By Yemi Olajutemu
Ado Ekiti
Top Civil Servants and government Functionaries in and outside Ekiti state converged on the bishop Adetiloye Hall Ado Ekiti on Thursday to honour the Ekiti State retiring first female Head of Service Mrs Peju Babafemi.
It was the day to mark the Africa Public Service Day 2022, which was part of the lined up activities to celebrate the retiring HOS.
At the program was a Public lecture themed “Unfinished Business of Reforms in Nigeria, Next Level Public Service Reform Agenda” delivered by Prof Tunji Olaopa, and a Book presentation, entitled “Leadership ,Policy Process and Governance in the Nigerian Public Service” Essays in honour of Mrs Peju Babafemi.
According to the guest lecturer, Public administrators and Civil servants need significantly deep seated repositioning and reforms that will establish value and ethics upon which good governance can be engendered.
According to Professor Olaopa, the Civil Service remains a training ground for modelling and remodelling people for the sustenance of societal values.
The University Don explained that the sector must work along with the new realities of the digital age so as to keep responding to societal needs.
Earlier the Lecture chairman, Sir Olubunmi Famosaya charged Civil Servants to continue seeing themselves as the engine room of government that must not be sidelined.
Unveiling the book, the Ekiti State Governor Dr John Kayode Fayemi who was represented by his Deputy Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi remarked that the outgoing Head of Service had distinguished herself in all areas by being a model and point of reference to others.
The Governor lauded the harmoneous relationship between the workers and the state government, made robust by the HOS, who had not at anytime relented nor pursue personal gains but always striving to make positive impact on the people.
More people including the wife of the state Governor Erelu Bisi Fayemi showered encomium on Mrs Peju Babafemi. She went memory lane of how she (Babafemi) was able to change the narratives of the Ministry of Women Affairs to fortunes and helping in the Women Development agenda of the state while she was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry.
Other Dignataries include the Ekiti State Governor -Elect Mr Biodun Oyebanji, Chairman Ekiti Council of Traditional Rulers, Onisan, Oba Gabriel Adejuwon, the Catholic Bishop of EKiti Diocese, Father Felix Ajakaiye, the RCCG leader in Ekiti, Pastor Goke Kuti, the Ondo State Head of Service Mr Adeniran Adeyemo, and the Ekiti State former HOS, Mr Deji Ajayi.
Others include the body of permanent Secretaries, the Ekiti Women in Management, Prof Bolaji Aluko among others who all gave kudos to the retiring Head of Service for her immense contribution towards lifting the sector and prioritizing the welfares of workers.
In her remarks, the outgoing Ekiti first female Head of Service Mrs Peju Babafemi thanked God for grace. She said she would forever be grateful to the state Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi For the opportunity given her to serve. She also thanked the wife of the governor for the supports and courage given to her to serve well.
Mrs Babafemi commended the state workers and reminded them that there are always rooms for improvement. She said the current administration had given much opportunities to workers in order to progress their career saying that it was important the maximize the opportunities.
The husband of the Celebrant Pastor Ola Babafemi noted that it was very important for men to allow their wives to actualize their dreams of becoming successful. He saluted the courage of his wife describing her as humble and a goal getter.
Other activities in pipeline for the retiring HOS continues with a Novelty Football Match, Empowerment Program for the less privileged and a Thanks giving Service in the coming week.