Retired Head of Service in Oyo State, Overseer (Dr) Ebenezer Okebukola, has said that one of the secrets of Governor Seyi Makinde’s success is his ability to connect well with the people of the state. He noted that this quality has helped to entrench peace across Oyo State.
Okebukola, who served as Permanent Secretary in eight different ministries before becoming the Head of Service, disclosed this during an interview with The People’s Verdict.
Buttressing his point, he said:
“Look at the case of Aleshinloye Market that caught fire a while ago. Some of the traders were agitating when they learnt that the local government authorities were going to bring a developer that might not even allocate the shops to them later. A few days later, the governor went to meet them, spoke with them, assuaged their concerns, and gave them succor. They were happy, and so, there was peace. The governor has a way of connecting with the people to ensure things go smoothly.”
The former Head of Service lauded Governor Makinde for prioritizing the regular payment of salaries and the promotion of civil servants, noting that these policies encourage public servants to give their best to the state.
Underscoring the importance of regular salary payments, Okebukola said:
“Civil servants are the instruments of policy implementation. If your instruments are not properly sharpened, you can’t get the best from them. By paying them as and when due, you are actually preparing them to perform optimally.”
He added that the government should also prioritize continuous training and retraining of civil servants to further enhance their competence, stressing that this would ultimately bring out the best in the workforce.
“By paying salaries regularly, His Excellency is also enhancing the economy of the state. Civil servants receive their salaries and spend in the markets and other sectors, thereby redistributing the state’s wealth,” he explained.
Okebukola further praised Governor Makinde for his humility and sense of continuity in governance.
“He gives respect to his predecessors and does not abandon projects started by them. Look at the Ibadan Circular Road as an example. He met the project and continued it, which will greatly enhance the economy of Ibadan. Also, the Technical University, which was started during the tenure of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, is being nurtured by Governor Makinde. He even renamed it after the former governor, showing that government is a continuum,” he said.
The retired Head of Service also commended Makinde for the transformation of the Fasola Farm Estate into an industrial hub.
“When I started my career as a young officer, I was posted to Fasola Farm Estate from the Ministry of Agriculture. Then, we had the Poultry Investigation Centre, Mechanisation Centre, and others. Over the years, the place became moribund. Now, the governor has revived it, turning it into an industrial hub with diverse projects that enhance food security within the region. That is very remarkable,” Okebukola stated.
Highlighting Makinde’s strides in infrastructure development, he said:
“Look at the Ladoke Akintola Airport that he is upgrading now; it is going to boost the economy of Oyo State in both the immediate and distant future. Also, consider the roads he is constructing, like the Ogbomoso–Iseyin Road, which will link to the Sokoto–Badagry Highway. His work on township roads is equally commendable, as he is fast-tracking the state’s economy, directly and indirectly.”
Watch the full interview on The People’s Verdict below;
