Encomium as Oyo Service Matters, Perm Sec, Oyekunle Bows Out of Service

… He is a role Model – Deacon Taiwo Adewale

The Permanent Secretary, Service Matters, Office of the Head of Service, Mr. Paul Oyekunle is bowing out of Oyo State Civil Service today Friday, August 8, 2025.

The State Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, mni, Some members of the Forum of Permanent Secretaries, Executive Secretaries, General Managers, Inspectors General of Education, Tutors General of Education lavishes encomium on him.

Dr. Adekunle Oyedele is the Permanent Secretary, General Administration. Governor’s Office. He described Mr. Oyekunle as  a very dedicated civil servant, loyal and an advocate of quality service.

He posited that Mr. Oyekunle has contributed immensely to the growth of the service, describing him as an Encyclopedia of the Civil Service because of his vast knowledge of the service rule.

Mr. Taiwo Niran Mustapha, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Establishments and Training said Mr. Paul Oyekunle has traversed most part of the service, Establishment Matters, Transfer Issues, Promotions, Discipline, Salary Negotiation, Appointment with deep knowledge on issues that related to service matters. I want to say that he is a man of action, voice of reasoning and he has contributed immensely to the growth of service, I wish him happy retirement, he would live long in good health to reap all he has laboured for in the service.

Alhaji Mustapha continued. “I wish him happy retirement, the service will remember him for his legacy of hard work, Dedication, Commitment, Integrity, Humility, Leadership and other numerous contributions to the service”.

Interestingly, Dr. Mofoluwake Ibitoye,  the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion in her goodwill message described Mr. Paul Oyekunle as a legend in the service of Oyo State, his administrative prowess to resolve crisis is top notch and he is well respected in the circle of the Forum of Permanent Secretaries.

Deacon, Taiwo Adewale, the Permanent Secretary, Local Government Service Commission said Mr. Paul Oyekunle can hardly hurt a fly, he is not self centered, he doesn’t believe in aggression, he is an encyclopedia of the service when it comes to service matters, he addresses issues with no sentiment, no bias and he doesn’t allow his work to affect his social life, he attends all occasions of the Permanent Secretaries without discrimination, he is a role model.

Comrade Kayode Victor Muyiwa, the General Manager, Oyo State Government Printing Press and the Chairman, Forum of Administrative Officers of Oyo State commended Mr. Paul Oyekunle for playing a fatherly role for all members of the forum of administrative officers  in the service.

TPL. Akinwale Olufemi Akindele,  Permanent Secretary/Administrator Local Government Service Commission, Ibadan Zone -2, said, Mr. Paul Oyekunle is an embodiment of Civil Service rule and tenet, he is very vast in it, I wish him happy retirement and long life.

Mr. Olusola Ojelabi, Permanent Secretary, Cabinet and Special Services said “when the need arises and you  assigned a role for Mr. Oyekunle go and relax, he will do it very well without backlash, he is a repository  of knowledge, when it comes to service matters”.

Commander Ayoade Adeoye, the General Manager, Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency (OYRTMA) said Mr. Paul Oyekunle has done so much in re-building the service, he always puts round pegs in a round hole, he is a good administrator.

Nevertheless, Like one popular Yoruba Adage  “Egungun nla lo n keyin Igbale”  the number one Civil Servant in the Pacesetter State, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, mni in her remarks said Mr. Paul Oyekunle, a thoroughbred Administrator, is bowing out of the Civil Service meritoriously without blemish after many years of positive contributions.

“His remarkable dedication and unwavering commitment to service delivery are unequalled, Oyekunle is a seasoned Administrator who exemplifies the core values and ethos of the Civil Service and these attributes he demonstrated working as the Permanent Secretary (Service Matters) in the office of the Head of Service”.

The number one Civil Servant pointed out that despite his vast knowledge of service-related matters, he exhibited humility and compassion in the discharge of his duties and he finds it easy to crack difficult nuts, particularly issues on establishment matters. It is therefore not surprising that he was labelled “the Encyclopedia of the Service”.

“You are indeed a good example to emulate and the indelible legacies you are leaving behind in the Civil Service of our dear State will be etched in the minds of many”.

“I therefore use this medium to felicitate you on your retirement from the Service of Oyo State after many years of impactful service and enduring legacies. It is my fervent prayer that Almighty God will grant you long life and sound health as you start another chapter of your life which will be sweet, blessed and more fulfilling than ever before”

Meanwhile, the Head of Service and the Permanent Secretaries in their separate remarks appreciated Governor Seyi Makinde for setting the pace in the Pacesetter State.

However, Former UK Prime Minister, Sir. Winston Churchill said; “After a Time, Civil Servants Tend to Become No Longer Servants and No Longer Civil”.

Congratulations and Happy Retirement Mr. Paul Oyekunle.

Abiodun Atilola

Head of Media and Publicity, SSG/HOS Office.