Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde has reiterated his administration’s commitment to merit-based appointments in the interest and development of the state .
Makinde stated this on Tuesday during the swearing- ceremony of the newly appointed seventeen permanent secretaries which took place at the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office in Agodi, Ibadan
He urged the newly appointed officials to uphold transparency, professionalism, and accountability in the discharge of their duties.
Makinde explained that the appointments were the outcome of a competitive and transparent selection process, designed to reward competence within the civil service. According to him, candidates were required to sit for examinations, and selections were made strictly from those who performed well.
The governor also revealed that considerations were made to ensure fair representation across the state’s geopolitical zones, while maintaining competence as the primary determining factor.
He used the occasion to advise the new Permanent Secretaries against personal loyalty to him, stressing instead that their allegiance should be to the state and its people.
“Governments will come and go. My tenure will end, and another governor will take over. What matters is your commitment to serving Oyo State,” he told the appointees.
The 17 officials include eight Permanent Secretaries in the mainstream civil service, four from the education sector—comprising an Inspector-General of Education and three Tutors-General—three from the local government sector, one from the House of Assembly Service Commission, and the Auditor-General for the state.
The event was attended by top government officials, including the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal; the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin; and the Chief Judge of the state, Iyabo Yerima, alongside other senior government officials and dignitaries.
