Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has charged newly appointed Permanent Secretaries in the state civil service to place the interest of the state above personal considerations and discharge their duties with integrity, transparency and commitment.
The governor gave the charge during the swearing in ceremony held at the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, where the new top civil servants took their Oaths of Office and Allegiance. He urged them to demonstrate excellence, avoid corruption and sentiment, and ensure that the ministries, departments and agencies under their supervision perform better than they met them.
Governor Makinde explained that the appointments were based strictly on merit, competence and performance, noting that his administration had institutionalised a system that rewards excellence while also ensuring fair representation across the state’s geopolitical zones and religious backgrounds. He further advised the appointees to remain loyal to Oyo State rather than individuals, stressing that governments and political actors will come and go but the state must remain the primary focus.
The governor noted that the newly sworn-in officials include Permanent Secretaries for the mainstream civil service, the education sector, the local government service, the House of Assembly Service Commission, as well as the Auditor-General for the state.
Reacting on behalf of the new Permanent Secretaries, Mr. Jubril Adekola Alaga from the Local Government sector described their elevation as long awaited and appreciated the governor for the confidence reposed in them. Mr. Alaga pledged that the newly appointed officials would work diligently to move Oyo State forward and ensure that their respective offices become more effective in delivering service to the people.
