Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has declared that the era when someone had to know a governor before becoming a Permanent Secretary has ended in the state.
Makinde made this declaration while speaking at the 2025 annual interfaith thanksgiving service held at the Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, on Monday.
While addressing the gathering, the governor commended the state’s workforce and the labour union leaders for their support and cooperation since the inception of his administration.
He used the opportunity to charge them to put in more effort towards upholding their values as civil servants.
Makinde further emphasised that civil servants no longer need to know anyone or the governor before they can become permanent secretaries.
He also took the opportunity to congratulate the 45 newly appointed permanent secretaries.
Makinde, who spoke further, maintained that most of them merited the appointments after undergoing rigorous examinations and screening exercises.
He added that the outcome of the exercise was a testament to the fact that the system has changed for the better.
The governor advised them to see their appointments as the beginning of good things in their lives