…Holds N/Year inter-religious service By Seun Adams The Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, said that no staff in the state’s workforce would earn below the N30,000 national minimum wage. He stated that once the committee set up by his government to look into the modalities for the implementation of the wage completes its assignment, the government will stand side by side with the workers to implement the decision. Mr. Taiwo Adisa, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, said in a statement that the Governor made the declarations during the annual inter-religious service to usher in the 2020 working year which held at State Capital. The Governor urged every resident of the state to join hands, put political affiliation and tribal sentiments aside to keep making Oyo State greater. Makinde, who gave thanks to God for some of the remarkable feats achieved in 2019, citing the increased funding to education, ongoing renovation and equipment of hospitals as well as the expansion of the state’s economy through investments in agriculture, small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) and infrastructure. He said: “As we gather here this morning for this inter-religious service to usher in a new working year, it is the best time for each one of us to reflect on our accomplishments last year and then plan how to become better versions of ourselves this year. Makinde, who used the occasion to commiserate with all victims of fire incidents across the state, warned civil servants and residents of the State to work towards preventing fire disasters in their personal lives by setting smart goals and planning adequately in the New Year. He further said: “In a way, we also want to prevent personal fires in our lives this year and the best way to do that is by setting smart goal. So, we need to plan. Let us all set goals that will be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. And that is being (SMART). We should plan now so that when we meet for the next inter-denominational service, we will be able to look back as we are looking back at 2019 now, and have a cause to be thankful.” He added: “Some people have said that all the things we have done in seven months are just cosmetic. Well, we are thankful for the progress in our education system. We have increased funding for the sector and we have been able to get some children off the street. We still have a lot more to do in this sector and we still believe that 2020 will be a good year for education in Oyo State. “We are also thankful for the improvement in health care, as we have renovated and equipped some hospitals and started with the Health Insurance Scheme. It is my belief that civil servants and others will take the advantage of this scheme so that they do not have to pay out of pocket for health care.” At the service, which was attended by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan; the Chief of Staff, Chief Oyebisi Ilaka; the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, political appointees and civil servants, the Head of Service, Mrs. Amidat Ololade Agboola, maintained that 2019 was filled with challenges but that God had counted those in attendance at the event worthy to see a New Year. Agboola, who welcomed political office holders and workers to the service, maintained that it was in 2019 that God blessed Oyo State with a Governor like Makinde, whom she described as god-sent to the civil servants. According to the Head of Service, the Governor has shown what leadership entailed: selflessness, even as she appreciated the Governor for demonstrating commitment to workers’ welfare and the repositioning of the civil/public service in the State. She cited the payment of salaries as and when due since the administration took office, noting that the general public in the State had been sharing in happiness engendered by that act. She commended the governor for giving the approval for the reinstatement of some officers in the civil/public service who were unjustly dismissed by the last administration; approval for Productivity/Merit award to recognize the hard work of civil servants and the approval of N15 million for the renovation of offices in each of the ministries in the Secretariat Complex, among other areas.