By Adedotun Ajayi

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Tuesday received the Forum of retired Permanent Secretaries in a courtesy visit at his office in Alagbaka, Akure.

The forum led by Prince Fioye Bajowa, expressed condolences for the late Governor Oluwarotimi’s passing and congratulated Governor Aiyedatiwa on assuming office as the 7th Executive Governor of the state.

“We express our heartfelt condolences on the passing of late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and extend our warmest congratulations to Your Excellency on your appointment as Governor of the State,” said Bajowa

“We are grateful for the administration’s efforts in raising the pensions of some old members of the association and appreciate the allocation of Quarter 79 for our use as a secretariat,” Bajowa continued.

“We extend profound gratitude to His Excellency for the extension of palliatives to members of the association and to inform him about the redesigned and restructured building, funded through levies on members’ pensions, and we also want you to commission the building, named after the first Ondo state head of service, Chief T.A Iwajomo, on the 21st of March 2024,” added Bajowa

“We also want to use this medium to express our members readiness to partner and contribute to the success of this administration from the pool of expertise and experience gathered by members over the years,” Bajowa stated.

“To partner with the government, let there be a public service desk/budget in the office of the Head of Service to foster collaboration with the state Government. We appreciate the palliatives extended to us, we humbly request for more palliative measures to cushion the effect of undue hardship being experienced due to fuel subsidy removal. We also appeal for compulsory health insurance because some members are facing some serious health challenges already,” he concluded

Addressing the retired permanent secretaries, Governor Aiyedatiwa referred to them as heroes of civil service, acknowledging their collective service to the state. He welcomed them and expressed gratitude for their condolences on the demise of the late governor.

“He was a man who saw tomorrow, that’s why I call him a prophet. It was his desire for me to succeed him but not in death” remarked Governor Aiyedatiwa, reflecting on the late governor’s vision.

In response to the acknowledgment of palliatives received, Governor Aiyedatiwa assured the group of ongoing efforts to make more available.

“Whatever we can use to support, we would, because you all are part of the people who have labored for the growth of the state, so we have to look for a way to support you too” Governor Aiyedatiwa affirmed, reiterating the government’s commitment to retirees’ welfare.

Aiyedatiwa expressed readiness to commission the secretariat at the aforesaid date and reiterated his commitment to supporting the retirees’ welfare.