Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has emphasised the need for a strong and professional civil service across the South-West, describing it as key to sustainable development, effective governance, and regional progress.
The governor made the remarks on Saturday in Osogbo while addressing the 10th Quarterly General Meeting of the Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries (ARHOSPS), South-West. He was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye.
According to Governor Adeleke, development is not accidental but the result of sound policies, efficient institutions, and disciplined execution. He noted that a functional and ethical civil service is at the core of achieving these objectives.
āThe focus of the meeting on civil service management and good governance speaks directly to the development challenges and opportunities before state governments,ā Adeleke said.
āDevelopment does not occur by chance. It is driven by sound policies, efficient institutions, and disciplined implementation. At the heart of all these is the civil service. The South-West cannot achieve its full potential without a civil service that is professional, ethical, innovative, and people-centred. Many of you gathered here today were central to building these foundations during your years in office. Your experiences shaped systems that continue to serve our people across the region.ā
Earlier, ARHOSPS chairman A. F. Olatayo reaffirmed the associationās commitment to advancing the civil service and fostering regional development. He highlighted that the association exists not only to support its members but also to contribute meaningfully to the growth and governance of South-West states.
Olatayo commended state governments for maintaining cordial relationships with retired public officers, stressing that collaboration between serving and retired officials remains vital for effective governance and sustainable development in the region.