Ekiti State governor Biodun Oyebanji has said that professionalism remains the hallmark of an effective and efficient civil service.
Oyebanji, who assured the workers in the state that his administration will continue to allow them to operate without political interference, said he was not oblivious to the inherent danger in the undue politicisation of the service.
The governor, who stated that such breeds mediocrity capable of undermining the credibility and potency of workers to deliver optimally, spoke at the 2025 Ekiti State Public Service Forum and Award of Excellence Ceremony held at the Adetiloye Hall, Trade Fair Complex, Ado Ekiti.
He explained that productivity in the civil service could only be entrenched and enhanced when there is a service that places high premium on merit over mediocrity in appointments and postings.
The governor promised that his administration would continue to maintain the culture of professionalism in the civil service and uplift it to a competitive and productive entity that can deliver the best to the State.
Represented by his deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, he said his government has been able to accomplish its vision of making Ekiti a microcosm of development due to solid support being received from civil servants.
The governor, however, maintained that the solid backing being received from workers was a reciprocation of his giant strides through prompt payment of salary, pension, gratuity, deductions to cooperative societies and implementation of promotion as and when due.
Oyebanji, who applauded the versatility and intellectual mobility of civil servants, urged them to refrain from acts that could derail the civil service, describing the workers as the main drivers of the Ekiti economy, which he said was predominantly civil service-oriented.
“You have seen how we have operated with human face in the last three years. We are not going to consider politics in appointing people to positions.
“You could all attest to how we have promoted professionalism and merit over mediocrity. We are not going to encourage any action that can undermine your capacity to deliver,” he said.
In her remarks, the Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi, said she was excited and felt actualised with the giant strides made by Governor Oyebanji in the core civil service, adding that the state now has a leader who does not need lobbying before investing and funding the civil service adequately.
