The Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun has described workers as the engine room of any Government as all the monumental strides that have been made would not have been possible without their inputs.

Governor Abiodun who stated this during the 6th Quarterly General Meeting of the South-West Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries (SWARHOSPS), held at the Valley View Auditorium, Isale- Igbein, Abeokuta, described Civil Servants as the ones providing policy supports for the progress of the administration.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Shuaib Salisu, the Governor thanked both retired and serving Ogun workers for their supports in the last three years, calling on the association to show more interest in the affairs of the nation and think of more innovative ways in funding some of the deficits inherited especially the issue of gratuity.

"This present Government is making progress because the Civil Servants are there to provide the necessary policy support and  implementation. We recognised that we cannot get workers to do their best, except we prioritise their welfare which we have been doing, from regular payment of salaries to construction of housing units and clearing of backlog of promotions from 2018 to 2020; and before, to become a Permanent Secretary, you needed to know somebody but now promotion exercise is based on merit, equity, fairness and competence. The era of favouritism is over and for the first time, a Medical Doctor was appointed as the Head of Service" the Governor said.

In his address, the Head of Service, Dr. Nafiu Aigoro appreciated the roles of the Elder Statemen and Women for their pioneering efforts in the development of the Public Service in the entire South-West geo- political zone of the country, saying that Governor Dapo Abiodun in recognising these roles by the association in Ogun, has given premium to the payment of monthly pensions as well as payment of salaries to serving officers despite the dwindling finances of the State Government.

"Let me say that we appreciate the fact that you occupy a special place in the history of the Public Service and deserve special treatment in recognition of your pioneering efforts in the development of Public Service in our various States and the entire South-West geo-political zone of Nigeria. 

"You may be retired, but I am sure you are not tired. Your words of advice will continue to be useful in positioning the Public Service for good governance in our respective States and the entire South-West region" the HoS said.

In his welcome address, the Chairman, Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, Ogun State, Otunba Babatunde Osokoya said that the meeting was special as it was the first meeting to be hosted by the State which also marked the end of the first round of the rotational meetings of the association.

He appreciated the invaluable contributions of 169 members to the landmark development of the Southwest and the project of building their Parmanent Secretariat through deductions from their monthly pensions and voluntary personal donations, advising members to continue showing interest in the progress of the Public Service in the Southwest.

Speaking earlier, the President of the association in the  South- West, Dr. Ebenezer Okebukola JP, appreciated Governors in the region for taking positive actions on issues generated in their communique sent to them at the end of all their meetings.