…says retirees’ institutional knowledge crucial to state devt
* Gov adopts federal salary scale for health workers -HoS
By Fisayo Akinduro & Precious Oluwole
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has said his administration will continue to draw from the experience and institutional memory of retired permanent secretaries and senior civil servants, describing them as a vital resource for strengthening governance and public service delivery.
Aiyedatiwa stated this on Wednesday at the annual get-together and send-off ceremony for retired permanent secretaries and tutors-general, held at DejaVu Hotel and Suites, Alagbaka, Akure.
The governor said retired senior civil servants remained invaluable assets whose administrative depth and practical understanding of governance must continue to be harnessed for the development of the state.
He explained that the administration remained open to leveraging the intellectual capital and wealth of experience of retired permanent secretaries and administrators to enhance efficiency in governance.
Aiyedatiwa disclosed that several members of the forum of retired heads of service and permanent secretaries had already been appointed into sensitive political roles, underscoring the relevance of their expertise beyond active service.
According to him, the annual gathering was designed not only as a farewell ceremony but also as a platform to recognise the dedication, sacrifice, discipline and exemplary leadership demonstrated by the retirees throughout their service years.
He noted that permanent secretaries occupy strategic positions in government as accounting officers and administrative heads of ministries, departments and agencies, adding that their adherence to due process and established regulations had continued to provide stability in governance.
The governor stressed that the progress recorded by successive administrations in the state would not have been possible without the commitment and professionalism of public servants who drive policy implementation.
Aiyedatiwa urged retirees to view retirement not as the end of public service, but as a transition into another phase of contribution where they could mentor younger officers and promote professionalism within the civil service.
On welfare, he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the public service and improving productivity, recalling that a monthly allowance of N30,000 was approved for retirees during negotiations on the new minimum wage.
He commended the organisers of the annual event for sustaining a tradition that fosters unity, camaraderie and continued engagement among retired senior officers.
The governor congratulated the retirees and wished them good health, peace of mind and fulfilment in retirement.
In his remarks, the Head of Service, Bayo Philip, commended the governor for prioritising workers’ welfare, prompt settlement of retirees’ entitlements and expansion of the civil service workforce.
Philip said civil servants in the state had continued to benefit from what he described as a responsive and worker-friendly administration, noting that the governor recently approved immediate payment of terminal benefits for retired permanent secretaries to ease access to their entitlements.
He disclosed that about 5,000 new appointments had been made to strengthen the civil service.
The HoS further stated that the administration had approved accommodation support for about 150 retired graduate headmasters affected by a policy delay dating back to 2009, many of whom had died before intervention.
He also confirmed that the governor approved the federal salary review for medical officers and health workers, making Ondo State one of the early adopters of the scale.
Philip urged retired permanent secretaries to maintain their dignity and continue contributing meaningfully to the development of the public service.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the Forum of Ondo State Permanent Secretaries, Segun Odusanya, commended the governor for reforms aimed at strengthening institutional capacity within the civil service.
He described the forum as a structured body established to promote welfare, professional continuity and administrative discipline among serving and retired permanent secretaries.
Odusanya said the forum had continued to support public service efficiency through orientation programmes and reinforcement of administrative culture for effective policy execution.
He commended the governor for appointing 34 permanent secretaries and providing official vehicles for 22 previously appointed officers, describing the gesture as a boost to institutional effectiveness.
He also applauded the administration’s achievements in infrastructure, security, health and education, including the commissioning of the state’s first flyover bridge.
Odusanya noted that gratuity payments had been extended up to 2019 for state retirees and 2014 for local government pensioners, describing it as a significant intervention.
However, he appealed for the settlement of outstanding furniture allowances owed to permanent secretaries appointed since 2021 and urged prompt payment of gratuities for retired permanent secretaries.
In their goodwill messages, the Orungberuwa of Ode-Erinje Kingdom, Oladele Akinmoye, and President of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries, Mojisola Grace Ajayi, expressed appreciation to the state government for its continued support to retirees.
They said the government’s interventions had eased concerns often associated with retirement, adding that life after service had become more stable and fulfilling.
They urged serving public officers to remain diligent, disciplined and committed, stressing that the quality of one’s service life determines the nature of retirement enjoyed.
Responding on behalf of the retired permanent secretaries, Bunmi Alade said it was a thing of joy to serve and retire.
He said the grace of God has been sufficient for those retiring, being part of the programme.
In attendance were Olaleye Akinola, Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry; Special Adviser to the Governor on Public and Intergovernmental Relations, Kikelomo Ikuomola; retired permanent secretaries, civil servants, among others.