Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to making decisions that benefit civil servants and the state as a whole. Speaking on Wednesday at the 2024 Public Service Week and Productivity/Merit Award Day celebration held at the Ibadan Civic Centre, Idi-Ape, Ibadan, Makinde emphasized his resolve to build institutions that ensure continuity beyond his tenure.
During the event, the governor congratulated awardees for their outstanding service to the state and encouraged them to continue excelling in their duties. He highlighted the importance of recognizing and celebrating hard work, noting that the productivity awards provided an opportunity to appreciate workers who contribute to the realization of his administration’s goals.
In a special gesture, Governor Makinde announced the appointment of Mr. Adedigba Aderogba, the recently retired Coordinating Director of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, as a Permanent Secretary as part of his retirement recognition.
Makinde also assured civil and public servants of improved welfare, expressing gratitude for their support and cooperation. He reiterated his administration’s focus on worker-friendly policies and promised better days ahead.
The governor was honored by the civil and public service of the state for his policies that prioritize workers’ welfare.
In her welcome address, the Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, commended Governor Makinde for his consistent support of public service development. She highlighted several key achievements under his administration, including:
Regular salary payments.
Payment of monthly economic relief packages of ₦25,000 for civil servants and ₦15,000 for retirees.
Approval of an ₦80,000 minimum wage.
Recruitment of 25,000 unemployed graduates across cadres.
Doubling the funds allocated for pension and gratuity payments.
Regular pension payments to retirees.
Mrs. Oni urged workers to uphold loyalty, transparency, integrity, and accountability to propel the state forward.
During the event, 55 officers across junior, senior, and management cadres were recognized for their exceptional performance in various ministries, departments, and agencies. The Office of the Head of Service was named the Most Outstanding Ministry, while the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) received the award for Most Outstanding Agency of 2023.
Dignitaries at the ceremony included the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barrister Bayo Lawal; former Deputy Governors, Engineer Hamid Gbadamosi and Barrister Hazeem Gbolarumi; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Honorable Justice Iyabo Yerima; Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; and other notable officials and stakeholders.
