I Will Serve My Generation Till My Last Breath – Makinde
I Will Serve My Generation Till My Last Breath – Makinde
…Calls for Prayers for Abducted Teachers, Pupils
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that he remains committed to serving humanity and making meaningful contributions to society for as long as he lives.
Makinde made the statement on Sunday while speaking at a thanksgiving service held in honour of the immediate past Oyo State Head of Service, Chief (Mrs) Olubunmi Oni, to celebrate her 60th birthday and retirement from the civil service. The event took place at the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Headquarters Secretariat, Basorun, Ibadan.
The governor said he drew inspiration from a sermon delivered by the President of CAC Worldwide, Pastor Samuel Olusegun Oladele, who spoke on the biblical example of David as a leader who faithfully served his generation.
According to Makinde, he is determined to continue rendering service to the people to the best of his ability throughout his lifetime.
He also appealed to residents of the state to remember in their prayers the teachers and pupils abducted in Oriire Local Government Area, expressing hope that they would soon regain their freedom.
“The hearts of kings are in the hands of the Lord, and so are the hearts of bandits. Let us pray that God will touch their hearts while we continue to do everything possible to secure the release of our children and their teachers,” the governor said.
Makinde congratulated Chief Oni on her retirement and milestone birthday, commending her for her dedication and exemplary service as Head of Service.
He disclosed that before her appointment, some individuals had raised concerns that she was not originally from Oyo State. However, he said he dismissed such arguments after confirming that she had served the state diligently for nearly three decades.
The governor recalled that when Oni recently asked whether she had disappointed him during her tenure, he assured her that she had performed creditably and justified the confidence reposed in her.
Speaking on the appointment of the new Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Adenike Fasina, Makinde said the decision was based on merit, competence and qualifications.
He noted that Fasina stood out among the shortlisted candidates as the only applicant with a doctoral degree and membership of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
Makinde further highlighted his administration’s efforts to ensure inclusiveness in the civil service, noting that when he assumed office in 2019, there was no Permanent Secretary from the Ibarapa zone of the state.
He explained that deliberate measures were subsequently taken to ensure all zones of the state were represented in top civil service appointments.
According to him, the emergence of Dr Fasina as Head of Service demonstrates the progress made in promoting equity and merit within the public service.
In her remarks, Chief Oni expressed gratitude to Governor Makinde for appointing her first as a Permanent Secretary and later as Head of Service.
She also appreciated the governor’s wife, members of the state executive council, civil servants and members of her family for their support throughout her career.
Describing her 34 years in the civil service as both rewarding and fulfilling, she attributed her success to divine grace, hard work, professional development and a willingness to learn from others.
Dignitaries present at the event included the wife of the governor, Engr. Tamunominini Makinde; Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal; Deputy Chief of Staff Kazeem Adeniyi; former Head of Service Ebenezer Okebukola; commissioners and senior government officials.