Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has reiterated that his administration would continue to make best decisions that would serve the interest of the state and guarantee a secured future for the betterment of its residents.
The Governor, who made the remarks at the 2024 Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, held at the Open Space of the House of Assembly Complex, Secretariat, Ibadan, also promised to build on the good policies and legacies of the past administrations and those implemented during his first term of office.
Speaking at the programme, the 5th edition since he became Governor in 2019, Makinde called for thanksgiving to God, appreciated the people of Oyo State, especially the civil/public servants and pensioners for their unflinching support before, during and after his re-election into office.
He said: “Government exists to look after the welfare of the people and the development of the state. What should we be doing to secure our future? We have to complete the infrastructural projects we have started. We believe our infrastructure must hunt our economy and be in such a way that it must allow us to earn more and create a prosperous state.”
The Governor explained that in spite of challenges, the government has to attend to the welfare of civil and public servants, and attend to projects that would make life more meaningful for the people, and unleash the creativity in them, so as to produce a prosperous state.
Makinde stated:“It cannot be a one-sided thing. So, we have to engage, align, and move forward. So, the Labour leaders should not see the challenges as ‘us versus them’. It is ‘us versus us’, to find a workable solution because we are in a very challenging period. I promise you complete openness so that we can take a decision that will serve the best interest of all of us.”
While appreciating the labour union leaders for their understanding and cooperation, the governor promised that the state government would sit on the negotiation table to review the minimum wage.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, appreciated the governor for being a fearless leader, who has demonstrated that he had the interest of the state at heart.
Similarly, the Oyo State Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, appreciated the governor for his relentless pursuit of progressive policies, initiatives and various landmark achievements.
She also commended Governor Makinde for his unwavering commitment to the welfare of the civil/public servants and pensioners despite the unfavourable economic climate in the country, noting that the governor had improved the quality of lives and also boosted the morale of civil servants for better and efficient service delivery.
Oni noted that over 8,000 citizens, both at the Local Government and state Civil Service, had been exposed to various international training programmes and workshops.
She revealed that the prompt payment of salaries, review of fund allocation for payment of gratuities to retirees in the mainstream of the service from N206 million to N500 million on a monthly basis, and N250 million for payment of gratuities to retirees in Local Government areas and primary schools were other commendable achievements of the governor.
In their separate speeches, the chairmen of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Kayode Martins and Comrade Bosun Olabiyi respectively, lauded Governor Makinde for his unique leadership style in steering the affairs of the state, promising, on behalf of the workforce, to continue to totally support the administration.
The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, appreciated Governor Makinde for approving a 35 percent increment in the basic salary and 30 percent increment of other allowances under the Negotiated Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure.
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