Osun Civil Service: New Concept, New Scope, As Intelligentsia Takes Over

The announcement of Mr Festus Olowogboyega Oyebade, as the new head of service in Osun,  following the voluntary retirement of the former number one civil servant in the state, Mr Sunday Owoeye expectedly marked a beginning of an era in the Osun  civil service structure.

Dr Festus Olowogboyega Oyebade

Oyebade,  an intelligentsia with intimidating credentials came to the saddle with a distinct concept and scope, which aimed at liberalising the civil service for greater performance.

His narrative of the new scope intrinsically encapsulates thorough flexibility in the service,  it will systematically eliminate rigidity that renders civil service practically a red-tape,  and unproductive.

Speaking at Ayedaade Grammar school, Ikire on Monday,  during a 5-day tour Oyebade embarked upon to sensitise and inform teachers in schools across the three senatorial districts, he implored teachers to attune themselves with the new scope.

He revealed  that the new civil service concept  is one in which civil servants will be freely deployed to areas of critical needs, including teaching.

“The current redeployment policy would be used as part of the criteria for the promotion for any civil servant, it would exploit suitable means in ensuring that there is tremendous improvements in the civil service.

Meanwhile,  The governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf  Aregbesola, during the swearing-in ceremony for the new Hos  in October 18 had expressed absolute confidence in Oyebade’s ability in transforming the civil service.

According to Aregbesola” Oyebade is well recommended. He is well prepared for the job. His academic qualification, which traversed nearly the whole spectrum of academic cadre and capped with a doctorate degree is the stuff of envy for those in the academic line. This is in addition to the three degrees he bagged in law, making fit and proper and well suitable for the job.

“His job experience which he began as an information officer in the old Oyo State in 1991, shortly before the creation of our state, and which took him to several local governments in various capacities, culminating in his appointment as Permanent Secretary five years ago makes him undoubtedly qualified.

“I  will not forget to add that he is an intrepid labour warrior who has carved a niche for himself as a fighter for workers and human rights.

“Delivering on our promises also requires that we give the instrument, which is the workforce, a cutting.  He is therefore coming at the time we are positioning the service for efficiency and optimum performance. His predecessor has gone far on this; “What is he going to preside over? What is the bureaucracy? Bureaucracy is of French origin in the mid 18th century.

Etymologically, it is a combination of the French word bureau – desk or office – with the Greek word Kratos – rule or political power. But the modern form of bureaucracy evolved in the expanding Department of Excise in the United Kingdom during the 18th century.

“The relative efficiency and professionalism in this state-run authority allowed the government to impose a very large tax burden on the population and raise great sums of money for war expenditure. According to Niall Ferguson, the bureaucracy was based on “recruitment by examination, training, promotion on merit, regular salaries and pensions, and standardized procedures.

“The German sociologist, Max Weber, argued that bureaucracy constitutes the most efficient and rational way in which one can organise human activities; and that systematic processes and organized hierarchies are necessary to maintain order, maximize efficiency, and eliminate favouritism.

“Oyebade’s biggest task in repositioning the service will be changing perception on the role and responsibilities of the workers in government. This is because our experience, given the challenges we faced recently, suggests that this understanding is lacking, particularly in the larger society.

“Nevertheless, the ultimate goal is to be productive; the objectives of governance must be realised and the government machinery must be able to generate the resources needed to run it.

“There has been a pervasive but wrong notion which describes Osun as a civil service state with the understanding that money should be sourced from outside to run the state. This is factually and conceptually wrong. While the monthly wage bill in Osun is at the best of time N3.6 billion, the GDP of the state every month is over N1 trillion. Osun is a predominantly an agrarian state. This is why our administration has been working very hard to promote agriculture and build a thriving economy and prosperity around it.

“You have served well and deserve the best treatment. It is my prayer that the good times will return when we shall again be paying the 13th month full salary; when we shall resume overseas training and courses for workers and when promotions will be prompt and as when due,” Aregbesola said.