A former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to late former governor Abiola Ajimobi, Festus Adedayo has said that Public Servants oil the development of the state.
Adebayo stated this while delivering the Keynote address at the retirement colloquium and 60th birthday celebration of the former Permanent secretary of the Ministry of Lands and Housing in Osun State, Prince Omotayo Hassan Lamuye.
He described the public service as the sector where government benefits the large sector of the population noting that the “life of a public servant is that of a man who has come to serve mankind.”
“If the role of the government is to provide food,cloth and shelter, then Public servants through these roles, take up the role of messiah in the development of the people.
“Throughout the period of his service, the life of a public servant should be for the public. Like I said earlier the life of a public servant oils the development of the state,” Adedayo said.
Speaking on the ownership of land, Adedayo who quoted the work of Nollywood actor, Baba Wande, maintained that man should accept that Land belongs to God.
He explained that while the public servant is to serve mankind land was designed to benefit mankind and by ensuring that people have access to land, the public service is directly inviting peace to the society.
In his submission, a former Head of Service of the civil service in Oyo State, Mr. Soji Eniade who spoke on the topic, ‘Life in the Public service and life after Public service’, noted that “the public service is built around professionalism and competency and that is why you can’t find a medical doctor in the ministry of land.”
Reacting to a question by Dr. Festus on whether the public service is still public, Mr. Eniade maintained that even though the challenges are enormous, the Public service is still Public.
“The journey to retirement starts from the day of appointment. Mr Lamuye, I congratulate you on the occasion of your retirement. ”
“There are many opportunities in the civil service, cooperative and all of that but my greatest belief is that to adequately prepare for retirement you should give your children the best of education which you have done. When the money is coming you should also invest in your spouse.
“The onus is on us as civil servants to improve ourselves. I am proud of Dr. Festus Adedayo not because he is here. I met him when he was with Governor Ajimobi and between then and now he had studied law,” he said.
Speaking on life after service, the former executive assistant to Oyo State Government said: “I retired like three years ago and I have been experiencing it. When you retire your focus should be on your family, friends, finance, health and God.”
He also urged the celebrant to show interest in the politics of Osun State noting that this is an opportunity for him to contribute to the development of his community especially Iwo and Osun State.
In his own speech, Mr. Ayodeji Kareem, the CEO of Winchester Homes and Construction who spoke on the topic, ‘life matters and affordable housing in Nigeria’ noted that the housing sector is an industry that civil servants in the country should see an opportunity to invest.
The University of Wales alumnus, also maintained that affordable housing is the way to go in the country
He, however, noted that it is important to cut down the cost of building in the country.
Speaking at the event, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Tela urged all individuals to always assesthethemselves after holding any position.
He described the celebrant as a man whose act of selflessness is unequalled.
Earlier in his welcome address, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, a former Secretary to the Osun State Government described the celebrant as an exemplary personality noting that the calibre of people who graced his requirement colloquium is a testament to this.
Similarly, in his opening remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Professor Lai Olurode, a former National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) congratulated the celebrant for pulling through this service years.
“You have been privileged to live a very good life. I have read through the programme of today and I am very very happy to be associated with you,” he said.
The event had in attendance various dignitaries from all over the country. Some of these dignitaries are the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Tela; Senator Lere Oriolowo; former National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Lai Olurode; Fomer Secretary to the Osun State government, Alhaji Fatai Akigbade; former Head of Service in Oyo State, Soji Eniade.
Others are former Attorney General in Oyo State, Mr. Bayo Ojo; former Permanent Secretary Osun state government, Arc. Wale Ojo; former Commissioner of finance in Oyo State, Bimbo Adekanmbi.
