By Adeyinka Adeniran
Governor Seyi Makinde, has assured of his administration’s determination to keep making right decisions for the benefit of the public/civil servants and the state as a whole.
The governor equally reiterated that his administration will continue to build institutions that will guarantee continuity after the expiration of his tenure.
The governor stated these on Wednesday during the 2024 Public Service Week and Productivity/Merit Award Day celebration held at the Ibadan Civic Centre, Idi-Ape, Ibadan.
The governor congratulated the awardees for serving the state meritoriously, urging them to strive to do more.
He assured that his administration had always promoted excellence and would continue to celebrate hard work among the workers.
According to him, the productivity award event was an opportunity for him to appreciate workers, who have been working hand in hand with him to translate the dreams of his administration into reality.
Governor Makinde also used the occasion to reward the immediate Coordinating Director, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Adedigba Aderogba, who retired in October 2024, with the post of a Permanent Secretary as his retirement gift.
While thanking the public/civil servants for their efforts and support, Governor Makinde assured them of better days ahead.
The governor was later honoured by the Civil/Public Service of the state in recognition of his worker-friendly policies since he became the governor of the state.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, appreciated Governor Makinde for his unwavering support in making the Public Service Week a reality and his commitment to the welfare and development of the public service through regular salary payments, payment of a monthly economic relief package of N25,000 to civil servants and N15,000 to retirees.
She also lauded the governor on the approval of N80,000 minimum wage, support for professional development/capacity building for workers, approval for recruitment of 25,000 unemployed graduates across different cadres without any discrimination and 100 per cent increase in fund release for pension and gratuity as well as the regular payment of pensions to retirees.
Mrs Oni, therefore, charged the state’s workers to continue to demonstrate loyalty and transparency, integrity and accountability in decision-making in order to move the state forward.
About 55 officers from the junior, senior and management cadres were awarded across various ministries, departments and agencies in the Oyo State Public/Civil Service, while the Office of the Head of Service emerged the Most Outstanding Ministry, with the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) emerging the Most Outstanding Agency of the year 2023.
The event had in attendance the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr ‘Bayo Lawal; former Deputy Governors, Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi and Barrister Hazeem Gbolarumi; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Hon. Justice Iyabo Yerima; Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Adebo Ogundoyin and former Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu.
Others were the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo; Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Fola Oyekunle; Commissioners and other functionaries.
