By Tolulope Eniola
Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has commended retired Permanent Secretaries and Tutors General in the state for their dedication, professionalism and contributions to the growth of the public service.
The governor gave the commendation on Wednesday during the annual get-together and send-off ceremony organised for retired Permanent Secretaries and Tutors General at DeJavu Hotel and Suites, Alagbaka, Akure.
Aiyedatiwa described the event as not just a celebration of retirement, but a recognition of years of hard work, discipline, sacrifice and exemplary leadership demonstrated by the retirees during their service to the state.
According to him, Permanent Secretaries occupy strategic positions in governance as accounting officers and heads of bureaucracy in Ministries, Departments and Agencies, noting that their professional guidance and adherence to due process have remained vital to effective governance.
The governor said the successes recorded by successive administrations in Ondo State were made possible through the commitment and expertise of public servants, especially Permanent Secretaries who coordinate the implementation of government policies and programmes.
He praised the retirees for serving the state meritoriously and leaving behind legacies worthy of emulation by younger officers in the service.
Aiyedatiwa urged the retired senior officers not to see retirement as the end of active life, but as another phase where their wealth of experience and wisdom could still benefit society and the public service.
He encouraged them to mentor younger officers and continue promoting professionalism, integrity and dedication within the civil service.
The governor noted that the state government still considers retired Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Service as valuable assets whose institutional knowledge and administrative experience remain indispensable to governance.
He added that many retired top civil servants in the state had already been appointed into sensitive political positions, assuring that the government would continue to engage experienced hands when necessary.
Speaking on retirees’ welfare, Aiyedatiwa said his administration remained committed to improving the wellbeing of workers and pensioners in the state.
He recalled that during negotiations for the implementation of the new minimum wage, the government approved a monthly allowance of N30,000 for retirees in the state.
The governor also appreciated the organisers of the annual event for sustaining the tradition of honouring retired senior officers, saying such gatherings promote unity, camaraderie and mutual support among retirees.
He expressed hope that the ceremony would inspire serving officers to remain diligent, uphold integrity and pursue excellence in service delivery.
Aiyedatiwa prayed for good health, long life and fulfilment for the retirees as they begin a new phase of life after active service.
In his remarks, the Head of Service, Bayo Philip, commended the governor for prioritising workers’ welfare, prompt settlement of retirees’ entitlements and expansion of the civil service workforce.
Philip said civil servants in the state had continued to benefit from what he described as a responsive and worker-friendly administration, noting that the governor recently approved immediate payment of terminal benefits for retired permanent secretaries to ease access to their entitlements.
He disclosed that about 5,000 new appointments had been made to strengthen the civil service.
The HoS further stated that the administration had approved accommodation support for about 150 retired graduate headmasters affected by a policy delay dating back to 2009, many of whom had died before intervention.
He also confirmed that the governor approved the federal salary review for medical officers and health workers, making Ondo State one of the early adopters of the scale.
Philip urged retired permanent secretaries to maintain their dignity and continue contributing meaningfully to the development of the public service.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the Forum of Ondo State Permanent Secretaries, Segun Odusanya, commended the governor for reforms aimed at strengthening institutional capacity within the civil service.
He described the forum as a structured body established to promote welfare, professional continuity and administrative discipline among serving and retired permanent secretaries.
Odusanya said the forum had continued to support public service efficiency through orientation programmes and reinforcement of administrative culture for effective policy execution.
He commended the governor for appointing 34 permanent secretaries and providing official vehicles for 22 previously appointed officers, describing the gesture as a boost to institutional effectiveness.
He also applauded the administration’s achievements in infrastructure, security, health and education, including the commissioning of the state’s first flyover bridge.
Odusanya noted that gratuity payments had been extended up to 2019 for state retirees and 2014 for local government pensioners, describing it as a significant intervention.
However, he appealed for the settlement of outstanding furniture allowances owed to permanent secretaries appointed since 2021 and urged prompt payment of gratuities for retired permanent secretaries.
In their goodwill messages, the Orungberuwa of Ode-Erinje Kingdom, Oladele Akinmoye, and President of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries, Mojisola Grace Ajayi, expressed appreciation to the state government for its continued support to retirees.
They said the government’s interventions had eased concerns often associated with retirement, adding that life after service had become more stable and fulfilling.
They urged serving public officers to remain diligent, disciplined and committed, stressing that the quality of one’s service life determines the nature of retirement enjoyed.
Responding on behalf of the retired permanent secretaries, Bunmi Alade said it was a thing of joy to serve and retire.
He said the grace of God had been sufficient for those retiring, being part of the programme.
In attendance were Olaleye Akinola, Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry; Special Adviser to the Governor on Public and Intergovernmental Relations, Kikelomo Ikuomola; retired permanent secretaries; APC State chairman, Babatunde Kolawole, civil servants, among others.
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