Fifteen Permanent Secretaries of the Oyo State Public service have been asked to proceed on a terminal leave leading to retirement.

This is just as Governor Abiola Ajimobi approved the posting of 25 Permanent Secretaries and Head of non-Ministerial Departments with immediate effect.

Some of the newly approved Permanent Secretaries are, Mrs H.O. Ogunesan, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters; Mr V. A. Atilola, Agriculture and Natural Resources; Mr O.O. Oyedele, Works and Transport; Mr O.O. Olaoye, Local Government Service Commission; Dr B.A. Olanrewaju, Information, Culture and Tourism, and, Mr D.O. Oyewole.

Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Strategy, Mr Yomi Layinka briefing journalists on the development said the Permanent Secretaries were asked to proceed on terminal leave in line with government’s plan to restructure the state’s civil service for efficiency.

“The permanent secretaries have not been sacked. What happened was that some permanent secretaries as a consequence of the restructuring have had to leave and also due to the fact that some of them had their terminal exit due.

“Many of them were due for retirement and have so proceeded on terminal leave which will lead to their retirement.”

“We have brought in a few younger officers to make up the ministries that require permanent secretaries. We have five officers move up the ladder to join other 15 senior officers as permanent secretaries. Some of them moved from one ministry to another,” he said.

He added that government prunned down the previously existing 35 permanent secretaries to 20 in line with government’s decision to reduce the number of Ministries from 23 to 13.