The Ekiti State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Peju Babafemi, on Thursday commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for appointing an impressive number of women into key leadership positions, describing the move as a deliberate strategy that has strengthened governance and accelerated sustainable development across the state.
Babafemi spoke in Ado Ekiti at a triple celebration marking the retirement, 60th birthday and book launch of Mrs Titilayo Toba Ojo, the first female Permanent Secretary to rise through the ranks in the Local Government Service Commission, where she served until attaining the statutory retirement age.
The commissioner, who reviewed Toba Ojo’s newly published book at the ceremony, said the governor’s commitment to gender inclusion has created opportunities for capable women to contribute meaningfully to policy formulation and implementation, noting that inclusive governance produces more balanced and people centred outcomes.
According to her, women have consistently demonstrated strong managerial acumen and emotional intelligence in leadership, adding that their participation in decision making roles has translated into improved service delivery and deeper community impact across sectors.
Babafemi cited the career of the retiring Permanent Secretary as practical evidence of the value women bring to public administration, stressing that Toba Ojo’s performance in office reflected discipline, empathy and a firm grasp of institutional processes.
She traced the celebrant’s professional journey from her entry into the Local Government Service on June 13, 1994, to her elevation as Permanent Secretary in 2023, describing the trajectory as a testament to resilience, competence and unwavering commitment to duty.
Presenting the 233 page book titled “The Grassroots Engine”, Babafemi described it as a rich contribution to institutional memory and leadership development within the local government system, saying it offers both reflective insights and practical guidance for administrators.
Quoting from the author, she read, “Institutions do not fail because they lack potential; they fail because they stop reflecting. If we do not capture the lessons of the past, the future will force the next generation to repeat our struggles without our wisdom,” noting that the message underscores the need for continuity and learning in governance.
Tributes poured in from colleagues and associates who described Toba Ojo as an administrator who upheld standards without compromise and nurtured younger officers with patience and clarity of purpose.
In separate remarks, the State ALGON Chairman, Hon Ojo Samuel, as well as traditional rulers including the Onisan, Oba Ayodele Adejuwon, and the Olufaki, Oba Adegbenro Falore, praised the retiree as a skilled policy communicator and dedicated custodian of local government administration, wishing her success in the next phase of her life.
In her valedictory speech, an emotional Toba Ojo expressed gratitude to Governor Oyebanji for what she termed a governance style that allowed professionalism to thrive, stating that the absence of undue interference enabled her and her team to focus squarely on service delivery.
She also acknowledged the support of the leadership and board of the commission, saying their collaborative approach made her assignment seamless and rewarding.
Encouraging younger civil servants, she urged them to uphold transparency and loyalty, noting that ethical conduct remains the bedrock of sustainable development and public trust.
The ceremony attracted local government chairmen, permanent secretaries, political leaders, traditional rulers, family members and friends, all of whom gathered to honour a woman widely regarded as a steady hand in grassroots administration, whose legacy, many observed, will continue to shape the evolution of local governance in Ekiti State.