The Office of Cabinet and Special Services, Ekiti State, has conducted its fourth annual in-house training for staff members, emphasizing the need for professionalism, political neutrality, and mental resilience as the state moves closer to another election season.
The one-day training, held at the Conference Hall of the Old Governor’s Office in Ado-Ekiti, brought together senior officials, resource persons, and civil servants to deliberate on issues central to effective service delivery and personal well-being. The training featured two resource persons: Barrister Aluko, a seasoned administrator, and Dr. Ibidolapo Ajayi, a desk officer on mental health, who spoke on “The Principles of Political Neutrality and the Role of Civil Servants” and “Mental Resilience for All-Round Wellness,” respectively.
In his presentation, Barrister Aluko reminded participants of their constitutional duty to remain politically neutral in the discharge of their responsibilities. Emphasizing the importance of impartiality and professionalism, he stressed that civil servants must serve the government of the day without allegiance to political parties or candidates.
Aluko who described the civil service as the permanent professional arm of government, explained that it is designed to implement policies and deliver services irrespective of political changes. Quoting administrative scholar Augustus Adebayo, he traced the origins of the civil service to ancient civilizations, highlighting its enduring role in defining policy, drafting laws, and ensuring governance continuity.
The seasoned administrator who also explored the legal framework supporting political neutrality, cited relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution, the Ekiti State Civil Service Regulations, and the Public Service Handbook as key instruments guiding civil servants. These documents, he said, provide statutory backing for impartiality and discipline in the public service.
Among the key principles of civil service practice highlighted were permanence, hierarchy, anonymity, impartiality, meritocracy, and confidentiality. Political neutrality, Aluko emphasized, remains a cornerstone of these principles, requiring civil servants to provide unbiased advice, implement policies faithfully, and maintain loyalty to the state rather than to political figures.
Aluko also referenced the Ekiti State Public Service Rules of 2021, which expressly prohibit civil servants from engaging in partisan politics. These rules according to him restrict actions such as holding elective office, canvassing for candidates, or using government resources for political campaigns. He cited the Supreme Court case of INEC vs. Balarabe Musa, which upheld the constitutionality of such restrictions to safeguard the neutrality of public service.
Delegated legislation within Ekiti State, including the Political Activities (Public Servants) Order of 2013, further reinforces these restrictions. The order mandates loyalty, impartiality, and confidentiality, while prescribing sanctions for breaches, ranging from disciplinary action to dismissal for those found engaging in political activities.
The resource person stressed that misconduct such as unauthorized disclosure of government information, absence without permission, or political involvement could attract penalties, including termination of appointment. He encouraged civil servants to familiarize themselves with disciplinary provisions while striving for professionalism and integrity in service delivery.
Beyond disciplinary measures, Aluko noted that the civil service rewards exemplary conduct through awards and recognition, maintaining that this dual system of sanctions and incentives promotes efficiency, social justice, and a strong public service ethos.
Turning to the second topic, Dr. Ibidolapo Ajayi who addressed participants on the importance of mental resilience as a key to achieving all-round wellness and productivity, defined mental resilience as the ability to adapt, recover, and grow stronger in the face of stress, adversity, or sudden change, noting that it is not dependent on wealth, luck, or intelligence.
Citing World Health Organization standards, Dr. Ajayi described mental health as a state of well-being that enables individuals to cope with life’s challenges, realize their abilities, and contribute to society. She revealed that everyone, regardless of age, gender, or economic status, is at some risk of developing a mental health disorder, with depression ranked among the leading causes of disability worldwide.
The mental health expert outlined seven pillars of mental resilience: self-awareness, positive mindset, stress management, healthy lifestyle, social support, adaptability, and spiritual grounding. She advised participants to strengthen these pillars to maintain emotional balance and thrive despite life’s uncertainties.
Dr. Ajayi also highlighted modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for mental health conditions. According to her, socioeconomic challenges, education, housing, and social involvement are the modifiable risks, while age, gender, and ethnicity fall into non-modifiable categories. She urged civil servants to take proactive steps in managing modifiable risks to protect their mental well-being.
She shared with the participants the practical strategies for building resilience including balanced nutrition, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and stress management techniques such as mindfulness. Dr. Ajayi recommended the “3 A’s” approach—Asking, Awareness, and Acceptance to foster mental clarity and improve decision-making in stressful situations.
She further encouraged participants to take “the pause” when faced with emotional challenges, explaining that reflecting on emotions rather than reacting impulsively promotes healing and long-term mental strength. Quoting the biblical principle of “godliness with contentment is great gain,” she urged the audience to pursue growth while cultivating inner peace.
Earlier in her address, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Habibat Adubiaro, reaffirmed the commitment of the Biodun Oyebanji-led administration to training and retraining public servants as part of its six-point development agenda. She lauded the effort of the Cabinet and Special Services Department for their consistence in organizing impactful sessions to improve worker efficiency and professionalism.
Prof. Adubiaro commended the department’s leadership under the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Oyeyemi Kayode Ojo, for aligning with the government’s mission to develop human capital, urging participants to put the knowledge gained into practice for both personal growth and the overall benefit of the state.
In her remarks, the permanent secretary Dr. Oyeyemi Kayode-Ojo explained that the department’s human capital development efforts were aimed to enhance staff fulfillment socially, psychologically, and financially. She thanked Governor Oyebanji and the Secretary to the State Government for their support to the workers’ welfare and continuous capacity building.
The Director of Special Services, Dr. Olabisi Ogunmodede, recalled the department’s previous training initiatives, describing the 2025 edition as a continuation of efforts to promote optimal performance and staff well-being. She encouraged participants to maximize the benefits of the training for personal and professional development.
Some participants expressed appreciation to the department’s leadership for consistently setting high standards within the Ekiti State civil service as they described the topics as timely and relevant, noting that the training had deepened their understanding of political neutrality and provided practical tools for maintaining mental wellness in a demanding work environment.
