Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has sworn in 10 newly appointed permanent secretaries, utilising the ceremony to affirm his administration’s commitment to meritocracy, transparency, and fairness in all key appointments, including the teaching profession.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Lady Jibowu Hall, Government House, saw the governor charge the new permanent secretaries to work diligently to maintain the state’s developmental tempo and align their efforts with the government’s shared prosperity agenda.
Oyebanji informed the audience, which included the deputy governor, Monisade Afuye, and other top government functionaries, that the new permanent secretaries emerged through a highly competitive and objective selection process.
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The governor revealed that the exercise was part of a bid to strengthen the leadership of the civil service for effective service delivery.
“This administration has consistently upheld a merit-based mechanism in the selection and appointment of key officers in the civil service.
“Out of the 141 eligible candidates invited for a computer-based test facilitated by UMA Capital Partners, only 28 emerged on the shortlist for the final interviews, from among which the first 10 were selected,” the governor stated.
Oyebanji stressed that his administration would not “play politics” with appointments into critical positions, including those in the teaching service.
He reinforced the decision to stick to the merit-based approach, even amidst clamours for waivers for candidates who failed to meet the cut-off marks in the recent teachers’ recruitment exercise.
“I’m not going to play politics with the appointment of those who will teach our children… I just want the best to teach our children so that they can compete globally with anybody from any part of the world,” he said.
He also assured other successful candidates on the permanent secretary shortlist that they would be considered for future vacancies, ensuring the system remains fair and transparent by starting with the next person on the existing merit list.
While congratulating the new permanent secretaries, the governor reminded them that they are now the custodians of public funds and key implementers of government policies.
He charged them to foster a culture of creativity, cooperation, innovation, efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability within their Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), and to act as team leaders who inspire their subordinates, rather than “imperial bosses.”
The newly sworn-in permanent secretaries are: S.O. Ibijola, Olaonipekun Eweje, Sunday Omoya, Morakinyo Akilo, Adelusi Lateef, Peter Ejimokun, Olufemi Adediran, Ayoola Clement, Bayode Lawrence, and Toyin Ojelabi-Pedro.
Earlier, the Head of Service, Folakemi Olomojobi, expressed gratitude to Oyebanji for his unwavering commitment to the development and welfare of the public service.
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She commended the governor for prioritising capacity building, welfare enhancement—citing the 100% increase in car and housing loans—and consistent recognition of outstanding performance, including cash awards of over N110 million to 138 civil servants.
Olomojobi urged the new appointees to see their role as a special assignment requiring expertise and innovation to strengthen the service for excellence and efficiency.
