The Government of the State of Osun on Monday held its annual Inter-Religious prayer to usher in Year 2021.
This is just as the Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, lauded workers in the State for their continued support, cooperation and dedication to duty since the inception of the Administration.
He said the unprecedented 95 per cent 2020 budget performance implementation recorded in the State was partly engendered by the commitment, support and cooperation received from the workers.
The Governor also tasked the State workforce on improved commitment to excellent service delivery.
Oyetola, who spoke through his Deputy, Mr. Benedict Alabi, at the prayer session held at the Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo, urged the workers to see their respective positions as an opportunity to serve and a privilege to sow the right seeds for the harvest that the State desires.
“I am certain that all the religions here represented place premium on the power of sowing and reaping. It is the universal principle that governs the earth.
“I enjoin you all to make a resolution to use this year as an opportunity you have at another shot at life, to sow the seed of improved service delivery in expectation for a bountiful harvest of progress for our State and yourselves.
”I must also register my profound appreciation to you, my dearly beloved Osun workers, for the invaluable role you have played since the assumption of our Administration a little over two years ago.
“Your contributions, support and sacrifices are important building blocks on which the vision of our Development Agenda is actualised. I therefore use this opportunity to thank you all for your sustained supports,” Oyetola added.
The Governor also reiterated the administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare and general well-being of the citizens.
He assured that the administration would not rest on its oars in achieving its desired goal of making Osun’s bureaucracy become one of the most equipped and remunerated in the country.
He said, “Just as I had promised during my electoral campaigns, your welfare occupies the most important place in our priority list.
“This is why since inception, we have ensured that aside from the prompt payment of your salaries , we have, in keeping to terms with my assurances at this event last year, commenced the payment of the new minimum wage and lifted embargo on promotions and conversions.
“Equally, our assiduous commitment to the payment of pension stems from the value we place on you and this commitment is what underscored the 95 per cent 2020 budget performance implementation — a rate that is perhaps unprecedented in the history of our State.
”Hence, I must equally challenge you to work harder this year. Your commitment to improved service delivery is central to increased productivity.
”On our part as an Administration, we are tirelessly committed to setting Osun on the pathway of sustainable economic revolution.”
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Tajudeen Lawal, described Year 2020 as one full of difficult moments, adding that the State of Osun was able to survive the turbulence through the help of God.
He maintained that the prayer was significant as it afforded the State the opportunity to thank God for the wisdom bestowed on Governor Oyetola in tackling the socioeconomic challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic.
“It is noteworthy that despite the disruptions, the state recorded tremendous achievements in areas of infrastructure development, healthcare, education, tourism among others. We pray for continued wisdom and guidance for the Governor and members of his Executive Council,” he added.
The Head of Service, Dr. Featus Oyebade, appreciated the Governor for not only paying the workers’ salaries for the month of December 2020 before the Christmas, but for also ensuring that some pensioners under the contributory pension scheme got paid their arrears for the first time since 2016.
Others in attendance were the Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, represented by Hon. Wale Adedoyin; the Chief Judge of Osun, Justice Adepele Ojo, represented by Justice Olayinka Afolabi; Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji; members of the State Executive Council; the Osun APC Caretaker Chairman, Prince Gboyega Famodun; traditional rulers; religious leaders; top Government functionaries, among others.
