By Funmilayo Okunade
Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti has hailed civil service as the engine room of effective governance and sustainable development, describing it as indispensable to any government.
Oyebanji made the assertion at the opening of the 12th regional quarterly conference meeting of Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in the South-West on Thursday in Ado Ekiti.
He said that members of the association had contributed immensely to the growth and stability of public administration, and left behind legacies of leadership, professionalism, integrity and institutional knowledge.
Oyebanji, represented by the Head of Service(HoS), Dr Folakemi Olomojobi, commended members of association for leaving a durable foundation for the region’s public sector.
The governor said that due to the invaluable wealth of experience of the retired bureaucrats, his administration has appointed three members into the state executive council.
He said that due to the invaluable wealth of experience of the retired bureaucrats, his administration has appointed three members into the state executive council.
“It is not out of place to note that political leaders continue to draw members from this strategic group. I’m sure I have not less than three of your members into my executive council.
“I’m bold to mention that the present administration is committed to ease life at retirement from the Head of Service, permanent secretaries and the public servants at large,” Oyebanji said.
The Regional President of the Association, Mr Demola Badejo, restated the commitment of the body to the strategic partnership with the regional bodies – South West Development Commission, DAWN Commission and Odu’a Investment Company Ltd following his recent meeting with them in Ibadan.
He called for support from state chapters for the implementation of the association’s seven-point agenda for its relevance and the overall development of the region.
“Our task is not merely to celebrate our past, it is also to use our collective experience, knowledge and networks to mentor future generations and contribute meaningfully to the development of the region and the country at large,” Badejo said.
In his welcome address, the Ekiti State Chapter President, Chief Oluwole Ariyomo, lauded Oyebanji for his support for the chapter, and his impressive record of infrastructure development, and the rebuilding of Ikogosi Warm Springs tourist site to an international standard.
Speaking, Mr S. O. Bankole, a former Head of Service, advised civil servants not participate in politics either covertly or overtly, saying their participation would affect and also diminish the quality of advice given to the political leadership.
“Our bureaucracy should maintain its attribution of neutrality under any political dispensation.
“The real loyal public servants are the ones telling the politicians what they should know and not what they want to hear,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that delegates from Ogun, Ekiti, Oyo, Lagos, Osun and Ondo States attended the conference. (NAN)