See real service to people as your goal – Gov Adeleke to new Commissioners

The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has charged the new Commissioners in the state to see real service to the people as their goal.

This is as he reminded them that he values honesty, integrity and living above board in public service.

Governor Adeleke who gave this charge at the swearing-in ceremony for new Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries on Wednesday, at the State Secretariat, Abere also warned them that corrupt conduct will be heavily sanctioned.

In his words, “Your goal must be real service to the people. I value honesty and integrity in public service. You must be above board. Corrupt conduct will be heavily sanctioned.

“I love thinking out of the box in governance. As political heads of your ministries, be very innovative. Generate and implement new ideas.

“In times of national economic emergency, I love achieving much with little resources. Be prudent and adopt measures that reduce the cost of projects and services.”

He revealed that he has been running a Governor-in-Council government in the last eight months and it has been able to achieve a lot with hard work.

Adeleke also maintained that the team of commissioners are a product of stakeholders’ choices.

“We succeeded in rescuing the sun from the downward movement. We set the state on a path of sustainable development.

“Today, a new State Executive Council is hereby unveiled. Congratulations to all newly appointed commissioners and permanent secretaries. You are welcome to join a team of high-performing officials, a small band of patriots who have laid a solid foundation for state governance.
Permit me to commend the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State for its frontline role in the making of this cabinet. The party sets the template for the selection process and I accept the party’s decisions.

“It is important to affirm that my preoccupation throughout the process was a merit-based pathway.

“This passion of mine for putting together qualified hands was reflected in the template the party applied throughout.

“Now that the team is assembled, let me share a brief about my vision for the state. I seek a very responsive government that listens and satisfies the wishes of the people.”

While reaffirming that his administration would not allow for solo performance, he urged the new Commissioners to work as a team with a common goal to make a difference in the lives of the people.

“Above all, my leadership is about due process and the rule of law. You must not cut corners. I will not compromise transparency and accountability.

“As you are coming on board, the task before us is enormous. We have a duty to turn our adversity into assets. We must re-engineer our economy, generate wealth, engage our youth, deepen our economic base, embrace the digital economy and implement our climate action agenda.

“We are the innovators to overcome our state’s deficit across sectors. I know you are full of new options for the greater Osun agenda. I believe your heads and hands are full of solutions to the governance problems of our time.

“Also in due course, you will be adequately briefed on public service rules as well as your working relationship with bureaucrats who are accounting officers of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies. I will insist on harmonious partnership with the civil service by political appointees. We are partners in progress.