Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has charged the 17 newly-appointed permanent secretaries in the state’s Civil/Public Services to put the interest of the state first in discharging their duties.
He gave the charge at the swearing in of the new permanent secretaries, urging them to demonstrate loyalty and commitment to the state and to discharge their duties effectively in the interest of the state.
At the event, held on Tuesday at the Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan, Makinde charged the permanent secretaries to run their offices with probity and transparency.
Shortly after the Oaths of Office and Allegiance were administered on the new permanent secretaries, Makinde counseled them not to allow their personal interests to conflict with their official conduct.
He noted that their appointment process followed the pattern of previous ones, where competence and merit, rather than undue interference, took the centre stage.
“When we came in, we instituted a system of rewarding excellence. So, all of you took exams and you have been taken from that list.
“We also tried to balance the geopolitical zones of the states. We again tried to balance, where possible, the religious interests. But most of you got selected based on competence.
“So, that is why some people are out there saying they should have been selected. Perhaps, they passed the exam, and did well. Perhaps they come from a geopolitical zone that has been over-represented, it is possible.
“But just as you have sworn, I also did at the stadium that I won’t allow my personal interests to conflict with my official conduct,” Makinde said.
The governor added: “Also, just like it is on the political scene, I say to people, ’Look, don’t be loyal to ‘Seyi Makinde. Be loyal to Oyo State.’
“So, I am saying the same thing to you. Governments will come and go. Players will come and go. I am on my way out of this place.
“By this time next year, a new governor would have emerged, and then he or she will be putting his or her cabinet together. So what is the benefit of loyalty to me? Where would that take Oyo State?
“So, please, be loyal to our state; political parties will come and go, and different people under different parties have served this state before. I implore you to do your best to serve the people of Oyo State.”
The 17 new appointees included eight permanent secretaries for the mainstream; four from the education sector, including an Inspector-General of Education and three Tutors-General;
Three from the local government sector; one from the House of Assembly Service Commission and the Auditor-General for the state.
