Razaq Bamidele
Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi on Monday swore in Mrs. Olapeju Babafemi as the new and first female Head of Service of the State civil service, with a charge to use the position to bring out the best in the State’s Public Service.
The Governor stressed that the role of the Head of Service is to provide leadership for the civil servants who are the major drivers of government’s policies and programmes; reminding that the success of such policies and programmes depend largely on the functionality of the civil service.
Dr. Fayemi who stressed that his administration considered the choice of the Head of Service as one of the most critical success factors of any administration, said the government institutionalised a process -driven structure to ensure that only the best gets to the leadership of the State public service.
He expressed optimism that the new Head of Service would succeed having been well familiar with the terrain as an Acting Head of Service just as he urged her to align with the state government policies and programmes as boldly enunciated in the 5-pillar agenda of the administration.
“Though, the terrain is not strange to you, having been in this position in acting capacity. Now that you have risen to the zenith of your career with your appointment as the substantive Head of Service, it is my belief that you will continue the good work you started when you acted as the Head of Service, and also build on the success of your predecessor. All eyes are on you now to provide leadership and direction to the civil servants.”
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“You were chosen out of many other qualified Permanent Secretaries to steer the ship of Ekiti State Civil Service administration. This strategic position should be used to bring out the best in our public service. You are inheriting a very active public service that has keyed into the vision of this administration. I expect you to hit the ground running and make your impact felt. The restoration agenda is a task that must be done. You are expected to sustain the transformation agenda especially as it relates to the civil service,” he said.
The governor reiterated the commitment of his administration to transparency in corporate governance and emphasized that the administration would not tolerate any act that is in breach of the accord that his government signed with Ekiti people.
While acknowledging the efforts of the immediate past Head of Service, Mr Deji Ajayi in reforming the service, Fayemi stated that much still remained to be done to enhance quality service delivery; adding that Babafemi should see her appointment as a call to serve and to be “a part of positive history.”
“I want to use this occasion to openly acknowledge and appreciate the excellent and meritorious service of the outgone Head of Service, Mr Ayodeji Ajayi. He made an appreciable progress in reforming the public service. There is still much to be done to enhance quality service delivery. On behalf of the government and good people of Ekiti State, I thank him for his diligent and impactful service to our dear State. I wish him the best in his future endeavours,” Fayemi said.
In her remarks, Mrs. Babafemi acknowledged that the task of the Head of Service was not a trivial one but said she was convinced that a lot could be achieved through a harmonious working relationship among all the cadres of the State Public service.
Mrs. Babafemi, who thanked the Kayode Fayemi-led administration for sponsoring her participation in the Leading Practitioners Programme of the King’s College, London pledged her commitment to putting in her utmost best to the service of Ekiti State.
Babafemi who became Ekiti first female Head of Service said her appointment was remarkably an adherence to the principle of good governance which includes accountability, transparency, inclusiveness and equal opportunity.
She assured of operational efficiency, higher productivity and prosperous civil service.
The swearing in ceremony was well attended by members of the State Executive Council, State House of Assembly members, traditional rulers, religious leaders and civil servants majorly women who hailed the governor’s wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi for giving voice to women in the State.
This information was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Yinka Oyebode.
