Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji on Thursday sworn in 10 newly appointed Permanent Secretaries in the State Civil Service, urging them to discharge their duties effectively and do their best to maintain the tempo of development in the state.
Speaking at the event , which took place at the Lady Jibowu Hall, Government House, Ado- Ekiti, Governor Oyebanji urged the new Permanent Secretaries to work hand in hand with his administration to realize his government’s shared prosperity agenda as well as its vision of sustainable development in the state.
He told the audience which include the deputy Governor, top government functionaries that the new permanent secretaries emerged through a highly competitive process, stating that he will not play politics with appointment into critical positions, including the teaching profession.
The Governor, who revealed that the process of their selection and appointments followed their success in the highly competitive examination and based on objectivity, merit and free from any interference, said the exercise was in a bid to strengthen the leadership of the civil service and reposition it for effective service delivery.
While commending the Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi for being diligent and discreet in handling the selection and appointment process, he stressed the need for government to foster culture of creativity, cooperation, innovation, efficiency, effectiveness and accountability within the MDAs since governance has continued to be complex and demands urgent performance.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to merit, transparency, and fairness in the state civil service, insisting that appointments and promotions will no longer be influenced by politics, religion, gender, or personal connections.
While congratulating the new Permanent Secretaries, the Governor reminded them that the custody of public funds and effective implementation of government policies fall within their purview adding that, since their everyday choices will affect thousands of lives, they must be guided by patience and not convenience.
Those sworn in are S.O. Ibijola, Olaonipekun Eweje, Sunday Omoya, Morakinyo Akilo, Adelusi Lateef, Peter Ejimokun, Olufemi Adediran, Ayoola Clement, Bayode Lawrence, and Toyin Ojelabi-Pedro.
The Governor said “ This administration has consistently upheld a merit-based mechanism in the selection and appointment of key officers in the civil service. Out of the 141 eligible candidates invited for a computer-based test facilitated by UMA Capital Partners, only 28 emerged on the shortlist for the final interviews, from among which the first 10 were selected, so we still have 18.”
In an apparent reference to clamouring for waivers for some candidates that failed to meet the cut off marks in the recent teachers recruitment exercise, the Governor said here is no goin back on the merit – based approach used for the selection process .
“ I’m not going to play politics with the appointment of those that will teach our children. Whoever that are appointed, they are indigenes and citizens of Ekiti State, I just want the best to teach our children so that they can compete globally with anybody from any part of the world.”
He assured other candidates who made the cut off point and were not invited to be rest assured that as long as there is vacancies, government will still pick from them.
The Governor added, “I am saying it publicly there’s a cut-off now from number 10, When there are other vacancies, we start from number 11. We are not going to do any other appointment until we get to the cut-off minimum because the system must be seen to be fair. So, until we get to the last point on that list, I’m not going to do any other appointment.
“I would like to remind you all that the position of Permanent Secretaries is a call to service, I charge you to not only serve with diligence and excellence, but to equally inspire and motivate the staff you work with. Your appointment is not a suggestion that you are an imperial boss, but a mandate to be team leaders that inspire their subordinates, he said.
While highlighting some of the achievement of his administration in lifting the civil service beyond what it used to be in the past, Governor Oyebanji said, “As a government, we will continue to encourage professionalism and a level playground for civil servants. Our administrations, as upheld our commitment to excellence, diligence and fairness in the public service.
He added, “Our commitment to the different welfare packages, such as car and housing loans evident by the 100% increases approved for different categories. I am aware that our financial commitment to the public service forums and the Award of Excellence programme has further ignited passion for excellence as a reward for our work.
Earlier, the Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi expressed her profound appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for giving the Civil Servants the necessary impetus to thrive despite the various challenges facing the service nationally as the Governor has consistently and deliberately shown himself as a leader who leads from the front by epitomizing the true meaning of a faithful and diligent public servant.
Olomojobi commended the Governor for prioritizing the development of the public service through capacity building, welfare enhancement, and consistent recognition of outstanding performance. She cited the government’s cash awards of excellence to 138 civil servants amounting to over one hundred and ten million naira, as well as infrastructure improvements and recruitment in the education and health sectors.
While congratulating the appointee, she urge them to carefully consider the assignment ahead and be constantly reminded that they have been called to a very special assignment that requires their expertise and innovation to strengthen the service for excellence and efficiency.
Also present at the event are Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, members of the state House of Assembly, Secretary to the State Government Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi, members of the state executive council, former Heads of Service and other top government officials.
