The Chairman, Oyo State Local Government Service Commission, Honourable Aderemi Ayodele,  has enjoined religious leaders to preach  tolerance to their followers, so as to have a society that is characterised with peace, unity and love.

Honourable Ayodele handed down this advice on Friday  while hosting the Asiwaju Adeen of Ibadanland, Alhaji Mutiu Oladejo and his entourage, in his office at the Water Corporation Building, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan. Oyo State.

“Despite the fact that our Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, is from the Christian faith, he has never displayed any discriminatory tendency  against the Muslim faithful, either among his cabinet members, party stalwarts or the masses. No doubt, this is one of  the hallmarks of a good leader who is worth his salt. And when you have a good leader who is spreading the dividends of democracy equitably among the people he is Governing, we the followers must just follow suit. That’s why there is harmony among all of us working with our Governor irrespective of our religious divide.” Hon Ayodele stated.

While appreciating the Islamic cleric for deeming it fit to pay him a courtesy visit, the Commission boss enjoined the Asiwaju Adeen of Ibadanland to ensure that he is deeply involved in all the issues bordering on Islam in the State, besides giving the Governor the required spiritual backing and advice, because “Governor Seyi Makinde’s success is the success of all of us in Oyo State, irrespective of our religious lineage or affiliation,” he reiterated.

Honourable Ayodele however used the medium to appreciate His cabinet members comprising Honourable Oyesina Oyedeji, Honourable Akeem Oke, Honourable John Adisa-Oke and Honourable Nike Arewa, as well as the Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Mr Akin Funmilayo, who were all present on the occasion, for their support and cooperation which he is enjoying to the fullest, adding “without your loyalty, I wouldn’t have found it easy administering the Commission. I so much appreciate your effort, ” he concluded.

In his response/prayer, the Asiwaju Adeen of Ibadanland, Alhaji Mutiu Oladejo lauded Governor Seyi Makinde for his fairness in the distribution of political appointments, sponsorship of Muslims on pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, as well as embarking on projects that would make life more meaningful to the people.

“I want to use this opportunity to advise our Governor on the need to do the right thing only. If I go to him for an obligation, and he realizes that my request would affect either his Government or the masses negatively, he should not grant it, and that will not cause any rancour between us, because I know that by not acceding to my request, it’s an indication that it’s not in the interest of the majority. ” Alhaji Oladejo said.

Stating further, he opined that being a Muslim cleric should not debar him from visiting Honourable Ayodele who is  a Christian, because religion should bring us together rather than divide us.

Special prayers were offered by the Muslim clerics in attendance, including a Full Time Commissioner of the Commission, Alhaji Akeem Taiwo Oke, for the success of Governor Seyi Makinde – led administration, the Commission and Oyo State at large.

Signed.

Adeola Oduola (Mr.),

Director of Information and Education,

Oyo State LGSC.

The Chairman, Oyo State Local Government Service Commission, Hon. Remi Ayodele, has assured of the present administration’s avowed commitment, under Governor Seyi Makinde, to  embark on series of training and retraining of its personnel, with the  aim of boosting their level of productivity; “thus,  by the special grace of God, staff training and retraining both locally and internationally which had been placed on hold for over four years will now be resuscitated, and it will definitely address the felt needs of each Cadre, with the ultimate objective of improving on service delivery at the grassroots, ” he said.

The Commission boss gave this assurance at the Conference Room of the Commission, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, on Friday  while holding a maiden meeting of the new Board  with the Heads/acting Heads of Local Government Administration in all the 33 LGAs and 35 LCDAs in the State

The Commission boss also used the medium to give kudos to the State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde for his magnanimity in approving for immediate release to the  Commission of the fund meant for training and overhead costs.

“It is unfortunate that the fund had been diverted by the immediate past administration for years, thus depriving the workers of their deserved training, and Local Government Service Commission staff of their running cost. I really congratulate the Commission staff for being able to weather the storm, ” Hon. Ayodele stated.

While imploring the principal officers on the imperative of being up and doing in their respective offices  in order to serve as good examples to their subordinates, the Commission Chairman advised them on the need to key into Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration’s four-point agenda, bordering on Economy, Education, Health and Security.

“Within the week, Governor Seyi Makinde distributed 100 patrol vehicles, equipped with communication gadgets that could cover the border areas of the State, to various security agencies in order to boost the level of security in every nook and cranny of the  State, and  he expects you to give him the required support at the grassroots too, ” the Commission boss reiterated.

Hon. Ayodele however appreciated the top council officials for holding sway at the  grassroots without allowing any lacuna despite the absence of political office holders.

” We so much appreciate your efforts towards ensuring a smooth running of administration at the grassroots, and our prayer for you is that God will crown your efforts with success.,”

Earlier in his opening remarks,  the Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Mr Akin Funmilayo had appreciated the council officials for being up and doing in their respective council areas despite the prevailing situation. He however assured them that the Commission would be resuscitatiting personnel training by allowing the HLGAs to blaze the trail.

Others who contributed on the occasion were Mr Segun Ajekiigbe, HLGA Ibarapa East LG; Comrade Bayo Titilola-Sodo, HLGA Atiba LG, and  Chairman Oyo NLC; Deacon Adewale, HLGA Iwajowa LG; Alhaji Kunle Kazeem, HLGA Saki West LG ; Mr Bimbo Ladepo, acting HLGA Ifeloju LCDA ; Mrs Romoke Opabunmi, acting HLGA Aare Latosa LCDA ; and Mrs Oyefunke Oladiran, HLGA Oorelope LG.

In his vote of thanks, the HLGA Ibadan North LG, Pastor Olumuyiwa Olaoye, appreciated the new members of the Board under the able leadership of Hon Remi Ayodele, with the prayers that their tenure would bring a positive turnaround to the Local Government service.

Other Board members who graced the occasion were Hon Oyeshina Oyedeji, Hon John Adisa-Oke, Hon Nike Arewa and other top management of the Commission.

Adeola Oduola,

Director of Education and Social Services,

Oyo State LGSC.