The Ondo State Government has commenced activities marking the 2026 Public Service Week with a renewed commitment to workers’ welfare, career progression and improved service delivery.

Addressing a press briefing on Monday at the Cocoa Conference Hall, Governor’s Office, Akure, to herald the celebration, the State Head of Service, Chief Segun Odusanya, said the week is themed “Harnessing Public Service for Good Governance.”

According to him, the theme was carefully chosen to promote professionalism, accountability, institutional solidarity and improved service delivery across Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

Chief Odusanya disclosed that the six-day programme which began with Monday’s press briefing, will feature a health walk, novelty football match, public service lecture, panel discussion, and Muslim and Christian thanksgiving services.

He used the occasion to reel out recent interventions of the administration of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, FCA, in the public service.

He announced that the Governor has ordered immediate payment of the 2026 leave bonus to State and Local Government workers, approved an additional N500 million seed fund for housing and motor vehicle loans, and approved upward review of loan ceilings and Duty Tour Allowances.

He added that all officers due for promotion in the 2026 cycle have received their promotion letters, while preparations for the 2027 promotion exercise are already underway across the mainstream service, teaching services and parastatals.

The Head of Service also disclosed that the Government has recruited about 6,000 workers since 2024 to address manpower gaps in health, education, justice and other sectors, and has ordered collation of existing vacancies for a planned general recruitment.

On pension matters, he said government has continued to gradually settle inherited gratuity arrears and has harmonized pensions for retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries.

He urged public servants to reciprocate Government’s gestures with greater dedication, discipline, integrity and accountability.

He however appealed to the Government to consider providing affordable mass transit and low-cost housing to ease financial burden on workers.