Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has urged the State Public Servants to be hard-working, committed and diligent in order to build a public service that is creative, innovative and globally competitive.
Ambode who spoke in Lagos Thursday at a parade/exhibition by Public Servants in the State as part of activities marking the Lagos@50 celebrations also called on them to chart a new course for a greater and more prosperous State for the next 50 years.
According to the Governor who was represented by his deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, the success story of Lagos State will not be completed without giving due recognition to the contribution of the State Public Service adding that while administrations come and go, the Public Service remains constant, diligently implementing government policies with far reaching effects on the general wellbeing of the people.
“It is therefore proper to set aside this event for the entire public service to be part of the golden jubilee celebration. This is being done today through this exhibition which showcases the various areas by which civil service contributes to the growth and development of our State.
“As we savour the joy of this occasion, we must not lose sight of the whole essence of this celebration which is to acknowledge our past achievements and also chart a new course for a greater and more prosperous State for the next 50 years,” Ambode noted.
He pointed out that as the engine room of the State Government, the State Public Service has a critical role to play in achieving the future that we all desire stressing that they must continue to demonstrate great sense of commitment by keying into the vision of his administration to create opportunities and make Lagos State work for all.
Said he, “the public service must accept the reality that the only yardstick to measure its relevance and performance is how well it satisfies the expectations of the citizenry in the way and manner that public service is delivered.”
He added that the State Government would not relent in playing its part by providing the necessary tools and conducive environment needed for effective and efficient service delivery as well as continue to prioritise issues concerning welfare, capacity building and other matters bothering on career progression and fulfilment.
“As we celebrate fifty years of outstanding achievements which also coincides with our administration’s second anniversary, I would like to thank the Head of Service, body of Permanent Secretaries and the entire Lagos State public servants for your dedication and support. I enjoin you to keep up the spirit of hard-work, commitment and diligence in order to build a public service that is creative, innovative and globally competitive,” the Governor opined.
Earlier, the Head of Service, Olabowale Ademola described the State Public Service as the most efficient, the most effective, the most proactive, the most dynamic, the most creative and most knowledgeable value-driven Public Service in Africa which significant and invaluable contributions to the State’s economic development, since its creation in 1967, cannot be over-emphasized.
“The quality of the State workforce is second to none. The standards as established by the eminent class of retired Heads of Service, Permanent Secretaries, Directors, Middle Level Officers and Junior Officers in the entire Public Service which includes the Mainstream Civil Service, the Local Government Service, Parastatal Organisations and Government owned Agencies, have not only being sustained over the years, but have also been improved upon. It is no wonder today that Lagos, the Mega City called the Centre of Excellence, is one of the world’s 100 most resilient cities,” the Head of Service observed.
Ademola therefore urged Public Servants to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the State Government to continue to develop themselves in order to remain relevant in the Lagos of the future adding that the world is constantly
evolving hence they must be prepared to change.
“We are in the age of technology, the right use of which can add value to our work. As is often said, yesterday’s solutions may be unsuitable in solving today’s problems and clearly inadequate for tomorrow’s challenges. Therefore, the celebration of Lagos @50, should also serve to motivate us to higher productivity in our various Offices, Departments and Agencies,” she said.
The Head of Service therefore pledged on behalf of Lagos State Public Servants to continue to discharge their duties and responsibilities with commitment and dedication in demonstration of their loyalty to Government adding that they would always eschew disloyalty, indiscipline, nonchalant attitude and low productivity.
The highlight of the event was the parade by each MDAs, local governments and local council development areas that constitute the State Public Service.
Follow Us
”