…Charges Appointees To Inject Fresh
Ideas To Improve Service Delivery
Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi
Ambode on Monday swore in Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola as the 21st Head of Service (HOS)
of the State, with a charge on him to inject fresh ideas, vibrancy and new
energy that will take the public service to new heights and make Lagos a
globally recognized City-State with a commitment to efficiency, effectiveness,
innovation and creativity in service delivery.
The Governor also swore in six new
Permanent Secretaries who have since been deployed to various Ministries,
Departments and Agencies (MDAs). They are Dr. Titilayo Goncalves (Ministry of
Health); Mr Adeyemi Kosoko (Education District IV); Dr Sherifat Balogun
(Ministry of Youth and Social Development); Mr Segun Adeniji (Health Service
Commission); Mrs Abosede Adelaja (Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture); and
Dr Lateef Lawal (Primary Healthcare Board).
Describing the appointments as
thoroughly deserving, Governor Ambode said a new chapter had just been opened
in the State public service, and particularly urged the appointees to justify
the elevation by working harder to satisfy the expectations of the people.
While expressing strong optimism in
the ability of Muri-Okunola to effectively take charge on account of his
capacity, knowledge, exposure, experience and youthful energy, Governor Ambode
nonetheless said it was important for him to lead by example and encourage
accountability and professionalism.
“Following the swearing in of the
new Head of Service, a new chapter has just been opened in the history of the
Lagos State Public Service. It is a new chapter with high expectations for the
injection of new energy and vibrancy that will move our Public Service to new
heights.
“As the number one Civil Servant in
Lagos State, you must demonstrate leadership and lead by example for others,
including the Body of Permanent Secretaries, to follow. You have a
responsibility to provide direction and encourage accountability, transparency,
professionalism and high sense of discipline. Your actions must be based on
sound and objective judgment with consideration for merit and proven record of
competence and loyalty.
“I have no doubt in my mind that
under your leadership, Lagos State Public Service will achieve great strides
and record outstanding achievements as a role model for other public service
institutions in Africa,” Governor Ambode charged the HOS.
The Governor, who underscored the
strategic important role of the civil service, said the extent to which any
government succeeds in the implementation of its policies and programmes
largely depends on the quality and orientation of the Civil Service, hence the
need for the new leadership to implement necessary measures and initiatives to
foster growth and development.
“Our Civil service needs a
leadership that will inspire confidence and the will to strive for excellence.
We are in a technology age where creative thinking and innovation must be given
a pride of place through the growth mindset initiative, the Service Charter and
other policies being driven by the Office of Transformation, Creativity and
Innovation.
“I am satisfied with the positive
impact these initiatives have made so far to the extent that the Lagos State
Public Service is gaining the confidence and trust of the citizens especially
taxpayers. It will however take consistent implementation and improvement of
these initiatives for us to achieve the ultimate goal of making our Public
Service truly service-oriented and responsive to the demands of Lagosians,”
Governor Ambode said, just as he assured of his support.
While lauding the former Governor of
the State and National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola
Tinubu for laying a solid foundation for the transformation of the State civil
service, Governor Ambode also commended the immediate past Head of Service, Mrs
Folashade Adesoye for serving meritoriously and her work in strengthening the
public service.
Responding, Muri-Okunola thanked
Governor Ambode for the confidence and trust reposed in him, assuring that the
public service, under him, would improve on all well-known traditions for
speedy, efficient and effective implementation of government policies and
initiatives.
Dignitaries who witnessed the
swearing in of the new HOS are Tinubu; Deputy Governor, Idiat Adebule; former
Deputy Governor, Femi Pedro; Senator representing Lagos East, Gbenga Ashafa;
Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; Majority Leader of House of Representatives, Femi
Gbajabiamila; APC Southwest women leader, Chief Kemi Nelson; Elegushi of Ikate
Land, Oba Saheed Elegushi, among others.
