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| Gboyega Oyetola |
Governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola, has promised to clear salary arrears of civil servants. He also promised to keep paying their salaries in full.
The governor made the promise at an event organised by the civil servants to celebrate his Friday’s victory at the Supreme Court, which reaffirmed him as the winner of the September 22, 2018, state governorship election.
The apex court’s decision ended the almost eight months’ litigation over the election and sealed the hope of the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Ademola Adeleke.
He said: “I will not only sustain the payment of your full salary but by the grace of God, I’ll pay your arrears. I will prioritise your welfare. But as workers, you must believe in the administration, be dedicated, and give your full support, show understanding and commitment to duty.”
Oyetola, who advised the workers to be partners in progress, challenged them to be efficient and productive “because you are the drivers of our promise to deliver democracy dividends to the people. I have no reason not to hit the ground running, we will deliver on our promises.”
Reflecting on the period of litigation, Oyetola, who took the mantle on November, 27, 2018, said: “The journey was tough and full of distractions. It was a difficult period for planning. Anytime you made a move to plan, you remember that it is only if all things are equal. You did not know how long you could plan.”
Oyetola said he, however, refused to allow his spirit to be dampened by reminding himself that tribulation was part of life and that “even Jesus Christ faced tribulation”.
“He was crucified, so who are we? Our state is bound to go through difficult time, but the important thing is that we have triumphed.
“Now the battle is over. I call on everybody, including the opponents to support us to move the state forward because I believe in participatory government.”
He hailed the civil servants for not joining a group of pensioners, who protested last month over their yet-to-be paid arrears of wages, claiming that the state government had received a tranche of Paris Club refund.
“It is not true that our government has received a Paris Club refund. We cannot deceive our people,” Oyetola said.
Prayers were held for the success of the administration.
Also at the event were his deputy, Mr. Benedict Alabi; Secretary to the State Government Prince Wole Oyebamiji; Head of Service Dr. Oyebade Olowogboyega, who organised the event, a National Commissioner of the National Population Commission (NPC) Senator Mudashir Hussein, State All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman Prince Gboyega Famodun, permanent secretaries, heads of government agencies and other senior government and public servants.
The governor was heralded into his office by the welcoming public servants, who gathered at the entrance to the state secretariat at Abere, Osogbo, singing his praises amid drumming and dancing.
It was his first day at work after the apex court’s verdict that dismissed the appeal filed by Adeleke.
