Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has reiterated that his administration will continue to make best decisions that will serve the interest of the state and guarantee a secured future for the betterment of its residents.
In a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Mr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the governor also promised to build on the good policies and legacies of the past administrations and those implemented during his first term of office.
Governor Makinde made the remarks on Tuesday, January 9 at the 2024 Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service held at the Open Space of the House of Assembly Complex, Secretariat, Ibadan.
This was as the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, appreciated Governor Makinde for approving a 35 per cent increment in the basic salary and 30 per cent increment of other allowances under the Negotiated Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure.
Speaking at the 5th edition of the programme held since he became governor in 2019, the governor called for immeasurable thanksgiving to God and also appreciated the people of Oyo State, especially the civil/public servants and pensioners, for their unflinching support before, during and after his re-election into office.
He said: “Government exists to look after the welfare of the people. While we are looking after ourselves to give us what we can live on, we also have to look at the development of the state.
“What should we be doing to secure our future? We have to complete the infrastructural projects we have started. We believe our infrastructure must hunt our economy and be in such a way that it must allow us to earn more and create a prosperous state.
“Truth is, we have challenges ahead of us and we have to find means to make sure we keep attending to the welfare of the civil and public servants in Oyo State. We also need to attend to those projects and those things that will make life more meaningful for our people, which will unleash creativity in them so that we can have a prosperous state. It cannot be a one-sided thing. So, we have to engage, align, and move forward.
“So, the labour leaders should not see the challenges as ‘us versus them’. It is ‘us versus us’ to find a workable solution because we are in a very challenging period. I promise you complete openness so that we can take a decision that will serve the best interest of all of us.”
The governor, while appreciating the Labour Union leaders for their understanding and cooperation, promised that the state government would sit on the negotiation table to review the minimum wage.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, appreciated the governor for being a fearless leader, who has demonstrated that he has the interest of the state at heart.
Similarly, the Oyo State Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni (mni), appreciated the governor for his relentless pursuit of progressive policies, initiatives and various landmark achievements.
She also commended the governor for his unwavering commitment to the welfare of the civil/public servants and pensioners despite the unfavourable economic climate in the country, noting that the governor has improved the quality of lives and also boosted the morale of civil servants for better and efficient service delivery.
Oni added that over 8,000 both at the Local Government and State Civil Services had been exposed to various international training programmes and workshops.
She added that the prompt payment of salaries, review of fund allocation for payment of gratuities to retirees in the mainstream of the service from N206 Million to N500 Million on a monthly basis and N250 Million for payment of gratuities to retirees in Local Governments and Primary Schools were other commendable achievements of the governor.
In their separate speeches, the chairmen of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Kayode Martins and Comrade Bosun Olabiyi, respectively, lauded Governor Makinde for his unique leadership style in steering the affairs of the state, promising on behalf of the workforce to continue to totally support the administration.
Special prayers and sermons were offered by clerics from the Christian, Muslim and African Traditional Religions.
