The Oyo State Government has charged civil and public servants in the state to uphold work ethics and integrity in the discharge of their duties.
The state Deputy Governor, Adebayo Lawal, stated this, on Tuesday, during an event organised by the Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries of Oyo and Osun States (AREHSPSOOS) to honour the association’s octogenarians.
At the event, held at the Oyo State Nigeria Union of Pensioners House, Ibadan, Lawal said the civil/public service is the engine room of any administration in terms of the quality of advice they give to the government and the uniqueness of courage at which such advice is delivered.
He noted: “This day, it is not exactly the same thing, as most of our civil servants are called politicians. We know those who, under the cover of the night, will go to political heads and tell so many things that should not be told to politicians.”
Lawal however advised civil/public servants in the state to be prayerful and circumspect in how they relate with politicians, saying civil service rules and regulations have been put in place but most civil servants do not know what civil service rules and regulations are, because they do not read.
The deputy governor equally advised members of the association not to leave the serving staff as they still need to be tutored, nurtured and guided, explaining that the association should point the workers to what they are doing well or otherwise, so that the state could move forward.
In a goodwill message, the Oyo State Head of Service, Amidat Agboola, said there had been constant touch with the body of AREHSPSOOS for any of the government’s programmes.
Agboola stated: “We are open for discussions, recommendations or directives because you were once our bosses and you were giving us these instructions when you were there, so, do not leave the civil/public service alone.”
She highlighted some of the robust relationships that the association had with the present administration in the state which includes participation in Public Service Merit Awards, disclosing that the governor had approved the review of public service rules and regulations, which would be done by five members of the association.
In his goodwill message, a former military governor of Oyo and Osun states, Brigadier General Oluwole Rotimi (Rtd), harped on continuous training for civil and public servants in the state and spoke on integrity and ethics in the service, saying: “A civil service without integrity is of no use to a developing country like Nigeria.”
In his opening remarks, the chairman of the day and another former military governor of Oyo and Osun states, Major General Oladayo Popoola (Rtd), advised serving civil servants to plan for their retirement thoroughly so that they would not rely on people for their survival.
In his welcome address, the chairman of the association, Alhaji Oladiti Oladapo, eulogised the retirees for their uprightness, integrity and diligence while in service.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of honorarium to members of the association. They include: Prince Lola Omojowolo JP, MNIM, Arc. Biliaminu Shodeinde, John Ajibola JP, Mustafa Oyero, Michael Mojoyinola JP, KSM and Mrs. Juliana Fawusi.
