Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has charged commissioners in his cabinet to stay committed to delivering quality service as his administration enters its final lap.

Mr Makinde gave the charge when swearing in Taiwo Ladipo as commissioner in the State Executive Council on Monday in Ibadan.

The governor, who charged Mr Ladipo and other commissioners to remain focused on the administration’s mandate, said his administration had little time left in office.

“We promised the people of Oyo State that we would serve them until the very last hour of the very last day.

“Even with the short time remaining, there is still a lot we can achieve,” he said.

Mr Makinde urged government appointees to prioritise legacy over tenure, citing the late Obafemi Awolowo as an example.

According to him, Mr Awolowo’s leadership is still celebrated more than 60 years after because of its impact.

“It is not how long we serve, but how we apply ourselves in the service of the people,” Mr Makinde said.

The governor further asserted that public service was a privilege, adding, “There are many qualified people, and at any given time, you have to pick and choose. If I move a commissioner, it does not mean they did anything wrong.”

He explained that appointments and redeployments are driven by current priorities and the expertise needed to meet them.

Mr Makinde also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the state’s civil service through reforms focused on institutional capacity, training, and staff development.

He added that opportunities for training and international exposure for civil servants, which were limited until 2019, have now improved significantly and can be verified.

Mr Ladipo was assigned to the Ministry of Establishment and Training portfolio.

(NAN)