Governor of Ondo State, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Friday swore in newly appointed Permanent Secretaries in the state civil service, charging them to raise the standard of performance and strengthen service delivery in line with the administration’s development blueprint.
The swearing-in ceremony was held at the International Centre for Culture and Events (The Dome), Igbatoro Road, Akure.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor described the exercise as part of his administration’s institutional reforms aimed at repositioning the state bureaucracy for greater efficiency.
The Governor said the appointment of the new accounting officers formed part of a series of similar exercises undertaken since he assumed office, noting that the initiative was consistent with government’s resolve to implement reforms and institutional alignments necessary to re-energise the public service for effective service delivery.
He explained that the public service remained a critical institution responsible for driving the implementation of government policies and programmes.
“The Public Service is a time-tested institution that drives the delivery of government policies and programmes. Government changes hands from time to time but the Public Service remains constant, serving as the institutional memory and the dependable engine room for any government in power,” he said.
According to him, many of the officers had acted in the capacity of Accounting Officers for considerable periods without commensurate remuneration but continued to discharge their duties diligently.
“You have distinguished yourselves through hard work, diligence and perseverance. I am aware that a significant number of you have acted in the capacity of Accounting Officers for considerable periods without commensurate remuneration, yet you continued to give your best,” he said.
Governor Aiyedatiwa noted that their appointment represented government’s formal recognition and reward for their stewardship and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them.
The Governor reminded the new Permanent Secretaries that their positions came with enormous responsibility and urged them to raise the bar of performance in furtherance of the administration’s commitment to translating its development blueprint, “OUR EASE,” into tangible benefits for the people.
He said his administration had continued to accord priority attention to the public service, stressing that regular promotions had been maintained with no outstanding salaries, promotions or allowances owed to workers.
According to him, the government had strengthened the workforce through the recruitment of over 4,000 personnel across teaching, medical, legal, agricultural, administrative, cultural and tax cadres.
He explained that deserving officers were regularly elevated to the rank of accounting officers such as Permanent Secretaries, Tutors-General, General Managers and Project Managers whenever vacancies arose, as a strategy to boost morale and encourage career progression within the service.
The Governor added that the state had sustained cordial labour-government relations through open dialogue and prompt handling of labour-related matters.
He noted that the administration had continued to offset inherited gratuity liabilities at both state and local government levels while reiterating government’s commitment to clearing outstanding retirement benefits within the shortest possible time.
Stressing that the government remained committed to subsidising healthcare for serving and retired workers, the Governor assured that his administration would continue to prioritise capacity building for workers across the state.
Governor Aiyedatiwa said this was the third such elevation in the civil service since his assumption of office. He noted that within a span of two years, about 57 officers had been promoted to the position of Permanent Secretary.
He commended the leadership and entire workforce of the state public service for their support in the achievements recorded by the administration so far.
The Governor urged them to regard their appointment as a recognition of their competence and capacity to advance quality service delivery.
He noted that as accounting officers in their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies, they represent the vital link between policy formulation and implementation as well as between the political leadership and career officers.
The Governor further advised them to demonstrate empathy and humane leadership in their dealings with subordinates and avoid harassment of junior officers.
He urged them to be exemplary in conduct, uphold transparency and accountability in their official and personal dealings, and remain politically neutral in line with the Public Service Rules.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Head of Service of Ondo State, Mr Bayo Philip, charged the newly sworn in permanent secretaries to demonstrate diligence, commitment and loyalty in the discharge of their duties.
Philip said their appointment marked the beginning of a new phase of responsibility and service to the state, urging them to justify the confidence reposed in them.
He noted that the public service demanded greater industry and dedication from them, stressing that they must prove the system right for choosing them from among several qualified officers.
According to him, the appointments covered both the state and local government services.
The Head of Service also appreciated Governor Aiyedatiwa for his commitment to the development of the state bureaucracy, noting that the governor had continued to demonstrate confidence in the public service through policies and initiatives aimed at strengthening the system.
Speaking on behalf of the newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries, Mr. Steven Rotimi Aworere lauded the governor for achieving what no predecessor had in the state.
He described the appointments as a call to greater responsibility, emphasising that they fully understood the weight of the duties entrusted to them.
The ceremony was attended by the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; members of the State Executive Council; Ekiti State HoS, Mrs Folakemi Olomojobi; traditional rulers; SUBEB Chairman, Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan; Director-General, OSRC Media Group, Mr Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson; former executive council members; and labour leaders.
Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan,
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
March 6, 2026.
