The Chairman of the Oyo State Local Government Service Commission, Bashorun Akinwale Solomon Akinwole (Wolekanle), has pledged to recruit retired Permanent Secretaries to bolster human capacity building across the council areas.
Speaking at a grand event celebrating four distinguished administrative heads, the commission chief affirmed that veteran public servants remain vital to the growth of the Local Government Service.
Honouring Retiring Permanent Secretaries in Oyo State
The meritorious service celebration took place at the Local Government Staff Training School Hall inside the Secretariat, Ibadan. It honoured four prominent figures who recently exited the public sector: Mr. Thomas Oladele Oguntona (Ogbomoso Zone), Dr. Adedapo Olumuyiwa Atoyebi (Ibadan Zone II), Dr. (Mrs.) Kafilat Adefunke Hamzat (Ibarapa Zone), and Alhaji Busari Adekunle Amusat (Oke-Ogun Zone I).
In an official statement released through the Director of Education and Social Services, Mrs. Funke Foluso Lala, Bashorun Akinwole stressed that leaving active service does not mark the end of public contribution. Instead, he described retirement as an open highway to serve humanity in new ways as mentors, trainers, consultants, and community leaders.
“We have watched you navigate the complex waters of governance with wisdom, providing sound, fearless and impartial advice to government. You passionately defended the ethics of the civil service, protected your subordinates and upheld the tradition of anonymity, neutrality and permanence for which the service is well known. You stood tall as models of incorruptibility, punctuality, diligence and professionalism. You were not just administrators but also custodians of institutional memories, guardians of policy continuity, and mentors who shaped generations of officers.
“The Commission will continue to draw from your well of experience. We will give you work to do and we promise to empower you for whatever engagements, especially in training and retraining the workforce,” he said.
The LGSC Chairman urged current staff members to emulate the retirees, reminding them that honesty, dedication, and diligence always bring lasting rewards.
Strengthening the Local Government Service Infrastructure
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Pastor Adeola Omoyeni Oduola, explained that the gathering celebrated years of sacrifice, professionalism, and invaluable contributions to Oyo State. He noted that leading as administrative heads requires rare courage, deep patience, and unwavering integrity. He encouraged the retirees to enjoy their newfound freedom, focus on personal goals, and cherish quality time with their families.
Several dignitaries delivered goodwill messages during the event. These included the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Akin Funmilayo (himself a retired permanent secretary from the commission); the Chairman of the Oyo State Local Government Staff Pension Board, Hon. (Chief) Akeem Ademola Ige; NULGE Oyo State President, Comrade Ayobami Adeogun; Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Local Government Administration, Alhaji Marouf Owolabi; and former commission permanent secretary, Deacon Taiwo Adewale.
Board members of the Oyo State Local Government Service Commission, including Alhaji Yussuf Alli, Hon. Taiwo Oke, and Mrs. Nike Arewa, attended the ceremony. Representatives from the forums of serving and retired Permanent Secretaries, union executives, friends, and family members also gathered to honour the celebrated officers.
