Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday swore in four newly appointed Permanent Secretaries to fill vacancies in the state’s top civil service cadre, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to merit, fairness and inclusiveness.
Speaking at the ceremony held at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, Makinde said the appointments emerged from a transparent and competitive process designed to strengthen the leadership of the civil service while ensuring equitable representation.
Shortly after the appointees took their Oaths of Allegiance and Office, the governor said his administration would remain focused on governance and service delivery until its last day in office.
“When I said to the people of Oyo State that we will serve them until the last moment of the last day, this is exactly what we’re talking about. We won’t, because we’re campaigning all over the place, forget our responsibilities to the people of Oyo State,” he said.
Makinde explained that the selection was based on a competitive examination, with 80 per cent of the appointments determined by merit and 20 per cent reserved for balancing to ensure equity and fair representation.
“I can say boldly that the process of your becoming Permanent Secretaries has been fair. After taking 80 per cent based on merit, there is 20 per cent that we always use to balance things out,” he said.
He recalled that when he assumed office in 2019, there was no Permanent Secretary from Ibarapa Zone, a situation his administration moved swiftly to correct, noting that the state’s commonwealth belongs to all.
The governor stressed that the appointments were not influenced by personal sentiments or political considerations, but were made through a fair and transparent process to ensure the leadership of the civil service reflects the diversity of the state.
He charged the new Permanent Secretaries to uphold their oath of office by being fair and just in all their dealings and discharging their duties with diligence, integrity and professionalism.
“You have taken an oath to be fair and just to all the people you interact with and in all the files that will pass through your tables. I give you the assurance that until the last day I leave this seat, we will give you all the support that you require to do your work effectively,” he said.
Makinde noted that his administration would be remembered for appointing the highest number of Permanent Secretaries through competitive examination, adding that another examination would be conducted before the end of his tenure.
“I will conduct another examination before I leave office and leave the outcome on the table for the incoming administration. On behalf of all of us, we congratulate you and wish you the very best in your new roles,” he said.
The event was attended by Deputy Governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal; Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; former Speaker, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; President of the Oyo State Customary Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice T. M. Abdulganiyu; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde; Chief of Staff, Bashorun Akinwole Akinwale; Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Adenike Fashina; immediate past Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni; Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Kazeem Adeniyi; APM Deputy Governorship Candidate, Engr. Mufutau Open-Salawu; commissioners; Senior Executive Assistant on General Duties, Chief Bayo Lawal; Chairman of All Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon. Sikiru Sanda; Permanent Secretaries, labour union leaders, religious leaders and other stakeholders.
