The Head of Service in Ondo State, Mr. Bayo Philip, has revealed that the state’s revised civil service rules now include dismissal and criminal prosecution for offenses related to sexual harassment.
Philip made this disclosure on Thursday in Akure during the Annual General Meeting of the Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries of the South-West.
He explained that the civil service rules and policies had been reviewed to better meet public expectations.
Among the notable changes, maternity leave has been extended from three to six months, and paternity leave of two weeks has been introduced.
The HoS emphasized that the service’s new guiding principle, “don’t deliver short and don’t deliver late,” aims to align the public service with 21st-century standards and improve overall output. He also highlighted that Ondo State, with a workforce of 42,000 and 13,000 pensioners, has no backlog of staff promotions.
Speaking at the event, the state Chairman of the association, Mrs. Mojisola Ajayi, called on South-West governors to reform the civil service by eliminating dysfunctionality and restoring efficiency to better serve the people.
She stressed the urgent need for pension scheme reform, noting that many retirees face economic hardships.
Ajayi urged that the success of the South-West Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, should be replicated across all sectors in the region.
She also praised Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his compassionate leadership, particularly his focus on the welfare of pensioners and achievements across various sectors.
Echoing the sentiment, the South-West President, Dr. Ebenezer Okebukola, revealed that the association had presented a blueprint for economic development in the region to the governors.
He expressed gratitude for their support and commended Governor Aiyedatiwa’s financial contributions, calling on other governors to back the association’s initiatives.
In his remarks, Governor Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Segun Omojuwa, described the association as “noble and credible,” highlighting its significant contributions to the development of the South-West. He said:
“Your members have undoubtedly played key roles in shaping government policies and programmes. You have regularly agreed with various state governors, offering your wealth of experience and institutional capacity to positively influence policy formulation and engage in transformative development across the South-West. therefore, wish to congratulate the leadership and ground members of this noble association for remaining ready for the height of your disengagement from active public service. Even though you have retired, you are not tired.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Ondo State Forum of Permanent Secretaries, Mr. Bunmi Alade, described the gathering as inspiring and significant.
He emphasized that the voices of retired Heads of Service and permanent secretaries remain critical in upholding professionalism, integrity, and discipline in the public service.
Alade commended the association’s vision to drive integration, coordination, and sustainable development across the South-West.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the association elected a new set of executive members: Elder Demola Badejo, Regional President from Ogun; Elder Daniel Aina, Regional Vice President from Ekiti; Mrs. Adenike Olufadewa, Regional Secretary from Oyo; and Alhaji Adekunle Adegbite, Assistant General Secretary from Ogun. Others include Mr. Segun Olorunsogo, Regional Treasurer from Osun; Mrs. Adesunbo Abolarin, Financial Secretary from Lagos; Mrs. Juliana Folabi-Fayehun, Regional Public Relations Officer from Ondo; and Barrister Adeoye Popoola, Legal Officer from Osun.
In his acceptance speech, Elder Demola Badejo, a retired permanent secretary and lawyer, pledged to collaborate closely with the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission and the South-West Development Commission in Ibadan to drive rapid socio-economic development in the region.
He added that the association would continue to provide valuable advice to state governments across the South-West.
