Oyetola Urges Southwest Heads Of Service To Promote Regional Agenda

Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, has urged Heads of Service in the South West states to key into the developmental agenda of the region.

He said the bureaucracy should rise towards the rejuvenation revitalisation and recovery of the lost glory of the civil service in the region.

Oyetola noted that the quest to build a virile region that would be a model and lead to the actualisation of the dreams of the founding fathers should be driven by those at the helm of affairs.

Governor Oyetola spoke on Tuesday while declaring open the Strategic Meeting of the Heads of Service in Southwest States organised in collaboration with Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, and Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL), in Osogbo.

The meeting was attended by Heads of Service in Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti and Lagos states; Chief of Staff to the Osun State Governor, Dr Charles Akinola; Director General, DAWN Commission, Mr Seye Oyeleye, and top civil servants, among others.

Oyetola called on the bureaucrats to take the advantage of their convergence to work out modalities that would strengthen civil service and promote efficiency, productivity, diligence, effectiveness and proficiency across levels in the public service.

Governor Oyetola who was represented by Deputy Governor, Mr Benedict Alabi, implored the chief bureaucrats and technocrats in the region to adhere strictly to the ethics of their profession and promote things that can place the region above its peers.

He said the Heads of Service must begin to look inward to address myriads of challenges‎ confronting the region in view of their status as integral part of government in each of the western states.

Oyetola said: “As chief technocrats and policy makers in your different states, the onus lies on you all, for a return to the old functional and efficient Public Service that used to be the pride of all.

“There is no doubt that your meeting from time to time and at this period towards sharpening the bureaucracy in our region is well acknowledged as a step in the right direction.

“It is no doubt widely recognised that this is capable of ensuring efficient service delivery, especially within the ambit of the Public Service.

“Right from the days of the defunct Western Region under the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, you would all recall that the Western States Public Service was ahead of its peers in the Nigerian Federation.
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“Meanwhile, your collective initiative to make a difference will equally impact positively on public service efficiency and due process and move the zone forward, thereby making the dreams of the founding fathers come true, especially in this period of national economic disequilibrium”.

Governor Oyetola who commended the leadership of the civil service in the region for bringing and holding the meeting in Osun, reaffirmed his administration’s determination to ensure standard of living and make life abundant for workers in the state.

He added, “I am glad that Osun hosts Heads of the Bureaucracy, that is, Heads of Service in the South Western States of Nigeria.

“Our administration has given topmost priority to the welfare of workers from time to time, noting that they are the engine room of the government in ensuring effective implementation of programmes and policies.

“So, It is my fervent hope that your deliberations will go a long way in moving our region forward”.

Osun Head of Service, Dr Oyebade Olowogboyega told the participants of the state’s commitment towards repositioning and rebuilding the civil service in the state.

He ‎stressed the need for him and his colleagues to work together to ensure that the southwest reclaimed its position as the most formidable and productive region

‎The Director General DAWN Commission, Mr Seye Oyeleye, told the participants to maximise the opportunity of the meeting to brainstorm on things that would effect change in the system.