A former Petroleum Resources Minister, Chief Philip Asiodu has said that the idea of federal, state and local government character should be discouraged.

Speaking at the Oyo State Public Service Forum Lecture organized by the state civil service at Premier Hotel, Ibadan at the week end, he stressed that merit should be upheld in order to enhance effective civil service.

The governor's Special Adviser on Media, Dr Festus Adedayo said in a statement in Ibadan on Sunday that he commended the Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi for his administration’s commitment towards ensuring an effective, efficient and accountable civil service.

Chief Asiodu, while observing the Oyo State government’s efforts towards the welfare of its workers in terms of prompt payment of salaries and allowances as well as training and retraining of workers, urged other states to emulate the gesture of the Ajimobi administration.

According to him, The retired more resources, better coordination and proper planning should be devoted to training and capacity development of civil servants, adding that civil and public servants should adhere strictly to the core value of integrity, accountability, competence and service delivery.

Speaking, Governor Abiola Ajimobi emphasized that civil servants should be more confident in the discharge of their responsibilities and that they should always exhibit courage in dealing with political office holders.

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of civil servants in the state, adding that his administration had improved the state civil service and had motivated workers more than any previous administration in the state.

``For the civil service, we have provided more welfare packages than any other government in this state. We have provided training more than any government.

"Likewise, we have closed all the loopholes and created more opportunities for career advancement,’’ he said.

Ajimobi stressed the need for a professional, honest and result-oriented civil service, pointing out that civil servants must be adaptive and assertive.

Also speaking, the state Head of Service, Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu disclosed that Governor Ajimobi had approved the creation of a new department in the office of the Head of Service to look after the welfare of senior civil servants.

According to him, the department, known as post service department, is saddled with the responsibilities of looking after the well-being of retired Heads of Service, Permanent Secretaries and heads of extra-ministerial departments and directors.