The immediate past Head of Service, Ekiti State Civil Service, Engr. Sunday Komolafe, has expressed his appreciation to Governor Biodun Oyebanji for availing him the opportunity to serve in that capacity.
The HoS, who had his last engagement on Monday, commended the Governor’s welfare policy for civil servants.
Speaking during the inauguration of four newly appointed permanent secretaries at the Conference Hall of the Governor’s office, Engr. Komolafe also thanked Oyebanji for giving him the rare opportunity to append his signature to the appointment letters of the permanent secretaries.
The inauguration ceremony was his last public engagement as Head of Service as his retirement took effect the same day following his attainment of the mandatory 35 years in service.
A visibly elated Komolafe said it was a great honour for him to have the opportunity to append his signatures on letters of appointment of some permanent secretaries before his exit.
He said: “Today marks my last day in the civil service of Ekiti State, which I started 35 years ago in the old Ondo State.
“I wish to appreciate His Excellency, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, for holding on to the tenets of merits in the appointments of public officials.”
He added that the four permanent secretaries were drawn from the list of successful candidates from the last examination conducted in 2023 for the state civil service and the local government service.
He said: “I want to acknowledge Mr. Governor for the wonderful work he has done since my assumption to the office for helping me to lift the bar of the civil service during my short but eventful period.
“I thank you for the good things done for the civil servants.
“How many will I mention?
“The loans have been coming much more regularly than it used to be by approving the recapitalisation to ensure that more people benefit.
“It was done to the state and the local government.”
Komolafe highlighted other areas where civil servants benefitted from the welfare package of Oyebanji’s administration to include approval of car and housing loans for primary school teachers who never enjoyed such largesse of government since the creation of the state, adding that the Governor also inaugurated the State University Basic Education Board loans board to facilitate effective administration of the loans.
Other achievements in the area of workers’ welfare, according to him, were regular payment of salaries and pension; payment of wage award, which has eluded workers in many states; as well as timely promotion of workers.
He said: “When I came on board, we had two years of arrears of promotion: 2022 and 2023.
“Mr. Governor has approved and many workers have started receiving their letters of promotion.
“Shall we also talk about the free bus service that Mr. Governor has graciously approved for civil servants, which was later extended to Ikere Ekiti free of charge, which has greatly enhanced both attendance and punctuality in the office?”
Komolafe also commended the Governor for approving the regularisation of the appointment of 326 temporary staff, who have since been given permanent appointments.
While commending labour unions in the state, the former Head of Service said: “Labour leaders have given continuous and harmonious cooperation to the government.
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“It is on record that during my short period of time, there was no industrial action that is peculiar to Ekiti State and the few that were nationally declared were observed in Ekiti with caution because they are aware that our Governor does not take their welfare with levity.”
Komolafe called on civil servants to continue to cooperate with Governor Oyebanji to achieve his shared prosperity agenda for Ekiti people, noting that everyone has a role to play in bringing to bear all the lofty programmes and policies of government to improve the lots of the people.
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