Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, has called on workers in the state to be productive and remain committed to their respective duties, saying his administration will reward hardwork.
The Governor spoke on Wednesday during a solidarity meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the State held at the Local Government Service Commission, Government Secretariat, Abere Osogbo.
Reacting to the recent demotion of some civil servants on the ground of certificate forgery and other related offences, Oyetola pledged to reverse cases of those affected on the basis of further studies without approval.
Oyetola, who reiterated the commitment of the administration to workers’ welfare, particularly the payment of salaries as and when due, urged all civil servants to support the government in its bid to increase the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the State, pledging judicious utilisation of the resources for the benefits of all.
“I am very elated to see the mammoth crowd of committed and diligent workers in our local governments. The success of any government rests on the performance of civil servants, most especially those at the local governments.
“As a government, we recognise the fact that Local Government Administration is the closest to the people, and it is expected of you to do the needful for the image of our government and the wellbeing of our people.
“I thank God for the sustenance of full salaries. This will continue by the grace of God. We must all be responsible to our roles to make our state a pacesetter of development. I urge you to put in your best in terms of productivity, hard work and proficiency.
“You must be able to get home and be satisfied for putting in your best. Productivity is an important aspect of service delivery. You are supposed to be prompt in all you do. Those who put in their best in terms of efforts will be rewarded.
“On the issue of demotion of some workers, we have forgiven those demoted for embarking on further studies without approval. Their cases will be reviewed and their demotion will be reversed as appropriate,” Governor Oyetola stressed.
He also tasked local government workers to be committed to the policies and programmes of government designed to make life abundant for the people, just as he specifically implored them to focus on the development of the Agricultural sector.
He disclosed the government’s plan to begin construction of five kilometres of road in each of the local governments across the state, adding that the projects were aimed at taking development to the grassroots.
He said, “You are aware of our Economic and Investment Summit that centred on the need to improve our economy in the areas of infrastructure, mining, agriculture, tourism among others. I want you to change the narrative of agriculture in the state.
“Osun is known as an agrarian state. Please, key in to encourage the people to go for farming. We have the land and human capital resources. Let’s display a high sense of commitment to improve the sector and we are ready to support you. Please, key into it, we will support and fund it.”
Earlier in his address, the President of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Adeyeye Adedeji Jacob, commended the governor for being committed to workers’ wellbeing, as demonstrated in the full payment of salaries as and when due.
He pledged the readiness of local government workers to support the administration of Oyetola whom he described as “gentle but rugged, humility personified, a good epitome of peace, a man who has zero tolerance for mediocrity, a leader who celebrates excellence and a great respecter of the rule of law”.
He also described as commendable the numerous achievements of Oyetola in the state, adding, “Since he was sworn in, he has been able to sustain payment of salaries to workers and pensioners in the state. When it all started, some people thought that it was a gimmick meant to canvass for workers’ votes. Alas, our Mr. Possibility has sustained this up till now and we believe it will continue.”
Among those present at the event were the Deputy Governor, Mr. Benedict Alabi; the Chief of Staff, Dr. Charles Akinola; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Prince Adebayo Adeleke; the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dayo Adewole; the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Yemi Lawal; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Rasaki Adeosun and Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Tunde Adedeji, among others.
