Local Government is The Closest Tier of Government to The People – Oyo HOS

The Oyo State Head of Service, Mrs. Hamidat Ololade Agboola, has reiterated the fact that among the three tiers of Government in Nigeria, Local Government is the closest to the masses, therefore, its impact must be felt positively, and this can only be made possible if the people at the helm of affairs, live up to their expectations.

The State Head of Service made this assertion while delivering her keynote address as the Chairperson of the occasion, at the second retirement programme, organized by the Conference of Heads of Local Government Administration, Oyo State chapter, in honour of their retired colleagues, spanning August 2015 to June 2022., at the international conference centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Speaking further, the HOS appreciated the retired council heads for contributing their own quotas to the progress and development of the Pacesetter State during their active years in the service. “We used to have DPMs at  the helm of affairs in  the Local Government administration, but that has been replaced with HLGAs now, and the beauty of it is that they have not been found wanting in terms of performance,” Alhaja Agboola enthused.

While appreciating His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, for appointing Permanent Secretaries, Tutors Generals and Inspector Generals strictly on merit   into the State Civil /Public service, the HOS who was represented on the occasion by the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Femi Oyedele, affirmed that this would encourage others to do their best, bearing in mind that they don’t need to know anybody up there prior to getting to the peak of their careers.

She then assured the retired HLGAs being celebrated that retirement is not the end of the road for them, rather, an open highway to greater things and achievements.

Earlier in his welcome address, the organizing committee chairman and HLGA Ibarapa North Local Government, Mr. Folarin Afolabi, said the maiden programme was held in the year 2014 for pioneer members of the Conference who retired from 2012 to 2014, “and since then, it has been planned that retired HLGAs would be given befitting sendforth on regular basis,” Mr. Afolabi said.

The committee chairman further said that the solid foundation laid by the Conference would stand the test of time and serve as encouragement to the upcoming officers. He equally appreciated the pioneer chairman of the committee, now Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Mr. Akin Funmilayo, as well as  fellow members of the committee for their sacrifice. He then praised the honorees for their impressive turnout at the event.

In his own goodwill message, the present chairman of the conference and HLGA Iwajowa Local Government, Deacon Taiwo Adewale, said out of the 58 retired HLGAs from 2012 till date, two died in active service, Alhaji  Tunji Giwa and Mrs Yetunde Samson, while three died after retiring from active service. He however appreciated Governor Seyi Makinde for the consolidated salary structure approved for the substantive HLGAs, and the appointment of 4 HLGAs from the Conference as Permanent Secretaries in the State civil/public service, namely Messrs Akin Funmilayo, Segun Ajekiigbe, Bayo Titilola Sodo and Lukman Muraina.

In his own goodwill message, the State NULGE president, Comrade Ayobami Adeogun appreciated God for making the day  a reality, observing that but for God not many of the retired HLGAs would have been able to grace the event. While singing songs of praise to God on behalf of the retirees, the Comrade used the occasion to highlight what the Union had been able to achieve for the workers through the magnanimity and large heartedness of the State Governor, bordering on promotion arrears, release of conversion letters to workers, of whom he was equally a beneficiary, among other largesse.

In the same vein, the NUP State Secretary, Mr. Segun Abatan said the NUP would continue to harvest all active staff from service, barring any form of dismissal from service or death.

In his own short message, the Permanent Secretary, Local Government service commission, Mr. Akin Funmilayo, said the gathering was a celebration of unblemished career, accomplishment in service, worth of celebrating with their spouses who were of help through thick and thin. He however expressed his dissatisfaction with the omission of former HLGAs now elevated to Permanent Secretaries in the State among the beneficiaries, claiming that they were part and parcel of the Conference prior to their appointments. He assured that the retirees would be presented certificates of meritorious service, in appreciation of their contributions to the service by the Local Government Service Commission. He rounded off by expressing his satisfaction with the just released Public Service Examination (PSE) results, in which about 107 of the Local Government staff came out with distinctions, while over 300 equally scored B. This proves a point that Local Government staff are no push over’s in the scheme of things.

In the final analysis, the Commission boss, Hon. Aderemi Ayodele appreciated members of the Board on whom he’s presiding, for their unalloyed support, especially the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Akin Funmilayo, through whose influence and vision the Commission had been able to achieve a lot of successes both in programmes and projects, especially the regular capacity building put in place for the unified staff, as well as the office complex nearing completion. He then urged the HLGAs to work in harmony.

Highlights of the auspicious event held at the international conference centre, University of Ibadan, included presentation of gifts and plaques to the retirees by the Conference, including posthumous awards to the duo who died in active service, while the Commission equally presented certificates of meritorious service to the retirees. There was also cutting of cake, toast for the senior citizens and special dance by both the serving and retired HLGAs. It was a thing of joy seeing a great number of retired HLGAs physically present at the event, together with their spouses, looking radiant. However, Mr. Akintomide Akinpelu and his wife Mrs Victoria Akinpelu, who both retired as HLGAs in Akinyele and Ibadan South East Local Governments respectively in September, 2017, actually stole the show, with the husband receiving his  plague, certificate and gift in that order accompanied by his wife and vice versa. They were the only couple who both retired as HLGAs,  in the same month, and were physically present at the event.

The colourful occasion had in attendance Alh. Siju Lawal, Honourable Commissioner for Establishment and Training; Alh. Abiodun Aderibigbe, Chairman Oyo State Civil Service Commission; Comrade Bayo Titilola Sodo, S. A. to the Governor on Labour Matters; Hon. Kazeem Adeyinka Adeniyi, S. A. to His Excellency on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters; Dr. Bashir Olanrewaju, Permanent Secretary, TESCOM; members of the Board of the Commission in persons of Alh. Olalomi Amole, full time commissioner 1; Hon. Akeem Taiwo Oke, full time commissioner 2; Mr. John Adisa-Oke,  commissioner 1; and Mrs Nike Arewa,  commissioner 2.

E-signed

Adeola Oduola (Mr.),

Director of Education and Social Services,

LGSC.