Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, has said that for the economy of Nigeria to grow, experts in the private sector must support their counterparts’ efforts in the public sector.
He made this known during the conferment of honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Administration on him at the 10th Convocation Ceremony of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji, Oriade Local Government Area of the state.
Oyetola noted that the public service could only get stronger and become more efficient when people who have made their marks in the private sector support efforts of the government through efficient deployment of innovation and creativity for strategic development.
He maintained that with such support, the system will consequently expunge bureaucracy and other excruciating tendencies that paralyse it, saying that would help to place the economy on the right track.
He said the Nigerian public service is populated by some of the best brains, but it requires a push at critical levels to deliver optimally on its mandate.
“Public service gets stronger and more efficient when people who have made their marks in the private sector join the service to infuse the kernels of innovation, creativity, efficiency and strategic development that make the private sector tick into the system and consequently expunge bureaucracy and other excruciating tendencies that paralyse it,” he emphasised.
Governor Oyetola also described the honour done him as “worthwhile” and one done in recognition of his modest contributions to public service in the last nine years.
“In my short years in public service, I have made the people the epicentre of service, delivering projects, programmes and service on an adequate, equitable and qualitative basis while regularly building capacity of workers and driving them to make best practices the hallmark of service.
“The outcomes, which have fetched the state awards at home and abroad, especially in the critical areas of health and security, are enough motivation for staff who now see the essence of paradigm shift in service delivery in the interest of the State and the people.
“After over three decades of service in the private sector, I ventured into the public service in the staunch belief that service to the people is the best service and that it can only yield its best to the people when people of integrity and honour venture into the fold.
“I must confess that nine years down the line, I have not regretted the decision. Indeed, I have gained the best confidence and job satisfaction, having discovered that service to God and the people is the whole essence of human existence,” Oyetola said.
In his remarks, the Visitor to the university and President, Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide, Pastor Olukunle Akinosun, described Oyetola as the people’s governor, who combines two great qualities — a seasoned administrator and an astute politician.
Akinosun said Oyetola was being honoured by the institution in recognition and appreciation of his sterling contributions to public administration and the development of education in Nigeria.
He congratulated the governor for the honour, just as he lauded him for his selfless service to humanity and his impactful leadership in the state.
Other eminent Nigerians conferred with honorary doctorate degrees by the university include the Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila; Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde; and Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.