Dipo Olowookere
By Dipo Olowookere
Head of Service in Ogun State, Mr Abayomi Sobande, has commended the administration of Governor Ibikunle Amosun for prioritising welfare of civil servants in the state.
Mr Sobande gave this commendation in a statement he issued on Wednesday, August 1, 2018, while reacting to a mass-circulating SMS on the occasion of 2018 Civil Service Week from a gubernatorial aspirant claiming awareness about certain public service matters with the promise of future life in abundance.
The HOS said workers in the state were happy with Mr Amosun because he has done much for them, pointing out that the Governor pays workers’ salaries and pensions as at when due.
Mr Sobande, who said “ordinarily, it is most unusual for the Office of the Head of Service (HOS) to join issues with political gladiators,” emphasised that he was reacting to the issue “to set records straight and bring the discourse into proper perspective for the education of the ignorant and as a reminder for the forgetful.”
“In spite of the severe constraints and harsh environment under which the present Administration has to operate, Ogun State still remains the envy of other States in the Federation in terms of payment of salaries and other conditions of Service.
“We, as workers, recognized that there is a short-term sacrifice required of us all, like other citizens, to re-position the State for future greatness. We are gratified that the genuineness of intentions of the present Administration is already yielding fruits – in IGR and so many other indices – and our reward is imminent. We prefer, as wisdom dictates, to maintain the course we have followed these last few years.
“This is safer for Ogun State workers. We cannot forget so soon that the privilege to voice our grievances, if any, and freely express our divergent views was only restored and made possible by the peace-loving and most accommodating disposition of the present regime.
“For the records, our salaries and Pensions are being paid as at when due.
“It is my prayer to all political gladiators to leave the Service out of the political fray. It does not otherwise bode well for the well-being of the Service. Those who truly love the Service should find this earnest prayer modest enough to be honoured.”
