The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, has pledged to render even greater service to the public following his recognition by the Oyo State Government on Tuesday.
In a letter conveying his nomination for the Oyo State Merit Award as part of activities marking the golden jubilee of the state’s creation, the government stated that Olaopa was being honoured for his “selfless service to the growth and development of Oyo State and for ably representing the state on the world stage.”
Speaking at the award ceremony held at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, and hosted by Governor Seyi Makinde, Olaopa described the honour as a call to sustain his efforts in advancing institutional and governance reforms.
In his acceptance speech, he said the recognition served as encouragement to continue “pushing the boundaries of institutional and governance reforms that will connect, for example, the Oyo State public administration system to the larger federal system in delivering the dividends of democratic development that the citizens of Oyo State need so badly to make life better for them.”
On behalf of himself, the Afijio and Awe communities, and the Olaopa family, he expressed appreciation to “our leader, the indefatigable Governor Seyi Makinde” and his team for finding him worthy of the honour.
He reaffirmed his commitment to serving the state and inspiring its continued development, offering what he described as a “solemn promise… that I will not stop working to keep pushing Oyo State ahead on the frontier of excellence.”
Olaopa said he remained deeply proud of his Oyo State origin, noting that “no matter what one has gone on to achieve in life, one has every reason to be proud to have come from Oyo State.”
Highlighting the state’s strengths, the former Federal Permanent Secretary and Professor of Public Administration described Oyo as “a land of historical legacies, cultural heritage and sociopolitical dynamics that set it apart as a formidable context of development in the whole of South-West Nigeria.”
“When we talk of the glorious days of governance and of the civil service, it is the South-West headquartered in Oyo State that is being referenced — standing tall as the Pacesetter State, a state of many firsts. A state like no other; the reason that ‘aji se bi Oyo lanri Oyo ki ise eni kokan’ resonates so deeply with most indigenes”, he added.
He further stated that from past traditional and political leaders to the current administration, Oyo State has consistently advanced along the path of development, reinforcing its reputation as the “Pacesetter State.”
“However,” he added, “to set the pace requires deploying frontier thinking that keeps the state ahead in terms of creative development initiatives.”
Olaopa noted that the state has benefited from committed leadership since its creation in 1976 and commended Governor Makinde for sustaining its developmental orientation, citing visible infrastructural progress.
He urged Oyo, as a leading state in the South-West, to demonstrate innovation in leveraging inter-state partnerships to harness economies of scale, deepen infrastructural development, and restore the region as an economic corridor within the framework of fiscal federalism.
Highlighting the role of the Federal Government, Olaopa said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had initiated steps that could further advance regional development, particularly with the establishment of the South-West Regional Commission.
He noted that such institutional frameworks, alongside the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, could serve as catalysts for the region’s advancement within the Nigerian federation.
He observed that it was fitting that Oyo State’s 50th anniversary was being celebrated during Governor Makinde’s tenure, which he described as marked by “unstinting commitment to democratic governance and people-centred inclusive reforms” that have raised governance standards in the state.
Paying further tribute to the governor, Olaopa lauded what he called Makinde’s “persistent visioneering efforts” in sustaining and building upon the legacy established at the state’s creation in 1976.
“Your charisma, professionalism and courage,” he said, “have kept alive the spirit of daring creativity and courageous progress that distinguishes Oyo State and ensures that it will never play second fiddle to anyone else.”
