Governor Biodun Oyebanji has hailed the civil service as the engine room of effective governance and sustainable development, describing it as indispensable to any government.

Mr Oyebanji made the assertion at the opening of the 12th regional quarterly conference meeting of the Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in the South-West on Thursday in Ado Ekiti.

He said that members of the association had contributed immensely to the growth and stability of public administration and left behind legacies of leadership, professionalism, integrity and institutional knowledge.

Mr Oyebanji commended members of the association for leaving a durable foundation for the region’s public sector.

The governor said that, because of the invaluable experience of retired bureaucrats, his administration has appointed three members to the state executive council. He said that, because of the invaluable experience of retired bureaucrats, his administration has appointed three members to the state executive council.

“It is not out of place to note that political leaders continue to draw members from this strategic group. I’m sure I have not less than three of your members in my executive council. I’m bold to mention that the present administration is committed to easing life at retirement from the head of service, permanent secretaries and the public servants at large,” Mr Oyebanji said.

The regional president of the association, Demola Badejo, restated the body’s commitment to a strategic partnership with the regional bodies—South West Development Commission and Odu’a Investment Company—after meeting with them in Ibadan.

He called on state chapters to support the implementation of the association’s seven-point agenda to ensure its relevance and the region’s overall development.

“Our task is not merely to celebrate our past. It is also to use our collective experience, knowledge and networks to mentor future generations and contribute meaningfully to the development of the region and the country at large,” Mr Badejo said.

The Ekiti chapter president, Oluwole Ariyomo, lauded Mr Oyebanji for his support for the chapter and his impressive record of infrastructure development and the rebuilding of the Ikogosi Warm Springs tourist site to an international standard.

S.O. Bankole, a former head of service, advised civil servants not to participate in politics either covertly or overtly, saying their participation would affect and also diminish the quality of advice given to the political leadership.

“Our bureaucracy should maintain its attribution of neutrality under any political dispensation. The real loyal public servants are the ones telling the politicians what they should know and not what they want to hear,” he said.

Delegates from Ogun, Ekiti, Oyo, Lagos, Osun and Ondo attended the conference.

(NAN)