Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has commended public servants for their commitment and dedication to duty, describing them as the backbone of governance and development.

Mr Aiyedatiwa gave the commendation while addressing the state’s workforce during the celebration of Public Service Week on Thursday in Akure, the state capital.

The theme of the celebration is “Rejuvenating Public Service for Effective Service Delivery.”

The governor said the celebration offered an opportunity to reflect on the past, reconnect with purpose, and reimagine the future of the state’s public service.

“The machinery of government must be agile, innovative, and responsive. This requires a conscious rejuvenation that breathes new life into our bureaucracy and rekindles the spirit of patriotism that defines the state public service,” he said.

Mr Aiyedatiwa noted that his administration views the public service as a partner in progress, rather than as subordinates, pledging continued investment in workers’ welfare, capacity-building, and timely promotions.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to uphold regular promotions, timely salary payments, and the elevation of deserving officers to the rank of permanent secretary.

According to him, these measures are essential to boost the morale and productivity of workers in the state.

“The public service must move from routine to impact; beyond bureaucracy to creativity; beyond process to performance,” he said.

On pension payments, Mr Aiyedatiwa said the government had cleared the 2016 and 2017 gratuity backlogs for state workers, as well as the 2014 arrears for local government and primary school teachers.

Earlier, the state head of service, Bayo Philip, said that to remain effective, the public service must move from routine to results, from process to performance, and from excuses to excellence.

Mr Philip appreciated the governor and the past heads of service present at the event and urged the workers to be disciplined and innovative.

(NAN)