Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to improving the welfare of serving public servants and retirees, stressing that the contributions of the public service remain critical to effective governance and sustainable development.
Oyebanji made the commitment while addressing the 12th Quarterly General Meeting of the Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries of South-West Nigeria (ARHOSPS-SWN), held in Ado-Ekiti
The meeting, hosted by the Ekiti State chapter of the association at its Secretariat and Relaxation Centre in Ado-Ekiti, brought together retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries from Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo States, alongside serving Permanent Secretaries in the Ekiti State Civil Service.
The Governor, represented at the meeting by the State Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi, said his administration remained committed to strengthening public institutions and improving the welfare of retirees, while recognising the wealth of experience and institutional knowledge acquired by retired senior public servants over the course of their careers.
Oyebanji disclosed that ₦250 million is being set aside monthly to address gratuity arrears, in addition to substantial payments already made toward pension and gratuity obligations at both the state and local government levels.
He noted that Ekiti was among the first states to implement the ₦70,000 minimum wage, and that the government had also approved and paid a ₦20,000 across-the-board increment for retirees.
Beyond pensions and gratuities, Oyebanji highlighted his administration's broader programmes covering infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, education, youth development, job creation, tourism and industrialisation, describing them as part of a wider effort to create an environment in which both serving workers and retirees can benefit from improved public services and economic opportunities.
In her goodwill message, the Ekiti State Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi, commended the retired senior officers for their years of service, describing them as custodians of valuable knowledge, experience and institutional memory.
Her message, delivered by the Permanent Secretary in the Deputy Governor's Office, Mr Adeleke Adefolaju, urged them to continue mentoring serving officers and to document their experiences through memoirs, professional papers and biographies for the benefit of present and future generations.
The South-West Regional President of the Association, Mr Demola Badejo, presented a report on his first 365 days in office, outlining a seven-point agenda covering media visibility, the O'DUA House Initiative, strategic partnerships, mobilisation and inclusion, relationship building, patronage and funding, and advocacy and engagement with government.
Welcoming delegates, the President of the Ekiti State Chapter of the Association, Mr Oluwole Ariyo, described Ekiti as a state to watch in the South-West, citing developments in tourism, infrastructure, education and healthcare.
He attributed the state's progress to the Governor's accountability and prudent management of public resources.
Ariyo also commended the Governor for generously supporting the hosting of the regional meeting, and appealed to the Governor, public-spirited individuals and other stakeholders to support completion of the association's Secretariat project in Ado-Ekiti.
The meeting also featured a keynote address titled "The Doctrine of Neutrality, Impartiality and Anonymity," delivered on behalf of Elder S.O. Bankole by retired Permanent Secretary Mr Kunle Olofin.
The address stressed the importance of neutrality and impartiality in the public service and urged public officers to provide political leaders with objective and honest advice in the interest of good governance.
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
0 Comments