By Ayodele Abere
The Ekiti State Head of Service, Engr. Sunday Komolafe has urged civil servants still in service to intensify efforts to improve on sound ethical principles, professionalism, discipline, diligence, teamwork, effective and efficient service delivery.
This he believes will help in achieving the shared prosperity agenda of the present administration in Ekiti State.
Engr Komolafe gave the charge while addressing the gathering of retirees of Ekiti State Local Government Service organised at the instance of the Permanent Secretary of the LGSC, Mr. Babatunde Jegede, to host the Principal Officers who retired from the creation of Ekiti State from old Ondo State till date, held at the NULGE Secretariat Hall, Ado-Ekiti, the State capital on Saturday, 16th September, 2023.
The Head of Service who was the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Affairs from June, 2020 to July, 2022, stated that before the prosperity comes, there must be responsibility. “So while we are waiting and praying to share the prosperity, let’s be prepared also to share the responsibilities that will bring prosperity to our State.” Said the HoS.
Komolafe who noted that the retirees pains of yesterday are today’s gains and joy, explained that if there’s a perfect time to recognize and celebrate their outstanding performance while in active service, it’s when they are still alive. Adding that posthumous recognition could be good but celebrating retired Principal Officers when they are still alive is more dignified.
Earlier in his address, the Permanent Secretary, Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission, Mr. Babatunde Jegede, said the retirees truly deserve the esteem recognition of their priceless contributions to the growth of the Local Government Service from the old Ondo State to Ekiti State, having rendered efficient, conscientious and invaluable service to humanity.
According to Jegede, “their devotion and passion to the Local Government Service was heartwarming. In their official capacities, conducts and acts, they were governed by keen sense of duty. Their deep contributions to the local government system are touching. All these really earned them respect in the society. There’s no honour organised for them that it’s out of place. They deserve to be celebrated.”
Describing the occasion as a very unique and unprecedented in the annals of the Local Government Service in the State, the Permanent Secretary said, it’s an avenue to interact with the retired personnel, an idea which according to him was conceived to bring fond memories and chart new course for the concept of local government system in Ekiti State.
“The forum is not only to dine and wine, but to put measures in place to address some noticeable gaps with respect to socialization among our senior citizens as well as put measures in place to revitalise, reposition and strengthen the Local Government Service in Ekiti State.
“There’s no gainsaying that the communication lacuna has continually robbed the Service of quality inspiration and mentorship which would have enabled the younger generations to draw from the wealth of experience of these retired top government functionaries and this has adverse effects on the quality of service delivery by those still in the service. The quest for mentorship has to be renewed immediately for the sake of the future generations of the Local Government Service”. Jegede said.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman Planning Committee, Mr. Yinka Borisade, an Executive Secretary, said the task of putting the programme together and converging the meritorious class of retirees from 1996 to 2023 on the podium of recognition and honour is one of the best and worthwhile assignments he and other members of the committee are privileged to carry out so far in the course of their career.
In his word, “it is one thing, however, for us to so prepare the podium, it is another thing for you to honour our invitation.
“We are gathered here today, to celebrate life, leadership, oneness, memories and the future. We are gathered to add few lines to our individual articles and a major chapter to our collective story as members of the Local Government family”
Borisade on behalf of the committee therefore, thanked the retirees for believing in the present leadership of the LGSC and for gracing the occasion.
One of the retirees, Mr. Yemi Owoseni, used the occasion to appeal to the State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, through the Head of Service, Mr. Sunday Komolafe to ensure that the Local Government Service has at least three Permanent Secretaries.
In his response while speaking with journalists, the Head of Service said there’s no harm in asking with the promise that whatever they ask will be processed by the government and the outcome will be made known.
The celebrated retired personnel include; former Permanent Secretaries, Executive Secretaries, Heads of Local Government Administration HLAs and Directors.
Highlight of the occasion was recognition and presentation of certificate to some deserving members.
