Ondo State Governor Aiyedatiwa administers oaths of office to 32 newly appointed permanent secretaries

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has emphasized the need for enhanced service delivery as he administered the oath of office to 32 new permanent secretaries in the state.

n

This call to action was made during the swearing-in ceremony, which took place on Friday in Akure, where Aiyedatiwa urged the permanent secretaries to facilitate the effective implementation of government policies and programmes.

n

The exercise marked the third of its kind since Aiyedatiwa's administration took office, aiming to revamp the state's bureaucracy and bolster efficiency in service delivery.

n

Aiyedatiwa acknowledged the public service as a vital institution that drives government policies and programmes, noting that despite changes in political leadership, the public service remains a constant driving force behind governance.

n

He expressed appreciation for the permanent secretaries' dedication to duty, acknowledging that many had acted in the capacity of accounting officers for extended periods without commensurate compensation, yet continued to deliver their best efforts.

n

Aiyedatiwa reminded the newly appointed permanent secretaries that their positions come with significant responsibilities, tasking them to work towards advancing the state's developmental blueprint and ensuring that government policies yield tangible benefits for the people.

n

The governor highlighted that his administration has recruited over 4,000 personnel into key sectors, including teaching, health, law, agriculture, administration, culture, and taxation, to strengthen the state's workforce.

n

Earlier, the state Head of Service, Mr. Bayo Philip, advised the permanent secretaries to demonstrate diligence, loyalty, and commitment in their duties, describing their appointment as the beginning of a new phase of responsibility.

n

Philip emphasized the need for the permanent secretaries to justify the confidence placed in them, urging them to prove themselves worthy of the system's selection.

n

He encouraged them to work with the awareness that the public service matters and that their diligent service is of utmost importance.

n

In response, one of the newly appointed permanent secretaries, Mr. Lanre Akarakiri, expressed gratitude to the governor for the opportunity to serve and pledged to uphold the civil service rules.