By John Odunayo
It was yet another moment of celebration on Tuesday as Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, preformed the swearing ceremony of Dr Folakemi Olomojobi as the new Head of Service of the state.
This came barely 24 hours after four top civil servants were sworn in as permanent secretaries in the state.
Dr Olomojobi, who until her appointment was the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is the second female Head of Service in the history of the state.
Her inauguration was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye; First Lady, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, six former Heads of Service, traditional rulers, civil servants, friends and family members.
Oyebanji commended the new HoS for her years of proficiency, patriotism, and professional service to the state.
He affirmed that she earned the appointment on the strength of her competence, impactful service, and objective assessment in line with the merit-based policy of the administration.
The governor said, “There is no doubt that Dr Olomojobi is one of the highly trained, globally exposed, intellectually sophisticated public servants. She comes with a lot of skills that will definitely bring remarkable improvement to the civil and public service of Ekiti State.
“The positive response that greeted her appointment across the ranks and files of the service is eloquent testimony to her suitability for the position”.
The governor called on Dr Olomojobi to ensure adequate mobilization of the bureaucratic family of the state in the realization of the six pillars of the administration, noting that a lot of expectation is demanded from her as the civil service as a trailblazer is supposed to be exceptional in all its ramifications.
Oyebanji said his administration had demonstrated its unwavering commitment to the welfare of workers in the payment of salary arrears, leave bonus arrears, payment of minimum ways adjustment across all cadres and wage award to cushion the current economic hardship on the people pending the conclusion of ongoing tripartite minimum wage negotiation among others.
He called on workers to reciprocate the good gesture of government through their hard work and commitment to the realization of the agenda of government while the government will continue to provide a conducive working atmosphere and tools for workers to thrive.
In her response, Olomojobi praised the Governor for his leadership style and reforms which have made Ekiti State the envy of other states, and promised to do her best by ensuring that public servants work within the ambit of the six pillars of his administration to achieve the shared prosperity agenda of the government.
The new HoS affirmed that the preoccupation of civil servants is to ensure that all government policies promulgated to deliver the public good derivable from the six pillars are implemented efficiently and effectively.
