Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday swore-in five new Permanent Secretaries into the State Civil Service, charging them to add value to governance with innovative ideas that would deepen the impact of his administration’s policies and programmes on the people.
Governor Ambode who spoke at the swearing-in ceremony held at the Exco Chambers, Lagos House, Ikeja, admonished the new appointees to see their appointment as a call to duty with greater sense of commitment and high premium performance in the service of all Lagosians, irrespective of their status and creed.
He said, “Given the top management positions which you have occupied in your different MDAs prior to this appointment, I have no doubt that you are sufficiently familiar with the vision and policy direction of this administration. You therefore have a responsibility to add value to governance with innovative ideas that will deepen the impact of government policies and programmes on the people.
“I urge you not to rest on your oars. You must see this appointment as a challenge and a privilege for you to join the political leadership of your various agencies and other members of the distinguished Body of Permanent Secretaries to deliver to our people a Lagos that provides leadership with commitment to accountability, probity and transparency; geographical expansion where opportunities will be limitless under a secured environment”.
He said the Permanent Secretaries were chosen based on their long years of veritable, excellent and untainted career records, which according to him, conforms with the essential requirements for the actualization of his administration’s vision and dream.
“We have left no one in doubt about our strong belief in the capacity of the Public Servants of our State as the engine for the actualization of our vision and dream to transform our State to become Africa’s model megacity and preferred destination for investment and tourism. These appointments like others that we have done since we came into office, were not just meant to fill vacant positions, but rather a process, well thought out to match vision with human capital.
“As I rejoice with the new Permanent Secretaries on their appointment, I look forward to feeling the impact your elevation will have on the delivery of quality public service to our people,” Governor Ambode said.
Earlier, the State Head of Service, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola, who presented the new appointees to the Governor, thanked him for recognizing exemplary performance and merit as core criteria for elevation into accountable posts in the state public service.
The five new Permanent Secretaries are Mrs Florence Ebunoluwa Oluwasuji who is now the Permanent Secretary/Tutor General, Education District V; Dr. Shamsideen Olalekan Allison, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (PHCB); Engr. Saliu Abidemi Adeyemi who takes over as the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environment; Mr. Senayon Adeola Hundeyin, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and Mrs Yetunde Adefolahan Odejayi, Permanent Secretary, Deputy Governor’s Office.
The ceremony which was attended by members of the State Executive Council, retired Permanent Secretaries and Directors also had family, friends and well wishers of the newly sworn in Permanent Secretaries in attendance.