We’ve Stabilized Ekiti Public Service, Says HOS
…as Ajero’s wife thanks Fayose for exit upgrade
The Head of Service of Ekiti State, Dr Olugbenga Faseluka has said that Governor Ayodele Fayose’s resolve not to stifle the running of the Public Service by undue interference has assisted the State Public Service to stabilize in the last two years.
Speaking at a valedictory session held for Pharmacist Abike Adewole, wife of the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti who is retiring as a Permanent Secretary in the Public Service of the State, the Head of Service stated that the era when a permanent Secretary would suddenly be informed of his retirement in the media was long gone.
Dr. Faseluka said Governor Fayose had over the last two years of his administration shown respect for the Public Service and had always resorted to following the Public Service Rules in attending to matters relating to the service.
On the appointment of Mrs Adewole as a Permanent Secretary, the Head of Service explained that the retiring Permanent Secretary performed excellently in the competitive examination conducted in 2015 but she could only be appointed as an Executive Secretary because the available vacancy was for a professional who could manage the Ministry of Lands as Permanent Secretary.
Faseluka added that Governor Fayose later decided to allow Adewole retire as a Permanent Secretary almost two years after she had been appointed as an Executive Secretary in the State Primary Health care Development Agency.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olurotimi Ojo, Permanent Secretaries and guests at the valedictory session showered encomiums on Mrs Adewole whom they described as loyal and dependable.
The Commissioner said though he queried the rationale behind the appointment of a Pharmacist to oversee the Primary Healthcare Development Agency, his working relationship with the retiring Permanent Secretary showed that she managed the Agency competently and with a vision.
The Permanent Secretary, Cabinet and Special Services Department, Mrs Peju Babafemi, in her remarks, described Mrs Adewole as resilient, industrious and focused; stressing that she had displayed royal virtues in the discharge of her duties as Permanent Secretary in charge of Primary health facilities in the State.
In her response, Mrs Adewole thanked Governor Fayose for allowing her to retire from the Public Service as a Permanent Secretary.
“In February 2017, I put in my notice of retirement and on March 1st, 2017, I got the approval of His Excellency, the Governor of Ekiti State to exit the Ekiti State Civil Service on the post of a Permanent Secretary”, she said.
Also speaking, her husband and Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole thanked Governor Fayose for the appointment; saying that the family had thought she would never become a Permanent Secretary since she missed the opportunity earlier.
He spoke on the dedication of his wife to her professional calling; saying that she had served with passion and even extended her professional expertise to medical issues in the palace.
