Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Monday, inaugurated 48 newly-appointed permanent secretaries in the state civil and public service, urging them to perform their duties diligently and contribute to the progress of the state.
The governor called on the new permanent secretaries to support his administration in achieving its vision for sustainable development in Oyo State.
Makinde made the remarks at the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan, after administering the Oaths of Office and Allegiance to the appointees.
He described the event as historic and emphasised that the appointments were made based on merit and objectivity, without any external interference.
The governor’s statement was contained in a release issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, and made available to newsmen in Ibadan.
Makinde pointed out that the appointments of permanent secretaries in the education and local government sectors were aimed at motivating and recognising individuals working tirelessly behind the scenes, as well as institutionalising these sectors within the public service.
He congratulated the new permanent secretaries and expressed his appreciation to the Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, for overseeing the appointment process with great care.
“This is a historic occasion because appointing 48 permanent secretaries is no small task, but these are essential vacancies that need to be filled. We did not politicise the process,” the governor remarked.
He continued, “We did not create these positions, as they have always existed. Over time, we had mainly Coordinating Directors, but now we are appointing permanent secretaries. When this administration came in, we inherited a system where the appointment of permanent secretaries was discretionary. We began a new culture, introducing examinations, and selecting from the list.”
Makinde also took the opportunity to commend the Head of Service for managing the process effectively, stating that she deserved accolades for her efforts.
“Particularly in the education sector, we took the time to appoint Inspectors-General and Tutors-General. Our future depends on how we educate our children because they are the next generation. So, if we have people contributing to building our future, how can we encourage them? That is why we have created opportunities to institutionalise a process where teachers and education sector workers can be rewarded.”
He explained that the same approach was applied to the local government sector, where workers often toil day and night as they are the closest government representatives to the people. The governor expressed his determination to correct past imbalances and provide greater career recognition for those in local government roles.
“When you work hard, the reward is more work. This is just the beginning, and I urge you to do your best to justify your appointment,” he said, reminding the new appointees of their oath to be fair in their decision-making processes.
The 48 newly-appointed permanent secretaries include three who were previously appointed, 15 from the mainstream civil service, 15 from the education sector—comprising Inspectors-General of Education and Tutors-General—and six from the health sector. There are also seven from the government sector, including the Permanent Secretary/Clerk of the House and the Surveyor-General of the state.