By Adedotun Ajayi

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Wednesday inaugurated 16 new permanent secretaries and two tutors-general at the cocoa conference hall, Governor’s office Alagbaka, in Akure.

It would be recalled that the governor approved their appointment on March 5, 2024. The 16 new permanent secretaries are made up of 14 in the core civil service and two in the local government service.

They include; Mr Igbekele Jatuwase, Mr Ogundipe O.T, Mrs Tunde-Daramola F.O, Mr Akinkuotu Oyewole Thomas, Mr Ogunlade S.S, Mr Omoba S.O, Mr Femi Ayodele, Mr Omomowo F.A, Dr Asere O.O, Mrs Akinola Funmilayo, Mr Ogundele Olabanji, Mrs O.I Adejumo, Mr Asonja F.O, and Dr Adiji A, for the State service, while for the local government includes, Mrs. M.O Idris and Dr Bayo Ilawole, while the tutors-general are Mr Ojo Olatunde Rufus and Mrs Abe Nike Angela.

Addressing the newly-appointed Permanent Secretaries and Tutors-General, Governor Aiyedatiwa emphasized the importance of aligning with the administration’s vision and values from the outset.

He urged the appointees to grasp the administration’s vision and immediately integrate themselves into its mission of promoting efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the public service.

“As Permanent Secretaries and officers of equivalent rank, I urge the new appointees to have a clear understanding of this vision and key into it, immediately”
 
“As Accounting Officers, you are to provide the required administrative leadership in your respective MDAs to ensure prompt but effective service delivery, devoid of unnecessary red tape”  

“You are advised to work well with your political heads in the overall interest of this Administration. You are to imbibe our extant doctrine of One Administration and apply same, always.  In total, you are to add value to this Administration and justify your appointment”
 
“I need not tell you and the generality of the Public Servants that this Administration will not condone any form of infraction that can erode the confidence of the Public in it”

“I wish to mention for information that plans are underway to shore up the staffing position in the critical sectors of health, education and others.  In fact, in teaching alone, government will recruit not less than two thousand fresh hands, to start with, in the course of the current year” he added

Emphasizing the importance of seniority and fair spread in the appointment process, the governor highlighted the elevation as a confirmation of the officers’ exceptional performance in acting capacities.

The governor said “This appointment which is the first since my assumption of office as the governor of ondo state, is done on the basis of seniority and fair spread.  In the present circumstance, it is more or less, a confirmation of officers who had performed the role of Permanent Secretary in acting capacity for a while.  Of course, the confirmation of most of the beneficiaries had been pending since 2022”

“There is no doubting the fact that, going by your track records, your elevation will spur you to greater productivity in the Service by deploying your wealth of experience in the discharge of your schedules”
 
“Let me reiterate that, appointment of Permanent Secretaries and Tutors-General is not a once-and-for-all thing.  It will happen whenever the occasion demands. No undue politics about it and there shouldn’t be any at all!  I therefore wish to charge those who are yet to be considered to keep giving their best, for in due season, fortune will smile at them”

Furthermore, Governor Aiyedatiwa issued a stern warning against any form of violence as elections are near.

He said “As we draw near to the election period, I wish to appeal to all and sundry to let peace reign. Democracy allows for divergent opinions but not undue insinuations, mis-representations, acrimony and violence. I plead with all political gladiators not to destroy the very state we intend to serve”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Head of Service, Mr. Bayo Philip, expressed gratitude to the governor for swiftly appointing the permanent secretaries.

He commended the governor for his dedication to workers’ welfare, noting that the governor has consistently upheld the legacy of excellence established by the Akeredolu/Aiyedatiwa administration.

He emphasized the governor’s commitment to enhancing workers’ well-being by implementing various initiatives to improve their quality of life and that of the citizens at large. Additionally, he urged the governor to persist in his commendable efforts, stressing the importance of continuous improvement and progress.

Speaking on behalf of other permanent secretaries/Tutors-general, Mr Ogunlade S.S commended Gov Aiyedatiwa for the trust reposed in them, with a promise not to embezzle the state revenue, and pledged to support the government of ondo state in all capacities.

Also in attendance is the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami, the Secretary to the State Government, Tayo Oluwatuyi, Chief of staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa, Chief judge of Ondo state, Olusegun Odusola, Speaker House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, APC state chairman, Ade Adetimehin, Members of the state executive council, members of the state House of Assembly, Permanent Secretaries, Tutors-generals, traditional rulers, Religious leaders, Labour leaders and party leaders.