Osun state Head of Service, Dr. Oyebade Olowogboyega, has appealed to the set of workers that have been receiving half salaries to endure a bit with the government.
He assured that all arrears of salaries owed them will be paid as soon as the economy of the state improves.
Olowogboyega made the appeal at the closing ceremony of the Training Programme for Information Officers, Graphic Artists and Photographers organised by the state Ministry of Information and Strategy, in Osogbo.
Contrary to rumours that Aregbesola would not pay the arrears, the Head of Service said Governor Aregbesola has never claimed he would not pay arrears of salaries due to the workers.
He said under atmosphere of peace, the present administration would not only make workers and retirees happy, it would also continue with massive rehabilitation of infrastructural amenities.
Delivering a paper on the topic: “Essence of Government Information Officer in A Democratic Government”, former Nigeria ambassador to Philippine, Dr. Yemi Farombi, told the participants to motivate themselves and perform at optimum level at all times.
He also advised them to build trust in their colleagues and ensure their political heads have robust relationships with newsmen to prevent breakdown of communication.
“It is only natural that in a well functioning democracy, where the media plays a vital oversight role, there will be tension between reporters and public officials responsible for providing information.
“Information officers need to work continuously at building a relationship of trust between the two parties, impart by prompting mutual appreciation of the fact that reporters need information officers and vice versa”, Farombi concluded.
In his goodwill message, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Adelani Baderinwa, promised to, from time to time, ensure training and retraining of people responsible for promoting activities of government.
He said the state government would continue to place high premium on workers’ motivation and welfare, stressing the need for them to reciprocate the gesture through increase productivity and dedication to duties.
