Friday at the International Centre for Culture and Events, popularly known as The Dome, along Igbatoro Road in Akure, the state capital.

Addressing the gathering, Governor Aiyedatiwa described the exercise as part of ongoing institutional reforms aimed at repositioning the state bureaucracy for improved efficiency and productivity.

According to the governor, the appointment of the new accounting officers forms part of a series of similar exercises undertaken since he assumed office, noting that the initiative aligns with his administration’s commitment to implementing reforms and institutional realignments needed to re-energise the public service for effective service delivery.

He emphasized that the public service remains a critical institution responsible for driving the implementation of government policies and programmes.

“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,” the governor said.

Governor Aiyedatiwa also acknowledged that several of the officers had served in acting capacities as accounting officers for extended periods without receiving full remuneration but continued to carry out their responsibilities with dedication.

“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 said.

The governor noted that their elevation represents government’s formal recognition of their commitment and service, urging them to justify the confidence reposed in them.

He reminded the newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries that their offices come with enormous responsibility and urged them to raise the bar of performance to help translate the administration’s development blueprint, known as “OUR EASE,” into tangible benefits for the people of Ondo State.

Governor Aiyedatiwa further highlighted steps taken by his administration to strengthen the public service, noting that workers in the state have continued to enjoy regular promotions without outstanding salaries, allowances or promotion arrears.

He disclosed that the state government had also recruited more than 4,000 personnel across various sectors, including teaching, medical, legal, agricultural, administrative, cultural and tax services, to strengthen the workforce.

According to him, deserving officers are regularly elevated to the rank of accounting officers such as Permanent Secretaries, Tutors-General, General Managers and Project Managers whenever vacancies arise, as part of efforts to boost morale and encourage career progression in the civil service.

The governor added that the administration had maintained cordial labour-government relations through open dialogue and prompt resolution of labour-related issues.

He also noted that the government had continued to settle inherited gratuity liabilities at both the state and local government levels while working towards clearing outstanding retirement benefits within the shortest possible time.

Governor Aiyedatiwa assured workers that the government would continue to subsidise healthcare services for both serving and retired personnel while prioritising training and capacity-building programmes across the state workforce.

He revealed that the latest appointments represent the third elevation exercise in the civil service since he assumed office, bringing the total number of officers promoted to the rank of Permanent Secretary to about 57 within two years.

The governor commended the leadership and workforce of the state public service for their support in the achievements recorded by his administration so far.

He urged the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries to see their elevation as recognition of their competence and capacity to enhance effective service delivery.

As accounting officers in their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies, he said they serve as a vital link between policy formulation and implementation as well as between political leadership and career officers.

Governor Aiyedatiwa also advised them to demonstrate empathy and humane leadership in their dealings with subordinate officers and avoid any form of harassment of junior staff.

He further urged them to maintain high ethical standards, uphold transparency and accountability in their official and personal conduct, and remain politically neutral in accordance with the Public Service Rules.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Head of Service of Ondo State, Mr. Bayo Philip, congratulated the newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries and urged them to demonstrate diligence, commitment and loyalty in the discharge of their duties.

Philip described their appointments as the beginning of a new phase of responsibility and service to the state, emphasizing that they must justify the confidence reposed in them.

According to him, the public service demands greater dedication and industry from officers at that level, adding that they must prove the system right for selecting them from among several qualified candidates.

He also noted that the appointments cut across both the state and local government services.

The Head of Service commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for his continued commitment to strengthening the state bureaucracy through policies and initiatives designed to enhance the efficiency of the public service.

Speaking on behalf of the newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries, Mr. Steven Rotimi Aworere expressed appreciation to the governor for the appointments and described them as a call to greater responsibility.

Aworere said the newly appointed officers fully understand the weight of the responsibilities entrusted to them and pledged their commitment to delivering quality service.

The ceremony was attended by the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. 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; the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan; the Director-General of OSRC Media Group, Mr. Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson; former members of the State Executive Council; and labour leaders.