Why I chose Aragbaiye as  HOS- Akeredolu

By Adekola Afolabi
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The Ondo state governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu said the new Head of Service of the state, Mr Oludare Aragbaiye’s attributes of good leadership coupled with general acceptance by the civil servants earned him the position.

Akeredolu, who spoke in Akure, the Ondo State capital, during the swearing-in ceremony of the 13th Head of Service of the state also reiterated his administration’s commitment to functional and effective civil service in the state.

The governor while commending Aragbaiye’s candour, discipline, honesty, effectiveness, efficiency, loyalty, devotion to duty, training and experience, equally enjoined the new helmsman to further inject dedication and discipline into the state civil service to ensure quality service delivery to the people.

He called for a remarkable shift in the organisation of departments and parastatals for optimum service delivery to the people, just as he advised the new HOS to put in place measures which will ensure that only those who work hard earn wages.

According to the governor, the new man at the helm had moved round departments in the Service with a track record of excellence. I make bold to assert that he is an erudite bureaucrat, an astute administrator in whom there is no guile.

There is no disputing the fact that he represents the quintessential breed whose tribe dwindles with alarming rapidity. I make this assertion as a living witness.

” I had known this when I served as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the State between 1997 and 1999. I was fortunate to meet him again when providence made it possible for me to become the Chief servant of the State. I have worked with him at close quarters. I attest to  his exceptional quality and will have no hesitation in recommending him to all the good people of Ondo State.

“Let me state, unequivocally, and for the records, that I am proud of the new Head of Service. This has nothing to do with our shared ancestral heritage as Owo indigenes. His candour, discipline, honesty, effectiveness, efficiency, loyalty, devotion to duty, training, experience, general acceptance by the people he will lead, and all the attributes of good leadership imbued in him earned him this position,” the governor asserted.

Akeredolu also used the special occasion to reiterate his administration’s unwavering commitment to the better welfare of the people, calling on workers to be more efficient and effective, rededicate themselves to duty and as well assist government in blocking all loopholes through which some mindless persons siphon public funds.

“All the government can do to show gratitude is to protect the interest of every diligent person. We vowed that nobody would be persecuted under our watch. We have kept our promise.

We declared, publicly, that our administration would make the welfare of the people the directive policy of the State.

“We also promised that we would strive not to owe workers’ salaries. We were convinced that no worker would suffer injustice under our watch. We have kept our promises till date. While having been paying salaries of Ondo State Public Servants since we assumed office in February, 2017, we have also paid six out of arrears of seven months owed by the previous administration.

“We shall be offsetting the remaining one month soon. It is our firm belief that workers must earn their wages. We shall also demand service from those whose welfare attracts priority from the State.  We have always approved the promotion of all deserving public servants since we mounted the saddle. The exercise has been going on seamlessly. We will, however, not allow any public servant to enjoy unmerited promotion.

“We equally seize this opportunity to admonish those who treat public service with levity. The new Head of Service is enjoined to put in place measures which will ensure that only those who work hard earn wages. I expect to see remarkable shift in the organisation of departments and parastatals for optimum service delivery to the people. It should not be challenging for the government to know those in its employ. We should be able to assess the inputs of our workers. We must move away, decidedly, from a practice which encourages indolence in public service.

“I must also hasten to charge the new Head of Service to note that the reward for hard work is more work. By this deserved elevation, he is advised, strongly, to rededicate himself to serve the people of the State, even more. He is not entirely new to this office.

“As a Permanent Secretary, he had acted in this capacity on several occasions. As a man of grace and uncommon gravitas, I trust he will cast aside any tempting urge to espouse pettiness and retrogressive politics and pursue this onerous task with vigour.  Public servants in Ondo State must be ready to embrace the best practices.

“We have been able to strike the delicate balance between paying salaries and subventions promptly and improving, significantly, on the infrastructural deficit in the State. We note that majority of our people belong to the informal sector. They do not rely on the government for direct survival. We will continue to ensure that those who fall into this category are not neglected,” he emphasised. .

Responding, the new Head of Service, Mr Oluwadare Aragbaiye, appreciated the state governor for the appointment with a promise to reposition the state civil service for optimum performance.

He solicited the cooperation and support of all to enable him deliver on his good plans for the development of the state and improved welfare of the civil servants, just as he advised the civil servants to be ready to put in their best in the interest of all.