Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, on Wednesday swore in Pastor Kayode Olaniyi Ogundele as the 15th Head of Service of the state, even as he reiterated his administration’s commitment to workers welfare.
At the event which took place at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s office, Alagbaka, Akure, Akeredolu also unveiled the Civil Service Regulatory Books.
Governor Akeredolu said Ogundele’s appointment was based on his rich and inspiring record of service to which all honest and decent people attest.
He congratulated Ogundele on being considered worthy to serve as the number one civil servant at this crucial moment in the history of the State, expressing hope that his elevation will justify the expectation of quality service and unalloyed loyalty to the State.
The Governor noted that Ogundele will be moving into an office which has assisted his administration to achieve a great measure of stability.
Akeredolu challenged the new Head of Service to maintain and surpass the record of performance of his predecessors, adding that the understanding between the government and labour was maintained throughout their stints in office.
The Governor thanked workers in the state for displaying maturity in resolving issues, stressing that the challenges faced by this government since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic have been enormous.
“Our Administration set out with the solemn pledge not to owe workers. We met arrears of salaries spanning seven months. We have been able to offset six months.
“We paid salaries as and when due. Deserving members of staff were promoted. We have been encouraging the service to uphold the principles of equity and fair play.
“The disruption in the course of progression notwithstanding, our administration continues to put the welfare of workers on its priority list. We thank all those who appreciate and reciprocate this gesture,” he said.
Governor Akeredolu, who said he will continue to pursue a policy of enhancement for all and sundry, vowed to vigorously apply the extant regulations to deter fraudulent people in the system.
In his remarks, the outgone Head of Service, Pastor John Adeyemo, said the Public Service has moved to the next level of the remarkable feats chronicled under his administration.
The new Head of Service, Pastor Ogundele, thanked the Governor for finding him worthy to lead the State Bureaucracy as the Head of Service.
