..hails workers’ contributions to policy execution

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief Mrs. Monisade Afuye, has warned against mutual mistrust and betrayal between the political class and civil servants, saying such unwholesome tendencies may hinder implementation of government’s policies and programmes.

However, she commended the state civil servants for making illustrious contributions for the successful implementation of the six points agenda of the Biodun Oyebanji-led administration, by cooperating with the political class for zealous execution of government’s policies and programmes.

Mrs Afuye gave the commendation in Ado Ekiti, on Tuesday, during a valedictory service held in honour of the Permanent Secretary in her Office, Mr Abayomi Opeyemi, who bowed out of the service after working for 35 meritorious years.

Exalting the virtues of honesty, transparency and diligence demonstrated by the retired Permanent Secretary, Mrs Afuye, said the state will savour the benefit of full cooperation when political class and civil servants work in unity and one accord.

She pointed out that the outgoing Accounting Officer made immeasurable contributions to the successes recorded by her office in the areas of Land and chieftaincy administrations, leading to the resolution of many puzzling matters that had given the state headache.

Mrs Afuye described Mr Opeyemi as a dependable ally, with shrewd administrative sagacity and ingenuity, that elevated transparency, while also worked with every fibre in his body to promote efficiency in the Deputy Governor’s Office.

“By divine Providence, I was lucky to have worked with a man with vast knowledge of the job. Someone who understands the rudiments and nitty-gritty of the game. My smooth working relationship with someone with deep knowledge of the civil service made my understanding of the dynamics of the civil service not only easier, but speedier.

“In these last three years, I have known him to be a fast thinker. A diligent and honest government official, who did his best to promote transparency, prudence, accountability and openness in government through the office of the Deputy Governor.

“As an Accounting Officer in my office, I relished his sense of coordination and directing, which he did with utmost passion and clear conscience. To the best of my knowledge, we considered him an all-knowing officer, who could navigate any road, no matter how tough and bumpy.

“With his smooth working relationship with me, this office had immensely contributed to the delivery of Governor Oyebanji’s campaign promises to Ekiti citizens. This is how it should be. Political and working classes must work together. There shouldn’t be betrayal or mistrust , because these will only affect the efficiency of the service”.

Reminiscing on her working relationship with the retiree, Mrs Afuye added that Mr Opeyemi as the Chairman, Ekiti State Boundary Disputes’ Resolution Technical Committee, risked his life alongside other experts to restore orderliness to volatile and crisis-ridden communities who are fighting over land disputes.

“He often makes landmark contributions while resolving any chieftaincy dispute, no matter how delicate and difficult the situation was. At any trying period, he never shied away from speaking the truth. He is not the type that manipulates lies to be truth. He is a civil servant who truly knows his onions.

“I appreciate those advice and support you have personally offered me, so that I can have a smooth sail in the running of this office. Let me specially communicate to you today that I valued all your contributions that had made us resolved so many chieftaincy and land disputes in this state.

“These are matters that had been pending and which had given the state much headache before the advent of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration. Through cooperation with me and adhering to divine guidance and the tenets of the civil service, those matters had been resolved.

“I want to say without equivocation that you have written your name in gold and history will continually be kind to you as someone who did his best for the government that you served. It is a truism that no human being is perfect or infallible, but I can testify to the fact that your strengths outweigh your weaknesses”.

Speaking about the landmark achievements of the retiree as a civil servant, the immediate past Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, lauded the civil service trajectory of Mr. Opeyemi, whom he said was a team player and a goal getter.

Justice Daramola hailed Opeyemi’s consistency and diligence at work, saying these reflected in him not only as a civil servant, but as a community person, where he played prominent role for peace and stability to be fully entrenched in his country home.

In the same fashion, the Commissioner for Information, Hon Taiwo Olatunbosun, said Opeyemi was not just a diligent civil servant, but a dependable community person, whose imprints will be difficult to erase.

“I am happy that you are retiring with your records speaking volume of whom you are, which are honesty, hardwork , transparency as your watchwords. I am indeed proud of you and your accomplishments”.

The Head of Service, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi and her predecessors, Mr. Ayodeji Ajayi and Mrs Peju Babafemi, branded the retiree as a fine gentleman and epitome of humility, who worked hard to deliver the best during his civil service career.

“Mr Abayomi Opeyemi is a fantastic civil servant . He Is a man you can give any assignment and go to sleep with your two eyes closed. I want to appreciate you for your love for the people. He loved his job and observed protocols when needed. We appreciate your contributions to this state and we know that history will be kind to you”.

The Chairman, Forum of General Managers, Mr Oludare Asaolu, described Opeyemi as a workaholic and patriotic leader, who valued mentorship, as reflected in the way he brought up many young civil servants during his active days.

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In his response, Mr Abayomi Opeyemi, praised Governor Biodun Oyebanji for giving him the opportunity to serve as a Permanent Secretary under him, saying this afforded him the opportunity to display his God- given talent in the service.

Mr Opeyemi saluted the deputy Governor for her loyalty to the governor, saying this has helped to stabilise governance and ramp up development across the thematic sectors of the economy.

The retiree promised to continually make intellectually, physical and moral contributions that will grow the civil service and bring development to every facet of Ekiti in terms of policy execution, despite his retirement.

Mr Abayomi Opeyemi, a native of Awo Ekiti in Irepodun/ Ifelodun Local Government was enlisted into the service on December 16,1990 under the Old Ondo State. He worked in several Ministries upon secondment to Ekiti after the creation of the state on October 1, 1996. His working career took him to strategic areas like the Office of Establishment and General Administration before bowing out after 35 years of meritorious service as the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Ekiti State Deputy Governor.