Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has announced that the state has become one of the first in Nigeria to adopt the federal salary review for medical officers and health workers. This move aims to strengthen the state's healthcare delivery system. The governor also revealed plans for additional recruitment of health workers.
Governor's Announcement at Retirees' Event
Aiyedatiwa made this known during the annual get-together and send-off ceremony for retired permanent secretaries and tutors-general. He vowed to harness the expertise of retired civil servants to enhance governance. According to the governor, his administration will continue to draw from the experience and institutional memory of retired permanent secretaries and senior civil servants.
He explained that retired senior civil servants remain invaluable assets whose administrative depth and practical understanding of governance must continue to be harnessed for the state's development. The governor disclosed that several members of the forum of retired heads of service and permanent secretaries had already been appointed into sensitive political roles.
Commitment to Public Service
Aiyedatiwa emphasized that the progress recorded by successive administrations in the state would not have been possible without the commitment and professionalism of public servants who drive policy implementation. He reaffirmed his administration's commitment to strengthening the public service and improving productivity, stressing that the government remains open to leveraging the intellectual capital and wealth of experience of retired permanent secretaries and administrators to enhance efficiency in governance.
Head of Service Commends Governor
Bayo Philip, the Head of Service, commended the governor for prioritizing workers' welfare, prompt settlement of retirees' entitlements, and expansion of the civil service workforce. Philip maintained that civil servants in the state have continued to benefit from a responsive and worker-friendly administration. He noted that the governor recently approved immediate payment of terminal benefits for retired permanent secretaries to ease access to their entitlements.
The head of service disclosed that 5,000 new employments had been made to strengthen the civil service. Additionally, the administration had approved accommodation support for about 150 retired graduate headmasters affected by a policy delay dating back to 2009.
Reactions from Retirees
Segun Odusanya, Chairman of the Forum of Ondo State Permanent Secretaries, commended the governor for reforms aimed at strengthening institutional capacity within the civil service. Mojisola Ajayi, President of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries, said the government's interventions had eased concerns often associated with retirement, adding that life after service had become more stable and fulfilling.
Responding on behalf of the retired permanent secretaries, Bunmi Alade expressed joy in serving and retiring, and gratitude for the administration's attention to the welfare of those who had spent decades in public service.
